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Story Consultant
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Because We Are Girls
documentary feature
A conservative Indo-Canadian family in small-town British Columbia must come to terms with a devastating secret: three sisters were sexually abused by an older relative beginning in their childhood years. After remaining silent for nearly two and a half decades, the sisters finally decide to come forward—not only to protect other young relatives, but to set an example for their daughters as well.
director, writer: Baljit Sangra
producer: Selwyn Jacob
associate producer: Teri Snelgrove
story consultant, writer: Carmen Pollard
cinematographer: Grant Baldwin
editors: Carmen Pollard, Jessica Dymond
original score: Genevieve Vincent
Produced by the National Film Board of Canada.
Selected Festivals: Hot Docs Film Festival, DOXA Documentary Film Festival, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, FIN Atlantic International Film Festival
Crazywater
documentary feature
This feature-length documentary from Inuvialuit filmmaker Dennis Allen is an emotional and revealing exploration of addiction among Indigenous people in Canada. After years of struggle and shame, 5 Indigenous Canadians bravely come forward with their stories of substance abuse, presenting the sensitive topic of alcoholism in an honest and forthright manner. Alex, Paula, Desirae, Stephen, and Dennis himself maintain a deep and devoted commitment to their traditional culture to achieve long-term sobriety. Through their voices, this insightful doc offers an inspirational beacon of hope for others.
director, writer: Dennis Allen
producer: Sewlyn Jacob
story consultant, writer: Carmen Pollard
cinematography: Kirk Tougas, Mike McKinlay
editor: Carmen Pollard
Produced by the National Film Board of Canada.
The Empress of Vancouver
documentary feature
THE EMPRESS IF VANCOUVER is a cinematic and intimate collision of drag, queer history, and performance art, a musical and genre bending irreverent documentary that follows trans icon Oliv Howe as she prepares for the 40th anniversary of her coronation.
director, writer, cinematographer, editor: Dave Rodden-Shortt
producer, story editor: Jessica Hallenbeck
co-editor: Hân Pham
music by: Patrick Flegel, Cindy Lee
story consultant, editing consultant: Carmen Pollard
"Carmen really helped move The Empress of Vancouver forward. The film would never have been made if we had not figured out a process and she played an essential part in developing a path forward. It's a process I'll draw on for the rest of my filmmaking career!" Dave Rodden-Shortt
Produced by Lantern Films in association with Telus Originals and Creative BC.
The World Is Bright
documentary feature
When an elderly Chinese couple are notified by the Canadian government about their son Shi-Ming’s sudden death and burial on Canadian soil, they embark on a decade-long investigation to uncover the truth behind his tumultuous life as a young immigrant in Canada. Skilfully employing a docu-thriller style and staying steadfastly committed to the story, director Ying Wang follows the grieving parents for ten years as they navigate a new culture and a complex web of bureaucracy in search of answers.
director: Ying Wang
producers: Jian Ping Su, Jordan Paterson, Ying Wang
executive producers: Yun-Jou Chang, Tyler Hagan
writers: Ying Wang, Lawrence Le Lam
editors: Lawrence Le Lam, Ying Wang
cinematography: Pieter Stathis, Jian Ping Su, Ying Wang
music: Daniel J.K. Ross
story consultant: Carmen Pollard
Produced by Gyu Films, Picture’s Up Media in association with Whole Earth Entertainment, Rare Earth Media Group & with support from Canada Council for the Arts & Good Pitch Vancouver.
Doug and The Slugs & Me
documentary feature
DOUG AND THE SLUGS AND ME is a POV documentary that follows filmmaker Teresa Alfeld’s journey uncovering the life story of her childhood best friend’s dad, the late Doug Bennett, leader of the legendary 1980’s Canadian party band Doug and the Slugs.
director, writer: Teresa Alfeld
producers: John Bolton, Teresa Alfeld
cinematography: Vince Arvidson
editor Hart Snider
story consultant: Carmen Pollard
Produced by Opus 59 Films in association with CBC Documentary Channel.
Not Quite That
mid-length documentary
Might a genetic mutation be the very thing that allows this nice Jewish butch lesbian to be fully seen at last? Meet Sarah, 57. Lesbian? For sure. Jewish? Yes and no. Mother? In all but one sense. Trans? Nope, just often mistaken as such. Breast cancer survivor? Well, that’s the plan, the survival bit, but without the cancer or the breasts. NOT QUITE THAT is an intimate and insightful exploration of how we are seen, how we see ourselves, and why it matters.
director, writer: Ali Grant
producer: Cari Green
editor: Mary Ungerleider
cinematography: Ali Grant, Laurel K Brown
story consultant, producing consultant: Carmen Pollard
Produced by On the Creek Films in association with Telus Originals & with support from Creative BC and the CMPA-BC Emerging Development Program.
Inside Her Sex
documentary feature
A thought-provoking documentary that explores female sexuality and shame through the eyes and experiences of three women from different walks of life, each brave enough to chart her own course of sexual discovery.
director, writer, producer: Sheona McDonald
cinematographer, editor: Sheona McDonald
animation: Kunal Sen
original score: Brock Ellis
story consultant, additional editing: Carmen Pollard
Produced by Dimestore Productions in association with CBC Documentary Channel.