With the intention of determining how mechanisms work as they do, Nick has been taking things apart and rebuilding them since childhood. His drive to not only know how but also to share his know-how has led to study and work in animation, print design and production, technical training, and web development. You can view his web expertise by examining the amazing website taafi.com.
Grayden Laing is a freelance animator, cinematographer, and colourist based in Toronto. Early on, while working as an independent animator, Grayden realized how hard it can be for Canadian animators to get their original work out into the world and seen by a large audience. As a result, in 2008 Grayden founded the Canadian Animation website to help provide a free platform to Canadian animators where they can showcase their work to an online audience.
Jeanna LeClair is a young graphic designer & Illustrator with a passion for detailed simplicity, doodled masterpieces and cats.
Luis Marmelo has worked as an audio,video and computer specialist for the last 20 years.
Alexandra Moorshead is a leading event professional and strategic fundraiser. As the founder and president of Moorshead & Associates, Alexandra is actively involved in every aspect of the agency, from business development to the smallest details of the execution. Her innovative vision and “anything is possible” attitude drive the team in achieving the highest standards of excellence for every client.
Alexandra has more than 10 years’ experience as the producer of some of Canada’s most respected community events and fundraisers. Her solid track record of developing and revitalizing events for leaders in the not-for-profit sector has led to contracts with The Word On The Street, Canadian Stage Company, Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Society and the United Way, among many other highly regarded organizations.
Alexandra holds certifications in event management and fundraising, and has earned many awards for her clients. Her expertise in the areas of sponsorship and project management has led to her being invited to speak at conferences in Canada and the US. @MoorsheadAssoc
Amanda O'Reilly is a communications and marketing administration guru. From her work in communications at CBC and the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) and for handling PR for the International AIDS Conference in Toronto, she’s developed a reputation for being a “media rainmaker.” At CANFAR she was part of the team winning “Most Fabulous Float” in the Toronto Pride Parade and the illustrious “Best Fund Raising Event in Canada” award at the Canadian Event Industry Awards’ STAR Awards for CANFAR’s Bloor Street Entertains annual gala.
In her more than 15 years’ experience, Amanda has also had a particular focus on music and arts publicity. Her artist management experience includes working with publicists, agents and talent managers as a celebrity guest booker for a national television show and working on the promotion of local and national tours and CD launches of Juno- and Grammy-winning musicians and vocalists, composers and bands, as well as music festivals. She offers extensive database and membership development and maintenance experience and is very skilled at grassroots media relations.
Sara Schmidt has a decade of experience in the broadcast & media industry, with expertise in Production, Digital Media, Marketing, Events, Programming, and Distribution. A Ryerson University Film graduate, Sara's critically acclaimed work has screened at prestigious festivals internationally. She loves being part of TAAFI's programming team. Her days are spent in the Distribution Department at Breakthrough Entertainment. @schmidtstorm
Natali Topalovska is an emerging professional and artist in the animation community. She currently works at 9 Story Entertainment and is a graduate from the University of Toronto where she received a degree in the multidisciplinary arenas of Film, Political Science, and European Studies. Natali is a member of Women in Film and Television Toronto (WIFT) and the University of Toronto Film Board. Her work has been displayed in exhibitions at the McMichael Art Gallery and she immerses herself in animation through various classes and workshops such as the Pixar Artists’ Master class. She is taken by the timeless appeal and resonance of story through animation and the wonderful way that it engages and speaks to both adults and children. @NataliTopa
Jasmine Wang is originally from Vancouver where she has volunteered and worked for various festivals and events such as Vancouver International Film Festival, Vancouver Queer Film Festival and Vancouver International Women In Film Festival before moving to Toronto. She is a UBC Theatre & Film graduate and spends her time seeing as many movies and theatre productions as possible. Since moving to Toronto, she has worked with various theatre and film festivals in Toronto. She was recently part of the WIFT-T Selection Committee for the 2015 WIFT-T Showcase and was a background extra in CFC's 2015 short dramatic film, Chameleon. Jasmine currently works for TAPA and is proud to be part of the theatre and film community. During her first TAAFI, she worked behind the scenes with Moorshead & Associates as Box Office Manager and Guest Services Coordinator. She continues working more behind the scenes with the TAAFI team assisting with programming, communications and more! Jasmine is also a webmaster, blogger and loves to promote movies, theatre, events and more on social networks! Follow @jasjwang
