Issue 37: Can a Dinner Change Everything? A Toronto Love Letter to Friendship  

COMMENT đź’¬

You're probably reflecting on the past year and the one ahead. About half of Canadians will make resolutions, mainly related to health and finances. A similar number will feel guilty because they won't spend enough time with close friends and family, even though they want to. And yet another group, especially young people, will be stressed and anxious, comparing themselves to others and trying to look good. It's hard being a young adult today.

This issue is a story about how we often compare ourselves in our twenties, thirties and beyond as we learn how to become adults with obligations and commitments. Sasha Leigh Henry and Tania Thompson are two Canadian filmmakers whose feature film, Dinner with Friends, debuted at TIFF this year. It's about a group of adult friends shifting from their carefree late nights and group chats to more serious conversations about the weight and responsibilities of becoming an adult with real consequences in a Toronto that, at times, feels heavier and harder than before. I think the film has been well received by Canadian audiences because anyone can relate to close friends drifting away and moving closer, depending on life's circumstances. It's a positive story about the busyness of life that reminds us how to be better friends, whether that means being vulnerable and real today, and hopeful and aspirational tomorrow.

We've also started a new section of the newsletter to share upcoming funding, grants, and programs available to Black, Indigenous, and people of color creators across a range of occupations. We have a new website coming soon, as well as more multimedia — audio and video — coming soon.

Thanks for being a part of the Spinning Forward audience. Feel free to get in touch by replying to this email or emailing me at info at spinningforward.com to avoid spammers.

In this Issue:

🍽️ Dinner with Friends: Sasha Leigh Henry’s TIFF feature film debut explores real friendship shifts in Toronto.

🚫 Australia’s Social Ban: Under-16s blocked from social media—will Canada follow?

đź“ş Neurodivergent Voices: The new CBC show, The Assembly, breaks new ground in representation.

🇺🇸 TikTok Changes: U.S. rules may affect how Canadians get seen.

💸 Funds for Creators: Grants available—apply for up to $100,000 for group projects and newcomer creators.

​​Reading Time: 10 minutes

Flavian DeLima

Publisher & Editor, Spinning Forward

SPOTLIGHT 💡🔦

Can a Dinner Change Everything? A Toronto Love Letter to Friendship

Sasha Leigh Henry and Tania Thompson say they made Dinner with Friends because they had to. Conceived during Covid, the duo co-wrote and co-produced the film, while Brampton-based Henry directed it. Their production company's goal, Everyday People, is to tell community stories that “capture real, everyday life with humour and heart”. Dinner with Friends is Henry's debut feature film and was part of TIFF’s Discovery Program for emerging filmmakers. She says,

"I wanted to make a film that felt nostalgic and alive all at once—a love letter to the kinds of friendships that shape us, even as life pulls us apart."

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Set in post-pandemic Toronto, the indie film follows eight longtime friends — all people of colour — over seven dinners and three years. It's a story about a group of adult friends shifting from their carefree late nights and group chats to more serious conversations about the weight and responsibilities of becoming an adult with real consequences in a Toronto that, at times, feels heavier and harder than before.

I think the film has been well received by Canadian audiences because anyone can relate to close friends drifting away and moving closer, depending on life's circumstances. It's a positive story about the busyness of life that reminds us how to be better friends, whether that means being vulnerable and real today, and hopeful and aspirational tomorrow.

Without directly addressing Toronto's issues like affordability, the housing and rental crisis, traffic delays, mental health, parenting and childcare, and career frustration, the film does address them in subtle and everyday lived experiences and struggles through interwoven dialogue between characters. The chemistry among the cast is evident despite having a micro-budget of $100,000 to make the film in only nine days. For Henry, who is an actor’s director, the biggest reward was,

"Watching that connection come alive, watching them find their rhythm and bring the history of these friendships to life."

After her award-winning TV show, Bria Mack Gets a Life, was cancelled, Henry choose to make her feature DIY film independently rather than wait for permission. Telefilm noticed and later invested in the the film as part of it's low-budget film stream. Being in control allows Henry and Thompson to control distribution and go direct to fans on their Patreon.

