Finding the Funny in Insecurity: Maddy Foley on FIVEHEAD

In this in-depth interview, 1st on Film sits down with Canadian actress and writer Maddy Foley to discuss her short film FIVEHEAD, which premiered at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival.

Maddy takes us behind the scenes of creating the dark comedy, exploring its themes of beauty standards, insecurity, and the pressures of appearance. We dive into her experience writing and starring in the film, the challenges of bringing an independently self-funded project to life, and the incredible journey of seeing it screen at TIFF.

From the inspiration behind the story to collaborating with Toronto’s talented comedy community, Maddy shares her creative process, personal experiences, and what it means to find your voice as an artist.

Maddy Foley is a Canadian actress, writer, and comedian based in Toronto. She is the writer and star of FIVEHEAD, a dark comedy short film that explores beauty standards, insecurity, and the ways personal appearance can shape our self-perception.

Inspired in part by her own experiences with appearance and the pressures of working as an actor, Foley brought the project to life as an independently self-funded production. The film brings together a talented group of Toronto actors, comedians, and creators, and was selected for the Short Cuts program at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival.

Through her work, Foley combines comedy with personal and socially relevant themes, using storytelling to explore the absurdities of everyday life and the expectations placed on individuals.