BOARD ELECTIONS - 2025/26 TERM

Welcome to the DOC Ontario Board Elections.

DOC Ontario’s board members serve two-year terms. We have ten candidates running for the four positions for the 2025/26. You may vote for up to four people.

 

DOC Ontario members will receive a survey link to cast their vote. If you have any issues receiving your survey link, please contact warren@docorg.ca. The voting period is now open and will close Friday, January 24, at 5pm ET

Below are the candidates. Please click the + beside each name to see each candidate’s bio and election statement. 

Alix Buck

BIO

Alix Buck is a documentary filmmaker and editor. She has over a decade of international experience storytelling for humanitarian organizations, including several years as staff member for Oxfam and the United Nations (UNRWA). She has lived and told stories in Afghanistan, Jordan, and Cambodia, and has worked as a director and editor on several documentary productions in Canada.
Alix shines when working across cultures and languages (She speaks English, French, Spanish, and basic Arabic). She loves to tell stories about people defying the odds, challenging expectations, and making the world a better place. Alix has collaborated with people to tell their stories in desert camps, on lobster fishing boats, and in community-built skateparks around the world.
Alix’s first documentary, Beckwoman’s Hippie Emporium, premiered at the DOXA Documentary Film Festival. Her notable recent credits include working as the editor for the 5×30 Adhel Productions series, Katiba Banat: Sisters in Arms, broadcast by Rogers Media, and as the editor of A Final Sketch, a documentary commissioned by the family of internationally-renowned artist, Fernando Botero. She was also the assistant editor for the
Oscar-qualifying feature documentary 500 Days in the Wild.
Currently, Alix is in post-production for her documentary Lobster Queen, with funding from Canada Council for the Arts. She also sits on the board of directors for the Documentary Organization of Canada – Northwest Chapter. Alix recently relocated to Hamilton, Ontario, and is keen to continue her contributions to DOC in Ontario!

BOARD STATEMENT

I would like to nominate myself, Alixandra (Alix) Buck, to join the Board of DOC Ontario.
Since 2022, I have sat on the Board of DOC Northwest, and my engagement with DOC has been extremely important to me. A couple of months ago I relocated to Hamilton, Ontario, and I would love to continue to support DOC here.
Recently, the Chair of DOC Northwest, Baljit Sangra, wrote a letter recommending me as a Board member for DOC Ontario. She said, “Alix was an integral part of our Board. I think she’d be an amazing asset to [the DOC Ontario] Board.” During my time with DOC Northwest, I’ve proven myself to be an active and enthusiastic Board member. I supported the organizational rebranding, the website re-launch, and several events. Notably, I acted as moderator for a series of community documentary screenings in conjunction with panel discussions. I also played a key role in organizing the workshop for Disability Employment Awareness in Documentary Film, an issue that is close to my heart.
More recently, I joined DOC Ontario Board members in supporting Hot Docs by moderating Q&As at the 2024 festival. I also acted as an arbitrator for the 2025 Breakthrough Program,
and joined the national DOC advocacy committee. As an emerging filmmaker with over ten years of international experience in communications, advocacy, and fundraising, my contributions would be a great benefit to your Board. I’d be delighted to continue my engagement with the DOC chapter here in Ontario. I look forward to hearing from you!

Wendy Donnan

BIO

Wendy Donnan has over 25 years of experience working in the film and TV Industry as an independent Producer, as well asin the broadcasting industry as a Television Executive for 20+ years, at both TVOntario and was also the VP Programming /Marketing and founding programmer at OUTtv network. She has worked extensively in the documentary field. She is currently in post production with co-producer\codirector Barbara Evans on Bee Queens Collaborating with the Hive, a feature length impact-produced documentary that explores the universal fascination with the bee from a variety of different perspectives.
Wendy is a Producer, and Executive Producer, and has worked on a diverse range of genres, including award- winning documentaries 24×36: A Film about Film Posters (2016), and The Names of the Flowers (2019). Also in pre-production is the documentary, Welcome to My World, which chronicles the life story of Canadian singer/songwriter, Jeff Poolton.
Wendy is also a Professor at Sheridan College, Oakville, in the BFTV Programme, teaching courses in Production Management, Producing, Canadian Culture, and Media Theory and Criticism. She also teaches at York University in Cinema and Media Studies. Wendy is in the final stages (ABD) of her PHD from York
University in Communications and Culture, with a focus on Canadian cultural studies.