Canada's Screen Sector Failing on Racial Equity

While the film does not address race, the cast and Henry are racialized creatives in the screen sector. A report, the first of its kind, published in November by the Racial Equity Media Collective, that studies funding for Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC), shows that Canada's film and TV sector isn't delivering on racial equity. The reason is that too many organizations in the screen sector don't collect or share race-based data. The report recommends mandatory data tracking, public BIPOC targets, CRTC reporting rules, and more programs to support Indigenous and francophone BIPOC creators.

Almost Half of Canadians Neglect Close Friends and Relationships

If you feel like it's been too long since you've seen your friends, you're not alone. A Statistics Canada study found that nearly a quarter of Canadians (24.2%) felt very pressed for time in 2022—the highest level recorded since the early 1990s, when 15% reported feeling this way. In 1986, almost half of Canadians (47.9%) saw friends on an average day. By 2022, that figure dropped dramatically to 19.3%.

Nearly half of Canadians (46.3%) now worry they're not spending enough time with their close friends and family—a concern that reflects the growing gap between how we want to live and how we actually live.

Working age Canadians (25 to 64 years) are the least likely to be satisfied with their friendships.

Canadians leaving the GTA: Additionally, an Environics Analytics study in a 2025 found that 35,000 households left the Toronto region or moved further away in the last year because of stress, cost of living and traffic congestion. They're opting to stay in Ontario but choosing smaller communities to spend more quality time to spend with families and neighbours. This week, the 14th TomTom Traffic Index ranked Toronto the most congested city in North America and the third worst in the world for 500 cities in 62 countries.

TIFF: The Dinner with Friends Cast & Characters

Spoiler alert — spoilers for Dinner with Friends in this piece

If you’re meeting friends for dinner, one would hope they would offer comfort and reconnection amid stresses like housing costs, affordability, and Toronto’s horrible traffic. Instead, the dinners begin with the friends comparing themselves, exaggerating success, and hiding their struggles. It's hard to blame them for wanting to look good and be happier and more successful than they actually are. After all, when you haven’t seen your friends in a while, you just want to feel good and better than the daily grind.

At the start of the film, the friends, gather for dinner parties, each privately struggling with insecurities and challenges they don't admit out loud. Joy (Tattiawna Jones) and Malachi (Alex Spencer) appear to have a perfect life, but their marriage is strained. Joy feels underappreciated and Malachi is stressed by work and the pressure to maintain harmony.

Kat (Tymika Tafari), a nurse caring for her ailing mother, hides her exhaustion and sense of being stuck and unable to plan for the future from her brother Tristan (Andrew Bushell) and close friend Paul (Izaak Smith). Paul faces housing difficulties while trying to connect with his teenage son, eventually grows closer to Kat. Tristan, has returned after disappearing for two years. He often jokes to mask his anxiety, especially after he rekindles his relationship with Evie (Rakhee Morzaria), and later learns she is pregnant. Evie, who is Joy’s best friend, feels hurt and uncertain if she can count on Tristan as they are about to become parents for the first time.

Meanwhile, Ty (Michael Ayres) and Josh (Leighton Alexander Williams), are couple who are known for their travel vacations and parties. They start to feel adrift as their lifestyle looks different from their friends, who are having kids, and starting families. They're also frustrated with Toronto's demanding pace and never ending traffic delays.

Despite outward appearances, every character grapples with feelings of inadequacy and worries about the future

Dinner with Friends: From Comparing to Accepting Each Other

As Dinner with Friends unfolds, tensions spill over into honest, sometimes painful conversations. Confrontations allow each character to be vulnerable and heard, strengthening their bonds. Gradually, the group learns that healing and understanding begin when they admit to one another that it’s OK not to be OK.

At one dinner, Kat suddenly confesses her long-held resentment toward her mother, calling her a “terrible mother.” She became a nurse not to care for people, but because hospitals are places where people are fixed, instead of being on hold, like she is. After her mother passes away, she is finally able to plan for her future, announcing she’s pregnant with Paul’s child and imagining a new life together.

