A documentary produced by youth for youth, Youth on Democracy is a city-wide collaboration featuring interviews with youth across Toronto who provide eye opening perspectives that makes the ‘apathy’ excuse a lot harder to sell. While shedding light on why young people aren’t heading to the polls in great numbers, it also showcases the inspiring ways young people are and can be involved in their communities and make a difference in our city.

We knew that being a recipient of the Toronto Foundation Vital Youth grant this year was going to be extra special because of the theme of the Pan Am and Parapan Games attached to this round funding.

With amazing plans for events every month, our first installment was at Toronto’s Sky Zone for trampoline dodgeball.  Our very own budding filmmaker Sariena (she is 15!) made this great video documenting the fun that was had.  This video WILL make you want to go play some trampoline dodgeball.

SBL participant and Westview student Mohamed Ibrahim recently sat down with Chris Penrose to talk about his experiences as a youth member on the TIFF Next Wave committee. Here’s what he had to say:

How did you get involved with TIFF?

Well, Tesfai (from Success Beyond Limits) announced information about TIFF Next Wave, and it sounded really interesting to me. I haven’t had very much exposure to films or the film industry, so I thought this might be a great opportunity to venture into this new world.

What is your role?

As a member of the TIFF Next Wave Committee, we do so many different things! It is really difficult to describe it briefly. With the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival, TIFF seeks to expand its reach to a younger audience and program films they’d enjoy! That is where we (The TIFF Next Wave Committee) come in! We are a group that comes with ideas to make programming for youth happen at TIFF – including the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival coming up February 13 to 15!

Who are you working with and what are you working on?

I work with other teenagers between the ages of 14-18 primarily.  We work with a lot of TIFF staff including programmers and Communications, Marketing and Guest services.  We work together and discuss films and program ideas at TIFF that would be of interest to our peers, the next generation of film lovers.

To someone who doesn’t know a lot about TIFF, how would you describe it?

TIFF Bell Lightbox is not your average movie theatre. The Toronto International Film Festival is not just a once in a year occasion. As a year-round organization, TIFF invests itself in connecting people to amazing film experiences of all kinds! This includes a wide range of films that people in North America would not get to usually see.

Why do you think youth from different part of the city should be involved in TIFF?

Honestly, in my opinion, TIFF Bell Lightbox is not like any other movie theatre in the city. They expose movie lovers to different types of films from all over the world- it’s a new movie going experience! You are exposed to great films from other countries and that brings along a new cultural understanding though film. It will have an impact on a person’s view point of the world and that is something that youth rarely ever get.

How do you see this experience connecting to your future goals?

I have learned a lot from just being a part of TIFF Next Wave these past couple of months and it has allowed me to get a better understanding on how to help my own community. The outreach methods and the youth committee are possibly some aspects that I would like to create within my community to help the adults better understand youth and to learn what kids need to create a safer environment for everyone.

What are some TIFF related events that we should look out for in the next year?

Stay tuned for our partnership with Buffer Fest this fall! Also, a TIFF Next Wave Film Festival Sneak Peek in December and of course, our TIFF Next Wave Film Festival in February! To find out more, visit tiff.net/nextwave.

And like us on Facebook! TIFF Next Wave! ~

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As the time approaches for students to fill out post-secondary applications, the implications of such a monumental task heavily impacts their prospective careers. With the aim of easing some of the anxiety that comes with making such a difficult decision, SBL is bringing in young professionals from a myriad of fields providing youth with an opportunity to ask questions and gain critical insight. Here’s a recap of Career Day put together by a very talented 16 year old, Sariena.

Here’s a recap of SBL Summer 2014, with insights and perspectives from mentors and mentees.

Branded 2014 Youth Marketing Conference

Applications due October 15!  Spots are filling up!

Register today at brandedto.com

On November 13^th 2014, 60 rising entrepreneurs will be invited to the North York Civic Centre to experience the only FREE one day marketing/branding conference geared towards empowering young entrepreneurs to achieve success.

Branded is all about giving young entrepreneurs real tools that can improve their marketing plans right away. Instead of teaching through workshops the Branded model is about hiring skilled young professionals to provide one-on-one and small group consulting to the young entrepreneurs. Branded aims to build the skills, marketing resources and networks of young entrepreneurs from Toronto’s priority neighborhoods, focused on supporting African Canadian and Newcomer youth.

Branded 2014 is a follow up to last year’s highly successful inaugural Branded Conference, where 60 young entrepreneurs came together in the Jane and Finch community to learn new ways to market their businesses.

Workshops include:

§  Social Media Marketing

§  Brand building business writing

§  Developing a Press Kit

§  Million Dollar Pitch

§  A full photography studio for head shots and product photos

Attendees will also have an opportunity to network with industry leaders at an intimate reception.

We are also inviting established business professionals in the areas of Business Marketing, Fashion, Entertainment and Media Arts, Catering and Food Services, Workshop Facilitation/Event Coordination to become a mentor or consultant during the conference. This would be minimum two hour commitment on November 13^th. You will also have an opportunity to be featured in our Professional Spotlight on our website!

Please register at brandedto.com

Due to the incredibly high demand during the inaugural year attendees are required to apply before October 15, 2014.  Should you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact us at  branded@ceetoronto.com.

Thank You,

Branded Planning Committee

Branded 2014 is presented by Community Empowering Enterprises (CEE) and Access Alliance Multi-Cultural Health and Community Services, in collaboration with Ascend- Youth Enterprise Network (YEN), Neighborhood Arts Network, Doorsteps Neighborhood Services, The City of Toronto and the Toronto Arts Council.