KELLY SAXBERG

Kelly Saxberg is a film producer, director and editor who has worked in the film industry for the past 25 years. She has travelled the world with film crews and also enjoys telling Canadian stories. Kelly's dedication to making films that both educate and entertain has resulted in a number of award-winning productions.

Most recently, she has directed "Citoyens du Monde," a six-part series of one-hour documentaries about international development. Filmed in 15 countries, this series takes viewers into the world of research for development. This intimate look at the problems facing poor countries and the people who are trying to solve those problems, is a major contribution to development education. The series will air on TFO, Ontario's French language Educational television station in the fall of 2009.

“Seeking Bimaadiziiwin” is Kelly's debut as a fiction director. This 30 minute drama tackles depression and suicide among First Nations youth. The film was selected as the Best Live Action Short Film at the 32nd Annual American Indian Film Festival in 2007.

Letters from Karelia,  is Kelly’s first feature length documentary about Canadians who moved to the Soviet Union in the 1930’s. It won two Blizzards - Best Documentary and Kelly won Best Directing at the 2006 Manitoba Motion Picture Industry Awards. It was also nominated for a Gemini for best documentary 2006. Letters from Karelia, was shot on super16 in Canada, Finland and Russia. It has been shown at numerous festivals and can be seen in Finland on YLE, and in Canada on History Television.

"Dorothea Mitchell: A Reel Pioneer" is about a local effort to finish a silent movie from the 1930’s and tell the story of Canada's first single woman homesteader, lumber mill operator and feature film scriptwriter. It airs on Bravo.

 In 2005, Kelly directed a 14 part video series in aid of young women with eating disorders called “Turning Points ”in collaboration with Dr. Ron Davis of Lakehead University. The fifteen minute episode is distributed to high schools and clinics throughout Ontario.

"Banana Split," a documentary about the most popular fruit in Canada, that Kelly co-directed and edited. It won the first annual Deborah Fletcher Award of Excellence in Filmmaking on International Development and Best Documentary - Latin American Environmental  Media Film Festival (2005).

In 2006, she also directed the one hour  French and English versioned documentary: "Voyageurs Legacy: Our Story / Le printemps des voyageurs: La Genèse" for Les Productions Rivard and TFO.
Kelly Saxberg has a continued presence in the Manitoba film industry with over ten years of collaboration and work with Les Productions Rivard, the National film Board of Canada Prairie Region and formerly with Credo Entertainment.

"Rosies of the North," (1999), a one-hour National Film Board production that tells the story of North America’s first woman aeronautical engineer and the women who build Hurricane and Hell diver airplanes during World War Two. "Rosies of the North" has been broadcast on on at least 8  channels in North America.

Kelly also directed, wrote, shot and edited the ninth episode of "Pioneer Quest, 'Survivors of the Real West'" a one-hour documentary for the Life Channel about two couples who return to the 21st century after having lived for a year as "pioneers" in the wilds of Manitoba.

Kelly also directed, wrote and edited the ninth episode of "Pioneer Quest, 'Survivors of the Real West'" a one-hour documentary for the Life Channel about two couples who return to the 21st century after having lived for a year as "pioneers" in the wilds of Manitoba.

As an editor, Kelly’s credits range from work on award winning dramas like the National Film Board’s: "For Angela" to the highly acclaimed: "Pioneer Quest: Life in the Real West" a series which set Canadian records for the number of viewers who tuned in, and has been sold into syndication around the world. Kelly has experience on a wide variety of documentary films and she has done the camera work on many of her own films and works in Spanish, French and English. She edited the French and English versions of: " L'appel du larg" and the  two hour docu-drama: “Le printemps des Voyageurs” shot on High Definition for TFO.

