Virginia Barter

Live-action filmmaking workshops

Virginia Barter is a Toronto based historical writer and filmmaker.  She is a graduate of the Film & Television Production and Post-Production Program at Trebas Institute.  Her short film, HEARNE, tells the story of the English explorer Samuel Hearne and the French attack on Fort Prince of Wales in 1782.  As writer, producer and director, Virginia won several honours for this short film project at the Trebas International Student film Awards in 2010, including Best Picture, Best Sound Design, Best Music and Best Actor (Stephen Cullen as Samuel Hearne). At graduation, Virginia also received the David P. Leonard, Special Achievement Award for her outstanding efforts. HEARNE was also showcased at the Lucerne International Film Festival in October 2011.  Virginia is continuing to develop HEARNE as a feature film.

Virginia is also the Producer and Host of a new television series, URBAN ABORIGINAL.  This innovative show highlights the rich and culturally diverse contributions that Aboriginal people bring to life in the City of Toronto. (2011-12 season on Rogers TV Toronto)  The series was nominated for a Golden Sheaf Award at the 2012 Yorkton Film Festival.

As an historical writer and storyteller, Virginia also produces films and books on Canadian and Aboriginal history for the educational market. Projects include “Dare to Be Deep” – Gwaii Haanas Ocean Conservation Tourand The 2010 Batoche Métis Dance Competitions. Her film and workshop presentations have earned her special recognition by the Ontario Arts Council.  This year she is a featured artist on the OAC Aboriginal Artists in the Schools Roster (2011-12) and (2014-15).

Currently she is producing and directing a new documentary, “People of the Buffalo”.  It’s the story of a native family on a modern day bison ranch in Manitoba and how their lives are guided by the spirit of the buffalo and the old traditional ways.

James Buffin

Live-action filmmaking workshops

James Buffin is a filmmaker with over 26 years experience, working on movies, tv shows, commercials, music videos and documentaries shooting across North America, South America, Asia and the South Pacific. The theme of his current work is disaster/recovery, both environmental and personal. Current projects include a feature length documentary about becoming an aware survivor of childhood sexual abuse. Having taught for many years with organizations like Planet In Focus, LIFT Toronto and Workman Arts, he recently expanded his company, Veritus Pictures, to include video workshops in Toronto’s East End.

Kathy Shultz

Animation Filmmaker

Kathy Shultz has been working in film and television for over 10 years. Her award winning stop motion animated short “A Sea Turtle Story” (Official Selection- TIFF KIDS 2012,Golden Apple – for Best Animated Film 2013 at ZLIN FILM FESTIVAL, Professional Jury Award- PLEIN LA BOBINE FILM FESTIVAL) marks her directorial debut. Made for the National Film Board of Canada, the project began as a children’s book based on her experience in turtle conservation in India and Southeast Asia. Kathy, a mother of two young daughters currently lives in Toronto, where she also teaches stop motion animation and has a television/interactive series in development.