We are committed to diverse, inclusive casting. For every role, please submit qualified performers, without regard to disability, race, age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other basis prohibited by law.




Lu Asfaha, Writer/Director
Lu Asfaha got her start in post-production, editing on the CSA-winning series Being Black in Toronto and the Critics Choice-nominated documentary series Shine True. Her short credits include Freedom Summer, Paladin and the satirical horror short, Fresh Meat, which was a ScreenCraft finalist and premiered at Inside Out 2021. Lu was a Doc Accelerator Fellow at Hot Docs 2019 and won the RBC Emerging Director Award at Regent Park Film Festival. Most recently, Lu was BlueCat Screenplay Competition’s Feature Winner and won the Fellini Award for Best International Script.



Claire Desmarais, Producer


Claire Desmarais is Toronto-based creative producer and Producer in residence at the Canadian Film Centre Norman Jewison Film Program. She spent eight years producing festivals, concerts and comedy tours with the largest live entertainment company in the world before pivoting her career to the screen. Since then, she has trained in comedy writing with The Second City, as an Assistant Director with the Director’s Guild of Canada, and learned best practices on the sets of multiple Emmy- nominated productions, including Workin’ Moms (CBC/Netflix), What We Do in the Shadows (FX) and The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu). As a storyteller, Claire is driven to entertain audiences with content that challenges stereotypes and reflects the lived experiences of communities who are traditionally underrepresented in dominant media. Most recently, she produced the dark comedy short CAPSULE, directed by Dani Kind.




Bonnie Do, Producer

Bonnie Do is a producer with more than a decade of experience in film and television business affairs. She began her career at Telefilm Canada before joining Toronto-based production company Serendipity Point Films, where she worked on seven productions, most recently as an associate producer on Crimes of the Future (dir. David Cronenberg).

Nadia turns a hungry eye to her co-worker Grace when her all-consuming envy turns her into a hyena. This story is inspired by the concept of the evil eye, where individuals that envy you curse you with a glare. In some East African cultures, it is believed that those that curse you wield black magic, and can even transform into hyenas.

SIGHT is a modern parable by Lu Asfaha inspired by black magic, ancient symbols, and East African and Near East folklore involving Were-Hyenas.

THE STORY are 10 minute short film productions with several intentions. They allow for the CFC Directing Residents to collaborate with other disciplines while further exploring their voice, elevating their creative and technical storytelling skills and showcasing their
unique vision and approach.