ARTISTS & PRESENTERS

TREVOR ANDERSON

Keynote Address | Friday, June 27 | 10:00AM – 11:00AM

Trevor Anderson was born in Red Deer and studied drama at the University of Alberta. He is the director of a dozen short films and one feature. The shorts have screened at many A-list and LGBTQ festivals, including Sundance, South by Southwest, and the Toronto and Berlin International Film Festivals. The feature, Before I Change My Mind, premiered at the Locarno Film Festival and was released theatrically in North America. It’s available to rent or buy on Apple TV, and it streams in Canada on Crave. Trevor lives in Montreal. 

KATELYN BARRAZA

Workshop: Life, work, and everything in between – a Mental Health Check-In | Friday, June 27 | 4:00PM – 5:00PM

KATHRYN BLAIR

Workshop: Sartorial Soldering | Saturday, June 28 | 2:30PM – 3:45PM

Kathryn Blair is a PhD candidate in Computational Media Design at the University of Calgary, where she obtained her MFA in Media Arts and Technology in 2018. Her work seeks to facilitate public examination of the status quo of our relationship with technology by throwing it into stark relief. Currently, she creates interactive experiences that invite visitors to play with ideas about the way computer programs used to make decisions about the public function. In the past, she has used media including wearable technology, physical computing, games and printmaking to explore these themes. She has been involved in the Calgary-based tech couture fashion show Make Fashion since 2013, and has shown her work in Alberta, British Columbia, China, the United States and Ireland.

BRANDON BOUCHARD

Street Stories: Media Arts in Red Deer’s Urban Canvas | Saturday, June 28 | 4:00PM – 5:30PM

A natural storyteller with an infectious enthusiasm for all things local, Brandon Bouchard is a champion of Red Deer’s downtown scene. As Chair of the Downtown Business Association, he works to support businesses and foster a thriving, welcoming city core. But beyond strategy and leadership, Brandon is known for his warmth, humour, and ability to bring people together.

As the founder of Downtown Red Deer Adventures, he serves as the ultimate host—guiding visitors through the city’s vibrant streets, introducing them to its dynamic art, music, and food scene.

With a deep love for his community and an uncanny ability to turn any gathering into a great time, Brandon is dedicated to making downtown Red Deer a place where people don’t just visit—they connect, celebrate, and share their good stories.

PAUL BRAIN

Panelist: National accessArts Centre | Saturday, June 28 | 1:15PM – 2:15PM

Paul Brain, an award-winning visual artist, reshapes the landscape of disability art. Hailing from Hong-Kong, now Calgary-based, his work reflects a profound journey from Asia to Canada, infused with personal transformation. Following a life-altering brain reconstruction surgery in 2021, Paul’s art delves into themes of resilience and enlightenment. His vibrant, emotive creations invite viewers into a world of compassion and boundless imagination. Paul Brain is not just an artist; he’s a storyteller whose canvas speaks of triumph over adversity.

RACHEL BROUSSARD

Workshop: IMAA Advocacy Toolkit | Friday, June 27 | 2:30PM – 3:45PM

Rachel Broussard is a visual artist, musician, and arts administrator living as an uninvited guest on Treaty 6 Territory. She currently works as Program Director at PAVED Arts and Festival Director for the One Take Super 8 Event in Saskatoon, SK. As a visual artist, Broussard works in photo collage and installation with a focus on the climate crisis. Their work has been presented in Canada and the United States, most recently at Neutral Ground and the Art Gallery of Regina. Rachel is passionate about accessibility in the arts and trained as an Access Activator with Tangled Art + Disability. In 2023, they received the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Medal for service to the arts in Saskatchewan. They hold a MFA in Studio Art from the University of Saskatchewan and serve on the board for IMAA.

