If We Spoke Film

20/03/2024

This Albertan short is now in the public domain! Featuring Jim Leyden and Deedra Salange Ladouceur. Also presenting Peter Strand Rumpel, Liese Mclaren, Medina Dennie (nudge Lilly Monsterr), Teresa Byrne and Ivy K Wong.

Hitting the online circuit throughout the pandemic furloughs, all cast and crew (from pre-prod to post) were also acknowledged through the following awards:

The 2022 Semi-Finalist at the International Cosmopolitan Film Festival of Tokyo
2022 Scripted Nomination for the Golden Sheaf Award at the Yorktown Film Festival
2021 Best Social Justice Short at the Calgary Independent Film Festival
2021 Official Selection at Central Alberta Film Festival
2021 Official Selection at Toronto Lift-Off Film Festival
2020 Honourable Mention at the Phoenix Monthly Short Film Festival

You are all free to share your own copies (or this low-res one). Many thanks again to Herland and Telus STORYHIVE!

29/03/2022

Nominated for the Yorkton Film Festival Golden Sheaf Award in the Scripted category!

This Albertan short features Jim Leyden and Deedra Salange Ladouceur. Also presenting Peter Strand Rumpel, Liese Mclaren, Medina Dennie, Teresa Byrne and Ivy K Wong.

A great big shout out to Herland and Telus Storyhive for making it possible.

A lot of fantastic people came together to create this film. Congrats to all the cast and crew!

03/11/2021

If We Spoke is a Semi-Finalist for Best Social Justice Short at the Calgary Independent Film Festival 2021!

This distinctly Albertan short features principal actors Jim Leyden and Deedra Salange Ladouceur. Also presenting Peter Strand Rumpel, Liese Mclaren, Medina Dennie, Teresa Byrne and Ivy K Wong

A great big thanks to Herland and our sponsor Telus Storyhive.

Congrats to all the cast and crew!

06/09/2021

If We Spoke is an Official Selection at the Central Alberta Film Festival! If you're in or around Red Deer this October why not see it on the big screen?

This Albertan story represents inter-generational and community divisions in our political landscape that are seemingly rendered invisible. Especially around election time? Featuring Jim Leyden and Deedra Salange Ladouceur. Also presenting Peter Strand Rumpel, Liese Mclaren, Medina Dennie, Teresa Byrne and Ivy K Wong.

A great big thanks to Herland and our sponsor Telus Storyhive.

Congrats to all the cast and crew!

14/07/2021

It's been awhile since we last updated everyone but today we have some exciting news: if we spoke has been nominated for Best Live Action Short at the Toronto Lift-Off Film Festival!

Self produced with Herland, and sponsored by Telus Storyhive, this Albertan story stars Jim Leyden and Deedra Salange Ladouceur. Also presenting Peter Strand Rumpel, Liese Mclaren, Medina Dennie, Teresa Byrne and Ivy K Wong.

Congrats to all the cast and crew!

18/01/2021

Aw, well we didn't secure the best Social Justice / Impact spot in Toronto's annual Phoenix Short Film Festival.

But we do get to sport our Honorable Mention laurel forevermore!

Congratulations to the cast and crew on our first award. You deserve the big arsed pat on the back :)

04/01/2021

If We Spoke has been selected for this month’s screening at the Toronto Phoenix Short Film Festival. That means our little Alberta premised story will compete for best Social Justice/Impact short in the annual festival line-up. First steps :) Congrats to the whole cast and crew!

See the teaser here: https://youtu.be/QmmBtqkG8QE

06/12/2020

New poster :)

A reminder that you can see the trailer here: https://youtu.be/QmmBtqkG8QE

Hope you are all keeping well out there in pandemic-world!

Social distance, wash your hands, and wear a mask. We'll get through this. We will.

30/10/2020

Thanks to everyone who make it out to the drive-in last week. So great to see all the Herland films on the big screen! Stay tuned for upcoming viewing opportunities...

18/10/2020

Herland is hosting the premiere screening of If We Spoke! Come see the fruits of our labours along side other pieces by women identifying filmmakers next Thursday, October 22, at 7pm. We'll be at the High River Sunset Drive-in.

Registration is per vehicle (not per person) so carpool where ever it's safe and comfortable to do so. Dress warm, bring your own snacks, and enjoy an hour of short stories from local (Calgary) talent!:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/herlands-2020-workshop-screening-tickets-125230340319

Come celebrate Herland's 2020 workshop participants and films!

27/09/2020

22/09/2020

The Trailer is out!!!

Check it out and more about the film on the website: https://ifwespokefilm.wixsite.com/pduquette/media

21/09/2020

Nina Staum | Editing Mentor at Herland - Thank YOU!

