The CBC Actors Conservatory is recognized industry-wide as a vital hub for spotting and supporting exciting and original onscreen talent. This full-time, creative and professional experience has launched close to 100 actors since it began and allows actors to expand their skills while empowering them to navigate career and marketplace opportunities. The "Close Ups" are original character driven pieces that allow actors to showcase and explore dramatic scenes and characters that excite them.

Ali A. Kazmi was born in Scarborough, Ont. and moved to Karachi, Pakistan with his family shortly after. He grew up in Karachi until the age of ten, before returning to Scarborough where he was raised. He attended the University of Toronto, studying English Literature, Creative Writing, Film, and Psychology. He has appeared as the lead in several short films, including My Father’s Name, Sweet Tooth, and Junior. He will be seen in the 17th season of Murdoch Mysteries this fall and stars in the feature film The Queen of My Dreams, which will have its world premiere at TIFF 2023.

Chand, a young man who has recently lost his father, is suddenly having to shoulder an unforseen and enormous amount of responsibility for which he is severely underequipped. The death of his father has sent his mother into a catatonic stupor, and amidst this sudden absence of both his parents’ influence, he is forced to come to terms with what has been a resentment-inducing co- dependent relationship with his mother while simultaneously having to care for her.