A new chapter begins!
Announcing our New VUCAVU.education Digital Platform Outreach Coordinator:
Sydnie Baynes
Sydnie Baynes
I’m thrilled to share that I’m the new Digital Platform Outreach Coordinator at VUCAVU.education! This new role marks an exciting chapter in my journey.
As a Toronto-based multimedia artist and animator currently pursuing my MFA at OCAD University, I’ve always been passionate about merging storytelling, education, and digital media. My work explores themes of Black history, identity, and self-love, with a strong focus on accessibility, empowerment, and cultural preservation. I’m deeply honored that VUCAVU has entrusted me to bring that energy and vision into their education initiatives. I can’t wait to collaborate with them and help amplify independent Canadian media.
About VUCAVU
VUCAVU is a bilingual, not-for-profit streaming platform developed by the Coalition of Canadian Independent Media Art Distributors (CCIMAD) to amplify independent Canadian film, video, and media art. It currently offers over 1,500 titles for public rental and streaming, alongside an expansive archive of more than 4,000 additional works for research and educational use
Radio-Canada La Mouvee Feature!
Listen my interview with Radio-Canada's The Flock Halifax to discuss my film's involvement in the Halifax Film Festival! (Interview only available in French)
Full Interview available here:
CKDU 88.1 FM Feature!
Sydnie Baynes debuts three new short films at Halifax's 14th annual Animation Festival!
Listen my interview with CKDU 88.1 FM Halifax to discuss my film's involvement in the Halifax Film Festival!
Full Interview available here:
Les Sommets du cinema d'animation - Pitch Competition
My current project Welcome to A.N.N.A. received honorable jury mention at the 6th edition of the Sommets du cinema d'animation's pitch competition
About Welcome to A.N.N.A.:
Welcome to A.N.N.A. is a surreal animated short film that explores the hidden history and lingering impact of Sundown Towns in Canada. Blending experimental visuals with an eerie narrative, the film follows a young protagonist who stumbles upon a seemingly perfect town, A.N.N.A. As the story unfolds, the towns of A.N.N.A.'s cheerful façade unravels, revealing a haunting truth about exclusion, memory, and systemic erasure.
Best Experimental Short - Sunrise Film Festival
I'm so proud to share that African American Express is the Best Experimental Short Award Winner at the 2025 edition of the Sunrise Film Festival!
I'm so thankful to have my film be a part of this wonderful festival.
Read more here:
CBC Canada Reads 2025
I'm excited to finally share a special project I had the privilege of working on! I got to combine two of my greatest passions: reading and animation for Canada Reads. This annual literary debate hosted by CBC celebrates some of the most thought-provoking books of the year, and being a part of it was such an incredible experience.
Watch Out for Her by Samantha M. Bailey trailer animated by Sydnie Baynes
About Canada Reads:
Canada Reads is an annual CBC literary event where five celebrity champions debate the merits of five Canadian books, with the aim of determining "the one book all Canadians should read"
Women in Animation Montreal Chapter "Why Choose Animation" Feature
As a board member of Women in Animation, I was invited to share why I chose animation as my career. Here’s my response:
About Women in Animation
Founded in 1995, WIA operates as a non-profit organization established with the purpose of furthering, promoting, and supporting female animators in Animation, VFX and Gaming sectors.
WIA brings together its global community to empower and advocate for people of underrepresented gender identities, inspiring excellence and justice in all facets of the creative professional landscape.
About Women in Animation Montreal Chapter
Our Montréal Collective was established in 2019, with the goal of bringing WIA’s global support and expertise to our local industry. We work with international collectives whose programs are available to our members in Montreal while adding our own touch - with local networking events, screenings, panels and scholarships.
ASIFA-Hollywood Special Mention
Amplifying Voices Initiative Introduces Sydnie Baynes
Thrilled and honored to have received a special mention in the ASIFA newsletter! What an incredible surprise—grateful for the recognition and continued support from the animation community!
About ASIFA-Hollywood
ASIFA-Hollywood, an American non-profit organization in Los Angeles, California, is a branch member of the International Animated Film Association. Its purpose is to promote the art of film animation in a variety of ways, including its own archive and an annual awards presentation, the Annie Awards.
The original text is only available in ASIFA-Hollywood weekly.
