Laura Friedmann

SPROUTING GROWTH || In this 6x10 ft woven triptych, which I recently exhibited at the @auroraculturalcentre , a single seed begins to sprout, and alongside other seeds, it grows and unfolds into its full potential. 🌱Each seed draws from the strength and presence of others and expand organically. Their growth is interconnected, ever-evolving, and in constant transformation. Behind them, ethereal shadows hint at the hidden yet ever-present forces that shape and sustain their growth.  🧵Materials: Cotton, recycled sari silk, merino wool, chiffon, jungle yarn, and wooden dowel ✨DM me for custom commissions ✨ #handmade #tapestry #wallhangings #fiberart #exhibition

STREET CRED is finally out! After just over a year, from development through research, pre-production, production, post and now broadcasted on CBC and streaming on @cbcgem , we can at last share this project with the world! Street Cred journeys through past and present to recognize four local streets in Toronto: Longboat Avenue, Jean Lumb Lane, Miriam Garfinkle Lane, and Reggae Lane. It centers on the untold stories of the namesake individuals, whose significant and positive impact on the city can still be felt in today’s Toronto.  CREW: Executive producer - Adele Cardamone-Martel | CBC Producers - Kyle Schmalenberg and @laura.friedmann Director - Kyle Schmalenberg Writer - Kyle Schmalenberg and @littlenightmusic Researchers - Fernanda D’oro Fontes, Steph Tablizo Archival consultant - @joao_v_correa Cinematography - @stina Additional Photography - @guimorilha Camera Operators - Mateen Missaghi, Niklas Metcalfe 1st ACs - @jesszado and @paolacontrerar Sound recording - @harristhebailey , @tylerschmalenbergmusic , Minsoo Lee Editing - Kyle Schmalenberg and Perry Walker Sound design and mix - @guspachon Colour - @paulpersic Transcription - Eric Kianfar Graphics/animation - Nabil Burias Legal - @the_entertaining_lawyer Insurance - Front Row Insurance, Knox Hutchinson Insurance FEATURING MURALS & ARTWORK FROM: Longboat Ave - David M. General Jean Lumb Lane - Allan Bender Miriam Garfinkle Lane - Nick Sweetman Reggae Lane - Adrian Hayles Big thanks to a long list of people and places who provided us archival materials, most notably the NFB, Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, Beth lessar, City of Toronto archives, Toronto Star archives, and the Toronto Public Library.

When home calls, the heart dashes. 🇨🇴 After another month-long flare and being told I wouldn’t be seen in Canada by doctors until January 2026 😵‍💫 I decided to grab my bags and go to Colombia. What was meant to be a medical trip became a full-circle homecoming. It aligned, beautifully, with my 25-year school reunion and so much more. This quick, unexpected, and deliciously divine trip back home gifted me with all I was seeking — and what I didn’t know I needed. 💊I got medical clarity. A full written diagnosis of 3 conditions, finally. 🩺 I saw doctors who opened with: “Here, we treat humans…we heal the body, emotions, and spiritual selves”. How refreshing to be wrapped in medical care and compassion that believes in healing as a sacred act and not as a profit model. But healing didn’t stop at the medical. 🚌 I reunited with childhood classmates who shaped 14 years of my life– reunited after 25 years we laughed, danced, healed, cried, remembered who we were. Closed old cycles, opened new ones. 🎥 I filmed scenes for my documentary remembering how powerful it is to tell stories with Kyle, my life and work companion. ⛰️I uncovered new answers, reconnected with the land that raised me, absorbed its energy, wisdom, and deep ancestral memory. We visited dear friends, family, and traversed childhood memories through the mountains bathed in clouds. Every minute of the day was full and every step I took reenergized and gave new life to my being. Feeling ever-grateful for mi tierrita. 🌱💛

Another trip around the sun 🎂☀️Above all, grateful for my family, community, and health. It’s been a year without major pain flare ups, tons of creative work, and so much love ✨

I’m really excited & honoured to be producing FORUM and DEAL MAKER at HOT DOCS this year alongside my Industry team colleagues, MJ @mary_arauz95 and Hilary @blackbirb There are INCREDIBLE films pitching at the festival this year. Important stories for the world! If you’re around @hotdocs_ or the @hotdocsindustry Delegate Lounge, stop by and say hi! 🎬🎞️

​​🚨 Call for Nominations: Join Listo Calisto’s Leadership Listo Calisto is growing, and we’re looking for passionate leaders to help shape the future of Latin Canadian representation in film, TV, and media. We’re currently seeking: ▪️ 4 Board Directors ▪️ Up to 4 Advisors We’re especially interested in individuals with experience in: Grants • Sponsorship • Media Relations • Social Media • Accounting • Law • Business Development • HR If you’re passionate about empowering Latin Canadian creatives and building a stronger, more connected industry, we want to hear from you. This is a volunteer opportunity to make a real impact alongside a growing, community-driven organization. 🗓 Deadline: May 20, 2026 📩 Apply: [email protected] (Submit CV + letter of interest. Indicate Director, Advisor, or both.) We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, women, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Help shape the future of Latin Canadian media.

We’re opening doors for Latin Canadian creatives at the Banff World Media Festival! Listo Calisto has secured a limited number of passes to @banffmedia , one of the most important global markets for film and television and we want to make sure Latin Canadians are part of the conversation! This is where deals are made. Where projects get seen. Where careers move forward. And we’re making sure our community has access. We’re inviting Latin Canadian creatives across film, TV, and digital media to apply. If you’re building something, developing something, or ready to take the next step, this is for you. ✍️ Link to further details and application at the link in bio. 🗓️ The deadline to apply is April 21. Share with all your networks and help our community show up! A big thank you to @banffmedia for making this possible!

