These films details a beginning and introduction of sorts into the world I aim to dive more into.

The starting point

This short film was my first venture into film as a videographer and director. It allowed me to understand the various mediums best suited for each story I aim to tell.

In 2015, Reel Youth and the Nia Centre partnered with filmmaker and facilitator, Ella Cooper, to create VisualEyes. This project offered a unique, Afro-centric film and video camp for young Black women based in the Greater Toronto Area. This film is one of nine created by the young women in the program to celebrate their individual life stories and the issues most pertinent them.

The Continuation

Working on this project was truly special. It served as a reminder of how important it is for us to learn the stories of our elders. They are an important resource of knowledge which should always be honoured.

Now as I write, my grandparents, aunts and uncles are now captured through it.

Meet Gerry and Jai Martin, participants in the Love & Romance edition of The Revera and Reel Youth Age is More Film Project. Jai lived through the Korean War before coming to Canada in 1960, where she met Gerry, the love of her life—a cross-cultural romance that was considered unusual at the time. Both Gerry and Jai share their stories of life, marriage, love and laughter. The Revera and Reel Youth Age Is More Film Project brings together youth and older adults in creative collaboration to foster intergenerational friendships and combat ageism. Ageism is Canada's most widely tolerated form of social discrimination, so the Age Is More Film Project was designed to shed light on ageism, challenge the assumptions of aging and recognize the valuable contributions of older adults to society.