  She also edited “The Fatal Flower” a silent film shot originally in 1930, and finished by members of the film and video co-op “Flash Frame” of which she is a founding member and 2004-2005 chair. Kelly has conducted numerous workshops on funding for film, camera technique, editing, and the use of programs like Avid and Final Cut Pro. She has been instrumental in the organization of independent film screenings in Thunder Bay. She is a co-ordinator and founder of the Bay Street Film Festival which has just completed its 3rd year. The festival is run by volunteers and raises thousands of dollars for charity each year. She also volunteers as a consultant and crew member for emerging filmmakers in Thunder Bay. Most notably, she worked in several capacities on Piotr Skowronski’s drama “On the Rails in Red” and Dave Clement’s fiction film “The Remnant”.

Curriculum Vitae        

EDUCATION

Master of Arts in History, (University of Manitoba, 1989)    

Thesis: "Women and Power Structures in Cuba and Nicaragua"

Bachelor of Arts, (University of Manitoba, 1985)         

Major: English Literature

Languages:  Fluency in English, French and Spanish.                     

 FILM EXPERIENCE

 Film Director:

"Citoyens du Monde" six one-hour documentaries, Producer, Les Productions Rivard: TFO

“Seeking Bimaadiziiwin” 30 minute drama, Co-director/ Co-producer with Dave Clement, Shebandowan Films / Thunderstone Pictures.
“CSI Lunch Room” 7 minute short fiction, Shebandowan Films (In post-productions)
“Perogie Nation- The Broadway Somosa” Series Pilot for Shebandowan films Inc. Producer: Ron Harpelle
"Dorothea Mitchell: A Reel Pioneer" 50 minute documentary, Producer: Ron Harpelle, Shebandowan Films
"Voyageur Legacy: Our Story”/ Le printemps des voyageurs: la genèse (2005) 52 minute doc. french/english versions Producer: Les Productions Rivard Broadcaster: TFO
“Hinge of an Empire” (2005) 15 minute  High Definition
educational video for Old Fort William Historical Park  Producer: Les Productions Rivard
“Turning Points” – 14 part series, (2005)
Producer: Ron Davis, Ron Harpelle, Shebandowan Films  Inc. 180 minute content. Educational DVD for Ontario Health
“Bottoms Up” (2005) 7 minute short promotional video Shebandowan Films Inc, streamed on www.hoito.ca

"Letters from Karelia" (2004) 76 minute documentary filmed in Russia, Finland, Canada Producer: Joe MacDonald, National Film Board
76 minute Finnish version broadcast: YLE1 (Finland) 48 minute version broadcast History Television    (Best Documentary, Best Directing 2006 Blizzard Awards)    

"Banana Split" (2002) - 50 minute documentary

Directors: Kelly Saxberg, Ron Harpelle

Producer: Ron Harpelle, Shebandowan Films,

Broadcaster: Canadian Learning Television,

Distributor: Magic Lantern Communications.
Deborah Fletcher Award of Excellence in Filmmaking on International development" and Best Documentary - Latin American Environmental  Media Film Festival (2005).

"Pioneer Quest - (Episode Nine) ‘Survivors of the Real West’" (2001) 50 minute documentary

Producer Jamie Brown, Frantic Films,

Broadcaster the Life Channel

"Rosies of the North" (1999) 50 minute documentary

Producer: Joe MacDonald, National Film Board

Broadcaster: Canadian History Television, Women's Television Network, TVO, and several others.

"The Global Change Game" (1997) 5 minute Promotional Video

Distributor: Shebandowan Films

"Home birth: A Natural Choice" (1994) 23 minute documentary

Distributor: Magic Lantern Communications

"Cost of Production" (1992) 24 minute documentary

Directors: Kelly Saxberg, Rick Fisher

Distributor: Video Verite,

Broadcaster: Saskatchewan Cable Network
"Cost of Production" (1992) 24 minute doc Directors: Kelly Saxberg, Rick Fisher Distributor: Video Verite, Broadcaster: Saskatchewan Cable Network

"La Sopa" (1985) 14 minute documentary

Distributor: Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council

Documentary Film Editor:

“L’Ange de Budapest” (2006) one hour doc French/English versions
(in progress) Producer: Les Productions Rivard”           
Director: Marcel Collet Broadcaster:TV5

 “Les Printemps des Voyageurs” (2006) 2 x one hour High Definition Docudrama for TFO
Producer: Louis Paquin, Director: Jean Bourbonnais

