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Samarika Dhiman

@samarikad

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Where do we even begin with tonight? 😖 Day 2 of #RPFF2025 was dedicated to our Emerging Directors’ Pitch Competition, and one by one our four finalists blew away the jurors, their trainer @sashaleighhenry, and a packed audience as they each took the stage to share their short documentary pitch.

The competition was followed by our Festival Fête, where music, conversation, and food flowed nonstop throughout the night.

Thank you to our hospitality partner @bevy.space for letting us take over this lovely evening, and for working tirelessly with our needs throughout the two events. Our free drinks were also generously provided by our official hospitality partners @lostcraftbeer, @drinklocalspirits, @dejadotequila, and @paradisegrapevine 🥂❤️

Congratulations once again to our EDP Competition winner @hi.im.nikita, who is bringing home a development deal with CBC, as well as an awards package from our industry award sponsors @alteregopost and @astrolabstudios, and our award partners @habibifilmrentals, @dogoodfund, and @thedcpworks.

On to the third day of the festival! We’re back tomorrow at the Central YMCA for one heck of a full day of programming.

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📸 Photos by the wonderful @zainabashr

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Our annual Emerging Directors’ Pitch Competition returns with 4 new filmmakers pitching short unscripted projects to be considered for CBC's 2026 Short Docs programming slate!

Join us at @bevy.space in Regent Park and support our EDP finalists as they pitch their projects to our panel of judges in hopes of winning a CBC development deal courtesy, as well as a fantastic prize package from our generous industry award sponsors, @alteregopost and @astrolabstudios, and award partners!

📅 Friday, November 28
🕐 6:00 PM
📍 bevy | 738 Dundas St. East

🎟️ Free tickets in the link in our bio

#RPFF2025

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🎨 Can you believe this is Jordan Dunlop’s first-ever public art installation?

Before this hoarding exhibit opportunity with Canderel, the artist was primarily showcasing his work in studios, galleries, and private commissions. We can’t wait to see what’s next in his journey!

It was a pleasure to facilitate the process and support Jordan in bringing one-of-a-kind artwork to 908 St. Clair Ave West, Toronto✨

📸 @samarikad

#STEPSPublicArt #STEPSImpact #PublicArt #TorontoArt #HoardingArt #ConstructionArt #TorontoArtists #CityBuilding #CanadianArt #CanadianArtists

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🎉 IT’S HERE!

After months of community surveys, workshops, and long production days, the Yellow Oasis mural led by artist Yasaman Mehrsa now rises over Hillcrest Village at 840 St. Clair West.

This striking new community landmark celebrates the neighbourhood’s cultural and environmental heritage and marks a major achievement for Toronto’s public art landscape.

🔗 Read the full announcement and RSVP for the Sept 11th public celebration through the link in our bio.

📸 @anushaysheikh, @samarikad

Yellow Oasis was produced by STEPS Public Art and was supported by the City of Toronto’s StreetARToronto program. We would also like to acknowledge funding from Toronto-St. Paul’s City Councillor Josh Matlow, Toronto Friends of the Visual Arts, Eight Forty Condos, Bulmash-Siegel Foundation, Ontario Arts Council, the Government of Ontario, Canadian Heritage, and TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment.

We’re grateful for additional support from Hillcrest Village BIA, Goodbye Graffiti, and Dulux.

#STEPSPublicArt #STEPSImpact #PublicArt #StClairWest #TorontoMural #TorontoMuralists #TorontoArt #TorontoArtists #CultureTO #HillcrestVillageBIA #StreetARToronto #CityOfToronto #CommunityEngagement #CommunityMural

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Created in partnership with @myrichmondhill as part of the CreateSpace Public Art Residency, Jasmine’s 7ft tall public art installation animates William Duncan Park, embodying the rhythmic flow of water and evoking reflections on our environmental efforts in water stewardship 💙

🐠 If you take a closer look, you’ll find augmented reality tucked into its tesselated design. Through your phone, you can watch community stories and Yellow Perch swim through local waves.

With over 200+ people engaged, Harmony of the Waves is a testament to the magic that’s possible when collective creativity and local care for the environment come together through public art 🤝

🎥 @samarikad

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This was part of the 2024 CreateSpace Public Art Residency supported by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation with funding provided by the Government of Canada, TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment, Ontario Arts Council, and the Government of Ontario.

#STEPSPublicArt #STEPSImpact #PublicArt #STEPSResidencies #ArtistInResidence #ArtistResidency #ArtResidency #ArtProgram #CanadianArtist #CanadaArt #TorontoArtist #TDReadyCommitment #OntarioArts #CommunityArt #CommunityEngagement #MyRichmondHill #Sculpture #SculpturalArt #AR #AugmentedReality

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💛 One day, one street, and so many reasons to celebrate culture and connection!

