About Us
Filmpool Mandate
We are situated on Treaty 4 Territory, the original lands of the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda, and the homeland of the Métis/Michif Nation.
The Filmpool serves the broader Saskatchewan Filmmaking community that encompasses treaties 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10.
We are all treaty people and we are committed to a decolonial approach as an organization
The Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative is a non-profit artist-run centre which supports, encourages, and assists independent, visionary filmmaking in Saskatchewan.
BRIEF HISTORY
Founded in 1977, the Filmpool has a proud history of promoting and assisting independent film production and its contribution to Saskatchewan’s cultural expression. We provide our members with film and sound editing facilities, 16mm production equipment, and regular funding opportunities. We host several events such as workshops and screenings and publish regular editions of our magazine, Splice. The Filmpool membership’s objectives are executed by a volunteer Board and committees in cooperation with paid staff.
PROGRAMMING
To serve our mandate, the Filmpool provides programming in five key areas; Production, Workshops, Exhibition, Communications and Outreach. The Filmpool provides professional development opportunities in film production and exhibition for our members through these programming initiatives. We strive to develop audiences for independent motion pictures and maintain alliances with other cultural organizations.
Mattias Graham
President
Mattias Graham is a settler filmmaker from Regina, Saskatchewan (Treaty 4) based in Montreal, Quebec. With a BFA, Specialization in Film Production from Concordia University (2014), his work focuses on prairie stories, power dynamics and masculinity. He also works as an editor, helping others tell their stories.
Tristin Greyeyes
Secretary
tānsi, wāpan achak-iskwew nitisīkāson. niya ohci maskēko-sākahikanīk. niya ōma nehiyaw, ojibway, anishinaabe iskwew.
A nehiyaw in the big city coming from the flattest land on earth, so-called Saskatchewan. Tristin is a proud mother and a visual storyteller, otherwise known as a filmmaker. Greyeyes is a (lifelong) student, and owns a few expensive pieces of paper to prove it; a Media Arts Production certificate, a diploma for Indigenous Independent Digital Filmmaking, and a Bachelor of Motion Picture Arts. A skoden-fighter for intersectional feminism, land back, and the empowerment of Indigenous voices across turtle island using the art tools of film. She dreams of a place where she can work without being tokenized, which might be on Venus.
Ron Brandt
Director
Jessica Gares
Director
Jessica Gares is a film and theatre maker from Treaty 4 Territory(Regina). She grew up a competitive dancer, which sparked a love for the performing arts. She attended Vancouver Film School’s Acting for Film and Television Program in 2011/2012, before relocating to Toronto to continue her training and audition professionally. Next along her journey, Jessica moved to London, UK where she co-founded the Odds and Ends Theatre company and produced fringe theatre. She came back home for her directorial debut in theatre with Shoulderbirds Productions, directing Five Women Wearing the Same Dress by Alan Ball for Saskatchewan Theatrefest 2019, where she won Runner Up to Best Director. She returned to Europe, and was assistant directing an original play with the Orange Theatre Company in Amsterdam when the pandemic broke out, and made the decision to return home. Since being back Jessica has reconnected with the film world, where she has worked as a grip, boom operator, set decorator, writer, AD, director, and producer on a wide variety of projects. Her current focus is to create socially relevant work that connects the people of rural and urban backgrounds.
Karla Paragg
Vice President
Karla Paragg is a web content specialist based in Saskatoon. She has worked as the Media Coordinator for the Filmpool's Saskatchewan Independent Film Awards (SIFA) each year since 2014. She holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Regina.
Style Dayne
Treasurer
Programming Committee Chairperson
Although I am relatively new to the Saskatchewan Film community I come with over 20 years experience. I got my start in the Saskatchewan film industry in 2001 and then moved to Vancouver in 2010 for advanced education and access to more opportunities. For over a decade I worked consistently as an actor and indie producer in Vancouver and a pilot season in Los Angeles in 2018. In 2020 the ever evolving COVID-19 pandemic caused me to re-think my values and I came back to my Saskatchewan roots to advance my education in activism and political work, while investing time and resources in the local film community.
Amber Christensen
Director
Board of Directors
As an artist-run cooperative, the Saskatchewan Filmpool is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of members elected at the organization's annual general meeting. Directors serve two-year terms and oversee the management and strategic direction of the organization. Interested in getting involved with the Filmpool? Contact us!