Since 2002, the Reelworld
Trailblazer Award has recognized talented racially diverse Canadians who set themselves apart as
pioneers in the entertainment industry. Trailblazers inspire others by blazing a trail of excellence through their constant and committed efforts to improve and diversify Canada’s vibrant film and television industry.
“These amazing individuals remind us all what incredible talent we have in Canada,” says Tonya
Williams, Executive Director of Reelworld. “At Reelworld, we are honoured to spotlight them for the rest
of the industry.”Lisa Meeches, Founding Partner, Executive Producer at Eagle Vision
Lisa Meeches, a proud Ojibway from Long Plain First Nation, is one of the most respected producers in
the film and television industry. She has produced over 150 hours of The Sharing Circle, Canada’s
longest running Indigenous television series, Ice Road Truckers, Tipi Tales, Elijah, a Gemini
Award-winning MOW, and Jack, the winner of two Canadian Screen Awards.
Karen Chapman, Director
Karen Chapman has screened her work everywhere, from international festivals, to subways, hospitals,
and mobile devices. She is also an alumna of the Banff Centre and a Hot Docs/Documentary Channel
Channel Doc Accelerator Fellow. In 2017, Chapman was named one of CBC’s “great Canadian
filmmakers of the future”. A graduate of the CFC Directors Lab in 2018.
Cash B. Lim, Head of Studio Operations, Portfolio Entertainment Inc.
Cash B. Lim is Head of Studio Operations at Portfolio Entertainment and has over 20 years of experience
in the animation industry. Cash has worked in film, advertising, and television series production and
specializes in 2D, 3D, stop motion, and VFX pipelines. His credits include the feature film Rock Dog, the
Gemini award-winning children's series Will and Dewitt, and Nelvana's Handy Manny.
Anand Ramayya, Producer
Anand Ramayya is founder and principal of Karma Film. After dropping out of university, Ramayya spent
five formative years teaching English and backpacking throughout Asia before pursuing a career in film
and TV. Anand has produced over 75 hours of doc, animation, and feature film credits. Karma Film has
received more than 35 awards of excellence including six Geminis/CSAs (Canada’s Emmy).
Iris Ng, Cinematographer
Iris Ng’s body of work includes the Academy-shortlisted documentaries Stories We Tell (Sarah Polley,
2012) and Shirkers (Sandi Tan, 2018), as well as award-winning films, A Better Man (2017), This River
(2016), Min Sook Lee’s Migrant Dreams (2016), Michelle Latimer’s Nuucan (2017), Phyllis Ellis’s Toxic
Beauty (2019), and Moira Demos and Laura Ricciardi’s Emmy Award-winning series Making A Murderer
(2015 & 2018). Iris also captures transitions for the series Kim’s Convenience and shot the Sundance
2020-premiered digital series Hey, Lady! (2020).
Thyrone Tommy, Director
Thyrone Tommy is an award-winning filmmaker. His work has been supported with grants from NBC
Universal Canada, Kodak Motion Picture Film, and the Ontario Arts Council. Thyrone’s films have been
celebrated internationally at over 30 festivals (such as Reelworld!). His most recent short, Mariner, was
named one of TIFF Canada's Top Ten shorts of the year.