Nina has a diploma in TV production from SAIT, and has been working in television and post-production for the past 20 years. She enjoys variety and working in many disciplines: drama, documentary, commercials and branded content. Recent projects include episodes of The Other Side (APTN,) and Red Letter Day, a feature-length microbudget thriller. Nina's home base is Bamboo Shoots where she works as a staff editor. She is passionate about creating opportunities for women in the industry and has been a facilitator with Herland workshops since the early 2000s.

21/09/2020

Sandi Somers - Writing & Directing Mentor/Creative Director fo Herland

[If We Spoke Film-Mentor] - Many Thanks!

Sandi’s films have screened at festivals worldwide such as the Paris Le***an International Film Festival, Los Angeles New Waves, Melbourne Underground International Film Festival, St. John’s Women’s Festival and the Calgary and Edmonton International Film Festivals. With over 70 films and 40 nominations for her films, Sandi continues to create thought-provoking works in various genres. Recent projects include directing CBC’s Digital Original Series, ‘Hudson’, writing and directing a Telus Original digital series, ‘Realization’ and working on her second feature, ‘Hailey Rose’ which was part of the NSI’s Features First Program in 2018.

Sandi’s work often revolves around challenges within human nature and discovery of truth, while addressing themes of connection. ICE BLUE (103 mins, 2017) her feature film directorial debut, opened to a sold out house at the CIFF and played festivals such as the LA Femme Film Festival. There, Sandi won top honours for Best Feature Director. Ice Blue also received Audience Favourite Award at Chicago’s Blue Whiskey International Film Festival, Best Canadian Feature at RIFFA, Best Alberta Feature, Stinger Awards and had its theatrical release across Canada in 2018.

AMAAS awarded Sandi the Spirit of Helen Award for her contributions to Alberta’s media arts community. In 2019 and 2018 Sandi won Best of Calgary’s Filmmaker award, and in 2018, was honoured with Calgary’s highest award for an artist, the prestigious Doug and Lois Mitchell Outstanding Calgary Artist Award. Sandi created and currently oversees the organization HERLAND dedicated to the advancement of women in screen based industries.

21/09/2020

Mark Lewandowski | Background Actor

Mark has been a member of the theatre community for 30 years and is now starting to explore film. Although mostly found behind the scenes, his love for film encourages him to be involved wherever he can.

21/09/2020

Medina Dennie | Cast/GenZ

Medina is a highschool student in Calgary Alberta her home city. She enjoys creating making visual art with graphite and paints in her free time as well as making animations with her film collective, The Bum Family. Medina is so grateful to have been provided with the opportunity to be in If We Spoke.

21/09/2020

Molly Munro | Craft services

I have worked in the hospitality industry for about 10 years and I am excited to branch out and try something new. This will be the first time working in film and I can not wait for more opportunities.

21/09/2020

Nico Abote | EPK Producer (Media Specialist)

Nico is a Media Broadcast Specialist and Filmmaker based in Canada, currently involved in feature & short film productions and media related consultancy services.

With over 15yrs in the field, Nico has performed an almost 360 title role in the fields of film as a Director, Producer, AD, Editor to name a few and television from project managing a TV station development in Zimbabwe 🇿🇼, (the first commercial channel), TV presenter, Series Director and leading production teams in several parts of Africa, Europe & the US in content creation and other productions.

Abote is also a co-founder and executive producer at 263 Africa Media, responsible for Play Afrika TV, a game changing VOD platform celebrating African narratives.

He enjoys playing golf and experiencing every lived memories with his family and now learning how to ride horses.

20/09/2020

Sherri Dahl | Assistant Set Decorator

Sherri is a mature, Calgary based mother of 2, Actress, Writer, Producer and sometimes independent film crew member, and member of Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers for the last few years.

Sherri's lifelong interest in artistic expression started with dance and theatre as a youngster as well as school choir and clubs. These passions were set aside after high school as the allure of the working world took over where she learned all about answering phones, word documents, filing, customer service, being a travel agent, corporate space planning and design and then entrepreneurship with network marketing companies. Then the Kids came along and she learned all about time management, DIY projects and how to entertain children. !

Sherri was pleasantly surprised to stumble into a movie industry in Calgary over 12 years ago and started volunteering on indie sets as a self taught script supervisor. Eventually progressing as an actor (with coaching and training) into lead speaking parts in local independent and commercial productions - some paid, some not so paid.
By 2019, Sherri had written, produced and acted in 2 short films (Santa Gets Hacked and Slick's Reward) as well as acted in multiple productions across Alberta currently making the film festival circuit as well as available on YouTube.

In 2020, Sherri has plans to keep creating new projects.