Tristan’s return after two years becomes another turning point. Reunited with Evie, he shares the news of their coming child. As they move in together, he admits he is wracked with fear about providing for his new family, and promises Joy, Evie’s closest friend, that he won’t vanish like he did before.

The group’s original hosts, Joy and Malachi, announce their separation and wonder if they rushed into marriage, careers, and parenthood too soon, because that's what society expects. When Joy hosts dinners without Malachi, the group feels awkward but moves closer when they question how to navigate their divided loyalties.

Josh hits a breaking point at one dinner after he and Ty arrive late following a terrible traffic jam. He’s upset that the group’s conversations have shifted from carefree fun to topics like debt, mortgages, and family responsibilities. Ty encourages Josh to reflect on what he truly wants from their friends, instead of blaming them for growing and evolving with new responsibilities.

Writers, Henry and Thompson, through thoughtful dialogue, allow every character the space to grow and adapt. Over three years, the friends experience moments of joy, pain, vulnerability, awkward silence, and reconnection as their lives change and transform.

At the final dinner, hosted at Josh and Ty’s new country home during Christmas, the group is more relaxed and connected. Conversations flow authentically and no longer focus on who is getting ahead. Joy and Malachi have reconciled, and the group is no longer dependent on them to keep the dinner tradition alive. Kat and Tristan are more open about their challenges and the support they need, while Ty and Josh, now living outside the city, have grown closer to each other and to the group.

In the end, they realize that adulthood isn't about having it all figured out and looking good. It’s about embracing change and uncertainty, remaining open, and supporting each other. Through honest, vulnerable, and often awkward dinners, the group forges deeper connections, has more authentic conversations and become the friends they always hoped to be.

Comparison Culture Fuels Social Media Stress Among Canadian Youth

A 2024 poll by Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC) found 36% of Canadian youth often feel stressed and compare themselves to others on social media, which higher than the general population. Young women report more comparison (35% vs. 19%) and stress (52% vs. 23%) than young men. More than half (51%) of youth feel pressure to maintain an online image, compared to 31% overall.

Frequent social media comparison causes more anxiety, stress, and lower self-esteem in young people in the UK. According to the Cybersmile “Comparison Culture 2023” report, 93% feel pressured to compare themselves, most feel unsatisfied, and half say it lowers their self-esteem.

Spinning Forward spoke with Michael Braithewaite, President and CEO of Toronto-based Jack.org, a non-profit that works with youth, ages 12–25, across Canada to promote mental health. Braithewaite says Canadians forgot how to be social after the pandemic, leading to more comparison. He says,

"Youth along and adults have had relearn social skills. Going out, being vulnerable is kind of new and fresh...I recall going to a restaurant. There's a group of younger Gen Zs all looking at their phones, dead quiet. They did not look happy. And they took a picture, like they're having the best time in the world. And then went back to looking at the phones and not being happy. So their friends looking at that picture are missing out. They're having the time of their lives. ..And it wasn't [true]. Like it's a false presentation. I think the key is having individuals that you might look up to and see in yourself and show that vulnerability. And having real conversations.

Braithewaite says Jack.org encourages young people to be transparent by "sharing success and vulnerability":

"Our social media is about young people being vulnerable with one another, which resonates with others, by saying I'm not alone... The reality is that then you feel I'm not the only one going through this and it isn't abnormal, there's no shame to it."

Raj Barot is an Architectural Technology graduate from Centennial College with an interest in community journalism. He is currently volunteering in CivicAction's 'Youth CivicCorps' program while completing independent studies toward becoming a licensed building practitioner in Ontario. Flavian DeLima is the publisher and editor of Spinning Forward.

