March 2004

The multi-faceted career of Jennifer Podemski (Saulteaux) incorporates, filmmaking, acting, and training. In 1999 Podemski and producer Laura Milliken founded Big Soul Productions in Toronto. Their creative output includes a television series, documentaries, music videos, and narrative film. Podemski facilitates repREZentin' production workshops for Native youth throughout Canada, developing short films for broadcast on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. As an actor Podemski has had leading roles in Blood River and Dance Me Outside. For The Rez, she won Best Actress at Dreamspeakers Aboriginal Film Festival and the American Indian Film Festival and the 1996 James Buller Award for Female Performer of the Year.

"I believe that a film production environment is a great place to learn, it enhances your people skills and communication skills. I love being part of a team and working towards a common goal, whether I'm acting, writing, producing, or pulling cable. There is nothing more rewarding in the professional world."

"Nothing I do seems worth it if I can't use what I know and pass it on to the youth. That's what inspired me to live my dream: learning from people whom I related to and who inspired me. I have had so many wonderful teachers, and I believe that it is my job to give back."

Screened by NMAI

• Moccasin Flats: Whose Team Are You On? (2005) co-creator, co-executive producer
• Moccasin Flats: The Other Side (2005) co-creator, co-executive producer
• I'm a Lucky One (2003) co-executive producer
• Moccasin Flats (2003) co-executive producer, producer
• Music Is the Medicine (2003) co-executive producer
• The Seventh Generation (2002) producer, co-director, co-host
  
• Blood River (2000) actor

Image credit: Jennifer Podemski - courtesy of the filmmaker.

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