STAFF

Katherine Bruce

Executive Director

A part of the Planet in Focus team from 2010-2012, Katherine was delighted to return to the festival in 2016. She has worked extensively in the arts sector as a producer in film, theatre and visual arts including the UK-based Cape Farewell – The cultural response to climate change as Development Director for Carbon 14: Climate is Culture in partnership with ROM Contemporary Culture. Katherine has an MA in Communication and Cultural Studies with a research focus on fresh water as both a commodity and a human right through the historical narrative of Toronto’s R.C. Harris Filtration Plant. She also serves on the Advisory Committee for Youth Unstoppable and on the board of the international Green Film Network.

Julian Carrington

Senior Programmer

Julian Carrington is a Senior Programmer at Planet in Focus, where he has helped to curate the Festival’s annual selections since 2016. He is the Managing Director of the Racial Equity Media Collective (REMC) and formerly occupied roles at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Documentary Organization of Canada. He most recently served as Hot Docs’ Senior Industry Manager. In that capacity, he supported the administration of the Hot Docs portfolio of funds and oversaw market programs at the Hot Docs Industry Conference. Julian is also the founder of For Viola, a free, BIPOC-focused community screening series at the Hot Docs Cinema, named in honour of human rights icon Viola Desmond.

Lesley Johnson

Senior Programmer

Lesley Johnson is a director, producer and programmer, based in Toronto and Yellowknife. She studied Film Production in York University’s MFA program, and holds degrees in wildlife and environmental sciences. Before becoming a filmmaker, she worked in community-based research in the Northwest Territories, and on studies chasing after the likes of terns and wolverines. She is the former director and programmer of the Yellowknife International Film Festival, and of a Cinema Politica chapter.

Hui Wang

Pre-Screener & Box Office Manager

Hui Wang (a.k.a. Jane) is an award-winning Toronto-based documentary filmmaker with a passion for observational storytelling. Born in Wuhan, Wang has been working and living in Canada since 2001 and is a graduate of the Honours BA English program at York University. She studied in the Film Studies certificate program at Toronto Metropolitan University before returning to China to film her debut feature-length documentary LAST HARVEST, which won the Tokyo TV Forum Award at the CNEX Chinese Documentary Forum in Taiwan and the World Documentary Award and Best Female-Read More

Directed Documentary Award at Whistler Film Festival.  It has also been licensed for broadcast on major networks in Asia and Europe (e.g. ARTE France and Singapore’s CNA). Wang is currently in post-production for her feature-documentary THE GARDENER & THE DICTATOR, which is supported by Hot Docs CrossCurrents Canada Doc Fund, Arts Councils, and National Film Board of Canada’s FAP program.

Nicole Capogna

Programs Coordinator

Nicole holds a degree in Urban and Environmental Studies from the University of Toronto, where she developed a passion for understanding how people connect with the spaces around them. Nicole is particularly interested in the environmental aspects of Planet in Focus’ work and is dedicated to supporting the organization’s mission. Outside of her work with Planet in Focus, Nicole is also involved in the Water Management sector at the Region of Peel. In her free time, she hosts an annual Eco Fair through Green Neighbours Network and Transition Toronto, where she shares her knowledge and enthusiasm for sustainability with others.

Michael John Long

Pre-Screener

Seeking adventure and refuge in the lakes and forests of the Simcoes and Muskokas as a child has inspired much of Michael’s environmental education and documentary work. Michael teaches Geography and Sustainability as a Contract Faculty Professor at George Brown College (GBC) where he is also the Faculty Advisor to the student Sustainability Squad. Michael has published book chapters, articles, open educational resources, and interviews about the environment, documentary film and education. He is the 2021 Awards of Excellence recipient for ‘Outstanding Post-Secondary Educator’ from the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Read More

Communication (EECOM). Michael studied at York University and Osgoode Hall Law School where he completed the Master of Environmental Studies and Master of Laws, respectively.

Avneet Sharma

Pre-Screener

Avneet Sharma is an incoming Ph.D. student at the University of Toronto’s Cinema Studies Institute. His research investigates the effects and potentialities of desire in queer spectatorship of cinema, contending that queer spectators engage in ‘improper’ viewing practices that generate provocative interpretations and forge communal bonds. He earned an M.A. in English Literature from McGill University with SSHRC funding, where he wrote a thesis on politics and sexuality in the novels of Alan Hollinghurst. Currently, Avneet is co-editing a forthcoming collection of essays for ASAP/J on reality TV in the social media economy.

Nicola Saikali

Pre-Screener

Nicola is a graduate of York University’s Cinema and Media Studies program, an actor, and a film lover. Growing up in Toronto she became an avid attendee of all the wonderful film festivals the city has to offer. She has also worked in front-of-house roles at many of Toronto’s film festivals including TIFF, Hot Docs, Reel Asian, and Regent Park. Nicola is enthusiastic about the environmental aspect of Planet In Focus and excited to learn more about festival programming through her role as a pre-screener.

Gesila Azorbo

Photographer

Gesilayefa Azorbo is a Toronto-based writer, photographer and filmmaker. She has a deep interest in music, film, literature, and pop culture. She was born in Nigeria, grew up in Kenya, currently lives in Canada, and considers herself a Third Culture Kid. Her work explores themes related to music, creativity and identity.

Neil L. Tangcuangco

Video Editor

Neil is an undergraduate student at Toronto Metropolitan University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Industries. With a strong love for the performing arts and media production, Neil aims to use his creative abilities to serve these communities by creating purpose-driven art. Upon moving to Toronto, Neil discovered his passion for dance and choreography and has since developed his experience within the Toronto dance community. Currently, he is the Creative Director of the competitive dance team UHHU.