QUICK HITS

🚫 Australia’s Social Media Ban: A Model for Canada?
Australia’s national ban on social media for those under 16 took effect December 10, 2025, aiming to address concerns over youth mental health, online harassment, and child exploitation, all issues also impacting Canadian youth. With experts highlighting rising depression and anxiety linked to social media use among teens, Canada is now debating whether similar restrictions could help protect vulnerable adolescents. Source: CTV News

🎤 The Assembly: Authentic Conversations Led by Neurodivergent Interviewers
The Assembly is a Canadian TV series where 30 autistic and neurodivergent interviewers ask celebrities candid and meaningful questions. In one episode, interviewer Damon Kirsebom—a non-speaking, autistic university student who communicates through an iPad—asks actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan what inspired her passion and advocacy to educational equity.

Source: CBC | GEM: The Assembly

🇺🇸
What You Should Know About the US TikTok Deal
TikTok users in the U.S. could see big changes as companies like Oracle and Silver Lake are trying to buy TikTok’s American branch to address government concerns about data privacy and security. While the app isn’t shutting down, who owns it and how your data is handled might change soon. The changes will not affect Canadian users of TikTok but may affect how Americans discover Canadian content.

Source: TechCrunch

FUNDS FOR CREATORS

Funds For Creators

For the first time, we’re dedicating a section of the newsletter to funding for creators—packed with opportunities for funding and program in January from the 1st to 15th (plus a few rolling deadlines) to get your ideas off the ground, level up your craft, and actually get paid for your work.

From artist calls and public art projects to grants for exhibitions, social ventures, storytelling, and Black entrepreneurship, these opportunities are especially relevant if you’re a creator of colour building your voice in the GTA and beyond. Whether you’re making films, running a small business, organizing community arts programs, or experimenting with digital media, there’s something in here to help you move from “I’ve got an idea” to “I’ve got backing.”

January Deadlines (Jan 1st - Jan 15th)

Durham Arts Council – Emerging Artists Grant Program

Working on a project that could be a game-changer for your creative career? The Durham Arts Council’s Emerging Artists Program offers up to $1,500 to support pivotal projects for individual artists at any stage, across any discipline, as long as you’re based in Durham, Chatham, Orange, Granville or Person Counties in North Carolina and meet the eligibility criteria. Deadline: January 4, 2026, at 11 PM ET. Apply here

Brampton Arts Organization – PIXEL: Proud Digital Art Exhibition

Brampton 2SLGBTQIA+ artists and collectives can submit work for PIXEL: Proud, a digital art exhibition in Garden Square, with almost any medium—from animation and video to photography, performance documentation and sculpture—welcome. Selected artists receive $386 CAD per accepted submission, with a focus on celebrating the range of 2SLGBTQIA+ creative practices. Deadline: January 4, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Apply here

Ontario Arts Council – Recommender Grants for Theatre Creators

If you're an emerging or established theatre artist or collective in Ontario with fresh ideas for new works, this grant supports writing, dramaturgy, research or workshop activities that push theatre forward with diverse and bold perspectives. You can receive between $1,000 and $3,000 to help bring your vision to life. Deadline: January 9, 2026, at 1 PM EST. Apply here

Tarragon Theatre – Young Playwrights Unit Program - Canada wide

If you’re a young writer with a script idea and want professional support to build it out, Tarragon’s Young Playwrights Unit offers paid training, workshops and a community of fellow emerging playwrights. Over several months, you’ll develop a new play with guidance from theatre professionals. Deadline: January 11, 2026. Apply here

Inside Out – 2026 Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival Program - Canada wide

Creating 2SLGBTQIA+ film or screen-based work? Inside Out Festival is a key platform for queer and trans cinema, offering visibility, networking and industry connections for emerging and established filmmakers. Deadline: January 11, 2026. Apply here

Brampton Arts Organization – OCAD University & BAO Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs

If you’re an OCAD U student or recent alum based in Brampton with a creative business idea or existing venture, this seed fund is for you. The Brampton Arts Organization Prize offers $2,000 to help you launch or scale your creative business—from a studio practice or design service to a media brand or hybrid model. Deadline: January 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM. Apply here

