DRIFF: Alumni Spotlight 2019

For this week’s Alumni Spotlight, we’re celebrating award-winning filmmakers from the 2019 DRIFF Festival and highlighting how their careers have continued to grow since the festival. From documentary and animation to community-driven storytelling, these alumni exemplify the impact of DRIFF well beyond the screen.

Colin Burwell won Best Regional Film at DRIFF 2019 for Convoy to Remembrance. Since then, Colin and longtime creative partner Carla Sinclair have continued to build Empty Cup Media, producing documentary, commercial, and television work. Together, they’ve created over 20 documentary films and 40 television episodes for Bell Canada, completed two feature-length documentaries, and written, directed, shot, and edited four TV series. After relocating to Nelson, BC, they’ve become deeply involved in the local film community and are currently working on a four-part documentary series set to release on a CBC platform in 2027. Reflecting on DRIFF, Colin shared that “winning the awards helped boost our confidence” and reinforced their belief that they belonged in the industry.

Nara Normande, winner of Best Short Film for GUAXUMA, has continued her successful career in animation. Since DRIFF, she has worked as Animation Director on the 2024 short A Menina e o Pote, animated The Girl and the Pot (2024), and created the animated children’s series Mia the Little Philosopher, currently in development. Her work has earned 27 awards and 21 nominations, highlighting her continued impact in the animation world.

Paul Daniel Torres won Best Student Film for Do Turtles Swim in Maple Syrup? and describes DRIFF as “a formative moment” that made him feel seen as a filmmaker. Since then, Paul has had work commissioned by the City of Toronto, participated in a mentorship with Director X, and become Vibe Arts’ Lead Film Facilitator, teaching filmmaking across Toronto. He also runs free screenwriting programs through community grants. His latest film, Fried Fish & Plantain, screened at TIFF Next Wave, the Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival, and won Audience Choice at Toronto Youth Shorts. His advice to young filmmakers: “Life is more important than film. Love and hug your people tight — that’s the stuff that makes you an artist.”

We’re proud to celebrate the continued success of our 2019 alumni and the meaningful paths they’ve carved in film and media. Their journeys reflect the lasting spirit of DRIFF championing creativity, community, and stories that matter.