You can follow all Sherri's projects on her page, Sherri Dahl, Actress and Collaborator ... https://www.facebook.com/SherriDahlActress

20/09/2020

Teresa Byrne | Background performer

Teresa has been primarily a theatrical performer for many years. Her roles have ranged from the comical to the nasty with many murder mysteries under her belt. Her foray into film and television includes a number of supporting roles ranging from independent films to major studio work.

20/09/2020

Steve Tingle | Art Director

I have an extensive background in stage and film/television in various roles. I also have a fe**sh for Danish teak furniture and shrunken heads.
Instagram

20/09/2020

Gary Layton | Background performer

Gary is a Alberta born Canadian actor. Raised and educated on the West Coast of Canada. Simon Fraser University: College Football 1984-1987 then 1988-1991 Professional Football Player He started behind the camera in IATSE Local 891 ,set decorator (On set/ pre and post production). 21 Jump Street the Series, Wise Guy the Series, Dead man's Gun, Alive . Gary appeared in the 2011 TV Series Ramsey Downholers as Stan Vandenberg, starred in the 2017 movie Bagman as Staven Plast. Most recently roles in "Risen" and "Road From Ruin" and S*x Lies and Murder.

20/09/2020

Anne Mulders | Background Actor

Anne has been working as a professional actor for the past twenty years. One of her happy places is being on set, whether it be shooting a commercial, a music video or film.

20/09/2020

Trisha Lewandowski | Background Actor

Trisha loves life. She is an enthusiast. She is passionate about people and eager for the next adventure.
Trisha lives in Rosebud with her husband Mark where they have raised two creative compassionate humans.
She is living her best life serving with Rosebud Theatre and Rosebud School of the Arts, caring for guests and students and making them feel at home.
Trisha is loving middle age and is learning lots of new things. Ask her about crochet or roller derby.

20/09/2020

Ivy Wong | Background performer

Ivy’s first acting experience began with a couple of large-scale musical theater performances in 2008. In 2010, she was introduced to TV filming for Heartland and then returned to the set again in 2018. Her recent acting experiences include BG acting for TV series such as A Teacher, Fortunate Son, Jann and Movie/Documentary such as Winter in Vail, Asteroid Impact and voice over for Shaw Communications. Her passion in acting and respect for the acting profession grow with her exposures to these projects. She treasures the friendships and knowledge she is gaining by surrounding herself with many dedicated crew members and talented artists in this new community . She is excited to take up more acting and voice over trainings in order to reach new heights; hoping to turn this supposing new hobby to a new career endeavor.

18/09/2020

Alexis Moar | Cinematography Mentor

Alexis Moar has extensive on-set experience working in the camera department since graduating SAIT's Film and Video Production program in 2012. With many credits as camera operator, 1st AC, and 2nd AC, she has a well rounded grasp of the entire department.
Her passion lies with the art of visual storytelling; creating unique collaborations where her camera work and lighting can effectively tell a story and allow the audience to connect with what they see on screen.
In 2019 Alexis joined with Herland to co-facilitate the mentorship program aimed at supporting women to create their own stories with the production of 6 short films. In this program she works in the technical side of production, and provides support as the Cinematographer Mentor.

18/09/2020

Bahareh ZabihiAali

Bahareh ZabihiAali is a multidisciplinary artist, who holds a BA in Production Design for Theater and Dramatic Arts from Azad University of Tehran (1998) and a Film and Video Production Diploma from SAIT in Calgary (2017).
Before moving to Canada she had been working as a production designer on some successful National Iranian Television series, collaborating with very creative directors.
She has also worked as a TV Host/ Journalist; developing her passion for finding and telling compelling stories.
In recent years she has used photography as a means to communicate and document the world around her, to escape the ordinary and mundane moments by focusing on every day’s details.
Being aware of the power of coloures she applied for Herland Colour Grading Mentorship. She is hoping to create stylized and unique looks for projects she will be working on and to develop a career in colour grading for both commercial and feature film projects.

17/09/2020

Vanessa Wenzel | Director of Photography

Vanessa Wenzel founded and runs Prairie Kitten Productions, a company focused on producing Albertan films written, directed, and produced by women. She has directed multiple shorts, is a camera assistant at ICG 669, and has worked camera on dozens of indie projects. If We Spoke will be her first step into the role of DOP.

17/09/2020

Chad Simoneau | DTM

Chad Simoneau is an Editor by heart, and behind every good editor is a great DMT! After studying Film at NAIT Polytechnic, Chad has followed his passion and learned more and more about film after moving back to his hometown in Calgary.

17/09/2020

Jonelle Belcourt | 1st AD

Jonelle Belcourt is a Cree film maker working in film since graduating from the Digital Media and IT Program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). Her recent credits include Production Coordinator for the new series Secret History of the Wild West premiering on APTN in the Fall of 2020 as well as producing Kohkum & the Quest which received Audience Choice Award for best Documentary Short in the Alberta International Women’s Film Festival.