BOARD STATEMENT

I would be thrilled to be a part of the Board of Directors for Doc Ontario! I am an experienced and passionate community leader with many years of experience in the creative industries, and have been active on boards for non-profits such as Oakville Festivals of Film and Art, The Milton Film Festival, and Oakville Choral. I have been passionate about non-fiction film as a genre since elementary school.

I have a track record of work and interest, in the non-fiction world. I have been a member of the Doc Organization of Canada for many years, and have a track record of leadership in the film, and documentary communities, as well as extensive experience as a board leader, including many years of successful strategic planning and fiscal management. I am an experienced and passionate community leader with many years of experience in the film and culture world, and have been active on boards for organizations such as Oakville Festivals of Film and Art, The Milton Film Festival, and Oakville Choral. I am co-founder of the successful, 12-year old, non-profit Oakville Festivals of Film and Art. I have many years of experience with instructional design, having run documentary and festival planning workshops and industry events. I have an extensive list of credits in the non-fiction field, and am in various stages of production on several documentaries, including, Bee Queens: Collaborating with the Hive.

Stuart Henderson

BIO

Stuart Henderson is President of 90th Parallel Productions, Ltd, one of Canada’s longest-running documentary film companies. A creative producer, Henderson is currently overseeing a slate of documentary films ranging from broadcast hours to anthology series to feature-length projects. 

Most recently, he was the executive producer and showrunner of the CRAVE docu-series We’re All Gonna Die (Even Jay Baruchel), and the CBC films Butt Seriously (Dir. Liam O’Rinn, 2024), and Bodies for Rent (Dir: Habiba Nosheen, 2024).

Other recent films he has produced include the feature doc The Long Weekend for TVO (Director: Catie Lamer, 2022), the CBC film The Climate Baby Dilemma (Director: Vicki Lean, 2022), the TIFF People’s Choice Award-winning Inconvenient Indian (Director: Michelle Latimer, 2020); Food for the Rest of Us (Director: Caroline Cox, 2020), Be Afraid: The Science of Fear (Director: Roberto Verdecchia, 2019); Invisible Essence: The Little Prince (Director: Charles Officer, 2018); The Skin We’re In (Director: Charles Officer, 2017); My First 150 Days (Director: Diana Dai, 2017). 

Henderson has worked as the creative consultant for actress Rachel McAdams, features editor at PopMatters.com, section editor at Exclaim.ca, and a syndicated Pop Culture columnist with CBC Radio One. He is currently the interim chair of the board for POV Magazine.

Henderson has a PhD from Queen’s University and has held postdoctoral fellowships at York and McMaster Universities. He is the author of the multiple award-winning book Making the Scene: Yorkville and Hip Toronto in the 1960s.

BOARD STATEMENT

As a passionate advocate for documentary filmmaking and its vital role in shaping cultural conversations, I am eager to contribute to the DOC Ontario Chapter as a board member. Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to storytelling that illuminates complex truths, amplifies diverse voices, and fosters understanding—values that align closely with DOC’s mission.

Having spent years navigating the creative and logistical challenges of developing documentaries, I understand the multifaceted needs of this community. My experience in producing, writing, and advising has equipped me with insights into the industry’s evolving landscape, from funding and distribution to embracing new technologies and audiences. I am committed to advocating for policies and initiatives that empower documentary creators, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.

I bring with me a collaborative spirit and a vision for strengthening connections among Ontario’s vibrant documentary professionals. I believe in fostering mentorship programs, expanding professional development opportunities, and enhancing public awareness of the power and potential of documentary film.

As a firm believer in the role of film as a catalyst for social change, I hope to help DOC continue its legacy of advocacy, innovation, and community-building. Serving on the board is an opportunity to contribute to the growth of an organization I deeply respect, while supporting the filmmakers whose work inspires and informs us all.

Tiffany Hsiung

 

BIO

Tiffany Hsiung is a Toronto-based filmmaker whose work has earned multiple Peabody Awards, two Canadian Screen Awards, and Four Emmy® nominations for the Apple TV series JANE(2023 -2024). Named one of DOC NYC’s 40 under 40, her films, including Sing Me a Lullaby (2020), have received accolades such as the Oscar-qualifying Grand Jury Prize at DOC NYC and TIFF’s ‘Share Her Journey Short Cuts Award.’ Her debut feature, The Apology (2016), garnered a Peabody Award and international acclaim. Hsiung’s work has screened at over 150 festivals, winning more than 25 international awards, with global releases and broadcasts. Committed to fostering transformative change within the BIPOC filmmaking community, Tiffany is serving her third and final term as the second vice chair on the executive board of The Director’s Guild of Canada Ontario division and was appointed to co-chair the D.E.I advisory committee for DGC Ontario. Tiffany also sits on the board of DOC institute for the past four years.

