Ryan Flowers - 2012-2013 (BC)
Ryan Flowers is a filmmaker, musician, and Canada Post Letter Carrier based in Vancouver, BC. He’s currently developing two of his short films into feature-length movies: the documentary Jimbo, and the narrative film Knuckle. Ryan’s last project, No Words Came Down was honourable mention for Best Short Film at TIFF 2011, as well as being named to TIFF’s Top Ten, and winning Whistler International Film Festival and Montreal Worldwide Film Festival’s Student awards for narrative works that same year. Ryan studied Philosophy and Creative Writing at Capilano College, then he received his BFA in Film from Simon Fraser University.
Brendan Prost - Spaces and Reservations (BC)
Brendan Prost is a 24-year-old DIY filmmaker and a student at Simon Fraser University. He is best known as the ambitious and unabashedly personal young auteur behind two feature films, Choch (“one of the most intriguing and involving low-budget indies to cross my desk in 2011” - The Independent Critic) and Generation Why (Rising Star Award Winner at the Canada International FIlm Festival). Brendan’s directing credits also include a diverse set of short films, including most recently a psychosexual character study, Jerk.
Originally from Calgary, Brendan relocated to Vancouver three years ago to pursue his education. Currently, as well as exhibiting and distributing Spaces and Reservations, Brendan is also in post-production on an improvised mid-length comedy called Best Friends For Life, and continues to pursue his interest in performance- intensive personal narrative filmmaking while working towards his BFA.
Alea Rae - Lancaster (BC)
Based in Vancouver, Canada, Alea Rae writes folk-inspired songs, often bridging compelling lyrics and strong, melodic guitar lines. Her voice has been described as “an abstract mix of Karen O and Veronica Falls.” Alea started her career in 2011, writing and performing as a solo artist, later meeting band-mates, Patrick Farrugia, and Jeremiah Ackermann, at a show in February 2013—all of them performing in different bands. Hitting it off, they began working together: Patrick’s atmospheric chords and soaring melodies filling out her sound, and Jeremiah’s percussive work framing her soft voice. Prior to meeting the boys, Alea had already begun recording her debut EP, Offerings. Patrick and Jeremiah came in halfway through the recording process to perform parts on the last two songs, title track: Offerings, as well as Stunning Silence.
Gaining international attention, the EP appeared on UK blog, Independent Music News’ list of “Top 50 Unsigned Acts From Canada.” Offerings, start to finish is a documented transition of Alea Rae, going from her stand-alone ballads, to the more powerful force of the band driving the songs forward.
In October 2013, the group officially became a three-piece, remaining under the name Alea Rae. After working intensively together and having written new songs, the trio are planning to record and release new material in the late spring.
Reem Morsi - Nostalgia (BC/Egypt)
Born in Syria, to Egyptian parents and having lived all over the world, Reem has finally settled in Vancouver, Canada. Reem worked at the United Nations & many international organizations in the area human rights, anti-trafficking efforts and working in impoverished or war torn parts of the world, Reem uses film to tell stories that influenced her during her previous career in human rights. From Kosovo, to Thailand to the Sudan & all over the Middle East & North Africa, many real stories have been more amazing than fiction & Reem felt the need to tell those stories and shed light on them. Reem is now an advocacy filmmaker, who uses film to advocate for important causes & for awareness and social change. Her films have screened on BBC Alternative Cinema & Cannes Short Film Corner as well as competed at TIFF 2012. She was also nominated for two prestigious production awards affiliated with the Berlin Film Festival for her scripts in 2013 & 2014.
Alexandra Caulfield - Free Section & Come Home (BC)
Alexandra Caulfield is a screenwriter, director, and producer who was born and raised in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Since graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Simon Fraser University in 2011, she has produced several independent short films, directed one of her own, and is currently in the post-production stage of her first feature documentary. Her films have screened across North America, including at the Anthology Film Archives in New York City.
Alexandra’s most recent project is the audio/visual installation Canadian Frame(lines), a ten-screen work comprised of films made from residents of small Canadian towns in every province. She lives in Vancouver, where she likes to garden, cook, and advocate for the advancement of women in the arts.
O. Corbin Saleken - Patterson's Wager (BC)
O. Corbin Saleken is an award-winning filmmaker who lives in Vancouver, BC. He’s made three short films (The B-Team, When They Were Little, and The Vehicle), and edited The Lobster and The Liver: The Unique World of Jim Woodring, a feature-length documentary. His projects have screened at film festivals around the world. Corbin has just finished Patterson’s Wager, his first feature film, which he wrote, directed, produced, edited, and self-financed.
Laurel K. Brown - My Old Flame (BC/AB)
Raised in Canmore, Alberta, Laurel came to Vancouver nearly six years ago to attend Simon Fraser University’s film production program. A purveyor of weird and whimsical films and creations, she has taken a shining to cinematography and is beginning to explore the world of animation on an experimental basis. A strong proponent of Canadian film and local artists, Cinema Spectacular is her first initiative to support and bring more great, small-budget, independent work to the big screen with friendly, community events.
BLS Active Art - Humankind & Emerging (BC)
Blue Light Syndrome is an organization that helps people in creative ways. To me Blue Light Syndrome is about seeing something in a new light. Each of our campaigns are unique but all focus on changing peoples lives in positive ways, big or small. HumanKind is a short-documentary web series featuring everyday people who are going out of their way to help others. I started it hoping to inspire people to see how much good in the world everyone has the power to create. Emerging is a web-series that highlights talented up-and-coming dancers, choreographers, and physical performers. We want each episode to help support their career by showcasing their work to a larger audience.
Brandon Siemens has been active in Vancouver’s Film industry for 4 years and began focusing on expanding the impact of Blue Light Syndrome which he founded in 2013.
Rheanna Toy recently graduated from the film BFA program at Simon Fraser University. She used to be a dancer, and now loves combining movement and video.
Now known as See Together Media - Website - Instagram - Twitter
Tyler Hagan - Estuary (BC)
Tyler Hagan is a filmmaker and photographer based in Vancouver, B.C. Tyler’s latest project, Similkameen Crossroads, is an interactive documentary produced by the National Film Board of Canada, which launched in Oct. 2013 and has been presented at Berlinale in the Forum Expanded. The project explores aboriginal identity in contemporary Canada by looking at land, faith, and our collective past. He received his BFA in Film from Simon Fraser University’s School For the Contemporary Arts.
Perry Miotto - Young Trouble (BC)
Perry Miotto is an independent writer, producer and cinematographer dedicated to progressing and nurturing the art of immersive storytelling through film. He prides himself on his integrity, leadership skills, and ability to deliver. Since graduating from Simon Fraser University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production (with Distinction), Perry founded Cinepericoloso – a production company that specializes in both the development and production of original films, as well as marketing, branding and commercial production.
Kial Natale - Girls With Swords (BC)
Kial Natale is a multi-award winning filmmaker known for his outrageous visual effects and colorful visual style. A published film theorist and teacher of film production, Kial currently runs the youtube channel “Megasteakman,” which as of writing has over 19 million video hits.