Sandi Ross Awards
The Sandi Ross Awards celebrate an individual and a company who incorporate diversity and inclusion in their work. Originally conceived by the ACTRA Toronto Diversity Committee under the leadership of Co-Chairs Sedina Fiati and Farah Merani as the #SharetheScreen Awards, the awards were re-named in honour of Sandi Ross who passed away just before their first presentation in 2016.
Sandi Ross was the first woman and person of colour to be president of ACTRA Toronto and was the founder of ACTRA Toronto’s first diverse talent directory, Into the Mainstream. The directory continues online at Diversity.ACTRAonline.ca, and is a useful tool for producers and casting directors to cast inclusively.
ACTRA Toronto’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee advocates on behalf of ACTRA Toronto’s self-identified physically and culturally diverse performers and calls for a more inclusive media industry.
Video: Sandi Ross clip from the 1997 ACTRA Toronto archives.
9th annual Sandi Ross Awards
The 9th annual Sandi Ross Awards honoured Shant Joshi and Cameron Pictures Inc. at a private event during TIFF on Monday, September 14, 2026.
Read the news release.
The 9th annual Sandi Ross Awards would not have been possible without the generous sponsorship of:
AFBS (Title sponsor)
ACTRA Toronto (Lead sponsor)
The Collective Action Group (Lead sponsor)
Ms BA Productions
Black Pledge Collective
ACTRA Toronto Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Photography and videography services graciously provided by Wayne McDonald Photography and visuals by Villy.
We were excited to welcome back Enchanted Booth to the live event on September 14th with their Mirror Photo Booth to capture some awesome photos. A special thank you to Glam Medi Spa for featuring their premium OxyGeneo Facial Treatment at this year’s event, highlighting their expertise in advanced skincare.
Red Carpet photos coming soon!
8th annual Sandi Ross Awards
The 8th annual Sandi Ross Awards honoured Anthony Q. Farrell and Reelworld Film Festival and Screen Institute at a private event during TIFF on Monday, September 9, 2024.
Read the news release.
The 8th annual Sandi Ross Awards would not have been possible without the generous sponsorship of:
AFBS (platinum sponsor)
Honey’s Ice Cream (gold sponsor)
Photography and videography services graciously provided by Wayne McDonald Photography and visuals by Villy.
This year, we are excited to announce that Enchanted Booth was available at the live event on September 9th with their Mirror Photo Booth to capture some awesome photos.
7th annual Sandi Ross Awards
The 7th annual Sandi Ross Awards honoured Award-winning writer, producer and television/radio host Amanda Parris and Toronto-based entertainment agency Jesse Griffiths Casting Inc.
Read the news release
The 7th annual Sandi Ross Awards were live streamed on at 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday, February 17, 2023, on the ACTRA Toronto YouTube Channel. During the one hour broadcast, ACTRA Toronto Diversity & Inclusion Committee Co-Chairs Janet Rose Nguyen and Chattrisse Dolabaille hosted a discussion with the winners about their own experiences and how to advocate for increased diversity and inclusion.
6th annual Sandi Ross Awards
The 6th annual Sandi Ross Awards honoured Beans writer-director Tracey Deer and comedy troupe, Tallboyz II Men: Vance Banzo, Guled Abdi, Franco Nguyen and Tim Blair for their immense contributions to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the film and television industry.
Read the news release
During the one hour broadcast, ACTRA Toronto Diversity & Inclusion Committee Co-Chairs Janet Rose Nguyen and Chattrisse Dolabaille hosted a discussion with the winners about pursuing a creative career, what advice that they would have given to their younger selves, how to advocate for more diversity and inclusion while integrating activism into art and what’s up next for all of them.
5th annual Sandi Ross Awards
The 5th annual Sandi Ross Awards Awards were live streamed on Sunday, March 21, 2021, at 8pm on ACTRA Toronto’s YouTube channel.
During the one-hour show, hosted by ACTRA Toronto Diversity & Inclusion Committee Co-Chairs, Lisa Michelle Cornelius and Samora Smallwood, awards were presented to Winnifred Jong , creator/director of Tokens, Jessica Meya and Louis Taylor, co-founders of Working the Scene in Colour. The awards presentation was followed by a round table discussion.
Read the news release
4th annual Sandi Ross Awards
The recipients of the 4th annual Sandi Ross Awards were fêted at an invitation-only cocktail party at Orchid Nightclub in Toronto on September 10, 2019.
Read the news release
3rd annual Sandi Ross Awards
The recipients of the 3rd annual Sandi Ross Awards were honoured at a private event at the Orchid Nightclub in Toronto on September 12, 2018.
Read the news release
2nd annual Sandi Ross Awards
The 2nd annual Sandi Ross Awards were presented to this year’s recipients on September 13, 2017, at the Orchid Nightclub in Toronto.
Read the news release
1st annual #SharetheScreen Awards
An exclusive industry reception was held on September 8, 2016, to honour the achievements and commitment to diversity of the inaugural #SharetheScreen recipients.
