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Draft:Ron Dias (director)

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Ron Dias
Born
Ron Dias

(1989-10-02) October 2, 1989 (age 35)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
NationalityCanadian
Occupations
  • Filmmaker
  • Screenwriter
  • YouTuber
Years active2008–present
Notable work
Websiteyoutube.com/rondiastv

Biography

Ron Dias is a Toronto-based filmmaker, writer, and producer known for his authentic storytelling and commitment to highlighting underrepresented communities. His works often explore themes of resilience, gentrification, and cultural identity.

Early Life and Education

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Ron attended York University where he joined a band called BFDM while studying Radio and Broadcasting.[1] In 2008 Dias dropped out of University when he was employed by a local Toronto Radio Station called Flow 93.5 FM. He then released his first single called "Toronto"[2].which also had a Music Video that was popular within the local Toronto hip hop scene.[3][4][5][6]

In February 2011, Flow 93.5 was purchased by CHUM FM and nearly laid of the entire staff including Dias,[7]He then started making YouTube videos with YouTube Star Latoya Forever as they both attended York University together.[8] Using YouTube[9] as a platform to hone his skills, while amassing a vast and diverse fan base that continues to grow, he soon developed into a dedicated Director. Alongside his companion creator Joanne Jansen, they created a successful web series “Friends with Benefits”, with over 7 million views and four nominations at the LA Web Fest. .[10]. He also wrote, directed, and produced a short film "Mariposa", that received praise for the quality of work on a shoestring budget, and made it into the Cannes Film Festival in 2018.

Filmmaking

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Dias began his career in filmmaking with the short film Mariposa, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival short corner in 2018. His first feature-length film, Bite of a Mango, premiered at the American Black Film Festival and won several awards, including Best Audience Choice Award and Best Actress at the Reelworld Film Festival.

Bite of a Mango

Dias’s first feature-length film, Bite of a Mango, premiered at the[11] American Black Film Festival and was celebrated for its authentic portrayal of Toronto’s communities. It won the Audience Choice Award and Best Actress at the ReelWorld Film Festival.[12].

Morningside

Morningside is a love letter to the Scarborough neighborhood, showcasing the resilience of its community amidst the challenges of gentrification and gun violence. The film features an ensemble cast including Kiana Madeira, Olunike Adeliyi, Alex Mallari Jr. Lovell Adams-Gray, Joanne Jansen and Fefe Dobson. The film premiered at the 2024 Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival,[13] and was subsequently screened at the ReelWorld Film Festival.[14] [15] Building on his experience, Dias directed Morningside (2025), a film that took six years to complete and explores themes of gentrification and community resilience in Scarborough.[9]

Directing Style

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Ron originally trained as an actor before transitioning into directing, which provided him with a deep understanding of the craft and a unique approach to working with performers. His background allows him to communicate effectively with actors, guiding them in ways that enhance their performances while respecting their individual creative processes. [16]

Many actors who have worked with Ron praise his ability to foster a collaborative and dynamic environment on set. He is known for incorporating a technique he calls "scripted improvisation," where actors are encouraged to explore and adapt their dialogue within the framework of the story. Rather than being confined to rigid lines, they are given the freedom to interpret their character’s emotions and reactions naturally, as long as they remain true to the core of the role. [17]

This method not only helps actors feel more connected to their characters but also brings a level of authenticity to their performances that is often difficult to achieve under the constraints of a strictly followed script. By allowing this flexibility, Ron ensures that his actors can deliver raw, emotionally resonant performances, elevating the depth and realism of his films. [18]

Dias credits YouTube as an early training ground for his filmmaking career. Through the platform, he learned how to write, direct, edit, produce, and act in videos. These skills later enabled him to create independent films on lower budgets, as he was able to take on multiple roles due to a lack of funding. [19]

“It really came from watching movies when I was a kid, like Boyz n the Hood and Do the Right Thing, and studying films in college,” Dias says. “They were so central to Compton … but they had these universal themes that everybody could relate to.” [20]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2022 American Black Film Festival Best Feature Narrative Bite of Mango Nominated
American Black Film Festival Best Screenplay Nominated
American Black Film Festival Best Director Nominated
ReelWorld Film Festival Outstanding Actress "Jayne Kamara' Won
ReelWorld Film Festival Audience Choice Award 'Ron Dias and Joanne Jansen' Won

Discography

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Albums

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  • Way Past Love (2010)[21]
  • Everything's Possible (2012)[22]

Singles

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Title Year Album
"Marlon's Intro" 2012 Everything's Possible
"Lay Me Down" Everything's Possible
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See also

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See also

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[[:Category:Canadian film directors]] [[:Category:21st-century Canadian male actors]] [[:Category:Living people]]

  1. ^ "The Story of "Brothers From Different Mothers" (BFDM)". 26 May 2009. Retrieved 2016-07-06.
  2. ^ "Toronto – Ron D." Torontoist. Retrieved 2008-12-29.
  3. ^ "Throwback Thursday:Toronto – Ron Dias ft. Blake Carrington". Pretty Hype T.O. 9 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-09.
  4. ^ "Hype Spotlight: Ron Dias". Pretty Hype T.O. 11 January 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-19.
  5. ^ "T-o-r-o-o-n-t-o". Retrieved 2008-12-29.
  6. ^ "TORONTO – RON D FT. BLAKE". Retrieved 2008-11-08.
  7. ^ "Changes Flowing In Toronto". RadioInsight. 2011-02-03. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
  8. ^ Katie Bailey (May 15, 2015). "Much Digital Studios goes live, reveals talent". Playback.
  9. ^ a b "Toronto movie about gentrification in Scarborough set to hit theatres". BlogTO. February 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  10. ^ "Web Series Reviews". HuffPost. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  11. ^ Marriska Fernandes (June 18, 2022). "Toronto film 'Bite of a Mango' to make world premiere at American Black Film Festival". Toronto Star.
  12. ^ "2022 ReelWorld Awards". ReelWorld. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  13. ^ "Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival Details 2024 Lineup". Exclaim!, August 27, 2024.
  14. ^ jamie casemores (October 2, 2024). "'Reelworld Film Festival unveils lineup for 24th edition': Reelworld Film Festival returns to Toronto and online". Playback.
  15. ^ "'Morningside': Fefe Dobson, Kiana Madeira & Brandon McKnight Among Cast For Indie Pic Which Gets Underway In Canada Next Week". Deadline. November 30, 2022.
  16. ^ "Morningside cast and filmmakers excited to show Scarborough culture to the world". National Post. February 22, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  17. ^ Brendan Frye (February 21, 2025). "Talking Characters: Morningside". CGMagazine. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  18. ^ Jes Mason (February 21, 2025). "Love Letter to Scarborough: Fefe Dobson on Morningside". Toronto Life. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  19. ^ "Canadian funders wavered on another Scarborough film, but Morningside had local support". Toronto Star. February 21, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  20. ^ Aparita Bhandari (February 19, 2025). "From its people to its story, Morningside is pure Scarborough". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  21. ^ "Way Past Love". Bandcamp. Retrieved 2010-11-23.
  22. ^ "everythings-possible". cityonmyback. 2012-04-27. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
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