Ed Barreveld and Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin  will be recognized with the top documentary achievement awards at the 11thth Annual DOC Institute’s Honours Awards, to be presented Wednesday, December 4 at The El Mocambo in Toronto. The DOC Institute’s Honours Awards celebrates pioneers and visionaries in Canadian documentary filmmaking.

ED BARREVELD is this year’s winner of the Luminary Award.  Storyline Entertainment CEO and Emmy Award-winning producer Ed Barreveld is one of Canada’s top independent documentary-film professionals. For the past forty years, Ed Barreveld has been bringing together top Canadian and international creatives, investors, and partners on award-winning, auteur-driven documentary films that explore underexposed stories, events, and perspectives in society and culture. 

Born in Rotterdam, Barreveld moved to Canada in his early twenties and began his film career as the unit administrator of the NFB’s Ontario studio in Toronto. After four years traveling the world as a documentary line producer, he cofounded Storyline Entertainment in 2000 for its inaugural release, “Aftermath.” 

Since becoming Storyline’s sole principal in 2004, Barreveld has remained a hands-on creative producer with an eye for emerging talent, a commitment to filmmaker development, and a penchant for iconoclastic subjects. His films have won Emmy and Canadian Screen Awards, garnered numerous festival accolades, and been sold and broadcast around the world. 

Notable titles in Storyline’s thirty-film-deep catalogue include “Tiger Spirit,” “Herman’s House,” “The World Before Her,” “Dolphin Man,” and “Queen of the Deuce.” In 2016, Hot Docs opened with “League of Exotique Dancers” and also recognized Barreveld’s creative vision, entrepreneurship, and mentorship with the Don Haig Award. He continues to broaden his experience in both financing and partnerships, working with co-producers and investors in numerous countries and participating in international doc market events. 

Storyline’s twenty-fifth anniversary year finds Barreveld working on feature projects with filmmakers Aisha Jamal and Maria Markina. A lifelong jazz fan, he is also developing a handful of music docs with Canadian and international partners. 

Speaking for the Honours Awards jurors, Janice Dawe said, “Ed exemplifies the qualities that the Luminary Award seeks to recognize: he truly embodies the creative spirit of the Canadian documentary tradition and has consistently displays generosity in supporting the next generation of doc-makers through his mentorship.  Ed’s impressive legacy is exemplified not only in award winning films he produced at Storyline but in the documentary work being carried on by younger filmmakers he has nurtured.  Those who have worked with Ed shared meaningful stories of his guidance, support and friendship. ” 

Said ED BARREVELD: “I am grateful and proud to be named the 2024 recipient of the DOC Institute’s Luminary Award. Since the nomination comes from the documentary community, this is an especially meaningful honour.” 

Jules Koostachin is this year’s winner of the Vanguard Award. Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin (Attawapiskat) is an award-winning filmmaker, mother, writer, performance ar8stand academic. With her background in community work, social justice themes emerge in her films, alongside bravery, healing, connection and humour. Jules honours her Cree-speaking grandparents who raised her, and her mother, a residential school Survivor/warrior. Relying on a creative eye, keen mind and strong heart, Jules’ accomplishments include raising four sons while pursuing academics and artistry. Graduating from Concordia University’s Theatre program, Jules went on to Ryerson University’s Documentary Media master’s program, receiving early recognition with an Award of Distinction and an Academic Gold Medal for her thesis documentary film, Remembering Inninimowin. Jules went on to do her Ph.D. in Indigenous documentary and protocols and processes, through the Institute of Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice program at the University of British Columbia. Jules is represented by The Characters Talent (acting) and Lucas Talent (writing, directing) 

Speaking for the Honours Award jurors, Noura Kevorkian said, “The jury was captivated by the careful and creative approach that Dr. Jules Koostachin brought to her very personal documentary work. Jules embodies the spirit of this award, breaking barriers and reshaping the landscape of documentary filmmaking with her bold vision and unwavering commitment to truth. As a Cree filmmaker, writer, and educator, Jules channels her deep-rooted connection to her culture and heritage into powerful narratives that amplify Indigenous voices and histories. She reminds us that documentaries can do more than document—they can heal, empower, and transform. “

Makayla Walker, the actor whose recent work as Jacky Shane for Any Other Way: The Jacky Shane Story will host the Ceremonies at the December 4 awards presentation.  

The El Mocambo is located at 464 Spadina Ave. in Toronto. Registration for the December 4 Gala Honours Awards celebration evening can be found at: https://bit.ly/4i0yUVP 

The DOC Institute Honours is a juried event, selected from nominations submitted by the membership of the Documentary Organization of Canada, an association of more than 1,000 members, representing six chapters from coast to coast to coast and from across the documentary film sector. The annual event is supported by presenting award sponsor Rogers Group of Funds, Urban Post and Bedtracks/Nagamo.