City of Toronto – Cultural Hotspot SPARK

Cultural Hotspot SPARK supports community-based arts projects that spotlight creativity in Toronto’s outer neighborhoods. If you have a community-driven idea—workshops, pop-ups, performances or public art—this program offers up to $9,000 per project to help bring it to life locally. Deadline: January 12, 2026, at 5 PM. Apply here

Fogo Island Arts & The Hnatyshyn Foundation – Young Curator Residency - Canada wide

Early-career Canadian curators can spend six weeks on Fogo Island in September–October 2026 to research, connect with the local context and develop curatorial projects with Fogo Island Arts. This residency offers time, space and support to deepen your curatorial practice. Deadline: January 13, 2026. Apply here

KIMI – Mentorship Program - Canada wide

If you’re looking for guidance, accountability and support from industry professionals, the KIMI mentorship program connects emerging creatives with mentors to sharpen their practice, build networks and navigate next steps. This is a chance to get personalized support as you move toward your creative goals. Deadline: January 14, 2026. Apply here

Ontario Arts Council – Recommender Grants for Writers

If you’re an emerging or mid-career writer in Ontario working on fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, graphic novels or other forms, this grant supports your creative process. It can help cover research, writing time and manuscript development, with grants ranging from $1,500 to $5,000. Deadline: January 15, 2026, at 1 PM EST. Apply here

Ontario Arts Council – Exhibition Assistance

Got a confirmed exhibition coming up? This grant helps visual, craft and media artists across Ontario cover key costs like framing, materials, shipping and promotion, with funding from $500 to $2,000 so you can focus on your work. Deadline: January 15, 2026, at 1 PM EST. Apply here

Canada Council for the Arts – Canada Pavilion at the 2027 Venice Architecture Biennale

If you’re part of a cross-disciplinary team working at the intersection of architecture, design and contemporary culture, this is a major international stage. The selected team will represent Canada at the 20th Venice Architecture Biennale, receive $500,000 toward exhibition production and lead the project from concept to delivery in collaboration with the Council. Deadline: January 15, 2026. Apply here

gritLIT – 2026 Short Story Writing Contest (TRUTHTELLING) - Canada wide

Writers with a powerful short piece (fiction or creative nonfiction) up to 500 words on the theme of TRUTHTELLING can submit to gritLIT’s 2026 Short Story Writing Contest. The winner receives a $500 prize and the chance to share their work with a literary audience. Deadline: January 15, 2026. Apply here

Partners in Art – Artist-Direct Grants - Canada wide

If you’re a GTA-based visual artist with a confirmed exhibition anywhere in Canada, this grant can support your show. Partners in Art’s Artist-Direct Grants provide $5,000 to cover supplies, studio rent, production and exhibition expenses, with up to half available to pay yourself for your time. Deadline: January 15, 2026. Apply here

Rolling Deadlines (No current deadline)

Brampton Arts Organization – Government of Canada’s Black Entrepreneurship Program

Black founders can access capital, training, advisory services, mentorship, networking and better data on Black entrepreneurship in Canada through this national program built with the Black business community. Whether you’re just starting or scaling, it’s designed to make it easier to access the tools and resources you need to grow. Deadline: Ongoing – programs are continuous. Apply here

Toronto Arts Council – Black Arts Projects

Black artists and Black-led collectives in Toronto can receive up to $15,000 for new artistic or community-focused projects across any discipline, from visual arts and performance to digital media and storytelling. This grant centers Black experiences and supports fresh, hybrid and experimental work. Deadline: Rolling – applications accepted any time. Apply here

Toronto Arts Council – Indigenous Arts Projects

Indigenous artists and Indigenous-led collectives in Toronto can access $3,000 to $15,000 for creating new work, project development, exhibitions and sector-building initiatives rooted in community and cultural knowledge. The focus is on Indigenous-led storytelling and strengthening Indigenous voices and culture across the city. Deadline: Rolling – applications accepted any time. Apply here

Toronto Arts Council – Visual Artists Program: Creation

Toronto-based visual artists, photographers and craft & design creators can receive $10,000 to develop new work, experiment with techniques and share culturally rooted perspectives. The program supports emerging and established artists pushing boundaries in the city’s visual arts scene. Deadline: Rolling – applications accepted on an ongoing basis. Apply here