BOARD STATEMENT

Dear fellow DOC Ontario members,

I write with immense gratitude for the privilege of having served on the DOC Institute board for the past four years, working and learning alongside legends like Lalita Krishna, Nick de Pencier, and Colette Vosberg, who are sadly leaving the board this year. I am seeking your support for a third term.

While 2024 has challenged our documentary community, I’ve witnessed our collective resilience in the face of adversity. My commitment to serve another term stem from urgent unfinished work. Over 15 years, I’ve championed systemic change across Canada’s leading cultural institutions, advocating for both inclusivity and industry sustainability. After joining the board shortly before COVID-19, I helped navigate DOC through complex leadership transitions while maintaining our core mission.

As a filmmaker and advocate, I’m passionate about building a sustainable documentary industry that ensures fair compensation for all. I aim to explore more in-person networking opportunities for DOC members while expanding mental health resources vital to our creative work. My lived experience within BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ+ communities drives my commitment to meaningful allyship through targeted funding streams and mentorship programs. I believe our industry thrives when everyone has equitable access to opportunities and resources that allow their unique voices to flourish.

I bring proven leadership experience, established relationships, and an unwavering commitment to drive tangible change. Working alongside our dedicated board members and exceptional staff – Managing Director Lauren Howes and Communications Coordinator Warren Chan – I pledge to keep DOC Ontario accessible, responsive, and forward-moving. I’m ready for the challenging conversations ahead and committed to finding solutions that serve our entire community. This isn’t about checking boxes – it’s about creating lasting impact that benefits all our members.

With determination and gratitude,

Tiffany Hsiung

 
Noura Kevorkian

BIO

Lebanese-Canadian filmmaker Noura Kevorkian made her filmmaking debut with the award-winning documentary VEILS UNCOVERED(BEST DOCUMENTARY ReelWorld + Yorkton, Official Competition IDFA) about the veiled women of Damascus.
Noura’s debut feature the Canada-Lebanon historical documentary ANJAR: FLOWERS, GOATS & HEROES (MED Festival Rome) is a complex and emotional POV documentary about a young girl growing up during the Lebanese Civil War. Noura’s follow-up film, the Canada-Lebanon drama-doc hybrid feature 23 KILOMETRES, premiered to acclaim in Official Competition at Karlovy Vary, followed by Dubai and Munich festivals. This one-of-a-kind experiential film is a cinematic portrayal of one man’s experiences with Parkinson’s disease.
Noura’s latest film, the Canada-Lebanon feature BATATA(PEABODY AWARD,OSCAR QUALIFYINGBEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY Carthage, AMNESTY AWARD Durban, AUDIENCE TOP 10 Hot Docs),is an unprecedented documentary that follows 10 years in the life of a singularly determined unmarried Syrian woman as she turns from migrant farm-hand to refugee stuck in a camp in Lebanon, unable to return to her hometown of Raqqa.
Concurrently Noura is working on the development of her debut feature drama, SYRIAN DANCER, along with the screen adaptation of the award-winning non-fiction book The Taste of Longing about an unheralded neurodivergent female WWII Canadian war hero.

BOARD STATEMENT

Dear Members of the Documentary Organization of Canada,

I am honored to submit my candidacy for the board-Ontario division of this important organization, driven by my deep passion for storytelling and my commitment to strengthening the documentary community in Canada .I have twenty-four years of experience as a filmmaker working in the documentary industry. I am familiar with the difficulties documentary filmmakers face as I have worked as a producer, fundraiser, writer, director and mentor. My experiences have equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges we face, from securing resources all the way to finding exhibition opportunities in the documentary real estate landscape. I am inspired by the work of DOC as a hub for advocacy, networking, and professional development. I champion equitable funding initiatives, fostering collaborations among creators and advancing policies that support independent documentary filmmakers. My Commerce degree and finance background have prepared me well in working with a team to plan for long-term organizational sustainability and growth. I am committed to listening, learning, and working alongside fellow members to enhance our collective impact. I bring a strategic mindset, and passion for advocacy that I believe can drive meaningful progress for our organization. I hope to be part of a team that continues to reflect the diversity and richness of our stories, empowering filmmakers from all backgrounds to thrive. Thank you for considering my candidacy. I would be deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of DOC, to champion the power of documentaries to inform, inspire, and effect change.

