TIFF Next Wave Committee
They curate the festival. Big round of applause.
TIFF Next Wave Committee 2025-2026 from L to R, F to B: Sally Shen, Presley Flores-Holz, Maya Satkunaratnam, Yehia El-Aboudy, Lillie Fauteux, Hana Nour-Eldin, Desmond Cudmore, Nikhil Gupta, Suhana Khatri, Sophia Pollard, Darania Taylor. Not pictured: Hamza Hashim
The TIFF Next Wave Committee is a group of 12 students ranging in age from 15 to 18 and selected from a competitive pool of young film enthusiasts, every year since 2010. Hailing from public, private, and specialized arts high schools across the GTA, the Committee members’ tastes, opinions, and critical voices are as diverse as they are strong. Some are aspiring filmmakers, writers, and actors; some are interested in learning the business of film and festivals; some like planning cultural events; and some just love movies. All have demonstrated a spirit that has impressed TIFF leaders. With the guidance of TIFF staff, the Committee is charged with planning some major youth-oriented events at TIFF Lightbox, including the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival.
I be chillin
Who would play you in a movie?
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan
What's your theme song?
“Best to You,” Blood Orange (literally anything by Blood Orange, he’s my #1)
One person in the industry who inspires you?
Luca Guadagnino
A movie that transformed your world:
Bones and All
Peculiar, optimistic, shy
Who would play you in a movie?
Fred Durst in a wig
What's your theme song?
“Kids,” MGMT
One person in the industry who inspires you?
Taylor Russell
A movie that transformed your world:
Pride & Prejudice
Yearning for sunlight
Who would play you in a movie?
Ben Wang but crossdressing
What's your theme song?
“Under Pressure,” Queen & David Bowie
One person in the industry who inspires you?
Meryl Streep
A movie that transformed your world:
Challengers
Creative, visual, storyteller
Who would play you in a movie?
Eman Esfandi
What's your theme song?
“Borderline,” Tame Impala
One person in the industry who inspires you?
Ke Huy Quan
A movie that transformed your world:
Inception
Creative, colourful, joyful
Who would play you in a movie?
I would love John Mulaney to play me in a movie. I think he’d do a good job.
What's your theme song?
“Move Your Feet/D.A.N.C.E./It’s A Sunshine Day” from the Trolls soundtrack
One person in the industry who inspires you?
Nathan Fielder
A movie that transformed your world:
A Goofy Movie
Well… sorta kinda.
Who would play you in a movie?
A roundtable including Meg Stalter, Tina from Bob’s Burgers, and Maya Erskine
What's your theme song?
“Sushi,” FKA Twigs
One person in the industry who inspires you?
Julio Torres
A movie that transformed your world:
They Cloned Tyrone
Keeping a smile
Who would play you in a movie?
Bill Hader and LaKeith Stanfield, but you never question it when they switch around between scenes.
What's your theme song?
“Big Love,” MIKE
One person in the industry who inspires you?
Ayo Edebiri
A movie that transformed your world:
Little Miss Sunshine. Do what you love and **** the rest!
Funny, energetic, overthinker
Who would play you in a movie?
Kat Dennings with brown contacts.
What's your theme song?
“I Didn’t Change My Number,” Billie Eilish
One person in the industry who inspires you?
Gregg Araki
A movie that transformed your world:
Lady Bird
Smarty art chick
Who would play you in a movie?
Amanda Seyfried
What's your theme song?
“Jesus Freak Lighter,” Blood Orange
One person in the industry who inspires you?
David Fincher
A movie that transformed your world:
Kill Bill: Vol. 2
Big TIFF fan!
Who would play you in a movie?
Jamie Lee Curtis
What's your theme song?
The Dirty Dancing soundtrack
One person in the industry who inspires you?
Sarah Polley
A movie that transformed your world:
Grease
Energetic, fun, passionate
Who would play you in a movie?
Young Brad Pitt
What's your theme song?
“DOGTOOTH,” Tyler, The Creator
One person in the industry who inspires you?
Myself
A movie that transformed your world:
Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino
Laughing through life
Who would play you in a movie?
I would definitely be animated, and I would have Jack Black voicing me
What's your theme song?
“Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows,” Lesley Gore
One person in the industry who inspires you?
Leonardo DiCaprio
A movie that transformed your world:
The Lorax