Deirdre Leowinata (she/her) is a multimedia creator and story facilitator based in Wai Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum, and Homalco territory in coastal British Columbia. Her work focuses on our complex and dynamic relationships with other species and the places we inhabit. With a foundation in science and a strong technical skillset, she pairs stunning visuals with deep personal narratives to create stories that stir empathy and understanding and amplify the voices of underrepresented ecosystems, organisms, and communities using film, photography, and written word. Deirdre’s underwater and terrestrial natural history work has been featured in international blue-chip series and her stories and images have supported local and international non-profit organizations, journalists, indigenous Nations, and myriad incredible individuals working towards a brighter collective future. Her first mid-length project, Keepers of the Land, a joint project with the Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation, was a finalist in the Jackson Wild Media Awards and won a Special Jury Mention at the Banff Mountain Film Festival. She founded Moonfish Media with her partner Tavish Campbell in 2021.
The 21st century is a media-saturated environment, with the attention economy pulling each of us in an infinite number of directions. As storymakers in this age of rapidly-evolving technology we have more information at our fingertips than ever before and the barriers to access are lower than ever. Given these factors, what makes a film “successful” today, and how can we use the process of making films to create meaningful positive impact on our local and global communities? Join for a discussion of how film can be used to empower others and facilitate a brighter collective future.