About Meow Films
 Gurbeen Bhasin, President/Producer
For the past two decades, Gurbeen has dedicated her life to studying and practicing International Relations and Social Policy - which led her to film and communications. Her first film was made as a policy piece to change the educational system in juvenile prisons. She pitched this film to Senate and eventually Congress and was able to receive enough funding to revamp the entire educational delivery mechanism within the juvenile system. This inspired her to continue creating films that raise social awareness and call viewers into action. She started Meow Films in 2005 and has helped create more than a dozen films that move, touch and inspire audiences. She has also produced the Festival of Storytelling and added theatre productions to her repertoire. Additionally, she has focused her efforts on creating supportive and collaborative community for independent artists through founding ~Night at the Indies~ which was launched in 2006 in Toronto and in 2008 in Vancouver. As an artist herself, she hopes that artists can work collectively to produce multiple revenue streams so they can continue to be independent as they create! Her belief is that healthy communication is the foundation for a happy and fulfilling life.
 Rozette Ghadery, Director of Photography
A seasoned filmmaker, Rozette has worked for more than 11 years as a freelance cinematographer. She has honed her skills shooting television series, news and current affairs, hundreds of sporting events and over 300 documentaries of which many have received various awards in domestic and foreign international film festivals. She is also a professional photographer and many of her photographs which have been solicited by many non-mainstream galleries. Rozette has traveled extensively and shot films internationally including Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.
 Karine Silverwoman
Karine Silverwoman is an artist, counselor and community activist Her art focuses on poetry, video making and dancing. She has worked with Nightwood Theatre and performed her poetry at different events in Toronto such as Mayworks festival. Her video, 'Hello, My Name is Herman' won "best-liked video” audience award, and received an honorable mention for jury selected best short videos at the Toronto Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. ‘Hello, My Name Is Herman’ was short listed for the Iris Prize in Wales (www.irisprize.org) and has screened in many festivals such as the New York and San Francisco Gay and Lesbian film festivals. She works as a counselor at Women’s Counseling Education Referral Centre (WREC) and for Supporting Our Youth as the ‘Pink Ink’ facilitator, a creative writing group for queer youth. She is also currently taking her degree in social work at Ryerson University. AND meow...
 Dawn Wilkinson, Writer/Director/Producer
Dawn Wilkinson is a graduate of U of T and the CFC Director’s Lab and Short Film Program. She has directed music videos and short films including Girls Who Say Yes (00), Instant Dread (98) and Dandelions (95). Dawn was the apprentice to Norman Jewison on The Hurricane and to Ernest Dickerson on Our America. Dawn’s first feature Devotion (05) won The 2004 Tony Stoltz Completion Award and The 2005 Star! Audience Award at the Reel World Film Festival and Best Feature at the San Francisco Urban Kids Film Festival. Devotion had its TV premiere in the US on the Black Family Channel. Dawn is the associate producer on the NFB’s Filmmaker In Residence Project and she is developing a TV series with Barna Alper. Dawn is a member of the WGC.
 Rebecca Rodrigues, Graphic Designer
Rebecca Rodrigues is a student designer currently studying at the University of Toronto and Sheridan Institute of Technology. She has been working as a designer with Meow Films since September 2007. Rebecca wishes to pursue this career in graphic design and also hopes to expand her animation skills within the next few years. An avid photographer, Rebecca enjoys experimenting with different media and subject matter through the visual arts. As an activist for many environmental and social organizations, Rebecca hopes to use her talent for a greater cause than simply becoming well known.
 Seema Bathija Sabnani
Seema Bathija Sabnani is an artist, performer, and activist. She has worked in various mediums from choreographing Indian fusion dance to writing and directing a play for Apna Ghar, a South Asian Domestic Violence Agency in Chicago. Currently, Seema is working on several projects. She is collaborating to produce a documentary and public service announcement on the dangers of streetcar racing. She is the Program Advisor for the CFC Media Lab and has hosted CFC MEDIA LAB EXHIBITION 2007: DIGITAL ALCHEMY as part of Nuit Blanche at the Lennox Contemporary. Lastly, she is working to expand a space with Night at the Indies for artists in various mediums to show their work. Community and collaboration play an important role in her career. From starting an Adult Education Center in Harlem to teaching history at an all Girls School in New Delhi, her endeavors span various countries and promote global kinships. She is on the Board for a youth led theatre/activist organization, YGTA. Seema has her Bachelors in International Community Development from University of Illinois and Masters in Education from Fordham University in NY.
 Debra McGraw
Debra McGraw is an incredible organizer. Her skills in bringing projects to life are remarkable. Her background in English literature has inspired her to be involved in the arts community and bring artists and their supported together to celebrate the creative process. As a writer she hopes to bring awareness around issues of community and well being to the public.
Grace Chang, Website Admin
Grace Chang currently works for VisionTV and volunteers her time at Meow Films / Aangen as the website administrator. She graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2002 with a Bachelor's degree in Science but is considering to take programs in web design. She has a passion for working on websites and is very creative and diligent. She enjoys hanging out with friends and loves watching films.
 Adam Zivojinovi
Adam Zivojinovic is a student filmmaker who specializes in experimental film. He hopes to expand the boundaries of what film means to people, broadening horizons and bringing new perspectives. Proficient in photography and poetry as well, he intends to add the art of music composition to his repertoire. A bohemian at heart, he hopes to never become the director who cares only to make a blockbuster and nothing more.
|
