Key Cast:

• Joshua Obra as Tarik

• Martin Marticorena as Johnathan

• Isaiah Peck as Lex

• Rebecca Ablack as Sasha

• Reon Lucas as Ray

• Tim Beresford as Henry

• Idrissa Sanogo as James Kine

  Director’s Statement

We live in a world where your occupation is so intertwined with your identity that after you give your name, the next question asked is, “What do you do?”. When asked what you’ve been up to, most people instinctively talk about work. With social media shoving hustle culture and people’s life highlights down our throats, It’s no wonder my generation has become obsessed with the idea of early material success. “To live your life, you must first build it.”

Sadly, I’m also a victim of this mentality. I have this innate feeling that tells me we’re put on this earth to experience connections, but I can’t seem to shake off my aspirations. I’m the type to turn down a night out because I told myself I have to finish a project. I struggle with balancing living my life and building a better one. I know I’m not the only one. I told myself that I’m working hard now to rest later, but since when is your time on earth promised? How do I know today isn’t my last? Isn’t life itself the whole point? Why am I sacrificing experiencing my life for the sake of a future that isn’t guaranteed?

These are the questions that gave birth to this script.

Key Creatives:

• Writer, Director & Executive Producer: Ivan D. Ossa

• Produced by: Malachi Ellis

• Co-Producer: Lauren Saarimaki

• Associate Producer: Melissa Affrunti

• DoP: Brandon Kenney

• Editor: Jadon J.B. Williams

• Production & Costume Design: Rebecca Fadoju

• Composer: Sawan K.

Express was produced with the participation of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the National Film Board of Canada - Filmmaker Assistance Program and the OYA Black Arts Coalition