A powerful on screen presence, Avaah Blackwell consistently breaks new ground for women in film. Playing strong female leads, as well as being cast against gender (Ray - Rebel Without a Cause, Banquo - Macbeth, Sargeant Valant - A Soldier’s Farewell), Miss Blackwell is a testament to the leading edge product that gender neutral casting provides. A highly trained martial artist, and daughter of two Canadian Military personnel,  Avaah infuses her approach with a unique physical, and mental discipline. Merging this with her experience as a runway model  (Versace, Giorgio Armani, Toronto Fashion Week, Fashion Art Toronto), Events Director (ACTRA Studio District Film Party TIFF 2015,  HangLoose Media), Makeup Artist (Holt Renfrew, Nars, YSL, Shu Uemura, Laura Mercier, Prague Shakespeare Festival) and Casting Director/Associate ( Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol, Missing- ABC TV Series, I’m On It) Miss Blackwell offers a rare and valuable skillset to each project she commits to. Internationally trained, (Prague Film School, Dr. Sydney Berger, Nancy Bishop CSA, et al) Avaah’s performances have enchanted audiences across Europe (Cannes Film Festival, The Bear Theatre Company), Asia (Pi Fan) and North America (New York City International Film Festival, Calgary International Film Festival, Golden Panda, Studio 35 Festival, et al). Unexpectedly funny, Miss Blackwell’s comedic performance in the Winnipeg Fringe Festival earned her a nod of recognition from CBC. Avaah’s love for improv and standup comedy allows her amiable personality to shine both on and off camera. Currently in pre production for an exciting new Female MMA Feature Film entitled “Excelsis”, Avaah is studying under Steve Wilsher (Havoc Stunts), Kara Wooten P.H.D et al at the Academy of Dramatic Combat. Adjudicated and passed into the advanced program by John Stead, Miss Blackwell is excited to  sharpen her existing skills in Rapier and Dagger, Broad Sword, Small Sword, Quarterstaff, Unarmed Combat, and Safety for Combat Rehearsal and Execution.   Miss Blackwell’s experience as a Rotary Youth Ambassador (Sassenheim, The Netherlands) and upbringing in a military family has instilled in her a strong sense of service above self.  Avaah has a strong affinity for humanitarian efforts, especially those involving youth, seniors, veterans, gender equality, animals and the environment. Always eager to contribute, Miss Blackwell recently co-hosted and helped in organizing Rotaract Toronto’s Annual Fundraiser at the National Club, which raised over $7500.00 for Sketch Toronto.