Board of Directors

Ruth S. Fernandes
Jason Dos Santos
Jose Pedro Ferreira
Lena Gomes
Maria Pimentel
Miguel Rocha
Natalie Amaral
Nita Costa
Steve Ahmad Salam
Thomas Ferreira

 

Committee Members

Ruth Santos Fernandes
Founder/ Executive & Artistic Director
Cris de Oliveira
Director of Marketing & Design
Frank Martins
Sponsorship/ Production
Katia Caramujo
Marketing and Promotions

Katarzyna Czok
Public Relations

Giovana Chichito
Public Relations

Daniel Vianna
Social Media

 

Members

Executive Director
Born in Bragança, Portugal Ruth immigrated to Canada with her parents at the age of 10.  Ruth S. Fernandes is a graduate of York University with an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with specialization in Theatre and Film. During her third year of study she was elected to participate in a one year exchange program with York University’s International Exchange program where she studied at the University of Northumbria in Newcastle, England. Since returning to Canada her efforts have been directed at the arts community in Toronto. She launched a theatre company called Subject to Change, which supported  “Fine Dining” in 2003.   Also more recently, her work within the Luso-Canadian community has been focused on the promotion of education targeted at Portuguese youth through her volunteer work at Project Diploma. In addition, she volunteers her time to the establishment of the Portuguese Educators Network through the Portuguese Canadian National Congress and sits on the Viva Health! Steeering Committee.  Ruth continues to work in film productions as an actor and consults regularly for artists.  Her newest endeavour is the development of this original company that will promote Luso-Canadian and Luso-descendat culture through the art of cinema.

 Curator/ Marketing & Promotions
Education & Professional Development Committee

Cris de Oliveira is a young Brazilian artist that arrived in Canada in the beginning of 2008. With an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication from Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Cris has a large experience in the communication field, as cinema, animation, photography, advertising, journalism and academic research. Her background includes experiences at large advertising agencies, as DRAFTFCB and Ogilvy, film and animations productions at N.A.D.A. and partnership with National Film Board of Canada, participation as speaker in numerous congresses, acting also as a photographer. As a writer, her other passion, Cris carry some awards, including a tri-lingual publication about solidarity distributed by Unesco in all over the world. Fortunately she always had the chance of being exposed to diversified cultures, knowing places in South and North America, Europe and Asia, which contribute so much for her as an artist, but also for the citizen of the world that she likes to be. For the 2008 edition of the Toronto International Film, Cris de Oliveira is responsible for the acquisition of Brazilian films, documentaries and animations, being also involved in other areas, such as creating the trailer and developing an animation workshop for kids.

Advisory Member
Carla's career in the arts began in the theatre. Upon graduating from the University of Alberta, she successfully produced and directed numerous plays and also taught drama. She then pursued her studies and practical work in both New York and in the UK. Upon returning to Canada, she honed her skills as an Arts Administrator in the Performing Arts branch of the Alberta Government and was editor of a province wide theatre newspaper. Carla has combined her love of comedy and production expertise in both television and live theatre by co-producing the 2004 Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award show the "Cream of Comedy" which was broadcast on The Comedy Network.  She started the World of Comedy Film Festival in 2003.  Most recently, Carla has been part of the development team for The Canadian Film Channel, a proposed new national pay TV channel.  Her involvement with arts related organizations include: many years as an active member and Board Member of Women in Film & Television - Toronto (WIFT-Toronto), mentor for Power Flash Forward, former member and chairperson of the Advisory Committee for the Humber College School of Performing Arts and advising for various film festivals.

Advisory Member
Steven has worked on over 25 film projects, primarily as a Line Producer and Assistant Director. In addition to SUPERHEROES, Steven is involved in a number of projects, including the narrative feature film, SWAN LAKE, also by Alan Brown and the animated feature film, JAZZBO, created by Irv Bauer, with animation by Michael Sporn, and music by Dick Hyman. Steven produced MY MOM AND DAD, winner of the Anarchy Award at the 2006 Slamdance Film Festival and line produced RED DOORS, winner of the "Made in New York" Award for Best Narrative Feature at the 2005 Tribeca Film Festival, starring Tzi Ma and Jacquelyn Kim. Steven also worked on POINT & SHOOT, a 2004 Tribeca Film Festival feature film selection, and BOOK OF LOVE, a 2004 Sundance Film Festival Dramatic Competition selection, written and directed by Alan Brown, starring Frances O’Connor, Simon Baker, Gregory Smith, and Bryce Dallas Howard.  Steven has recently produced commercials and music videos for major brands and record labels, including Diet Pepsi, Hamilton Watches, Sony Taiwan, and Island Def Jam, and was previously a Senior Marketing Representative for a Fortune 500 company. He received his MBA in Finance from the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University, and currently lives in New York City.

Advisory Member
Jiries Arbid started his career in the music industry in 1994 at age 22 after meeting his present day business partner Enzo Vella. It was at that time they started what is known today as Captain Records and Toronto Freestyle Music an independent dance music label producing and promoting Canadian recording artists to both U.S. and Canadian retail and radio markets. Jiries Arbid continues to be the outgoing entrepreneur fulfilling the marketing needs of clients.  Just recently in the spring of 2006 Jiries has participated with a few music industry partners in the opening of  the new radio station Energy 105.1 fm  the “World Dance Channel” playing the best in dance and club music from around the world.  Jiries Arbid’s educational background in marketing and leadership skills comes from extensive experience within the music industry as well holding a specialized certificate from Shulich School of business in Marketing Management.  Jiries Arbid also holds many other certifications which include contract negotiations, Business Finance management, copyright and trade marks.

Public Relations

Katarzyna has recently moved to Toronto, in search of her dream position in Public Relations. She holds a Honours Bachelor Degree from the University of Toronto with a double major in History and Religion. After a year off she went back to school and completed a post-graduate certification program in Corporate Communications at Sheridan College, from which she graduated with high honours. Her passions include entertainment, fashion and beauty and hopes to one day work in one of  those industries.

Public Relations

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Giovana is a graduate of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication with a specialization in Journalism. She has had over 5 years experience in the field of Communications, working in various areas: television programming, production, translation, writing and editing. She has recently immigrated to Canada and lives with her husband in Toronto, where she is currently working at a non-profit organization. She will be starting a post-graduate certificate program in Corporate Communications at Seneca College in 2012. Film, food and music are definitely among her topics of interest, so she is thrilled to help organize the 6th annual TIPFFest.