Toronto Arts Council – TAC Accessibility Grant

This supplementary grant offers up to $5,000 to cover accessibility costs like ASL interpretation, attendant care, accessible transportation and adaptive technology for artists with disabilities or Deaf artists in Toronto and their key collaborators. It is designed to remove barriers so you can fully participate in your creative work. Deadline: Rolling – apply whenever your project and accessibility needs arise. Apply here

Canada Council for the Arts – Representation and Promotion

This grant supports creator groups and newcomers with costs for touring, festivals, promotion or market trips that help you reach new audiences or markets, offering up to $30,000 per project and up to $60,000 per year. It’s ideal if you’re ready to grow your visibility and professional presence beyond your home base. Deadline: Apply any time before you travel. Apply here

Canada Council for the Arts – Micro-grants

Micro-grants offer fast funding of up to $10,000 per grant (and up to $30,000 per year) for collectives and newcomer artists to cover fees, materials or travel for projects that haven’t started yet. They are perfect for seizing time-sensitive opportunities or experimenting with new ideas. Deadline: Apply any time before your project starts. Apply here

Canada Council for the Arts – Sector Support, Innovation and Development (Creative Ecosystem Projects)

This fund supports creator collectives and newcomer-led groups with up to $100,000 per project to build capacity, test new ideas or scale initiatives that strengthen the arts ecosystem. It’s meant for big-picture projects that transform how your community creates, collaborates or sustains itself. Deadline: Apply any time before your project starts. Apply here

Canada Council for the Arts – Small-Scale Activities (Creating, Knowing and Sharing)

This flexible grant offers up to $5,000 for short-term or early-stage Indigenous arts activities like workshops, mentorships or community gatherings. It helps cover key costs before your project begins so you can move quickly on community-rooted ideas. Deadline: Apply any time before your project starts. Apply here

Canada Council for the Arts – Travel (Creating, Knowing and Sharing)

Indigenous artists and cultural carriers can receive up to $30,000 per year to cover travel costs within Canada or internationally to share work, build relationships and deepen their practice. This is ideal for residencies, gatherings, presentations or cultural projects that require you to be on the move. Deadline: Apply any time before you leave. Apply here

Canada Council for the Arts – Artistic Creation

Creator groups and newcomer artists with bold new ideas can apply for up to $75,000 per project (and up to $150,000 per year) to support original work across any art form, including research, materials and production. This grant is designed for collaborative or experimental projects that push your practice forward. Deadline: Apply any time before your project starts. Apply here

City of Toronto – Retail Modernization Project Grant

The Retail Modernization Project Grant offers up to $5,000 in non-repayable, matched funding to help Ontario main street businesses upgrade digital tools like POS systems, e-commerce platforms and other software or hardware. It’s a strong fit if you’re running a retail operation and want to modernize your tech stack to stay competitive. Deadline: First-come, first-served – funding is limited. Apply here

Mississauga Arts Council – Mississauga Chamber Singers

Experienced singers in the GTA can audition to join the Mississauga Chamber Singers, a dedicated choral group offering regular rehearsals and performance opportunities. It’s a chance to sharpen your vocal skills and return to ensemble work in a supportive setting. Deadline: Ongoing – auditions accepted on a continuous basis. Apply here

Mississauga Arts Council – VirtualRec Connect Instructors

Artists and educators who love teaching can apply to become VirtualRec Connect instructors, leading online arts and education programs for participants in Mississauga and beyond. This is a great way to grow your teaching practice and diversify your income as a creative. Deadline: Ongoing – applications accepted any time. Apply here

Mississauga Arts Council – Mississauga Watercolour Society Membership

If you’re passionate about watercolour, joining the Mississauga Watercolour Society connects you with peers, feedback and regular opportunities to share and grow your work. Membership is a solid way to build your portfolio while deepening roots in a local arts community. Deadline: Ongoing – membership applications accepted year-round. Apply here

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