MAT CARTER

Signal Symbiosis | Saturday, June 28 | 8:00PM – 10:00PM

As co-founder of the Alberta Electronic Music Conference, Carter helped shape one of the province’s most vital platforms for electronic culture. His early push for live performance and artist-centered programming led to the formation of Oscill8 Collective, a registered non-profit performing arts society founded in 2017 by a group of Alberta-based electronic musicians and visual artists. Oscill8 exists to grow a sustainable culture of live electronic performance through education, curated events, artist development, and community-building. Its work supports emerging and established creators by connecting them with tools, audiences, and each other.

Now serving as Vice President of Oscill8, Carter leads the development of SYNC: Sound and Image Conference. SYNC focuses on live electronic music and real-time visual performance, while supporting the broader spectrum of electronic expression within Alberta’s creative communities. As KillMiDi, Carter brings these ideas to the stage, performing immersive, hardware-based techno across Western Canada. 

Carter also leads Kiamythos Films, a creative studio telling the stories that define Western Canada’s electronic arts culture. Kiamythos preserves moments, elevates artists, and helps shape how the movement sees itself. This year, the studio returns to Freezer Burn with a new documentary exploring the creative dynamics and cultural depth of the festival. It also launches Artist Journey, a micro-documentary series featuring short interviews with Alberta-based media artists involved with SYNC. The series captures the voices, processes, and breakthroughs of the creators building the future of live performance.

SHIRLEY COMBDEN

ACTIVITY: Meeting in the Middle | Saturday, June 28 | 10:00AM – 11:00AM

Shirley Combden has been with the Edmonton Arts Council since 2006 and is the Associate Executive Director of Finance, Organizational Effectiveness, and Engagement. In this role she oversees the areas of finances and risk management, the development and recruitment of talent, operational policies, business processes, communications and performance measurement.

EVELYN DELGADO (lightpirate)

Signal Symbiosis | Saturday, June 28 | 8:00PM – 10:00PM

evvie lightpirate is an interdisciplinary artist specializing in light-based media, including liquid light shows, live animation, and analog projection techniques. Her work spans shadow puppetry, hand-drawn frame-by-frame animation, rotoscoping, and stop motion. Blending vintage technology with new media, she creates larger-than-life, awe-inspiring experiences that fuse science, surrealism, and absurdity.

FELIPE DIAZ

ACTIVITY: Meeting in the Middle | Saturday, June 28 | 10:00AM – 11:00AM

Felipe Diaz is a Chilean Canadian arts administrator and former artist. He has worked in galleries, artist-run centres, dance companies, film production centres and for arts funders for all of his professional career. Felipe has been a part of the media arts community since 2003 when he worked as the Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative. In 2008, Felipe joined the Canada Council for the Arts as a program officer in the then Media Arts Section. Currently he is working as the Director of Granting Programs Operations at the Council. Most importantly, he is the proud father of two wonderful young women and the husband of a Flamenco dancer and teacher.

DIANE DIN EBONGUE

Workshop: Inclusive Pixels | Friday, June 27 | 2:30PM – 3:45PM

Diane Din Ebongue is an interdisciplinary artist, arts manager and curator passionate about intangible cultural heritage, empowerment processes and knowledge-sharing through arts. She holds a Master of Science, Arts and Techniques of Image and Sound from Aix-Marseille University as well as a Master of Technologies for Education and Training from Rennes 2 University in France. Diane’s international experience includes working as an audiovisual technician in the motion pictures industry in France, managing cultural and digital programs for non-profit organizations in Europe and Cameroon, as well as running an Indigenous-owned multidisciplinary art centre in Australia. Her latest exhibition at The Grand titled “I See Colours” explored the intricate and diverse nature of skin tones through visual and media arts. She recently founded Inclusive Pixels, an online educational platform dedicated to skin tone representation in media arts, informed by action-research processes at the intersection of science, humanities and technology.

