FAQ's About Monica.
No, but where are you really from?
Born in Vancouver, raised by Afro-Cuban and Spanish immigrants.
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I heard you have a creative hub? What the FAH is that?
Studio 162 is a beautiful multi-purpose space in the West End of Toronto that you can rent hourly, daily or weekly. And because I love artists, I have artist rates. Check it out here.
Wow, you do so much - Studio 162, writing, producing, directing, and you own Little Havana Café on top of that?
Yes... Yes, I do. I also have a production company, Clark Park Films.
Ok, last one. What's your current obsession?
When I'm not working, I'm obsessed with Bad Bunny, shoulder pads in sweatshirts, thrifting great pieces and collecting original art.
CV
Director
Beyond the Summit
Kaleah
All Roads Lead To Magic City
Las Olas
Her Story Transformed
Demonstration Sport
Compliant
Rainbow Baby
Weeping Willow
Laundry Day
The Stand-off
The Break-up
One On One With Nada Burkoff
Short Film
Feature Film - Freddie Films
Video Podcast - 12 Episodes, Spotify/Apple/YouTube/Amazon
Short Film
Marketing Video, Windmill MicroLending Organization
Short Film
Short Film
Short Film
Short Film
Short Film - WIDC Proof of concept
Short Film
Writer
Beyond the Summit
Harvest Moon
Shopping Mall Horror
All Roads Lead To Magic City
All Roads Lead To Magic City
Las Olas
KALEAH
Filmores
WeepingWillow
Laundry Day
Growing Up Moni
The Break-up
Short Film
Feature in development
Feature Film - Co-creator and Co-writer with Karen Walten
TV series in development with Freddie Films
Video Podcast - season one and two
Short Film, proof of concept for the feature, KALEAH
Feature
TV Series, Co-creator, Co-writer
Micro Short
Short Film
Stage Play
Short Film
Producer
Beyond The Summit
Kaleah
All Roads Lead To Magic City (podcast)
All Roads Lead To Magic City (TV Series)
To The Core
Las Olas
Demonstration Sport
Compliant
Rainbow Baby
Weeping Willow
Beyond The Summit
Freddie Films, Clark Park Films
Clark Park Films
Freddie Films, Clark Park Films
ShoRick Productions, Clark Park Films, Sunday Baby Films,
Buck Productions, Clark Park Films, Jade Yurich Films,
Sleepy Mom Productions, Clark Park Films
Crofoot Productions,
Rainbow Films,
Weeping Willow Films
Awards
Banff Artist Award - Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity - Recipient 2025
Toronto Arts Council, Black Arts Stream - Recipient 2022, 2023
Canada Council for the Arts, Explore and Create - Recipient 2021 & 2023
Indigenous Screen Office, Solidarity Fund Award - Recipient 2021
Short Film Creation Lab 2020 - Rainbow Baby, Toronto ACTRA Women’s Committee
By Black’s People’s Choice Award - Nominated, Best Black Canadian Director, 2019
CineFAM Canada MicroCinema Challenge - Winner, Creation Award 2019
Writers For Writers Diversity Initiative Award - Recipient, Toronto Screenwriting Conference 2019
Education
E20 Program - Reelworld 2026
Adventure Filmmakers Workshop - Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, 2025
Cream Productions - TV Series Shadowing, director: Jason Lapeyre/Cat Holstick
Feels Like Home Productions - Commercial Director Shadowing, director: Christina Hodnet
Women In The Director’s Chair - CAM 2020, Working in Episodic 2021
Toronto Film School - Writing For Film and TV Program, Associate Degree, Honour Roll
School Creative Acting Conservatory - (2003-2005) - Full Scholarship
Festival Screenings & Awards
Beyond the Summit (writer/director/producer), Banff Mountain Film Festival
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Las Olas (aka Waterfalls) - (writer/director/producer) Best Film Awards - Semi-Finalist - Best Short Screenplay, CaribbeanTales International Film Festival - Official Selection, Women’s International Film Festival Nigeria - Official Selection and Nominee - Best Production Design, Oklahoma Black Film Festival - Official Selection and Best Director, Chicago International Indie Film Festival - Offical Selection, Canadian Independent Film Festival - Offical Selection and Nominee - Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Canadian Short Fiction
Demonstration Sport (director/co-producer) - RIFFA Official Selection, Austin Comedy Festival Finalist - Best Mockumentary, Oakville Film Festival Official Selection, Beyond The Curve International Film Festival Official Selection, St. John's International Film Festival Official Selection, Hollywood North Film Awards Nominee - Best Supporting Performer
Rainbow Baby (director/co-producer) - Berlin International Arts Film Festival Official Selection, Toronto International Women's Film Festival Official Selection, Miami Independent Film Festival Official Selection, New York International Women’s Film Festival Semi-Finalist, MOM Festival Official Selection, Gilbert Baker Film Festival Official Selection
Compliant (director/co-producer) - New York International Women’s Film Festival Finalist - Best Short Competition, Winner - Artistic Award of Merit, Female Filmmaker Award Best Short Film, Canadian Cinematography & Film Awards Winner - Best Short Award, Best Editing, Best Actress, Best Canadian Film, Imagine This Women’s Film Festival Official Selection.
Weeping Willow (writer/director/producer) - CineFam Film Festival Winner, Best Micro Short Film, Lift-Off Sessions Pinewood Studios UK Official Selection, Toronto Black Film Festival Official Selection, The International Gullah Film Festival Finalist - Best Short Horror, Legacy Film Showcase Deltas Of Charlotte Foundation Official Selection, Fern Film Festival Official Selection.
God Squad (producer/writer/director) - Vancouver Short Film Festival Winner, Best Actress
Affiliations
Women In The Director’s Chair - Alumnae WIFT-Toronto
Toronto ACTRA’s Women’s Committee
LIFT
ACTRA/UBCP
CineFAM
Women Creators of Color WorldWide
Access Reelworld