Toronto, July 30, 2024 – The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) and presenting sponsor TD Bank Group (TD) are pleased to announce the return of the Black Excellence Speaker Series, which will feature esteemed costume designer Antoinette Messam. Devoted to perspectives told by Black creatives in the screen-based industry, this series provides a platform for industry leaders to speak openly about experiences and inspire positive change for future artists. Moderated by CFC Executive Director maxine bailey, the free event will take place on August 28 at 7:00 p.m. at Cineplex Varsity in Toronto. Tickets are sold out, you can join the waitlist here.
CFC Conversations: Black Excellence aims to profile and engage creatives from all areas of the industry from actors, directors, writers, producers, costumes, hair and makeup to speak on issues and realities that are front and centre. With credits spanning major productions such as Creed, Superfly and The Harder They FalI, Messam will take the stage for an insightful conversation about her journey, challenges, and aspirations. Past guests have included award-winning actress Amanda Brugel and prolific filmmaker Clement Virgo.
“We’re honoured to have Antoinette Messam share her incredible career achievements in the Black Excellence Speaker Series,” said maxine bailey, CFC Executive Director. “We hope our conversation will spark meaningful dialogue that empowers future generations of storytellers. We’re also grateful for TD’s return as a presenting sponsor and their continued support to highlight diverse voices in our industry.”
“I am looking forward to sharing my work and my story at this upcoming CFC Conversation,” said Antoinette Messam. “It is critical that the industry trains and amplifies the BIPOC crew and, even more so, ensures that production offices and sets are safe spaces for all creatives to thrive.”
“Storytelling shared through the lens of Black lived experiences helps shine a light on long-standing systemic barriers and can spark meaningful conversations about the past, present, and future,” said Robyn Small, Philanthropy, Sustainability & Corporate Citizenship, TD Bank Group. “Through the TD Ready Commitment, our corporate citizenship platform, TD is proud to support the Canadian Film Centre in amplifying the diverse voices of Black creators, celebrating the rich tapestry of Black culture, and connecting communities through unique and inclusive experiences.”
With generous support from TD, the event is free to the public. Tickets are sold out, you can join the waitlist here.
Antoinette Messam Bio:
Antoinette Messam has built an enviable career for herself in film and television. Currently, she is designing the Frank E. Flowers feature “The Bluff” for Amazon Prime, starring Karl Urban and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. She recently wrapped “The Book of Clarence,” directed by her longtime collaborator Jeymes Samuel and starring Benedict Cumberbatch and LaKeith Stanfield. Previously, she costumed director F. Gary Gray’s action heist “Lift” for Netflix, starring Kevin Hart and Vincent D’Onofrio, and “Secret Headquarters” for directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman.
Messam has designed costumes for several Netflix original films including: “The Harder They Fall” for director Jeymes Samuel and producer Jay-Z, starring Idris Elba, Regina King, LaKeith Stanfield, and Jonathan Majors, for which she won the Black Reel award for Outstanding Costume Design and the Canadian Alliance of Film & Television Costume Arts & Design (CAFTCAD) Award for Best Costume Design in International Feature or TV in 2022; “All Day and A Night” for director Joe Robert Cole; and director Jeremy Saulnier’s feature “Hold the Dark,” which premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival. Messam also received a CAFTCAD Award for Best Costume Design in Contemporary Film for her work on “Hold the Dark.” Her costumes are also on view in the remake of “SuperFly” for Director X; “Colossal,” starring Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis; and the award-winning “Creed” for director Ryan Coogler, co-starring Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone.
For television, Messam’s credits include the first season of the critically acclaimed hit series “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency,” for producers Robert Cooper, David Alpert, and Kim Todd, and the popular drama series “The Divide,” for creators Tony Goldwyn and Richard LaGravenese. Her wide range of experiences in film and music enabled her to develop her innovative clothing line, I Style.
Born in Jamaica, Messam grew up in a family immersed in the creation of clothing—her mother was a dressmaker who specialized in bridal, and her grandfather was an established tailor.
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About the CFC:
The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) is a charitable cultural organization that drives the future of Canadian storytelling. Our intensive, hands-on programs in film, television, and entertainment technologies empower, shape and advance opportunities for Canadian creators and entrepreneurs working in screen-based industries. Learn more at cfccreates.com.
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