SPENCER ESTABROOKS

Panelist: Magic Hours | Friday, June 27 | 6:00PM – 8:00PM

Born and raised in Red Deer, Spencer Estabrooks is an award winning writer, director, producer, and Executive Director of Calgary Cinematheque. Known for his hit web series One Hit Die and as the creator of Albertan Kaiju Sharkasaurus (2014), Spencer is also an avid vintage cyclist, obscure camera enthusiast, craft beer historian and devout cinephile. His work with Calgary Cinematheque is focused on building audiences as community, facilitating discussions about cinema culture and creating unique cinematic experiences.

JASON FRIZZELL

Animated RDP: Presentation and Tour | Friday, June 27 | 4:00PM – 5:00PM

Jason Frizzell holds an M.F.A. in sculpture from the University of Victoria and a B.F.A. from the University of Calgary. He has been a faculty member at Red Deer Polytechnic (formerly Red Deer College) for the past 30 years and currently delivers Art and Pre-Production courses for the Animation and Visual Effects degree, emphasizing the application of traditional art and design principles within the 3D animation and visual effects production pipeline. Jason’s current research focuses on the production and exhibition of original works of sculpture, the use of real-time 3D creation tools (such as Unreal Engine) in pre-production curriculum, and the creation of Open Educational Resources exploring the marriage of traditional and digital approaches to the development of introductory-level drawing and design skills.

CHARLES GUNN (Underground Wires)

Signal Symbiosis | Saturday, June 28 | 8:00PM – 10:00PM

NICK HAYWOOD

ACTIVITY: Meeting in the Middle | Saturday, June 28 | 10:00AM – 11:00AM

Nick Haywood is the new Arts Development Consultant, Film and Video, for the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA). He graduated from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology’s film and video program in 2012. He has worked in the independent film community as a writer, producer, and director, and comes to the AFA from his most recent position as Technical Director with NUTV at the University of Calgary. Nick has also been an active arts administrator, previously working with the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers and as board president with the Alberta Media Arts Alliance Society.

LEVI HOLWELL

Panelist: Magic Hours | Friday, June 27 | 6:00PM – 8:00PM

AREUM KIM

ACTIVITY: Meeting in the Middle | Saturday, June 28 | 10:00AM – 11:00AM

Areum Kim (she/her) is a Community Investment Program Specialist at the Calgary Arts Development. She had been working in artist-run centres for the past 10 years as an arts administrator before joining Calgary Arts Development. For the past six years, she was in a leadership role at Stride Gallery, where she had the opportunity to work closely with the core operations of a small arts organization and support emerging artists. 

In her own artistic practice, Areum co-runs Yolkless Press with artist Teresa Tam, making books, zines and artists’ publications.

SHANNON LYONS

Workshop: Pinning Music to Paper | Saturday, June 28 | 2:30PM – 3:45PM

Shannon Lyons is an author, neurodivergency advocate and chromesthetic fractal artist who works most often with music to create fractal images that represent the texture, colour, and shape of “what music looks like”. She attributes the artistry and balance found in her work to several varieties of synesthesia, a neurological difference creating conjoined senses. Her career has evolved intuitively, without formal training though the basis of her method is a reflection of her sensory translation through mathematics, having a bent towards physics has helped immensely.

Working for nearly 20 years with musicians of all levels of recognition both in studio and side stage her sound portraits have become familiar in album covers as well as art. Sound portraits are often combined in her work using songs with similar meanings and flavours to create thought collages of more recognizable subject matter.

TYLER MCKINNEY

Panelist: Between Two Worlds | Friday, June 27 | 1:15PM – 2:15PM

Tyler McKinney (they/he) is a Two-Spirited Cree/Métis/Chinese/Vietnamese storyteller, filmmaker, and photographer based in Central Alberta. With over a decade of experience in independent journalism, visual storytelling, and digital media, Tyler’s work centers Indigenous voices, cultural reconnection, and stories that foster healing and resilience.

They are the creator and host of Voices of Resilience, a STORYHIVE-funded podcast and video series that explores land-based teachings, Indigenous knowledge, and personal healing journeys. Their recent short film, produced through a community filmmaking initiative, received the Empowered Filmmaker Award in Red Deer and was showcased in the ʔaq̓am community.

