Carmen Pollard

BIOGRAPHIE

Carmen Pollard is a Canadian filmmaker and editor focused on stories that centre underrepresented voices and perspectives within the arts, social and climate justice. She’s drawn to sensorial storytelling and finding new aesthetic ways of exploring the boundaries between truth and fiction. Her award-winning work has been broadcast throughout North America, has screened theatrically, on Netflix, and at festivals worldwide. Carmen directed the feature-length documentary FOR DEAR LIFE which follows seasoned theatre producer James Pollard, as he rallies his family and friends to turn death on its head and stretch his final years into an unconventional project. This Knowledge Network commission screened internationally and was an audience favourite at DOXA. As an editor and creative director for post, Carmen’s work on NINTH FLOOR (NFB/ TIFF Top Ten) weaves the infamous story of the 1969 Sir George Williams Riot—reopening the file on a watershed moment in Canadian race relations. With CITIZEN SAM (NFB/ opening film at WFF) Carmen assembled a highly controversial campaign film following Vancouver’s first quadriplegic mayoral candidate to win a civic election. She won a Leo for Best Picture Editing on the essay feature DIRT (NFB/ DOXA) which explores how the concept of dirtiness has come to be associated with racial cleansing, precarious labour, maintenance work, and sex. Her work as a story consultant and editor on BECAUSE WE ARE GIRLS (NFB/ Hot Docs, opening film at DOXA) weaves together dramatic events of family abuse within the broader context of cultural stigma, and a broken justice system. Carmen wrote, directed and produced DANCEHALLS, DEEJAYS & DISTORTION for Knowledge Network, an upbeat 10-part short film series which amplifies little known stories of BC's eclectic music scene. Shorts from this series have played festivals across Canada, won a Golden Sheaf award for Best Series, and a nomination for Best of Festival. Her recent Hot Docs commission MILITANT MOTHER tells the story of a group of mothers who in 1971, through direct action and a little chutzpah, forced government and corporate officials to build a safe crossing for their children. The story features celebrated changemaker Carolyn Jerome, and premiered at Hot Docs.

FILMOGRAPHIE