Concordia University Great Grads Spotlight
After completing my five-year studies at Concordia University, I was honored to be spotlighted as one of Concordia’s "Great Grads". This recognition provided me with a platform to share my journey, reflect on my experiences, and highlight the impact of my time at Concordia.
Read the full article here:
Fantasia International Film Festival 2024
African American Express will be screened at the Fantasia International Film Festival as part of the Fantastiques Week-ends du Cinéma Québécois category, and the Circo Animato category.
About Fantasia International Film Festival
Fantasia is a legendary 18-day blow-out of worldwide fantastic cinema taking place each July in the heart of Montreal. An event hell-bent on showcasing the most exciting, innovative and individualistic examples of contemporary international genre cinema from every corner of the globe.
Black Animators Matter Montréal (BAMM) Featured in Montréal Guardian
Charitable Choices: Sydnie Baynes for Black Animators Matter Montréal
Black Animators Matter Montréal (BAMM), is a collective which focuses on making animation and storytelling more accessible to the BIPOC community. This collective was founded by Sydnie in August 2023.
About Montréal Guardian
Montréal Guardian is a Montréal-centric online lifestyle magazine focusing on arts, culture, food, history, lifestyle & more. Highlighting local talent the city has to offer, such as: new musicians, businesses, charities, chefs and comedians.
Read the article here:
Article written by Star Bunzigiye
Sydnie Baynes (Right) photographed with L.A. based animator, Ariana Greenidge (Left) at the Black Community Resource Centre's, Where They Stood: The World Premiere
Le Cinéclub: The Film Society Feature
This International Women's Day (2024), I received a feature from the local Cinéclub. This was a great honor as my work is based around the celebration of women.
About Women's Day
Women's Day (March 8) is a global day to recognize and celebrate women's and girls' social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. It's also a time to highlight the progress made in advancing women's rights and the ongoing efforts needed to ensure their full participation in all aspects of society.
About Le Cinéclub: The Film Society
Open to all cinephiles since 1992, we have been bringing Montrealers the best of cinema from around the world and from all eras. With films dating from the 1890s to today. From local experimental works to Hollywood Blockbusters in cinemascope, there is something for everyone. We don’t just watch films, we experience them…on the big screen in genuine motion picture film! Part of our activities include the conservation and preservation of precious reels of celluloid in our archives.
Guest appearance on CBC Radio Quebec Noon
What do you love about animation?
Following the heightened interest in the Animated Black Film Festival, I was invited to make a guest appearance on CBC Radio Quebec Noon for the segment "What do you love about animation?" with Tamu Townsend and Shawn Apel!
Listen to the show here:
Shawn Apel (Left), Tamu Townsend (Middle), Sydnie Baynes (Right)
Testimony on the Animated Black Film Festival, featured in Animation Magazine
Awards & Events: ‘Simpsons’ Dominates WGA Noms, ‘Chicken Run 2’ Wins Oscats, Animated Black Film Fest Returns, Jorge R. Gutierrez Headlines Autism in Entertainment
The Animated Black Film Festival is back!
The Black Community Resource Centre (BCRC) will hold the second annual Montreal Animated Black Film Festival this Saturday, February 24, in celebration of Black History Month and showcasing the artistic talents of Black animators. This edition is presented in partnership with Ubisoft, Cinesite and Annex Pro. The festival will take place from 1-4 p.m. at the PHI Centre on St. Pierre Street; free registration is open now through Eventbrite.
The event will feature screenings of five films spanning various animation genres, crafted by animators Ranee-Inez Henegan-Comeau, Étienne Jean-Baptiste, Kofi Oduro, Esandi Amarakoon and Jeffrey Tawiah. With a guest speaker panel moderated by Sydnie Baynes. The festival also highlights networking opportunities, fostering collaboration and mentorship among industry peers.
Read BCRC Film Festival Coordinator, Sydnie Baynes' testimony here:
Animated Black Film Festival 2024 Interview
I'm proud to have been a part of this interview Moderated by Pat Dillon-Moore, with local animation fanatic Tamu Townsend discussing the Montreal Black animation community for the Black Community Resource Centre's upcoming Animated Black Film Festival.
Watch the full version of this interview on the BCRC's YouTube!