Tyler also leads land-based wellness programming for men and youth through the Neya Napew Na Muton | I Am a Kind Man Initiative in Rocky Mountain House. This initiative supports Indigenous men in reconnecting with culture through teachings such as the Seven Grandfather Teachings and the Medicine Wheel, helping them grow as strong role models in their families and communities.

Currently, Tyler is on tour with the Empowered Filmmakers program, teaching filmmaking and storytelling in Indigenous communities across Alberta and British Columbia. They are passionate about increasing BIPOC representation in media and view storytelling as a vital tool for sovereignty, intergenerational connection, and collective healing.

KARI MCQUEEN

ACTIVITY: Meeting in the Middle | Saturday, June 28 | 10:00AM – 11:00AM

Kari McQueen is the Arts Development Consultant, Visual Art and New Media, at the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA). Kari is a visual and media artist with over 25 years in the cultural sector, including Artist-Run-Culture, media arts, film, public galleries and art education. Prior to joining the AFA, she freelanced as a grant writer and consultant for artists and organizations in Southern Alberta. Her work has screened and exhibited primarily in Canada, and her current project examines cultural mores around felines and women.

SACHI MORISHITA

Panelist: National accessArts Centre | Saturday, June 27 | 1:15 – 2:15PM

Sachi Morishita is an artist from Calgary Alberta. She is an emerging filmmaker and screenwriter, who has just completed production on her first short film as part of the Film Ensemble at the National accessArts Centre. Sachi is also a visual artist, often working in fibre, sculpture, drawing, and painting. Sachi’s work often celebrates her love of sports and her dog Pongo.

MISHA MARIE NELSON

ACTIVITY: Meeting in the Middle | Saturday, June 28 | 10:00AM – 11:00AM

Over the last 20 years, Misha Marie has held many roles, from writing music reviews for extra money in university to teaching full-time performing arts for JH and HS students. As a current Manager of Arts Development & Investment for the Edmonton Arts Council, she works directly with individual artists and non-profit organizations to assist with clarifying granting processes and understanding public funding structures available for artistic projects. Misha Marie is also working on a passion project – Vocal Renegades – facilitating professional development and strengthening the network for choral musicians across Alberta. She continues to work as a guest clinician for concert and jazz bands, a private theory teacher, a side player on saxophone and vocals, an event planner, and more!

HEATHER NOEL

Panelist: Magic Hours | Friday, June 27 | 6:00 – 8:00PM

Heather spends a lot of time thinking about movies. Over the last three years she coordinated over 1500 screenings as programmer at Metro Cinema, a non-profit movie theatre in Edmonton, Alberta. Prior to this role, she served on Metro’s board and programming committee, coordinated events and workshops at The Film and Video Arts Society of Alberta, served on the board of the Independent Media Arts Alliance, and spent over a decade slinging movies as a video store clerk.  In her spare time she dabbles in celluloid-based still and motion picture art, and relishes any opportunity to play a small role in her friends’ creative practices.

NAZANIN OGHANIAN

Workshop: IMAA Advocacy Toolkit | Friday, June 27 | 2:15PM – 3:45PM

nazanin oghanian is a multidisciplinary artist, experimental filmmaker, and arts administrator. Her artistic practice emerges from critical reflection on concepts such as body, identity, gender, memory, politics, and the ongoing interplay between the individual and society. nazanin’s recent work explores power relations and the ways in which women’s bodies are controlled through the medicalization of their bodies and reproductive health. Working mostly with video, audio, and other sensory stimulative installations, she is interested in discrete components of the auditory, visual and gestural aspects of memory and control. She is a recipient of the BC Binning Memorial Fellowship and WNDX x NIMAC experimental moving image awards, and her work has been presented across Iran and Canada including VIVO Media Arts, Morris And Helen Belkin Art Gallery, WNDX Festival of Moving Image, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, and AHVA Gallery.

