Becoming a Queen

A shy high school student who blossomed into a genuine star at her community's biggest event, Joella Crichton learned how to perform in front of crowds of thousands. In her community, she is a rock star of sorts. Carnival is a deeply important event, and its Queen is revered. Building on backstory from Joella's childhood and family background, this film will give viewers an in-depth personal perspective into the building of a Queen. But it will also emphasize and celebrate the intricate details that go into preparing for the competition and building the elaborate costumes; the history of the competition and Carnival in Toronto; Black and Caribbean-Canadian identity; and the fact that Caribbean communities do not hold the same narrow and exclusive standards of beauty as Europe and North America do.