Sincerely,

Noura Kevorkian

Samuel Kisitu

BIO

Samuel Kisitu is a Canadian filmmaker, activist, and member of the Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC). Born in Luwero, Uganda, Samuel’s life has been profoundly shaped by the legacy of the 1980s Luwero Triangle Bush War, which brought President Museveni to power. His family’s deep involvement in the conflict—including his grandfather’s leadership and his uncle’s tragic assassination—instilled in Samuel a commitment to justice and human rights.

Fleeing political persecution in Uganda in 2019, Samuel sought refuge in Canada, where he embraced his new identity as “Free Man,” symbolizing safety and freedom. He immersed himself in advocacy, joining the Jane and Finch Action Against Poverty and the People Power Movement Canada Chapter. At the University of Toronto’s Transitional Year Program, Samuel honed his craft in documentary filmmaking, recognizing storytelling as a powerful tool for change.

Samuel’s work sheds light on urgent social issues affecting Ugandan and African diaspora communities, and less privileged Canadians including housing crises, migrant exploitation, and systemic racism. His acclaimed documentaries, Resilience in the City and Reclaiming the Real Wakanda, tackle colonial legacies and socio-economic justice, offering a voice to marginalized communities.

A recipient of awards like the New African Canadian Inspiration Award and Toronto Community Champion Award, Samuel is a steadfast advocate for equity, democracy, and human rights. Despite personal challenges, including homelessness, Samuel remains unwavering in his mission to use storytelling to confront historical injustices and inspire a more equitable future.

BOARD STATEMENT

As a Ugandan-Canadian filmmaker and activist, I have experienced firsthand the profound mental health challenges that accompany the passion and perseverance required in documentary filmmaking. This industry, while immensely rewarding, often demands sacrifices that impact our well-being, from financial insecurity to the psychological toll of telling difficult stories.

My work, including Resilience in the City and Reclaiming the Real Wakanda, reflects the transformative power of documentaries to shed light on marginalized voices and ignite social change. Yet, the challenges filmmakers face—funding scarcity, job instability, and the pressures of success—highlight a critical need for systemic support.

If elected to the DOC Ontario Board of Directors, I will advocate for a sustainable ecosystem that prioritizes mental health and well-being. This includes equitable and sustainable funding models, ethical frameworks for production, and accessible mental health resources for filmmakers. I will advocate for Programs of National Interest (PNI) protections to ensure the vitality of Canadian documentary filmmaking in a rapidly evolving industry I am deeply committed to fostering a more inclusive industry, addressing the unique experiences of BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, and disabled creators, and ensuring every voice has a platform.  I am committed to fostering equity and inclusion within DOC Ontario, amplifying diverse voices, and building stronger connections between filmmakers, policymakers, and audiences.

Documentary filmmaking is a labor of love, offering immense creative and intellectual nourishment. It is also a responsibility—to contributors, audiences, and ourselves. By addressing systemic challenges, we can ensure this art form remains regenerative rather than extractive.

Together, we can champion an industry where filmmakers thrive, stories inspire, and documentaries continue to shape a more equitable and empathetic world. Let’s build a future where our collective love for storytelling uplifts not only audiences but the storytellers themselves

Catherine Legge

BIO

Catherine has been making documentaries that challenge the traditional for nearly 30 years. She’s a 3 time Canadian Screen award winner and 5 time Gemini Award winner for directing, producing, writing documentaries and docu-series from investigative work to comedy, for CBC, CTV, Bell, History, Discovery, Rogers, documentary channel, Prime Video, CW Network.  Catherine’s documentaries include Billion Dollar Caribou (2013) Met While Incarcerated (2018) The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith (Prime Video, 2021), have been featured at HOT DOCS, the Hamilton Film Festival and LA FEMME film festival and been distributed around the world. As the Executive Producer of original video for CBC GEM she created CBC’s first podcast to documentary adaption How to Start a Revolution (2021), the first Massey Lecture to documentary adaptation ESI EDUGYAN: Out of the Sun (2022) and she created and produced the BIG explainer series with BIG NEWS (2020) and BIG TRUE CRIME (2023). She’s a member of the DGC, DOC, WIFT, The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television and has enjoyed working with emerging filmmakers through mentorships with WIFT-T, the Bell Unscripted Producer’s Lab, and the Reelworld Mentorship Program. This year, Catherine started offering a series of workshops under her development banner, DOCS DONE WRITE.  Catherine is currently in production on her latest feature documentary.   

