Actor, film & television producer Jennifer Podemski sits down with her sister Sarah to share her story…
We are pleased to be able to offer you this video on Jennifer Podemski’s Canadian film journey in an interview setting with her sister Sarah Podemski, also a talented actor and producer.
In the video Jennifer gives us a glimpse into her story from both in front of and behind the camera, covering her first inspirations, mentors, and the many stepping stones that have brought her to where she is today. She has inspired and trained many indigenous youth in film and television over the years and contributes greatly to many stories we have enjoyed on the big and small screen. Enjoy!
To continue the conversation with Jennifer and Sarah you can follow them on social at: @jenniferpodemski @_sarahpodemski_
Some suggested viewing:
EMPIRE OF DIRT
(99 min., Canada, 2013)
Director: Peter Stebbings | Producer: Jennifer Podemski
Can view on Prime Video, Fandor, iTunes
JENNIFER PODEMSKI
Actor, Writer, Producer, Director
Jennifer Podemski is an award-winning Film and Television Producer and Actor born and raised in Toronto, Canada.
Of mixed Anishinaabe (First Nation) and Ashkenazi (Jewish) decent, Jennifer began performing as a child and continued to hone her skills at Earl Haig’s High School of Performing Arts in Toronto. Her career in front of the camera blossomed when she was 19 and cast as Pique in CBC’s The Diviners. The following year she won the starring female role in Bruce McDonald’s Dance Me Outside.
At 25, a long list of credits and awards under her belt, Jennifer grew frustrated by the lack of Indigenous representation behind the camera. Although all of the roles she was awarded as actor were Indigenous characters, she rarely, if ever, saw any Indigenous writers, producers or directors. In 1999 she met Laura Milliken, an aspiring producer and together they launched Big Soul Productions, a full-service film and television production company. In her 6 years with Big Soul Productions, Jennifer and Laura produced hundreds of hours of broadcast television. From documentary series to the award winning, multi-season, all Indigenous dramatic television series Moccasin Flats for Showcase Television and APTN.
In 2005, Jennifer branched out on her own and founded Redcloud Studios Inc.
For the past 30 years Jennifer has maintained a successful career as an actor, with roles in Degrassi TNG, Republic of Doyle, Take This Waltz, Blackstone, Hard Rock Medical, Cardinal, she is most proud of her starring role in her own film Empire of Dirt which was nominated for 5 Canadian Screen Awards in 2015 including Best Actress (Cara Gee), Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Podemski), Best Editing (Jorge Weisz), Best Film (Jennifer Podemski) and a win for Best Screenplay (Shannon Masters). Empire of Dirt premiered at TIFF 2014 and continued to a theatrical release in Canada and is still travelling the world on the film festival circuit.
SARAH PODEMSKI
Actor, Producer
Sarah Podemski is an Israeli/Indigenous performer born and raised in Toronto. Her most notable television credits include, CBC’s THE BORDER, APTN’S “CASHING IN”, Netflix Original “BETWEEN” and most recently, Amazon’s “TIN STAR”. Film credits include, TIFF selection, EMPIRE OF DIRT, and Sterlin Harjo’s, MEKKO which Sarah won a Best Supporting Actress award for at the American Indian Film Festival in 2015. Sarah currently has multiple projects in development, with a focus on Indigenous narratives, and improving the representation of Indigenous creatives in the Canadian entertainment industry. Most recently Sarah starred in “Love Alaska” filmed in Barrie for Super Channel. And you can she her in SYFY’s new comedy series, “Resident Alien” coming out this fall!
A Special THANK YOU to Jennifer and Sarah for their generosity and time!
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