Jennifer Podemski

Jennifer Podemski is a film and television producer, director, writer, and actor born and raised in Toronto, Canada. Of mixed First Nations and Israeli descent, Podemski began her acting career as a teenager, gaining momentum with her role as Pique in CBC's "The Diviners," followed by a starring role in Bruce McDonald's "Dance Me Outside."

As her on-screen career developed, Podemski observed a lack of First Nations representation behind the camera. Although she was cast in First Nations roles, she seldom encountered First Nations writers, producers, or directors.

By age 25, Podemski established her first production company, Big Soul Productions, with producer Laura Milliken. Big Soul Productions became the first Aboriginal-owned and operated full-service production company in Canada, producing hundreds of hours of television, including three seasons of the dramatic series "Moccasin Flats" for Showcase and APTN.

Podemski later founded Redcloud Studios Inc., continuing her work in Indigenous storytelling and media production. She has maintained a 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 also starred in her own film, "Empire of Dirt," for which she received Canadian Screen Award nominations for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Best Feature Film as producer. "Empire of Dirt" premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and had a theatrical release in Canada, continuing to screen at film festivals internationally.

Podemski is the creator and producer of APTN's paranormal series "The Other Side," which ran for five seasons, and served as co-executive producer and creative director of the Indspire Awards for Global and APTN. Her documentary series Future History on APTN earned her a Canadian Screen Award for Best Director, Factual.

Podemski founded The Shine Network Institute, a national Indigenous-led not-for-profit organization providing professional development, advocacy, and mentorship for Indigenous women in the film, television, and media sector. She co-created and served as showrunner for the Crave and APTN limited drama series "Little Bird," which explores the legacy of the Sixties Scoop. The series received the Audience Award at Series Mania Festival, the MIPCOM Cannes Diversify TV Excellence Award for Representation of Race and Ethnicity – Scripted, and the Canadian Screen Award for Best Drama Series. Podemski has been recognized as ACTRA National Woman of the Year and has received the Academy Board of Directors' Tribute Award and the August Schellenberg Award of Excellence at imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival.

Podemski continues to support Indigenous youth in film and television through training, mentorship, and self-esteem workshops across the United States and Canada.