Melissa James

Originally from Montreal, Melissa is an emerging documentary filmmaker whose passion lies in creating thought-provoking films about music and culture. A former music publicist and marketing agent, she has lived and worked in Toronto, Vancouver, London UK, and New York City where she booked and promoted for various music venues and helped to create the first ever Arlene Grocery Picture Show, one of the biggest film festivals in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Her debut short documentary Shake, Rattle & Roll, won the CBC Award for Excellence in Broadcast Communications and the Deluxe Television award. It was also screened at various music and film festivals across North America including the highly regarded Don't Knock The Rock Music and Film Festival in LA.

For more info visit her blogsite: reversepanda.ca

Kate Kroll

Hailing from Alberta, Kate has a passion for different cultures and sharing people's stories. Having worked as a Post Coordinator with Brightlight Pictures, Kate hopes to apply her post-production knowledge towards creating artistic and socially impactful films. Awarded the 2008 Director's Guild of Canada’s Kickstart grant, Kate recently finished directing a short dramatic film entitled Shi-shi-etko, a story about a young Sto:Lo girl about to leave home to go to residential school. The film recently was awarded “Best Canadian Short Film” at Toronto’s ImagiNATIVE Film Festival and was also part of the official selection at 2009 Vancouver Film Festival. She is currently sharpening her documentary filmmaking skills as a Producer's Assistant at Make Believe Media.

Lynn Booth

Lynn Booth has been making documentaries since 1994. Aside from numerous producing credits, she co-directed C.D. HOY: PORTRAITS FROM THE FRONTIER (Global/APTN, Hot Docs, nominated Best History Doc, Yorkton), directed BUMP AND GRIND (2004: LIFE Network and IFC) and PARIS STORIES: THE WRITING OF MAVIS GALLANT (2006:Bravo! / TV Ontario). She was the creator and series producer of the series VERY BAD MEN (13 x 60); TRUE PULP MURDER (13 x 30) ; and MAKE OR BREAK TV (13 x 30). THIS WRESTLING LIFE is currently in post production for a Fall 2008 release and Make Believe Media is developing a number of one off and series programs for National and International broadcast partners. Lynn is a member of DOC, the Academy of Film and Television, Women in Film and Video and the CFTPA. She has degrees in psychology (UWO; 1988) and creative writing (UBC; 1994).