Jennifer Podemski

Jennifer Podemski is an award-winning Film and Television Producer and Actor born and raised in Toronto, Canada.

Of mixed First Nations and Israeli decent, Podemski began her acting career as a teen. Her career blossomed when she was cast as Pique in CBC's "The Diviners" followed by a starring role in Bruce McDonald's "Dance Me Outside."

As her career in front of the camera exploded, Podemski began to notice the inequity behind the lens. Although all of the roles she was awarded as actor were First Nations characters, she rarely, if ever, saw any First Nations writers, producers or directors.

By 25, and a solid career under her belt, Podemski opened her first production company, Big Soul Productions with fellow, burgeoning, producer Laura Milliken. BSP became the first Aboriginal owned and operated, full service production company in Canada, producing hundreds of hours of television including three seasons of the award winning Dramatic Series Moccasin Flats for Showcase and APTN.

In 2005, Podemski branched out on her own and founded Redcloud Studios Inc.

Although Podemski has maintained a successful career as an actor, with roles in "Degrassi," "Republic of Doyle," Sarah Polley's "Take This Waltz," and "Jimmy P" alongside Benicio Del Toro; She is most proud of her starring role in her own film "Empire of Dirt" for which she was nominated for two Canadian Screen Awards for Best Actress in a Supporting Role as well as Best Feature Film for her work as producer. "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.

Podemski is also the creator and producer of APTN's famed paranormal series "The Other Side," currently shooting it's second season; in her 9th year as Co Executive Producer and Creative Director of the Indspire Awards (Global, APTN) for which she was nominated for Best Lifestyle Television Show at the 2014 CSA's.

A storyteller behind and in front of the camera, Jennifer still makes time for training aboriginal youth in film and tv, mentoring and holding self esteem workshops across the US and Canada.