A series of presentations focused on diversity and inclusion.
Co-produced with Women in Animation Vancouver.
This program will be available to stream on Sunday, 31 October. Tickets will go on sale then.
Women In Animation Vancouver (WIA) present a focused discussion on personal experiences from diverse talent in the entertainment industry. Joining us will be members and active allies of the BIPOC community speaking on their unique journey in front and behind the camera.
SPEAKERS
Darrell Dennis (he/him)
Actor, Writer, Comedian // Independent
(Guilt Free Zone, Blackstone, Open Heart)
As an Indigenous actor, producer, writer, comedian and director, Darrell Dennis has had an inspiring career spanning over 25 years in film and television. Vancouver-born and raised; Darrell began his career with one of the lead roles playing Brian Potter in CBC’s hit drama Northwood.
Darrell’s feature film adaptation of Tales was one of 13 international screenplays accepted to the prestigious Sundance Screenwriters Lab. A T.V. pilot based on Tales was also produced and broadcast on the Aboriginal People’s Television Network and credited as Executive Producer on show.
As a director, Darrell directed every single episode of The Guilt Free Zone on APTN, for 2 seasons as well as being head writer and lead cast member. Recently, Darrell’s feature film adaptation of Tales of an Urban Indian received production funding from Telefilm with Darrell as the director.
Currently, Darrell is a writer on the CBC-developed series Little Bird, which has just partnered with Netflix and will air on APTN in 2022. He is also the showrunner and writer of the Super Channel funded series Hilary For Hire and lives in Los Angeles.
Website // IMDb // Twitter // Instagram
Brenda Crichlow (she/her)
Owner, Acting Coach, Instructor // Crichlow Actors' Studio Inc.
(The Christmas Book, Maid, The 27-Hour Day, The Baker's Son)
Brenda Crichlow is a classically trained actor, voice-over actor and experienced acting and dialect coach.
Born and raised in Vancouver, she graduated from Langara’s Studio 58 and quickly began a successful on-screen career. Brenda has over 20 film credits to her name including Home Invasion, Electra Woman & Dyna Girl, Elf, Flicka 2, Fantastic Four, and The Lazarus Child to name a few.
Her small-screen credits include Web of Lies, To Have and to Hold, Dead Zone, iZombie for CW, Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce for Bravo, Exes and Ohs for Mina Shum’s mini-series on MTV and A Million Little Things for ABC as well as numerous Hallmark productions.
Perhaps best known for her voice-over work as Zecora on My Little Pony, she also boasts many other voiceover animation credits such as Sunfire Queen in The Dragon Prince series, Auntie Hannah in Barbie & Her Sisters and as Barton in Under Wraps.
Within this vast career span, Brenda created and managed the very successful Crichlow Actors Studio where she taught the art of performance to an up-and-coming generation. She has also worked alongside top talent as a dialect coach on projects such as A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Website // IMDb // Twitter // LinkedIn
Prem Gill (she/her)
CEO // Creative BC
Prem Gill is Chief Executive Officer of Creative BC. The organization is designated by the Province of British Columbia to focus on uniting, sustaining and growing British Columbia’s dynamic and diverse creative sector including motion picture, music and sound recording, interactive and digital media, and magazine and book publishing.
Prem has been named one of Canada's 100 most powerful women, Vancouver Magazine’s “Power 50” and received the Community Catalyst award from the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. She brings more than 20 years of experience from the digital media and entertainment industries to her current role as CEO, where she is responsible for delivering a wide range of programs and services that will expand B.C.’s creative economy to reach its economic, social and creative potential both at home and globally.
Before Creative BC, Prem spent eight years with TELUS, most recently in the role of Director of Production & Original Programming. Her commitment to the advancement of B.C.’s creative economy can be seen through her achievements there, including the successful development and launch of the STORYHIVE program and TELUS’ Optik TV community channel.
For many years, Prem has championed Canadian creativity as a representative and spokesperson to media, industry and government at all levels. Previous roles and responsibilities have included government and regulatory affairs, independent media consultation, cross-platform marketing, communications, research, public affairs and multicultural programming. Prem is currently on the Board of Directors of The Bell Fund, a not-for-profit organization. The Bell Fund’s mission is to support Canadian Media content makers in creating for and connecting with audiences here and everywhere.
Website // Twitter // LinkedIn
MODERATOR
Aamer Haleem (he/him)
Writer // Independent
(Random Tropical Paradise, Night Visions, Cold Squad)
Born in England, raised in Canada and now living in the U.S., the passports have really come in handy when it comes to reuniting bands around the world or hosting three-hour morning shows and reporting live from red carpets. Aamer Haleem is an exceptional host who has interviewed everyone from Madonna to Eminem, politicians to influential industry leaders.