Following the completion of her MFA in Visual Arts from UBC in 2020, nazanin has worked and collaborated with several not-for-profit art organizations in recent years, including Vancouver New Music, Western Front, VIVO Media Arts, Vancouver Art Gallery, and The Dance Centre.

ALLAN ROSALES

ACTIVITY: Meeting in the Middle | Saturday, June 28 | 10:00AM – 11:00AM

Allan Rosales is an artist whose multi-disciplinary practice includes poetry, portraits and public art in relationship with the Filipinx Community of Calgary. He also holds a master’s degree in art therapy from Concordia University. Having worked extensively throughout Calgary as a community connector, Allan joined the Calgary Arts Development team as Community Investment Manager in 2023, approaching the role from the perspective of the artist.

EMAN SAFADI

Panelist: Between Two Worlds | Friday, June 27 | 1:15PM – 2:15PM

Eman Safadi is the co-founder of FOREIGNERZ, an Art and Production house based in Calgary, recognized for its edgy, fashion-forward, and innovative approach to film production and brand storytelling. In addition to her work with FOREIGNERZ, Eman is a short programmer at the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF), where she previews and selects films from around the world.

Eman is currently part of BUMP (Beltline Urban Murals Project) team, which is Calgary’s official mural festival. At BUMP, she is responsible for securing sponsorships and financial backing by fostering connections between the arts community and corporate stakeholders to ensure the festival’s success and growth. She also is a casual instructor at SAIT in the film and video program.

Beyond her work in production and fundraising, Eman is deeply committed to Calgary’s arts scene. She leads a various number of film and music projects and contributes to the community through workshops, mentorship programs, and panels with esteemed organizations like Arts Commons and Sled Island Music & Arts Festival.

SHIVANI SAINI

Panelist: Between Two Worlds | Friday, June 27 | 1:15PM – 2:15PM

Shivani Saini is an award-winning Producer and Consultant, whose passion is to create and support works that positively transform the human condition. A Radio & Television arts graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University, Shivani has over 30 years of industry experience, and as a Producer has contributed to over 1000 episodes of broadcast television and film – including the award-winning and critically acclaimed one-hour dramatic television series Blackstone, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

In 2014 she founded Atelier Culturati, to empower people in arts + culture through through strategic consulting, communications, storytelling and creating social impact. Shivani is a Reelworld Trailblazer Award Recipient, which recognizes talented Canadians who have set themselves apart as innovators and change-makers in the entertainment industry. She is also the Founder and Executive & Artistic Director of Creatives Empowered, the first non-profit organization in Alberta for film, television, media and arts professionals who are Black, Indigenous and People of Colour.

SHAWN TSE

Panelist: Between Two Worlds | Friday, June 27 | 1:15PM – 2:15PM

Shawn Tse 謝兆龍 (he/him) is a father, artist, filmmaker, and community organizer. He is the Edmonton Festival Co-Director and a Board Member for FascinAsian Film Festival, based in the Prairies and showcasing the talents of pan-Asian artists in film; Director at Fallout Media, a media production company that specializes in centering community stories for social change; Consultant for the CanAsian Arts Network, a national digital platform supporting Asian Canadian artists; an actor and manager for Third Space Playback Theatre, committed to creating spaces of dialogue to promote community change and social justice.

KATIE WACKETT

Panelist: National accessArts Centre | Saturday, June 28 | 1:15PM – 2:15PM

Katie Wackett is an artist and cultural worker from Calgary/Moh’kinstsis. With a background in cinema studies, her community-driven career includes working in the non-profit sector, supporting independent productions, and developing her own filmmaking practice. Katie currently works at the National accessArts Centre (NaAC) where she initiated the organization’s first film programming, which offers adaptive film education to artists living with disabilities. Through the NaAC, Katie has produced over 15 disability-led short films, gaining extensive experience working with neurodivergent artists and creating customized, accessible filmmaking environments. Katie also works as the Box Office Coordinator at the Calgary Underground Film Festival, and volunteers as a programmer at the Globe Cinema.