About CRAAF
Canadian Reel & Art Foundation — Celebrating Culture Through Art
The Canadian Reel & Art Foundation (CRAAF) is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and promoting Canada’s rich cultural mosaic through art, film, music, dance, and literature.
Founded with a deep belief that cultural expression is essential to a healthy, vibrant society, CRAAF creates platforms for artists and communities to come together, share their stories, and inspire one another across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.
From our flagship festivals and awards ceremonies to grant programs, workshops, and youth initiatives, CRAAF ensures that every voice in Canada’s cultural landscape has the opportunity to be heard and celebrated.
Mallika Sothinathan
Founder & Executive Director
A visionary cultural leader with decades of experience in the arts. Mallika founded CRAAF to build lasting bridges between Canada’s diverse communities through cultural celebration and artistic excellence.
Cultural Celebration
Honouring Canada’s diversity through art and expression
Community Building
Fostering connections across cultural and generational lines
Artist Empowerment
Supporting artists with grants, platforms, and resources
Heritage Preservation
Documenting cultural stories for future generations
Our Story
CRAAF was born from a recognition that Canada’s diverse communities — rich in cultural tradition and artistic talent — often lacked platforms to share their stories with wider audiences. Our founders created a bridge: an organization bringing communities together, celebrating their contributions, and building a stronger, more inclusive Canadian cultural landscape.
Since our founding, CRAAF has grown into a respected voice in Canada’s arts sector, organizing events drawing hundreds of participants, awarding grants to deserving artists and organizations, and recognizing outstanding contributions through our prestigious awards programs.
What We Do
CRAAF’s programming spans the full spectrum of cultural experience: festivals, film screenings, music performances, dance showcases, literary events, and art exhibitions. Our grant programs support individual artists and cultural organizations. Our awards ceremonies celebrate excellence in the arts. And our educational initiatives invest in the next generation of Canadian cultural leaders.