Nicole Hilliard-Forde is an Emmy-nominated, Toronto-based casting director, talent development programmer and producer with a background in performance. Nicole has worked in casting for over 20 years and is known for her work internationally as an industry programmer at Toronto International Film Festival in her previous role of Producer, TIFF Rising Stars, a talent accelerator which identifies six actors annually who are poised to break out. Alumnae include Charlie Carrick (Reign), Megan Park (The F Word), Evelyne Brochu (Orphan Black), Johnathan Sousa (Kidnap Capital), Cara Gee (The Expanse), Alexandre Landry (Gabrielle), Julia Sarah Stone (A Worthy Companion), Shannon Kook (The Conjuring), Sophie Desmarais (Sarah Prefers to Run), Aliocha Schneider (Ville Marie), Deragh Campbell (I Used to be Darker), Karelle Tremblay (Les Etres Chers), Stephan James (If Beale Street Could Talk, Race, Selma), Jared Abrahamson (Travelers), Sophie Nelisse (The Book Thief), Somkele Iyaham-Idhalama (93 Days), Grace Glowicki (Her Friend Adam), Mylene McKay (Nelly), and OC Ukeje (The Arbitration).