Crazy8s is very pleased to introduce our winning directors from 2016.
Read on to find out a bit more about each of them:
SHANNON KOHLI
Director, A FAMILY OF GHOSTS
Shannon Kohli was born in Canada, but grew up primarily in Geneva, Switzerland. She moved back to Canada to study at the University of British Columbia, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Film in 2002. Since finishing her degree, Shannon has mainly been working as a director of photography and camera operator while still pursuing her dream of directing. Shannon has directed several short film such as “Stalled,” “A Child Inside,” “Madness” and “The Out-Laws.” She recently optioned a novel to develop into a feature, “Me & Emma,” written by Elizabeth Flock.
MATTHEW CAMPBELL
Director, GROCERY STORE ACTION MOVIE
Matthew Campbell is an independent film director from Gibsons, BC currently working in the film industry in Vancouver. He has years of on-set experience on movies such as “The Revenant,” “Warcraft,” “The BFG” and “Star Trek: Beyond,” and has directed multiple shorts with industry film crews helping make his visions and concepts come to life. Currently finishing fan-film “Nightwing: The Darkest Knight,” Matthew is developing his feature film “The Wounded” and prepping for the digital series “DemonX” with Frostbite Pictures.
JOEL ASHTON McCARTHY
Director, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH IT’S KILLING THEM
At the age of 25, Joel Ashton McCarthy is an award winning filmmaker who has completed two feature films, multiple short films, and a web-series. Joel’s micro budget feature films “Taking My Parents to Burning Man” and “Shooting The Musical” were both award winning, popular on the North American film festival circuit and sold to reputable distribution companies. In his professional life, Joel works with his two business partners at ‘This is a Spoon Studios,’ shooting branded content, commercials and travel documentaries.
JESSE LUPINI
Director, ITERATION 1
Born and raised on the west coast of Canada, Jesse grew up surrounded by creativity. He’s directed commercials, music videos, and several short films. He also co-hosts Double Blind, a popular science podcast, is a founding member of the band Solarsail, and a designer and software engineer. Jesse combines his passions for filmmaking and science to create thought-provoking, bleeding edge science fiction content. “Qualia,” his latest sci-fi adventure short, will be released this spring.
PATRICK CURRIE
Director, MEET CUTE
Patrick moved to BC in the ’90s after completing his acting studies at York University. Having established a successful career as an actor, he is now focussed on writing and directing his own projects. In 2012, he participated in Crazy8s as writer/producer on the film “Stewing,” and was inspired to move into directing. In 2014, he wrote, produced and acted in “The Out-Laws,” a web series pilot. Five of his short film scripts have been shortlisted for funding awards since 2012.
SHAUNA JOHANNSEN
Director, TRYING
Shauna Johannesen is an award-winning writer and actor. Her plays have been produced across Western Canada and her short film “Bedbugs: A Musical Love Story” garnered numerous accolades including Leo awards for Screenwriting and Best Female Actor in a Short Drama. Shauna’s newest play “Common Grace” will premiere in 2016 at Pacific Theatre. Originally from Edmonton, Shauna has a background in improv, a B.A. in English and Theatre and an M.A. in English Language and Culture. She serves as the Playwright Guild’s Representative for BC Mainland and freelances as a dramaturg. “Trying” is her directorial debut.
