TIFF Next Wave Committee 2022–2023
Founded in 2010, the TIFF Next Wave Committee is a group of 12 students ranging in age from 15 to 18 and selected from a competitive pool of hopeful young film enthusiasts. Hailing from specialized arts institutions, public schools, and private schools across the GTA, the Committee members’ tastes, opinions, and critical voices are as diverse as they are strong. Some are aspiring filmmakers, writers, and actors; some are interested in learning the business of film and festivals; some like planning cultural events; and some just love movies. All have demonstrated a spirit that has impressed TIFF leaders.
We chatted with the Committee about their festival picks, their first movie memory, and the always-crucial question: “Who would play you in a movie?”
Faven Tesfamichael
Describe yourself in three words:
Enthusiastic, attentive, supportive
Who would play you in a movie?
Taika Waititi
One person in the industry who inspires you:
Zendaya
A movie that made you feel seen:
Lady Bird
What are you looking forward to the most at TIFF Next Wave and why?
I’m looking forward to being in the cinema and sharing the movies in our lineup with an audience! Just being able to witness everyone’s reaction to a film immediately after it finishes is one of the most enjoyable parts of the movie-watching experience.
“If you like X…”:
If you like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, you will love Egghead & Twinkie.
Honora Murphy
Describe yourself in three words:
(Irish) dancing queen
Who would play you in a movie?:
Edward Cullen
One person in the industry who inspires you:
Richard Ayoade
A movie that made you feel seen:
Zazie Dans le Métro
What are you looking forward to the most at TIFF Next Wave and why?
Getting to re-experience all the joy, sadness, and pure emotion of these films with my friends and family!
“If you like X…”:
If you like Call Me By Your Name, you’ll love Summer with Hope.
Keertan Somasundaram
Describe yourself in three words:
Dazed and Confused
Who would play you in a movie?:
Giancarlo Esposito
One person in the industry who inspires you:
Masaaki Yuasa - all of his animated adventures are so lively and profound, and his newest film, INU-OH, is one of my favourites
What are you looking forward to the most at TIFF Next Wave and why?
This year’s Young Creators Showcase!!! We’ve got so many innovative young filmmakers from all backgrounds showcasing a colossal amount of unique content, all in one place.
“If you like X…”:
If you like The Grand Budapest Hotel, you’ll love Adolfo.
Ellie Tripp
Describe yourself in three words:
Seventeen years old
Who would play you in a movie?:
Ed Sheeran
One person in the industry who inspires you:
Charlotte Wells
A movie that made you feel seen:
The Blair Witch Project
What are you looking forward to the most at TIFF Next Wave and why?
I am beyond excited to share these incredible films that young people may not be exposed to otherwise. I can’t wait for these creative films with themes that are underrepresented within the industry and our greater society to gain exposure. Along with that, there are so many opportunities for young people to connect with each other and people in industry.
“If you like X…”:
If you like Shoplifters, you will love Scrapper.
Simona Williams
Describe yourself in three words:
Unfazed afrobeats lover
Who would play you in a movie?:
Lupita Nyong’o
One person in the industry who inspires you:
Ava DuVernay
A movie that made you feel seen:
Brother
What are you looking forward to the most at TIFF Next Wave and why?
The many....MANY opportunities to gain knowledge from industry professionals and network with like-minded people. As a young person just starting out, the opportunity to meet people who have succeeded in their specialties is so exciting.
“If you like X…”:
If you like Waves, you’ll love Summer Scars.
Arjun Persaud
Describe yourself in three words:
Scruffy-looking nerf herder
Who would play you in a movie?:
Himesh Patel
One person in the industry who inspires you:
Ramy Youssef & Quinta Brunson
A movie that made you feel seen:
The Fabelmans
What are you looking forward to the most at TIFF Next Wave and why?
I’m most looking forward to showing our audience films they normally wouldn’t have been exposed to. We have such a diverse lineup, in terms of regions, themes, and characters!
“If you like X…”:
If you like The Truman Show, you’ll love The Ordinaries.
Norah Daudi
Describe yourself in three words:
Pretentious art kid
Who would play you in a movie?:
Zoe Kravitz
One person in the industry who inspires you:
Donald Glover
A movie that made you feel seen:
Waves
What are you looking forward to the most at TIFF Next Wave and why?
The TIFF Next Wave Opening Night Party with live band performances! I can’t wait to see everyone gathered together to celebrate the festival.
“If you like X…”:
If you like Aftersun, you’ll love Scrapper.
Maggie Kane
Describe yourself in three words:
Insufferable Film Major
Who would play you in a movie?:
The Babadook
One person in the industry who inspires you:
Celine Sciamma!
A movie that made you feel seen:
Ginger Snaps
What are you looking forward to the most at TIFF Next Wave and why?
I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone’s reactions to this year’s line up! It’s filled with films that became instant favorites for me and I’m hoping it's the same for our audience.
“If you like X…”:
If you like Moonrise Kingdom, you will love Adolfo.
Celina Tang
Describe yourself in three words:
“Queen of Instaverse” - Tara
Who would play you in a movie?:
Winona Ryder
One person in the industry who inspires you:
Emile Mosseri, a film composer. He creates the most beautiful scores.
A movie that made you feel seen:
Fantastic Mr. Fox. I am him and he is me.
What are you looking forward to the most at TIFF Next Wave and why?
Dragging my friends to watch the lineup with me…
“If you like X…”:
If you like the Florida Project, you’ll love Scrapper.
Tara Sidhu
Describe yourself in three words:
Cries too much
Who would play you in a movie?:
Frances Ha era Greta Gerwig
One person in the industry who inspires you:
Hiro Murai
A movie that made you feel seen:
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
What are you looking forward to the most at TIFF Next Wave and why?
I’m new to the committee so I’m just super psyched to see an audience full of faces!! It’s so cool to me that I had a part in curating this festival.
“If you like X…”:
If you like Ladybird, you’ll love Motherhood.
Dev Desai
Describe yourself in three words:
An absolute trainwreck
Who would play you in a movie?:
Dev Patel
One person in the industry who inspires you:
Guillermo Del Toro
A movie that made you feel seen:
Slumdog Millionaire
What are you looking forward to the most at TIFF Next Wave and why?
Opening Night Party! Because it’s a party.
“If you like X…”:
If you like Before Sunrise, you’ll love Rye Lane.
Naiya Forrester
Describe yourself in three words:
Reader, theater, belieber
Who would play you in a movie?:
Kerry Washington
One person in the industry who inspires you:
Timothée Chalamet
A movie that made you feel seen:
Scarborough
What are you looking forward to the most at TIFF Next Wave and why?
The whole festival in general, because it gives me a peek at the life I hope to live.
“If you like X…”:
If you like Mustang, you'll love Motherhood.