Learning + Outreach

Grants + Scholarships

The Jeffrey and Sandra Lyons Canadian Film Scholarship

TIFF is a charitable cultural organization with a mission to transform the way people see the world through film. An extension of our initiatives is the Jeffrey and Sandra Lyons Canadian Film Scholarship for the development of scholarly contributions related to Canadian film.

The successful applicant is given a stipend of $1,000, a designated office space, and the opportunity to participate in Higher Learning programming. The Jeffrey and Sandra Lyons Canadian Film Scholarship is generously supported by the Jeffrey & Sandra Lyons Endowment Fund at TIFF.

Past Recipients
2017 – Mary Arnatt
2016 – Jeremy Mathers
2015 – Catherine Quantz

TIFF + ESPN Emerging Filmmaker Grant

TIFF and ESPN are pleased to announce Andrew Moir and Teyama Alkamli as the recipients of the TIFF + ESPN Emerging Filmmaker Grant for their project Hockey Mom, which follows the lives of Fatma and her seven-year-old son, Majed, after recently moving to Toronto from war-torn Syria. Told from Fatma’s point-of-view, Hockey Mom is an observational documentary about Majed’s first experience playing hockey and tells an empowering story of how this mother-son team conquered Canada. In partnership with ESPN, the grant was created in an effort to foster the next generation of filmmakers and to develop a short-form documentary that considers issues of social and cultural importance through the lens of sport and/or athletics. Moir, Alkamli, and their team will receive $25,000 to support the production of the film.

Submissions were reviewed by a jury of media and sports professionals, including Aisha Jamal (Hot Docs programmer, filmmaker), David Amber (Host of Hockey Night in Canada, Sportsnet), Mandeq Hassan (filmmaker, former TIFF Next Wave Committee member), and Sean Menard (filmmaker, The Carter Effect).

Honourable Mentions

RIDE FOR PROMISE (Sherien Barsoum)

Former CFL prospect Curtis Carmichael embarks on a nation-wide adventure — cycling from Vancouver to Halifax — to challenge Canadians on their perceptions of racialized youth from marginalized communities. Ride for Promise follows an inspiring young man determined to flip the narrative on race, privilege, and poverty.

OPEN ICE (Lewis Gordon)

For 60 years, Moss Park Arena has been home to Canada’s only free youth hockey league. Located in one of Toronto’s poorest neighbourhoods, the league promotes accessibility for all. Open Ice explores the unique community that the league has built over the years and looks at its importance within the area.

WHITEWOLF (Andrea Cessna)

Whitewolf weaves together an Indigenous man's spirituality, identity, and lifelong passion for basketball. Where his journey began is as important as the destination he seeks. Michael Linklater, the top-ranked FIBA 3x3 player in North America, pursues his dream to represent Canada — and First Nations people — at the 2020 Olympics.