"Letters from Karelia"  (2004) 76 minute documentary

Producer: Joe MacDonald, National Film Board

Director: Kelly Saxberg
Broadcaster: History Television, YLE (Finland)  

 “L’appel du large” (2004)  2 x 52 minute documentaries

Producer: Les Productions Rivard

Director: Pierre Chevrier

Broadcaster: Radio Canada

“Cruelty Call” (2004) co-editor  50 minute documentary

Producer/director: Andy Blicq

Broadcaster: CBC (2004)

 "Banana Split" (2002) - 50 minute

Producer: Ron Harpelle, Shebandowan Films

"Pioneer Quest (Episode Nine) ‘Survivors of the Real West’" (2000/2001) 50 minute.

Producer: Frantic Films
Director: Kelly Saxberg

Broadcaster: Life Network

 "Pioneer Quest "A year in the Real West" (Episodes 1-8) (2000/2001) 8x50 minute.

Documentary Television Series 8 one-hour Episodes

Producer: Credo Entertainment

Director: Andy Blicq

Broadcaster: Canadian History Television, PBS, APT, OPT

"Rosies of the North" (1999) 50 minute

Producer: Joe MacDonald, National Film Board

Broadcasters: Canadian History Television, Women's Television Network, TVO, Biography, Documentary, CBC, and several others. (4 nominations for 2000 Blizzard Awards)

"All Aboard" (1999) 40 minute 5 screen motion picture attraction with stereoscopic live action and animation, animatronic characters and special effects, edited on "Heavyworks."

Director: Derek Mazur

Producers: Credo Entertainment/West Sun/Manitoba Lotteries

 "XYukonZ" (1999 ) 50 minute (French Production)

Producer: Les Productions Rivard/Office national du film (ONF)/Radio Canada

Director Maurice Morin

 Broadcaster: Radio Canada

"Etienne Gaboury - Architecte" (1998) 53 minute (French Production)

Producers: Les Productions Rivard/ONF/Radio Canada

Director: Harvey Spak.

Award: Prix Pédagogie architecturale, XXIVe Festival international du film d'art et  Pédagogique de Paris, 2000.

 "Dolphin Reef" (1997) 50minute

Director: Karen Mazurkewich

Producer: Barna Alper Productions for "The Body_ Inside Stories"

"There Comes a Time" (1996) 24 minute

Directors: Elise Swerhone, Bonnie Dickie

Producer: Riverain Productions

"Baby and Me" (1995) Television Series, (Thirteen 30 minute Episodes)

Directors: Nancy Trites-Botkin, Leslie Oswald

Producer: Buffalo Gal Pictures

"The True Story of Linda M." (1995) 65 minute

Director: Norma Bailey

Producer: Joe MacDonald, National Film Board of Canada

"Homebirth: A Natural Choice" (1994) 23 minute

Directors: Kelly Saxberg, Carol Wenaus

Producer: Shebandowan/Kono Films

"Respect Yourself Protect Yourself" (1993) 24 minute

Director: Johanna Brand

Producer: Sabot Productions

"Cost of Production" (1992) 24 minute

Directors: Kelly Saxberg, Rick Fisher

Producer: Loud and Clear Productions

Broadcaster: Saskatchewan Cable Network

"Celmates" (1992) 13 minute

Director: Derek Mazur

Producer: Derek Mazur, NFB/Credo Group

"A Kind of Family" (1992) 53 minute

Director: Andrew Koster

Producer: Joe MacDonald, National Film Board of Canada

(Genie nomination for Best Short Documentary, 1992)

 "La Sopa" (1985) 14 min

Director: Kelly Saxberg

Producer: Shebandowan Films

Distributor: Manitoba InterFaith Immigration Council

Drama Editor:

“Seeking Bimaadiziiwin” (2007) 30 minute drama, Co-director/ Co-producer /co-editor with Dave Clement, Shebandowan Films / Thunderstone Pictures.
“Le Printemps des voyageurs” episode 1,2 (2005)
Docu-drama , French and english versions 2 x 52 minute HD productions    Director: Jean Bourbonnais  Producer: Louis Paquin, Les Productions Rivard
"Frugal" (2001) Drama 10 minute (French Production)

Directors: Noah Richaud, Matieu Ricordi

Producer; Louis Paquin, Les Productions Rivard,

Broadcaster: Radio Canada

"My Mother's Ghost" (1996) Drama 94 minute (Movie of the Week)

Director: Elise Swerhone

Producer: Credo Entertainment & Buffalo Gal Pictures.

