AMPD Testimonials

One thing I love about the Digital Media program is that it’s at the intersection of art and technology. I’m learning incredible technical skills and I’m using that to create art in so many different forms. I have so much creative freedom.

Prachi Sadhwani

Fourth-year Digital Media student

International Student – India/Jamaica

When I first looked into screenwriting programs in Canada, there weren't many options. So when I found AMPD, it really opened up possibilities for me. And of course, being in Toronto, it's easy to access studios and travel around. AMPD exceeded my expectations.

Tianna Reynolds

Second-Year Screenwriting Student

I love how flexible my program is. There’s such a wide range of courses to explore, from contemporary art to works from the very beginning of art history. I also love being able to connect with BFA students and build friendships and professional relationships with other artists like me. The field trips and on-campus galleries, like the Goldfarb Art Gallery and the Archives of Ontario, make learning feel so hands-on and inspiring. It’s exciting to be surrounded by art and creativity every day.

Jocelyn Bourgeois

Third-year Visual Arts & Art History Student

The theory and fundamental skills I gained at York for creative movie-making through development and production prepared me for my career. I would suggest that students absorb the experience and learn by forcing mistakes, pushing the limits and networking. As one of my third-year professors said, ‘When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.’

Bill Bannerman (BFA ’83)

Executive Producer, known for The Twilight Saga, The Predator, Masters of the Universe and more.

As I stepped into my first class I was excited to started meeting a ton of international students like me, who traveled from all around the world for this program. I would’ve never imagined that I would be an artist who is developing a play he wrote in the heart of Toronto, but that’s exactly what I’ve been up to recently. And my friends and teachers, are some of my biggest supporters in this process.”

Tuna Gümeli 

Alumnus, Theatre

International Alumnus - Türkiye

What I valued most about my time at AMPD was the culture with its vibrant passion for theatre arts coupled with inclusivity––where different voices and perspectives were not just welcomed but celebrated. The training—equal parts theory and hands-on practice—pushed me to think deeper, grapple with time management, and trust my instincts. My professors encouraged me to see storytelling as both an artistic calling and a responsibility, reminding me of the power it can hold. That foundation has guided my career and my creative path, shaping the kind of work I strive to make: authentic, inclusive, and transformative.

Stafford Arima (BA ’92)

Artistic Director, Theatre Calgary

I was able to screen the rough cuts in class and get feedback from my peers and professors, and if it weren't for the criticism and advice I received, the film wouldn't be what it is.

Abraham D

Current student - Production

My professors at York had a lasting impact on my creative practice as a picture editor and filmmaker. I even had the pleasure of their mentorship and feedback on Still Single, premiering at TIFF. Finding the balance between serving the vision of directors and producers, while being a constructive and tenacious creative force, was a balancing act to learn. The study of narrative structure that began in AMPD’s workshops gave me the skills to help find the 90-minute story in 300 hours of raw footage.

Pranay Noel (BFA ’20, MFA ’22)

Editor and Filmmaker, with work featured at TIFF in 2025

My education at York University’s music program provided a strong foundation for my career by enhancing my versatility, improvisation and composition skills. Being able to take courses in jazz performance, theory and technology helped shape my unique fusion sound while equipping me with the technical and production knowledge needed as an independent artist. Performance opportunities and networking connections strengthened my stage presence and industry awareness, while my studies also prepared me for leadership roles, including teaching, mentorship and music direction. York’s program played a key role in shaping my artistry, creativity and ability to navigate the music industry.

Desarae Dee (BFA ’12)

Instrumental Jazz Fusion Artist & 2022 Recipient of the SiriusXM Black Canadian Award