Prime Time was truly something special for our Latin Delegation. A big thank you to @the_cmpa for hosting and supporting @listocalistoca ‘s national and international delegates from across Canada, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. What emerged was a real space for connection, collaboration, and big-picture thinking. Seeds were planted with Canada’s leading industry voices, laying the groundwork for future collaboration. 🇨🇦🇧🇷🇲🇽🇨🇴🇸🇻 📣 What feels especially clear right now is the immense opportunity Canada has to lead in the industry 🎬! With 1.1+ million Latin Canadians and rapidly expanding Spanish, Portuguese, and bilingual audiences, Canada is uniquely positioned to fill the representation gap left by the U.S. A recent McKinsey & Company report shared that Latino audiences rank # 1 in per-capita film attendance in the US. The cost of ignoring this audience is massive: 💰Hollywood loses an estimated $12–18 billion annually, a 7–10% revenue gap, while films and TV shows with Latinos in above-the-line roles outperform globally by 58% and deliver 60% higher ad impressions. 🌎 The demand is real…and growing! Our stories are rich, creative, full of innovative and hardworking talent. 🏆 We’re seeing the same truth play out across culture more broadly, with Latin artists headlining the world’s biggest stages and taking home top global awards. This moment isn’t just about serving domestic audiences, it’s about creating content in Canada that travels across the continent and throughout Latin America’s nearly 650 million Spanish and Portuguese-speaking people. 🎥 Supporting Latin creators now represents one of the strongest opportunities for audience growth, international sales, and export-ready Canadian stories. Congratulations to our talented and accomplished delegates: @adriangdelapena @andreamtzcrowther @federicopereanez @jcvelisactor @dhoogs @josemariaangelm @lzimbron @tati.battaglia and @marcovelez for such a strong presence at Prime Time! 🎉 📩 If you’d like to connect, please feel free to reach out to me or my collaborators @luisaenrouge @leandro_matos and Michael McLennan! #pt2026 #cmpa #listocalisto

Dear fellow members of @thecdnacademy FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION: Our heart-warming and uplifting documentary about the importance of names and the history behind our local heroes is eligible for THREE Canadian Screen Awards! • Best Biography or Arts Documentary Program or Series • Best Direction, Documentary Series • Best Photography, Documentary or Factual Street Cred journeys through past and present to recognize four local streets in Toronto: Longboat Avenue, Jean Lumb Lane, Miriam Garfinkle Lane, and Reggae Lane. It centers on the untold stories of the namesake individuals, whose significant and positive impact on the city can still be felt in today’s Toronto. This project was a labour of love and an exercise in gratitude for people from all walks of life who strove for the well-being of their communities and recognition of their culture from history into the future. I want to thank everyone who helped bring this kernel of an idea to life, creating a living, breathing story that ties each viewer closer to what they believe is important to remember. Executive producer - Adele Cardamone-Martel | CBC Producers - Kyle Schmalenberg and @laura.friedmann Director - @biggieschmals Cinematography - @stina Writer - Me and @littlenightmusic Researchers - Fernanda D’oro Fontes, @stephtablizo Archival consultant - @joao_v_correa Additional Photography - @guimorilha Camera Operators - @mateenmissaghi , @wiggly.niklas 1st ACs - @jesszado and @paolacontrerar Sound recording - @harristhebailey , @tylerschmalenbergmusic , Minsoo Lee Editing - Me and Perry Walker Sound design and mix - @guspachon Colour - @paulpersic Transcription - Eric Kianfar Graphics/animation - @NabilBurias Legal - @the_entertaining_lawyer Insurance - Front Row Insurance, Knox Hutchinson Insurance Featuring murals & artwork from: Longboat Ave - David M. General Jean Lumb Lane - Allan Bender Miriam Garfinkle Lane - @Nick_Sweetman Reggae Lane - @adrianhayles Street Cred is available ON DEMAND for FREE on @cbcgem Voting closes on February 12 at 5 pm. ​#CSA2026 #CdnFilm #CanadianScreenAwards #CBC #CBCGem

Grateful for the opportunity to moderate this important conversation at the @doc_institute EPIC Symposium: “FUNDING WHILE BIPOC: WHO GETS THE MONEY AND WHY?” Thank you to the panelists, Kerry Swanson from the @indigenousscreen Ayesha Husain from @telefilm_canada and Lalita Krishna from the @cisf_bpoc for their valuable insights. These conversations about building an accessible and sustainable film industry for diverse creatives are so important. Congratulations to all involved for a wonderful symposium! @cbc @bipoctvfilm

One of the fibre pieces currently at the SABZEH exhibit. I made these for the dancers who are projected onto the fibre installation and was pleasantly surprised when I put them all together! We will have a closing panel thus Sunday, October 19th 11:00am – 1:00pm (50 Victoria Street, Aurora). Visit @auroraculturalcentre or my link in bio to RSVP for free! #fiberart #handmade #textileart #wearableart

Meet the jury for the 25th anniversary edition of aluCine Latin Film + Media Arts Festival! We’re honoured to welcome three incredible voices shaping the future of film and media arts: 
✨ Andrea Gomes Giusti @deagiusti 
✨ Laura Friedmann @laura.friedmann 
✨ Amanda Gutiérrez Gomes @gutierrez_gomes Their experience, creativity, and dedication to storytelling will guide this year’s festival awards. Swipe to learn more about their inspiring work! 🔗 Visit alucinefestival.ca or click the link in our bio for full bios. #aluCine25 #LatinFilmFestival #FilmJury #MediaArtsFestival #TorontoEvents #CineLatino #FestivalAwards #LatinxArts #TorontoFilm #CinemaLovers