Spotlighting Tonya Williams: VFF Trailblazer Award Recipient 2025
- VFF
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
VFF is excited to announce that this year’s recipient of the Sandra Piccolo Trailblazer Award will be award-winning actress and producer Tonya Williams!
With decades of experience in the film and television industry, the iconic Canadian actress, producer, and activist continues to use her influence to fight for change and create valuable opportunities for BIPOC creatives.
While some might recognize Williams from her famed role as Dr. Olivia Barber Winters on The Young and the Restless, she has since made a name for herself as one of Canada’s most impactful creatives through her work at Reelworld Film Festival. As the Founder and Executive Director of Reelworld, she aimed to advance opportunities for Canadian BIPOC communities in the screen industries by providing professional development and advocating for racial equity in Canadian content, a goal which she has certainly met and continues to strive for further.
Not only did Williams found a world-class film festival, she also expanded the project to become the Reelworld Screen Institute, which trains and supports diverse film professionals across all levels of the industry. Her efforts as the Founder and Executive Director of Reelworld Film Festival have been a major factor in amplifying the artistic voices of marginalized communities in Canada and ensuring their success as the next generation of filmmakers.
Williams came of age during an era when negative on-screen portrayals of BIPOC communities were widespread, which made her acutely aware of the power of visual storytelling—and its impact not just on those being represented, but on society at large. Oftentimes the only person of colour both in front of and behind the camera, Williams saw firsthand the lack of opportunity for people of colour in the film and television industry in Canada and beyond. She understood that to correct years of harmful stereotypes perpetuated on screen, creatives from underrepresented communities must be empowered to tell their own stories.
Through her work at Reelworld, Williams continues to advocate for change in the industry by engaging in discussions with top government media organizations like Telefilm Canada, Canada Media Fund, and more, to bring attention to the needs of diverse media artists. Her advocacy has even made it to the Senate – in 2018, Reelworld was asked to speak at the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, during which they discussed the importance of sharing Canada’s diverse artists’ stories with the world.
Despite the barriers and challenges that diverse talent continue to face in the industry, it would be remiss to ignore the influence that Williams has had on social justice and human rights in the world of Canadian media. The Vaughan International Film Festival isn’t the only one recognizing Williams’ impact—she will be inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame on June 14, 2025, just days before the start of Festival Week.
At its heart, Canada is a vibrant mosaic of diverse communities, and Williams’ dedication to highlighting the stories of those historically overlooked has fostered a more compelling and authentic representation of Canada and its peoples. Her commitment to uplifting marginalized voices and changing the standards of inclusivity in the Canadian media sector makes her a fitting recipient of this year’s Trailblazer Award.
For press & media inquiries email: media@vaughanfilmfestival.com
Tickets to this year's Vaughan International Film Festival are available HERE.
June 16 - Student Screening
June 17 - Int'l Block 1 Screening
June 18 - Int'l Block 2 Screening
June 19 - VFF Awards
Comentários