BOARD STATEMENT

Documentary is undergoing a transformation in almost every way. From the delivery and distribution to the funders and models, every film made feels like a small miracle. But we need documentaries more than ever before. As news media fractures, longform storytelling disappears and misinformation spreads, sometimes it feels like it’s been left to documentary to fill the information and humanity gap. Meanwhile, social issue/justice/investigative documentaries are an even harder sell to the buyers looking for ratings wins. But we know viewers want all types of documentaries and crave deeper storytelling on things that matter to them and can give meaning to events of our world. I’ve always viewed change as an opportunity for innovation and want to be part of it. There is a new future for documentary funding, production and distribution in Canada and it will be built by us, over the next few years. We need to continue to bring together our most creative minds on this.  Working on the broadcaster/commissioning side, overseeing large and small teams in series television, and collaborating with networks, production companies, distributors and festivals, I feel like I can bring those experiences and connections to the conversation about what’s next. I also want to help support my colleagues who have been working with DOC Ontario through several challenging years while making room for new voices from across the filmmaking community. 

Babawale Odunuga

BIO

Babawale Odunuga, affectionately known as “Baba!”, is a multi-award-winning filmmaker renowned for his impactful storytelling and creative versatility. He holds a Master of Environment (MEnv.) from the University of Manitoba in Canada and an Advanced Diploma in Film Studies.
As a dynamic multi-hyphenate, Babawale excels in various roles including film producer, director, cinematographer, production designer, screenwriter, and actor at Evabyword International Pictures (EiPfilms). He founded EiPfilms while pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics at Olabisi Onabanjo University in Nigeria; West Africa. Under his leadership, EiPfilms has evolved from a student drama group into a prominent international film organization, attracting talented actors and crew and fostering global collaborations.
A professional filmmaker with a meticulous eye for detail, Babawale is passionate about visual storytelling. His work addresses critical social issues such as inequality, anti-racism, diversity, inclusion, and the experiences of vulnerable groups.
Babawale has served as a Lead Judge at the MZIAIF / ICFF International Film Festival and as Director of Photography for CDMAC Canada. He has an extensive portfolio that includes shorts, feature films, and documentaries. Notably, his politically charged films, such as “Obinrin Ajeji” (The Strange Woman) (2004), “The Pawn” (2020), “Mismatch” (2023), “Itaakun” (Stolon) (2023), and “The Bus Driver” (2024), showcase his commitment to activism and advocacy for Black Cinema, Black theology, equality, and the representation of marginalized communities.
Baba! continues to inspire audiences worldwide with his compelling narratives and dedication to social justice through the art of film.

BOARD STATEMENT

Dear DOC Members,
I write to convey my dedication to being part of the Board of the Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC). With a solid history of leadership, I am confident that I can make meaningful contributions to DOC’s mission and objectives.
Over the course of my career, I have gained relevant experience in the film and media industry. I understand the challenges and opportunities that non-fiction creators encounter, and I am committed to representing our community at every level. I strongly believe in collaboration as fundamental to our mutual success. I am dedicated to creating inclusive environment that honors the richness of our narratives and the variety of voices within the documentary field.
I understand that successful boards draw high-achieving individuals who share unified vision. I am ready to utilize my network in advancing DOC and increase its influence in the documentary community. I am passionate about the non-fiction sector and committed to nurturing the growth and sustainability of our industry. I am convinced that documentary storytelling possesses the ability to inspire change, stimulate thought, and promote understanding.
As a member of the DOC Board, I will diligently work to ensure that our organization continues to serve as an essential resource for filmmakers and creators, advocating for your needs and supporting your stories. Together, we can fortify the documentary community and highlight the significance of non-fiction storytelling both in Canada and beyond. Thank you for considering my nomination.
Sincerely,
Babawale Odunuga

Lia Tarachansky

BIO

Lia Tarachansky is a journalist and filmmaker. For eight years, she worked as the Israel/Palestine correspondent for The Real News Network (TRNN), where she was a one-woman crew – investigating, interviewing, filming, and editing over 200 current affairs shorts.

