Women in Film: Industry Leaders Share Insights at Toronto Film School Roundtable
Toronto Film School (TFS), recognized as one of The Hollywood Reporter’s 2025 Best International Film Schools, recently hosted an inspiring Women in Film Roundtable featuring Canadian Screen Award-winning actor Amanda Brugel (The Handmaid’s Tale, Kim’s Convenience) alongside distinguished TFS alumni and industry professionals.
Empowering Voices in Canadian Film and Television
The 90-minute discussion, moderated by Michelle Daly, Director of TFS’s Writing for Film & TV program, brought together emerging talents Garima Sood, Maxine Clement, Robyn Alomar, and Christina Borgs. Together, they explored the challenges and opportunities facing women in Toronto’s thriving $2 billion creative industry, which employs nearly 240,000 people nationwide.
Key Themes: Representation, Education, and Resilience
The Power of On-Screen Representation
- Amanda Brugel cited Linda Hamilton’s iconic role in Terminator 2 as a transformative moment, highlighting the impact of seeing strong, non-sexualized female characters
- Robyn Alomar drew inspiration from Quentin Tarantino’s female-led action films
- Maxine Clement credited Netflix’s Sense8 for its groundbreaking trans representation
Education as a Career Catalyst
TFS alumni shared how their educational experience provided crucial industry foundations:
- Garima Sood transitioned from acting to camera operation, crediting TFS for essential technical knowledge
- Christina Borgs discovered her career path through Film Production program
- Ongoing mentorship relationships continue to shape professional growth
Transforming Challenges into Opportunities
Participants shared experiences of overcoming industry obstacles:
- Amanda Brugel’s journey from facing discriminatory advice to becoming an industry leader
- Robyn Alomar’s commitment to authenticity despite pressure to “tone down”
- Garima Sood’s rejection of limiting beliefs about women’s career longevity
Looking to the Future
The roundtable concluded with powerful one-word forecasts for women in the creative industry:
- Limitless – Robyn Alomar
- Thriving – Maxine Clement
- Looking good – Garima Sood
- Not a trend – Amanda Brugel
- Innovation – Christina Borgs
This dynamic discussion highlighted how representation, education, and resilience are reshaping the landscape for women in film and television, creating unprecedented opportunities for the next generation of creative professionals.