More Than a Film Festival: How M Works Expanded His Annual Celebration of Film Into a Three-Day Community Experience

On September 9, I had the pleasure of attending the fourth annual M Works Film Festival. As someone fortunate enough to work in Toronto's arts and entertainment scene, I find it both rewarding and exciting to attend events that celebrate and support others in this industry. There is something special about watching creatives build spaces for their own work while opening doors for the wider community.

Filmmaker and community builder Matthew (Matt) Kelly, commonly known as M Works, founded the festival four years ago. Earlier this year, I interviewed Matt for Noir in Media (From Creator to Community Builder), where he spoke about his career journey, his commitment to creating opportunities for others, and what audiences could expect from the festival.

 

How the Festival Began

After the festival, I did a follow-up interview with Matt, who shared the simple idea that started it all. A few years ago, he had made a 20-minute short film and wanted to premiere it in a theatre. He knew, however, that he could not invite people from across the city to watch one short film and then send them home. His solution was to create a fuller experience around it. That experience became the M Works Film Festival, founded in 2023.

At the festival, Matt also cleared up something he told audiences last year: it was the end—but not the end of the festival itself. It was the end of the event existing only as a one-day film festival. This year, M Works returned as a three-day experience that brought together community care, independent film, hip-hop culture and local talent.

Matt (M Works) Kelly, Filmmaker and Founder, M Works Film Festival

What began as a way for Matt Kelly to premiere his 20-minute short film has grown into the annual M Works Film Festival—a celebration of film, community, Toronto culture and Black creativity. Now in its fourth year, the festival is preparing to expand with a Canadian tour.

Three Days of Community Culture and Film

Day One: Back to School Giveaway and Basketball Tournament

The festival began on August 29 at The Woodlands Secondary School with the WOODS x LOOP DREAMS Back to School Giveaway and outdoor basketball tournament. Designed to help students begin the school year with confidence, the community event offered free school supplies, haircuts, food and entertainment, along with opportunities to connect with local organizations and mentors.

Day Two: Independent Film Meets Hip Hop

On September 5, the festival continued at Bevy Space with an additional screening and networking event centred on the intersection of independent film and hip-hop culture. The showcase featured the documentary Play De Record, the narrative feature Box Cutter, the short film Cartoons and Cereal, and the short documentary In Btwn Sets: Mumbai Cypher Tape. The evening gave filmmakers, artists and audiences another space to connect while experiencing stories rooted in music and culture.

Day Three: The Fourth Annual M Works Film Festival

The three-day celebration concluded with the highly anticipated film festival, which brought a full house together for a carefully curated program of short films:

• Give Me Love, directed by Finn Wolfhard

• Sun Poisoning, directed by Chelsea Williams

• The Weight of His Silence, directed by Andreena Hofferden

• Dance Cops, directed by Dennis Logan

• Cycles, directed by Alex Eskandarkah

• It Girl, directed by Shani McKenzie

• King's Court, directed by Serville

• If Flowers Could Sing, directed by Fatty Soprano

The screening was followed by a director Q&A, giving the audience a chance to hear more about the ideas, experiences and creative choices behind the films.

Supporting a Growing Vision

Matt called the festival a celebration of Toronto and Black culture, Black creators, and excellence. The turnout was a reflection of the celebration. One shared space bringing people together through film, culture, and shared support.

Festival Interviews — Watch on YouTube at Noir in Media

After the screening and Q&A, I also spoke with directors and actors behind the featured films. Their insights offered a closer look at the people and stories shaping this year's festival.

Andreena Hoffersen, Director and Kody Robinson, Actor, The Weight Of His Silence

Alex Eskandarkhah, Director, Cycles

Filmmaker Alex Eskandarkhah discusses how his creative partnership with André evolved from podcasting to collaborating on Cycles, a story he immediately connected with and knew he could help bring to life. As he develops new shorts and feature films, Alex remains committed to sharing his process and helping other filmmakers rather than gatekeeping knowledge.

Serville Poblete, Director, King's Court

Inspired by Moonlight and Bell Hooks' writing on love, King's Court explores the rarely depicted tenderness and unconditional platonic love between young men. Through lifelong friends Marley and SK, the film presents vulnerability and softness as expressions of masculine strength.

André Kelly, Actor and Writer, Cycles