"There was this moment on set when I realized this place would take time to feel right for me."
— Marushka Jessica Almeida, Writer and Producer
“There was this moment on set when I realized this place would take time to feel right for me. I loved the adrenaline of constant decision-making and problem-solving, but it was also draining. The noise, the movement, the compressed bodies in compressed spaces. The mental toll of it all. It can feel like a vacuum, as if everything might fall apart if you step away. Then came the joy of room tone. Thirty seconds where everyone is still. Silent. Unmoving. And that’s always the best reminder: take a moment.”
Born in Bahrain, Goan-Indian writer/producer Marushka Almeida (they/them) is a CFC alumnus and recipient of the 2025 Banff Emerging Talent Prize. Their credits include Revival (SyFy/Peacock), Get Up, Aisha (CBC Gem), and a Canada Council–funded 35mm short filmed in Italy.
In 2024, Marushka was a member of the DSO delegation to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
DSO Spotlight is our way of celebrating the contributions of disabled creatives across the screen industry and making space for their work to be seen and valued. Share this article to help us amplify Marushka' work!
Subscribe to our mailing list to receive updates on our activities and programs.
Building an accessible and inclusive Canadian screen industry where disabled creatives thrive
