Mercedes Cardella is a multi-disciplinary artist of Sicilian, Afro-Caribbean, and Latinx heritage. She is the founder of Magic Carpet Productions, a multi-platform production company that explores diverse narratives with an emphasis on social issues.
She majored in Political Science and History with Honours at York University and holds a Masters degree in Education from the University of Toronto. Before returning to her native city of Toronto to embark on a full-time career in acting, she worked in Academia as a University lecturer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Her recent on-screen work includes Catherine Hernandez's award winning novel turned to feature film, "Scarborough.", which was an official selection that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2021. Moreover, she has extensive voiceover and dialect coaching experience, showcasing her work in Ubisoft's Far Cry 6, set to release fall 2021.
Mercedes is fluent in Italian, Sicilian dialect, Spanish and conversational Arabic. She is passionate about cultures, traditions and belief systems that bring humanity into greater proximity to one another. Mercedes' passion for film and storytelling allows her to learn and connect with people in their natural element. She is known for her dedication and her ability to connect and bring meaningful experiences to life on the screen.
In addition, Mercedes is the Director of Curriculum at Toronto Film School at Yorkville University. She is also an elected member of the TFS's Diversity Advisory Council where she provides strategic advice on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at the university. When she is not acting, you will find her producing passion projects, singing and composing music, salsa dancing or travelling the world. She is passionate about cultures, and enjoys meaningful conversations.