Kelly Townsend · Playback.ca · Posted: March 14th, 2024

This year’s 100-person cohort for the Banff World Media Festival’s (BANFF) Diversity of Voices (DOV) initiative has been announced ahead of the June event.

Being Black in Toronto features films from emerging directors that came out of the Fabienne Colas Foundation's Being Black in Canada mentorship program entirely dedicated to Black filmmakers. 

Watch the films on the Absolutely Canadian documentary series free on CBC Gem.

Thom Ernst · Northernstars.ca · Posted: September 12th, 2023

On the same program is Express. Despite its overt and heavy-handed messaging, there is a lot to like in Ivan D. Ossa’s direction. Express is without contest, a morality tale. There is nothing allegorical to ponder; everything the film needs to express is expressed without ambiguity. But the story holds together with fine performances from the entire cast.

Michael Thede · Cinemorata.com · Posted: September 8th, 2023

Written and directed by 24-year-old filmmaker Ivan D. Ossa, the short is set to make its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.

As Ossa explains, the film sets out to question the motivations behind our drive to succeed and serves to comment on what he calls “the toxic side of hustle culture….”

The Canadian Press · Yahoo!life · Posted: August 17th, 2023.

Some filmmakers taking part in TIFF for the first time, such as Toronto-based director and writer of “Express,” Ivan D. Ossa, 24, say they feel inspired by the attention they’re receiving…

Gilbert Seah · Afrotoronto.com · Posted: August 14, 2023.

Capsule Review:

EXPRESS is Well made, well-performed with a message to boot, the short established director Ossa as a new talent to be reckoned with.  Shown as part of the Short Cuts 4 program.

Anthony D’Alessandro · Deadline.com · Posted: August 09, 2023.

Along with remarkable new works by international filmmakers, Short Cuts includes 19 selections by Canadian filmmakers, including World Premieres of films by Marni Van Dyk (This is Not About Swimming), Eva Thomas (Redlights), Karsten Wall (Modern Goose), and Ivan D. Ossa (Express)…

Mr. Will Wong · Mr.WillWong.com · Posted: July 06, 2023.

Ivan D. Ossa of Kine Ukiyo Ma and Malachi Ellis of Malachi Ellis Productions are pleased to announce that their short film, the slice-of-Gen Z-life drama, Express, has finished post-production and is ready to begin the festival circuit. Express is written and directed by Ossa (In Other News, It’s You) and stars Joshua Obra (Scarborough), Martin Marticorena, Rebecca Ablack (Luckiest Girl Alive, Ginny & Georgia, The Good Karma Hospital) and Isaiah Peck (Sneakerella, Brother, The Next Step).

Victoria Ahearn · Playback.com · Posted: May 06, 2022.

The Reelworld Emerging 20 Program (E20) has unveiled this year’s participants and a special redesign focused on screenwriting.