He’s worked for CTV, CBC, Sundance Channel and VH1 / MTV Networks. Aamer has also hosted countless panel discussions over the years and is looking forward to moderating conversations around "Widening Our Lens” with Women in Animation at the Spark Animation Festival.
Aamer has recently branched out to writing and hopes that he's managed to script a couple of your future favourite shows. He lives in sunny Los Angeles with his wife and writer’s desk.
Website // IMDb // Twitter // Instagram // LinedIn
ORGANIZERS
Candice Dermo (she/her)
Candice has worked in the digital space for over a decade, supporting teams in the fields of marketing and advertising before focusing on the gaming industry.
Within those realms has been a common effort in managing events, engaging teams, and fostering positive studio culture. Currently a Production Coordinator at Electronic Arts, Candice supports EA Create’s Art, Audio and Operation teams. She is a Regional Steering Committee member of EA’s Women’s Ultimate Team and a board member for the Vancouver Chapter of Women in Animation. Through those roles, Candice is actively engaged in many D&I initiatives and ERG activities and is grateful for the privilege to further expand on building meaningful experiences that promote connection, community, and inclusivity.
Melissa Anderson (she/her)
Melissa Anderson has worked in the Vancouver film and television industry for over 25 yrs.
She started her career in live-action as an Assistant Director, for various independent films, MOW's and television series such as Gene Roddenberry's: Andromeda and the L-Word. She was also part of the
visual effects production team at Keystone Entertainment on the Air Buddies franchise. She made the transition to CG Animation in 2011, and is currently a Supervising Producer at Mainframe Studios.
Most recently, she joined the Vancouver Chapter board of Women in Animation, where she is grateful for the opportunity to give back by collaborating with such accomplished and inspiring individuals,
mentoring the future of the industry.
Roula Lainas (she/her)
Roula has spent over 25 years in the post-production and visual effects industry in areas that include producing, sales, marketing and business development for film, television, commercials and gaming cinematic projects for several markets including Latin America.
More recently, she has joined the virtual production realm as Marketing & Business Development Executive for Versatile Media. She has been part of the Women in Animation board for Programs for 3 years where she has had the honour of working alongside talented and strong individuals making a real difference for our entertainment sector.
A series of presentations focused on diversity and inclusion.
Co-produced with Women in Animation Vancouver.
This program will be available to stream on Sunday, 31 October. Tickets will go on sale then.
Women In Animation Vancouver (WIA) present a focused discussion on personal experiences from diverse talent in the entertainment industry. Joining us will be members and active allies of the BIPOC community speaking on their unique journey in front and behind the camera.
SPEAKERS
Darrell Dennis (he/him)
Actor, Writer, Comedian // Independent
(Guilt Free Zone, Blackstone, Open Heart)
As an Indigenous actor, producer, writer, comedian and director, Darrell Dennis has had an inspiring career spanning over 25 years in film and television. Vancouver-born and raised; Darrell began his career with one of the lead roles playing Brian Potter in CBC’s hit drama Northwood.
Darrell’s feature film adaptation of Tales was one of 13 international screenplays accepted to the prestigious Sundance Screenwriters Lab. A T.V. pilot based on Tales was also produced and broadcast on the Aboriginal People’s Television Network and credited as Executive Producer on show.
As a director, Darrell directed every single episode of The Guilt Free Zone on APTN, for 2 seasons as well as being head writer and lead cast member. Recently, Darrell’s feature film adaptation of Tales of an Urban Indian received production funding from Telefilm with Darrell as the director.
Currently, Darrell is a writer on the CBC-developed series Little Bird, which has just partnered with Netflix and will air on APTN in 2022. He is also the showrunner and writer of the Super Channel funded series Hilary For Hire and lives in Los Angeles.
Website // IMDb // Twitter // Instagram
Brenda Crichlow (she/her)
Owner, Acting Coach, Instructor // Crichlow Actors' Studio Inc.
(The Christmas Book, Maid, The 27-Hour Day, The Baker's Son)
Brenda Crichlow is a classically trained actor, voice-over actor and experienced acting and dialect coach.
Born and raised in Vancouver, she graduated from Langara’s Studio 58 and quickly began a successful on-screen career. Brenda has over 20 film credits to her name including Home Invasion, Electra Woman & Dyna Girl, Elf, Flicka 2, Fantastic Four, and The Lazarus Child to name a few.
Her small-screen credits include Web of Lies, To Have and to Hold, Dead Zone, iZombie for CW, Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce for Bravo, Exes and Ohs for Mina Shum’s mini-series on MTV and A Million Little Things for ABC as well as numerous Hallmark productions.
