FILM CHATS 8: Zainab Muse & Nickie Shobeiry

In this episode, we chat with the co-producers Zainab Muse and Nickie Shobeiry about their docu-series "Four Women". "Four Women" is a documentary series that follows the lives of extraordinary women creating an impact in their communities through art, food, and culture.

Zainab Muse is the founder & CEO of Wingd Inc. and Creatorland. She has produced and directed projects for CBC and Bell Canada. As a filmmaker, she is on a mission to create and produce stories that advance and amplify the narratives of unheard voices and underserved people..

Nickie Shobeiry is a writer, film and radio producer, and freelance journalist covering culture, entrepreneurship, and social impact. She’s written and produced content for Bell Fibe TV1 and CKCU-FM, Canada’s longest-running campus radio station. In this podcast, Nickie and Zainab share their personal and shared filmmaking journey and reflect on important subjects such as representation in film and TV — both in front of and behind the camera.

Hosted by Olivia Kyrk-Clutterbuck, an emerging filmmaker, and Algonquin College graduate.

Presented by the Digi60 Filmmakers' Festival, with support from the Digital Arts Resource Centre

FILM CHATS 7: Carly Brenner Hunter

In this episode, we chat with underwater specialist Carly Brenner Hunter. Throughout her entire life, Carly has worked as a lifeguard, and water safety expert in pools and on open water. In 2019, we are very pleased to announce that Carly can now support the Film Industry with a variety of services, including Marine & Water Rescue. Also, Carly shares her personal experiences of being a woman underwater specialist as well as continuing to work on set while being pregnant.

Carly is a member of I.A.T.S.E. Local 667, and I.A.T.S.E. Local 873 in Toronto as an Underwater Specialist, 1st Assistant Camera and Grip. She is also a working commercial diver, certified with the Divers Certification Board of Canada (DCBC), and a PADI Dive Master.

Hosted by Olivia Kiryk-Clutterbuck, an emerging filmmaker, and Algonquin College graduate.

Presented by the Digi60 Filmmakers' Festival, with support from the Digital Arts Resource Centre

FILM CHATS 6: Lawrence Gunther

In this episode, we chat with Lawrence Gunther about his experience of being a blind filmmaker, and what that even means.

Lawrence Gunther was first registered “blind” at the age of eight when doctors discovered Lawrence’s central vision had failed. By his early 20s, Lawrence’s sight further deteriorated — ending his ability to use his remaining peripheral sight to carry out daily tasks. It was at this point that Lawrence learned to live life through his other senses. Lawrence adopted the use of a guide dog, learned braille, and acquired a talking computer and optical scanner for reading books. His determination and utilization of new-age technologies allowed him to continue his full-time studies at university which led to his earning a Masters in Environmental Studies. Now in his 40’s, Lawrence’s ability to perceive light has virtually vanished.

While Lawrence’s progressive loss of sight may have made him increasingly dependent on the use of great guide dogs and technology, his love for the outdoors has only deepened. Lawrence competes professionally in fishing events with over 100 tournaments and more than 20 top-ten finishes to his name, a well-known documentary, TV, and radio host, a highly regarded columnist and author, and a riveting motivational speaker.

You can find more information about Lawrence at https://lawrencegunther.com/.

Hosted by Olivia Kiryk-Clutterbuck, an emerging filmmaker, and Algonquin College graduate.

Presented by the Digi60 Filmmakers' Festival, with support from the Digital Arts Resource Centre

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FILM CHATS 5: Sonia Bonspille Boileau

Sonia is a bilingual Mohawk filmmaker who has been working for the past decade at bringing Indigenous content to the screen for viewers of all cultural backgrounds. In 2015 Sonia wrote and directed her first feature film Le Dep, which made the official selection of several prestigious festivals around the world.

She also made a feature documentary about the impacts of the 1990 Oka Crisis called The Oka Legacy, which earned her a Golden Sheaf award at the 2016 Yorkton Film Festival. Beyond film and television, Sonia is still very much involved in community-based and corporate productions that focus on the well-being of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Click for more information about Sonia’s film “Rustic Oracle”.

Hosted by Olivia Kiryk-Clutterbuck, an emerging filmmaker, and Algonquin College graduate.

Presented by the Digi60 Filmmakers' Festival, with support from the Digital Arts Resource Centre

FILM CHATS 4: IWD Panel

This special episode of Film Chats features Producer and Director Hoda Elatawi (GAPC), and TV Host, Producer and Public Speaker Barbara Balfour. Originally captured at a live International Womxn’s Day event at Invest Ottawa on March 8th, 2020 called 'Vision 2020: Womxn in Film and Media Panel, Moving Forward & Making Waves. Samphe holds an in-depth discussion with Hoda and Barbara, about representation in the film and media industry, asking: what does it take to be a creative and a business womxn? How can we advocate for representation? In an era of #MeToo and #TimesUp, how far have we come — and what can womxn creatives expect in this new decade? In Ottawa?

This special episode is live and includes great insight of these leaders and how their careers have evolved and grown over the years, and how womxn make space for themselves to succeed and support each other.

Hosted by Samphe Ballamingie, emerging filmmaker and Carleton University graduate.

Presented by the Digi60 Filmmakers' Festival, with support from the Digital Arts Resource Centre

FILM CHATS 3: Maissa Houri

Maissa Houri is an Arab-Canadian independent actor and filmmaker. Her award-winning series, Dirty Love, challenges biases by telling the story of a sexually-free Muslim woman living with gay roomate. Maissa’s short film, Inara, has also won her several awards.  

In this podcast, Maissa traces her creative journey and her lifelong love of acting. After college, it wasn’t long before Maissa realized the lack of non-stereotypical roles for Middle Eastern actors. Blazing her own trail, Maissa now produces her own content, writing her own roles.

Hosted by Samphe Ballamingie, emerging filmmaker and Carleton University graduate.

Presented by the Digi60 Filmmakers' Festival, with support from the Digital Arts Resource Centre

FILM CHATS 1: Filmmaker Amen Jafri

Amen Jafri is a documentary filmmaker, producer and personal brand consultant. A few years ago, she transitioned out of a career as a public servant into working in the film industry where she earned accolades as a documentary filmmaker. Her work has been shortlisted for the TVO Short Doc Contest and screened for CBC, TVO, the American Documentary Film Festival and more.

In this podcast, Amen Jafri shares her professional journey as a producer, from casting to applying to grants. Reflecting on personal experiences, Amen explains how vital it is to have representation in film and TV — both in front of and behind the camera.

Hosted by Samphe Ballamingie, emerging filmmaker and Carleton University graduate.

Presented by the Digi60 Filmmakers' Festival, with support from the Digital Arts Resource Centre

COMING SOON #staytuned

Digi60 Filmmakers’ Festival is proud to present the Film Chats podcast, sharing invaluable insights from Ottawa’s film, TV and media industry. Season 1 invites actors, producers and marketing professionals to dive deep into issues surrounding diversity, inclusion and representation in storytelling.

Hosted by Samphe Ballamingie, emerging filmmaker and Carleton University graduate.