After TRNN, Lia co-founded Naretiv Productions in Canada. She directed and filmed four feature-length investigative yet poetic documentaries. Her work appeared on BBC World, TeleSUR, +972 Magazine, Al Jazeera, and elsewhere. She has made a range of experimental shorts, soundwalks, and augmented reality projects. Her work has toured the festival circuit, earning awards for Best Short Film and Best Woman in Film, and has been screened in more than 20 countries and in millions of homes.

In addition to her filmmaking, Lia teaches cinematography and media production at Toronto Metropolitan University, York University, and Humber Polytechnic. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring camera techniques, experimenting with visual language, and finding innovative ways to create friendlier, more inclusive processes on film sets. She is fluent in Russian, Hebrew, and English, and has a basic knowledge of French, Arabic, and Portuguese. 

BOARD STATEMENT

I became a journalist because I didn’t see the mainstream press covering indigenous struggles and solidarity movements. It was 2006 at Six Nations, 2007 at Barrier Lake, 2008 at Tyendinaga. At the time, only Indy media and documentary filmmakers showed up to listen to indigenous activists as they demanded the government uphold its promises.

I discovered documentaries when films like b.h.Yael’s Palestine Trilogy, Mohammed Bakri’s Jenin, Jenin and Mark Achbar’s The Corporation politicized me. To this day I continue to fall in love with documentaries as I see the art form evolve and expand. I believe the strength of our community lies in our innovation, resilience, and ability to spark meaningful change. 

As a director, I’ve successfully secured grants, commissions and acquisitions. I’ve delivered impactful workshops on the use of interactive and locative media. After a decade of making I went back to school to co-create a decolonial Augmented Reality project in Palestine as a form of emplaced documentary. As an educator, I’ve taught at LIFT and film schools throughout Toronto where I became passionate about helping young filmmakers actualise their visions and find the right form for each story they set out to tell.

As a leader, I joined DOC’s Equity Committee, ran a social justice school, represented York University at FMSAC, the Humanities Congress, SCMS, and mentored emerging filmmakers through the CCA.

As a DOC Ontario Board Member, I will bring my experience and passion, contributing fresh ideas for professional development, programming, mentorship, and industry advocacy.

Thank you for considering my nomination. 

Ali Weinstein

BIO

Ali Weinstein (she/her) is a documentary director and producer living in Toronto, whose character-driven work often centres on people searching for a sense of belonging. Her latest feature documentary YOUR TOMORROW (TVO) about the last year in life of Ontario Place before it was shut down to be redeveloped into a private spa and waterpark premiered at TIFF 2024 where it was a runner up for the People’s Choice Documentary Award. Her first feature documentary MERMAIDS (Super Channel), about a group of women living a mermaid lifestyle, debuted at Hot Docs 2017 and has since been broadcast in Canada, Brazil, France, and Germany. Ali also directed THE IMPOSSIBLE SWIM (TSN) about a 16-year-old girl attempting to swim across Lake Ontario at its widest point and #BLESSED (CBC) about the stunning success of an Evangelical church amongst the youth of downtown Toronto. In 2020, she produced Lulu Wei’s THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE THIS PLACE, ANYPLACE (CBC) about the redevelopment of the iconic Honest Ed’s block in Toronto, which was nominated for two Canadian Screen Awards and won an Audience Choice Award at Hot Docs. Ali has also worked as an Associate Producer on films directed by acclaimed Canadian documentarians Alan Zweig, Nicholas de Pencier, and Kevin McMahon. She holds an MFA in Documentary Media Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University, and from 2018-2022 served as a board member of Breakthroughs Film Festival, the only short film festival showcasing work exclusively by women and non-binary filmmakers in Canada.
 

BOARD STATEMENT

I am applying to join the board of DOC Ontario because of my vested interest in working to make the field of documentary filmmaking a more equitable, viable, and healthy career path for those of us who have chosen this line of work and for future artists based in Ontario. Documentary filmmaking has never been an easy job, but over the course of my ten-year career, I have only seen it become more challenging to make and distribute our work as independent filmmakers in Ontario. I want to see our industry working toward fostering a landscape of ever-more vibrant, artistically bold, and inclusive storytelling. I believe my experience, especially recently with distribution of Your Tomorrow, would be valuable when it comes to programming and educational initiatives around distribution, specifically theatrical release and festivals. I would love to work with this team of community leaders to advocate for policies and opportunities for filmmakers that truly support risk-taking creative work and the growth of a system that makes this a viable industry. I’ve witnessed and celebrated the power of community in my films, and while the industry faces challenges, I am keen to support our DOC community into the next chapter.