Perhaps best known for her voice-over work as Zecora on My Little Pony, she also boasts many other voiceover animation credits such as Sunfire Queen in The Dragon Prince series, Auntie Hannah in Barbie & Her Sisters and as Barton in Under Wraps.
Within this vast career span, Brenda created and managed the very successful Crichlow Actors Studio where she taught the art of performance to an up-and-coming generation. She has also worked alongside top talent as a dialect coach on projects such as A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Website // IMDb // Twitter // LinkedIn
Prem Gill (she/her)
CEO // Creative BC
Prem Gill is Chief Executive Officer of Creative BC. The organization is designated by the Province of British Columbia to focus on uniting, sustaining and growing British Columbia’s dynamic and diverse creative sector including motion picture, music and sound recording, interactive and digital media, and magazine and book publishing.
Prem has been named one of Canada's 100 most powerful women, Vancouver Magazine’s “Power 50” and received the Community Catalyst award from the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. She brings more than 20 years of experience from the digital media and entertainment industries to her current role as CEO, where she is responsible for delivering a wide range of programs and services that will expand B.C.’s creative economy to reach its economic, social and creative potential both at home and globally.
Before Creative BC, Prem spent eight years with TELUS, most recently in the role of Director of Production & Original Programming. Her commitment to the advancement of B.C.’s creative economy can be seen through her achievements there, including the successful development and launch of the STORYHIVE program and TELUS’ Optik TV community channel.
For many years, Prem has championed Canadian creativity as a representative and spokesperson to media, industry and government at all levels. Previous roles and responsibilities have included government and regulatory affairs, independent media consultation, cross-platform marketing, communications, research, public affairs and multicultural programming. Prem is currently on the Board of Directors of The Bell Fund, a not-for-profit organization. The Bell Fund’s mission is to support Canadian Media content makers in creating for and connecting with audiences here and everywhere.
Website // Twitter // LinkedIn
MODERATOR
Aamer Haleem (he/him)
Writer // Independent
(Random Tropical Paradise, Night Visions, Cold Squad)
Born in England, raised in Canada and now living in the U.S., the passports have really come in handy when it comes to reuniting bands around the world or hosting three-hour morning shows and reporting live from red carpets. Aamer Haleem is an exceptional host who has interviewed everyone from Madonna to Eminem, politicians to influential industry leaders.
He’s worked for CTV, CBC, Sundance Channel and VH1 / MTV Networks. Aamer has also hosted countless panel discussions over the years and is looking forward to moderating conversations around "Widening Our Lens” with Women in Animation at the Spark Animation Festival.
Aamer has recently branched out to writing and hopes that he's managed to script a couple of your future favourite shows. He lives in sunny Los Angeles with his wife and writer’s desk.
Website // IMDb // Twitter // Instagram // LinedIn
ORGANIZERS
Candice Dermo (she/her)
Candice has worked in the digital space for over a decade, supporting teams in the fields of marketing and advertising before focusing on the gaming industry.
Within those realms has been a common effort in managing events, engaging teams, and fostering positive studio culture. Currently a Production Coordinator at Electronic Arts, Candice supports EA Create’s Art, Audio and Operation teams. She is a Regional Steering Committee member of EA’s Women’s Ultimate Team and a board member for the Vancouver Chapter of Women in Animation. Through those roles, Candice is actively engaged in many D&I initiatives and ERG activities and is grateful for the privilege to further expand on building meaningful experiences that promote connection, community, and inclusivity.
Melissa Anderson (she/her)
Melissa Anderson has worked in the Vancouver film and television industry for over 25 yrs.
She started her career in live-action as an Assistant Director, for various independent films, MOW's and television series such as Gene Roddenberry's: Andromeda and the L-Word. She was also part of the
visual effects production team at Keystone Entertainment on the Air Buddies franchise. She made the transition to CG Animation in 2011, and is currently a Supervising Producer at Mainframe Studios.
Most recently, she joined the Vancouver Chapter board of Women in Animation, where she is grateful for the opportunity to give back by collaborating with such accomplished and inspiring individuals,
mentoring the future of the industry.
Roula Lainas (she/her)
Roula has spent over 25 years in the post-production and visual effects industry in areas that include producing, sales, marketing and business development for film, television, commercials and gaming cinematic projects for several markets including Latin America.
More recently, she has joined the virtual production realm as Marketing & Business Development Executive for Versatile Media. She has been part of the Women in Animation board for Programs for 3 years where she has had the honour of working alongside talented and strong individuals making a real difference for our entertainment sector.
