This weekend, Sara Waisglass will look back on her career as a young actress,reflecting on her journey in film and television. Alongside Avan Jogia, Waisglass will be the inaugural recipient of the Future of Film Showcase Rising Star Award, which is dedicated to those who serve as an inspiration to emerging Canadian filmmakers. 

Best known for her role as Maxine Baker on the Netflix show Ginny and Georgia, Waisglass has built up quite the filmography with her roles. She first became known among  young Canadians for her roles on Degrassi: The Next Generation and Degrassi: The Next Class, and recently starred in the Canadian dramedy SUZE 

When first hearing she would receive the award, Waisglass said she thought about what she has achieved so far in the industry. Waisglass’ career started at a very young age, and despite her booking numerous roles, she decided to take a short break from the industry at age 10. Following this pivotal period, she was able to bounce back while being surrounded by a tight knit community. 

“I’m someone who believes in learning as you go, and I feel like a majority of who I am is because of growing up on sets and working with all different kinds of people.” 

Working in the entertainment industry as a woman is no easy feat, but Waisglass reiterates the importance of connection and helping others. Regardless of the inconsistencies and uncertainties, she says she feels supported in her circle. 

“My best friends are all actors and they keep me sane. We keep each other sane and talk about the down periods while celebrating each other’s wins.” As an advocate for speaking out on the harmful effects of social media and mental health, earlier this year Waisglass  encouraged youth to share their stories in her campaign with the mental health organization Unsinkable.

To further celebrate her career thus far, Waisglass will participate in a casual in-conversation alongside Jogia at the Future of Film Showcase this Sunday. They are slated to talk about their careers as actors, their bodies of work, and share wisdom to inspire young creatives to follow their passions. 

“I hope the future of film has a lot more opportunities for women, for people of colour, for all kinds of diverse parties. I feel like we’re moving in that direction, which is amazing and I just hope for longevity,” she says on the future of Canadian cinema.

To dish out more details on her career, we got the chance to ask Waisglass a few questions about the award, finding stories, and her role on Ginny and Georgia.

Do you have any advice for young women that want to pursue a career in the acting industry?

Choose mentors and choose wisely. There are fantastic women in this industry who I look up to that I’m fortunate enough to work alongside. You never know when you’ll get into a situation where you need someone who’s experienced to show you a way through it. I certainly did this year and turned to Jen Robertson, who plays my mom on Ginny and Georgia, and asked her a bunch of questions. As women, we need to stick together, so choose a lovely mentor and stick with it because you will learn a ton. 

What kind of stories are you drawn to most as an actress?

I have always loved badass women. My sister makes fun of me because whenever there’s a fight scene with a woman on screen, I’m just glued to the television. I think it’s the coolest thing ever, so I want to keep playing strong, badass women. Though I got to work my comedic muscle with Max, I would like to try something a little harder and dramatic to see if that’s something I can handle. I’m open to it all and I think that’s the beauty of it, you never know what is coming next.

MARNI GROSSMAN/NETFLIX

What was the first film that really made an impression on you?

The thing that comes to mind is the first time I cried watching Curious George, which I think was a pivotal moment. It was very cute and I was young but it affected me! But I’d say the one that affected me most so much that it brought me back to acting was The Hunger Games. I remember sitting in the audience and I was just thinking about how much fun this would have been to shoot. It must have been absolute magic to be out there in the forest with all your peers. I remember thinking, I think it might be time to give it another try. 

Has your meaning as an actress changed over time from when you first started?

I have to say that my view of the job really changed during COVID. I always knew how important it was to be a performer and how special it was that I got to do what I loved. But it wasn’t until the pandemic happened and everyone was stuck at home and turning to entertainment when I realised how important our jobs are. Imagine going through that time without TV, or without movies. I remember when Ginny and Georgia first came out and I got a lot of emails saying, you know, I’m going through this with my family. It’s devastating but I watched your show and it made me laugh. It was the only bright point in my day and to have that power, it’s a superpower and I do not take it for granted.

The Future of Film showcase returns for their 11th year of programming this weekend from June 20-23.