Announcing the 2025 Unsung Voices Participants

Anh (Autumn) Pham

Anh (Autumn) Pham is a Deaf Queer tech worker and writer from Hanoi, Vietnam, currently working and living in unceded lands of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. They like to explore art and technology as a form of self expression, and are passionate about accessibility, sign language, and Disability Justice. In their free time, Anh likes to read books, play video games with their partner (also sports – playing soccer for this summer!), host gatherings with friends and hone their matcha skills!

Instagram: thuanh_ss

Calvin Liu

Calvin Liu is a Chinese-Canadian cinematographer and documentary filmmaker based in Montreal. He was awarded La Bourse de la Relève by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (2025), nominated for the Canadian Society of Cinematographers Award (2024), received the Jean-François Bourassa Award for Outstanding Cinematography (2023), and won the Spark Project at the Nanlite International Competition (2023), showcasing his passion for his craft, keen eye for detail, and collaborating effectively with directors and other creatives.

Calvin’s approach to cinematography balances raw realism with poetic abstraction, blending documentary intimacy with an artistic, highly composed aesthetic. His experience in both narrative fiction and documentary cinematography allows him to strike the perfect balance between efficiency and artistic vision on set. He is drawn to artists who are passionate, curious, and unafraid to be vulnerable, whether in narrative, documentary, commercial, or experimental work.

Instagram: liu.ca

Anushay Sheikh

Anushay Sheikh is an artist working in photography, film, and multidisciplinary installations. Drawing on their experiences and identities, their work is heavily process-based and rooted in anti-oppressive practices, highlighting vulnerability as a form of resistance and empowerment. They have made a number of short documentaries, including Reclamation (2023), an exploration of tattoos as a form of gender affirmation, which has screened at festivals across North America. Sheikh’s first installation, The Test, explored the mental health experiences of eight Queer Muslim participants and was exhibited at The Image Centre (Toronto) from June to August 2024. Sheikh holds a BA in Economics and Political Science from McGill University and an MFA in Documentary Media from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), where they received the TMU Gold Medal, the University’s highest honour. When they’re not working, Anushay loves swimming and hanging out with their two cats!

Instagram: anushaysheikh

Devin Lee

Devin Lee is a graduate of NYU Tisch Drama represented by The Talent House. Born and raised in Toronto, he is an actor/writer/director of Korean and Italian heritage. His credits include narrative work for studios such as Apple TV+ and Dhar Mann, as well as commercials for companies including Snickers and Popeyes. He is a recipient of the Panavision New Filmmaker Grant and is currently developing several projects. Inspired by Korean cinema, Devin loves to make films that challenge convention and genre. He also starred in a film that premiered at Reel Asian last year, and is excited to continue working with the festival.

Instagram: devin.lee999

Jordan Tsering

Jordan Tsering is a Tibetan-Quebecois multidisciplinary artist living in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal exploring intimate narratives of death and dharma. Often viewing culture through cuisine and writing about the absence of light felt in communities longing for the idea of a traditional Homeland.

His stories are rooted in the everyday yearning for a better tomorrow and fleeting moments of freedom found in regret and respite.

Instagram: tsering.jordan

Michelle Ash Yee

Michelle Ash Yee (she/they) is a Cantonese-Canadian filmmaker, story editor, and writer based in Toronto. They are passionate about character-driven storytelling, especially narratives that confront social taboos and challenge cultural stereotypes. Her student project Courage (2015), about a teen struggling with an eating disorder, won First Place at the Shanghai Student Film Festival. Michelle holds a dual degree in Advertising and Film & Television from Boston University, along with a Master’s in Producing & Writing for TV. She has worked internationally across Asia, the U.S., and Canada with experience in development, marketing, and digital short-form content. In her work, she enjoys crafting stories that explore the intricacies of human nature in creative ways, from sprinkles of magical realism to fully developed fantasy worlds.

Instagram: mitchi.mov

Ammar Keshodia
Filmmaker & Curator

Ammar Keshodia is a Pakistani-Canadian filmmaker and curator based in Toronto. He has worked on the programming teams for festivals such as TIFF, SXSW, and Reel Asian. Ammar graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Political Science & Cinema Studies and has written for publications like Bright Wall/Dark Room, NANG Magazine, and Peephole Journal.

Fateema Al-Hamaydeh Miller
Screenwriter & Director

Fateema Al-Hamaydeh Miller is a Mixed-Race Palestinian Screenwriter & Director based in Tkaronto. Her work explores themes of fragmented identity, grief, isolation and connection through grounded “oh no, should I laugh?” comedy. Fateema’s background in Improv and Clown greatly influences her Writing and Directing process as she strives to create with integrity, depth and a sense of humour. Fateema embraces comedy to explore the pains and joys of being human and believes in resilience and resistance through laughter. She is passionate about creating more inclusive and accessible sets that uplift diverse communities and provide space for individuals to bring their fullest selves.

Chrisann Hessing
Filmmaker

Chrisann Hessing is a documentary filmmaker and impact producer based in Toronto. She has produced award-winning films that have screened at Hot Docs, RIDM, Global Impact Film Festival and the London Asian Film Festival. Her work has been supported by the Ontario Arts Council, Inspirit Foundation,  BravoFACT! Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent and Telefilm Canada.

Chrisann’s short film, Turning Tables, won Best Short Documentary at the 43rd American Indian Film Festival, and has screened in over 30 film festivals internationally. Her debut feature, We Will Be Brave, premiered at the Calgary International Film Festival and won Audience Choice Feature Film at the 2023 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. In 2024, the film was also nominated for a Heritage Toronto Public History Award.

Recently, Chrisann directed all six episodes of Unrigged, a new doc series from TVO that explores the challenges facing modern democracy in Canada while highlighting simple, creative, and proven ways to strengthen democratic institutions and processes.

She is passionate about using visual storytelling as a tool to educate, raise awareness, and inspire positive change, and has collaborated with a number of community arts organizations including TIFF, Hot Docs, and the Doc Institute. She currently sits on the board of POV Magazine.