FYP-J student and Dr. Carrie Best Scholar Awóyígà created Hyphenated, a documentary about identity and belonging, in collaboration with the Netflix Being Black in Canada program
Each year, the Being Black in Canada (BBIC) program created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) in partnership with Netflix, selects a group of young filmmakers to participate in Canada’s largest mentorship and training initiative for Black filmmakers—and in 2025, I was one of them. The program enables young Black filmmakers from across Canada to create short docs that then tour the FCF Black Film Festivals.
Hyphenated, the film I created in collaboration with the BBIC program, explores the experiences of Canadians who carry hyphenated cultural identities and live in the space between heritage and belonging.
Through intimate storytelling and candid interviews, Hyphenated examines the tensions many people quietly navigate: their home and diaspora, language and identity, pride and pressure. The film asks simple but powerful questions. What does it mean to be Canadian? What does home mean? The film captures the reality of existing in the in-between.
The creative process for Hyphenated required a lot of intention and reflection. Planning the vision early on was essential. I decided on the specific shot styles I wanted, selected participants and shaped the overall story. I wanted the film to be honest and grounded, and resonate with people from different backgrounds.
Making this film through the BBIC program was both challenging and transformative. One of the hardest parts of the process was narrowing my focus. I was inspired by many ideas and struggled to choose a clear direction, but I learned to trust my instincts and commit to the story I wanted to tell. Filmmaking also taught me that preparation is important, but flexibility is vital. I had a strong script and plan, but many elements changed once production began. Not everything went as expected, and I had to adapt. My favourite part of the process was writing the script. Writing allowed me to experiment with different ideas and slowly shape the film. By the end of production, the script looked very different from the one I started with. I learned that staying open to changes while filming allows the production to develop naturally.
The program, which ran from June to August, provided training sessions and mentorship from prominent Canadian filmmakers. Each session focused on a different part of filmmaking: pre-interviews, documentary scriptwriting, editing and understanding production roles. The program also created a space for Black storytellers to learn and create together.
I decided to apply to the program after my mom encouraged me to try. She knew of my interest in filmmaking. I was hesitant. As a young filmmaker, I felt I was still learning, and I questioned whether an opportunity of that scale was meant for me. Being accepted affirmed my abilities and reminded me of the importance of my voice.
Throughout the process, I received support from many people. My mentor and session instructors offered invaluable guidance, and my line producer, Juliet Mawusi, provided consistent support. I was also fortunate to receive mentorship from Sylvia D. Hamilton, a legendary African Nova Scotian filmmaker and King’s Inglis Professor whose insight was deeply impactful. My motivation throughout the project remained constant: to create a film I could be proud of.
The Dr. Carrie Best Scholarship is an honour that has also provided me with support in my first year at King’s. Dr. Carrie Best was a trailblazing journalist whose legacy continues to shape Canadian media. As a journalism student, this scholarship allows me to focus on my education without financial strain. In turn, I am working to help support Black and racialized students navigate academic and social life at King’s as the university’s first Black Student Ambassador.
One moment I am especially looking forward to is seeing Hyphenated screened at the Halifax Black Film Festival on February 21 and online. Watching my film in a movie theatre and sharing it with an audience will make the journey feel real. Being recognized as a filmmaker, particularly as the youngest participant in the program, is meaningful and affirming.
I hope Hyphenated resonates with audiences and helps people see themselves reflected on screen. This experience affirmed that filmmaking and the power of representation will remain central to my creative path.
Portrait of Dáminí by Wuliamba Photography
Inset right: Dáminí interviewing Danella Calina, Videographer, JN Media
Inset left: Dáminí interviewing Noah N’da, Videographer, JN Media
