[1] Through this lens, the film highlights themes of resilience, heritage, and the fight to preserve a tight-knit community in Toronto's east end.
“Our commitment to reshaping the narrative and authentically portraying the resilience of the Scarborough community remains steadfast within Morningside,” Dias stated.
[2] Dias, who started his career as a YouTuber and later created the web series Friends with Benefits, made his feature film debut with Bite of a Mango in 2022.
To maintain authenticity, Morningside was filmed across Toronto, including The Real McCoy, a beloved Scarborough burger joint that was forced to relocate due to redevelopment.
Dias and his team partnered with BGC Scarborough and sold Morningside merchandise to support affordable housing initiatives in the community.