"For Angela" (1993) 24 minute Drama.

Directors: Nancy Trites Botkin, Dan Prouty

Producer: Joe MacDoanld, National Film Board 

Award: Gemini - "Canada Award" 1995

Music and Promotional Video Editor:

“Hinge of an Empire” (2005) 15 minute  High Definition
educational video for Old Fort William Historical Park  Producer: Les Productions Rivard
"The Global Change Game"(1997) 5 minute Promotional Video

Producer: Shebandowan Films

"Manitobans in Motion" (1996) 12 minute Promotional video

Producers: Manitoba Motion Picture Industries Association MMPIA

"No Regrets" (1994)

Tom Jackson music video

Director: John Paiz Producer: Oak Street Music

Award: Blizzard - Best Video Music

 "The Edge of Grace" (1996)

Wyrd Sisters music video

Directors: Shawna Dempsey, Lori Millan

Producers: Buffalo Gals

Camera:

"La Sopa"
"Homebirth: A Natural Choice"
"Banana Split"
"Pioneer Quest (Episode Nine) ‘Survivors of the Real West’"
Recreating Eden (series) “La Maison Verte”
"Dorothea Mitchell: A Reel Pioneer"
"Voyageur Legacy: Our Story”/ Le printemps des voyageurs: la genèse

Production Manager / Interpreter / Researcher:

“Citoyen du Monde” Research in India, Latina America and Canada
"Letters from Karelia" Research conducted in Canada, Russia and Finland

"Banana Split"  Research and production in Honduras and France.

"The Pill" a NFB/CBC, production in Puerto Rico (production manager, researcher, Spanish interpreter and interviewer)  for "Nature of Things" episode on the history of the Birth Control Pill
"Rosies of the North" Research conducted in Canada

"Tropical Rainforest" an IMAX film shot in Costa Rica, (interpreter and production assistant) directed by Ben Shedd and the winner of a Silver Medal for Documentaries at the New York Film Festival in 1993.

Other Film Experience:

Over twenty other film credits beyond that of director or editor as either Script Assistant/Continuity, Sound Editor, Assistant Editor, Assistant Sound Editor, Production Assistant, interpreter/translator, researcher, writer, and consultant.

Broadcast Experience:

CBC Radio - radio pack "The Disappearance of Toivo Siistonen" for  "This Morning."

- Broadcast: July 2000

CBC Radio - 31 minute documentary "Rosies of the North" for "This Morning."

- Broadcast: December 1997, January, August 1998

CBC Radio (Thunder Bay) May 1997 - June 1999

- Freelance reporter / Editor (Tape available on request)

- Current affairs reports for local programming and syndication

CKY-TV News (CTV affiliate), Winnipeg, (September 1985 to May 1986)

- Part-time video editor and camera for news and sports

CBC-TV Winnipeg, (May to September 1985 )

- Summer relief French and English studios

CKY-TV News (1982-1985) Winnipeg,

- Video Editing and Sound Recording for weekend news

CKY-TV News (CTV affiliate), Winnipeg, (1980 to 1985)

- Part-time technician for local and national productions.

Publications

"A Hitchhikers_Guide to the Super Highway," (Specialty Channel hearings and the CRTC), TV World, (June 1994).

"New Dance Steps," (Commercial production in Canada), Canada on Location, (Spring 1994).

"Women and Children at the Backdoor," (NAFTA and women in Guatemala's Maquiladora industries), Canadian Dimension, (March 1993).

"NAFTA in the Zocalo," (Interviews with Mexicans about NAFTA), Canadian Dimension, (March 1993).