On June 27, Culture Makes Waves brought St. Clair West to life with face painting, live music, food, and Indigenous crafts in celebration of Canadian Multiculturalism Day and the upcoming Yellow Oasis mural by @yyasist 🎉

With the shared laughs and smiles, Culture Makes Waves reminds us of the ripple effect that arts and culture can have: connecting communities, honouring heritage, and spreading joy through impact.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in making waves through creativity and community 🫶

📹 @samarikad

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Culture Makes Waves has been made possible by the Government of Canada. L’événement “La Culture fait des vagues” a été rendu possible grâce au gouvernement du Canada.

This event is part of Yellow Oasis supported by the City of Toronto’s StreetARToronto program. We would also like to acknowledge funding support from Toronto-St. Paul’s City Councillor Josh Matlow, Toronto Friends of the Visual Arts, Hillcrest Village BIA, EightForty Condo, Bulmash-Siegel Foundation, Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario. We’re grateful for the additional support from Goodbye Graffiti.

#STEPSPublicArt #STEPSImpact #PublicArt #MultiCulturalismDay #CommunityCelebration #StClairWest #TorontoMural #TorontoMuralists #TorontoArt #TorontoArtists #CultureTO #HillcrestVillageBIA #StreetARToronto #CityOfToronto #CommunityEngagement #CommunityMural

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🐉 A dragon has landed in the Church-Wellesley Village, and it’s full of Pride!

Unveiled at Wellesley TTC Station in Toronto, this bold piece by artist @junekima.rt celebrates diversity, resilience, and togetherness through the dragon – a symbol of power and protection 🌟

The community celebrated alongside Councillor Chris Moise, artist Jieun Kim, STEPS, and local supporters with love, support, and connection!

❤️ Thanks for celebrating Pride season with us through public art that uplifts and celebrates community.

📹 @samarikad

#STEPSPublicArt #STEPSImpact #PublicArt #TorontoArtists #TorontoMurals #WellesleyStation #TTC #PrideToronto #Pride #TorontoArt

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🧑‍🎨 We popped by Oakville’s Glen Abbey Community Centre to see @_monkyi’s stunning mural as part of the CreateSpace Public Art Residency!

Stretching 135 ft down the Green Mile hallway, this is Julia’s largest indoor mural to date, and a vibrant celebration of community in all its colourful forms 🌿

Drawing from her anthropological lens, Julia’s piece explores diversity not just in culture, but in how we live, think, and connect.

The rich colours and natural imagery reflects the stories, generations, and perspectives that make Oakville feel like home 🏠

Congrats Julia and @townofoakville on a community-engaged project full of collaboration and care ❤️

🎥 @samarikad

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This was part of the 2024 CreateSpace Public Art Residency supported by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation with funding provided by the Government of Canada, TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment, Ontario Arts Council, and the Government of Ontario.

#STEPSPublicArt #STEPSImpact #PublicArt #STEPSResidencies #ArtistInResidence #ArtistResidency #ArtResidency #ArtProgram #CanadianArtist #CanadaArt #MuralArt #OakvilleArt #TorontoArtist #TDReadyCommitment #OntarioArts #CommunityArt #CommunityEngagement

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🌳 Sonder by @kellenhatanaka transforms the construction site at 717 Church St. into a cinematic stroll through city green space.

This hoarding exhibit for Capital Developments highlights the role of parks in our urban lives–spaces to reflect, play, and connect. Designed as a snapshot in motion, Sonder reminds us of the everyday magic unfolding in parks all around us.

There’s always something unique about the way public art can turn scaffolding into storytelling 🎨

📸 @samarikad

#STEPSPublicArt #STEPSImpact #PublicArt #HoardingExhibit #HoardingArt #ConstructionHoarding #TorontoArt #PublicArtInstallation #CityBuilding #StratfordArtist

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🌈 From amplifying 2SLGBTQ+ voices to preserving queer-oriented gathering places, how can we reimagine public spaces for inclusivity and community?

In the latest Fieldnotes blog, we discuss queer placemaking and how intentional urban design + public art supports queer communities in meaningful ways.

🔗 Link in bio for the full article!

🎨 March of the Dragon by @junekima.rt with the support of Councillor @chrismoiseto, @PrideToronto, @ChurchWellesleyVillage, @cwna_to, and @takethettc

📷 @samarikad

#STEPSPublicArt #STEPSImpact #PublicArt #PublicSpace #ThoughtLeadership #Fieldnotes #ArtBlog #QueerPlacemaking #QueerArt #2SLGBTQ #QueerArtists #Pride #Placemaking #LGBTQ #2SLGBTQArtists #PrideSeason

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Family Values has officially won Best Cinematography at the Couch Film Festival Summer 2025 Edition! Congratulations to our DOP @samarikad for their amazing work! Huge shoutout to our talented Camera team for bringing the visual story to life, and thank you CouchFF for the recognition.
More to come! #couchfilmfestival @couchfilmfestival

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Family Values just took home an award at the Alternative Film Festival Summer 2025 Edition for Best Student Film Canada. 🎉 Huge thanks to the jury and the incredible team behind this film. So grateful for the recognition!
#altff #familyvaluesfilm
@alternativefilmfestival

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