Special Guest

Lowell Dean

Lowell Dean is a Canadian filmmaker known for his distinctive blend of genre, dark humor, and compelling storytelling. He gained early recognition for writing and directing the cult-hit WOLFCOP and its sequel ANOTHER WOLFCOP, which earned a loyal following following their theatrical releases across Canada and the USA. The WOLFCOP films garnered several accolades, including the Audience Choice Award for Best Canadian Feature at the Fantasia International Film Festival, Best Horror Feature at the Arizona Underground Film Festival, and the Special Jury Award at the Fantasporto Fantasy Film Festival, along with several Canadian Comedy Award nominations.

Since WOLFCOP, Lowell has expanded his creative range, most recently writing and directing the post-apocalyptic love story DIE ALONE, starring Carrie-Anne Moss, Douglas Smith, and Frank Grillo. The film had its international world premiere at the Sitges Film Festival, where it won the Audience Choice Award before its theatrical release in late 2024.

Lowell's DARK MATCH, a unique wrestling horror film starring Steven Ogg, Ayisha Issa, and Chris Jericho, had its world premiere at the 2024 Fantasia International Film Festival. After generating buzz and winning awards at several film festivals (CIFF, FrightFest UK, Blood in the Snow, Sitges), DARK MATCH is set for a theatrical and Shudder streaming release in early 2025.

Both DIE ALONE and DARK MATCH have firmly established Lowell Dean as a filmmaker with a strong voice in the world of genre cinema. In addition to his work on feature films, Lowell is currently developing high-concept TV series and comic book properties, further expanding his creative reach across multiple platforms.

This year’s festival will include a workshop by Lowell and a screening of his Film Die Alone on March 7th, 2025.

Jury

David Gane

David Gane is a Saskatchewan screenwriting instructor and novelist who brings his film production background to both the classroom and the page. Drawing on almost 15 years of teaching experience at the university level, he helps writers develop compelling stories while also co-authoring the internationally award-winning Shepherd and Wolfe YA mystery series.

Allia Janzen

Allia is the child of South Asian mother and a settler Mennonite father. She has had the unique experience of growing up in two diametrically different worlds. She spent much of her childhood between her family farm in Saskatchewan and her grandparent’s home in New Delhi, India.

In 2019, she was diagnosed with complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (c-PTSD). Being a BIPOC woman with a disability has had its challenges for Allia. She looks at these challenges as an opportunity to bring a lens to her storytelling that is genuine, honest, and respectful. Her allyship for others in marginalized sectors is evident in her approach to any role she fills on a production.

Her ability to ‘get things done’ quickly and efficiently translates ideas into quantifiable action have led to roles in art direction, production management, directing, and producing.

Currently, she is a co-owner and managing partner in the production company, Campfire Stories. She is also a producing partner for the multi award nominated children’s television show “Stories of the North” that debuted in 2023 on Citytv and is currently in postproduction for its third season.

Beyond this she has worked on shows for Citytv, APTN, National Geographic for Disney+, HBO, CTV, and CBC among others. And is a producer on two webisode series, funded by Creative Saskatchewan: "Prairie Hunter Adventures" and the Indigenous- led "This Land of Ours".

She was recently recognized by SaskArts as one of 75 artists to watch through their We Celebrate You, Saskatchewan Arts Campaign.

Allia is a SMPIA board member for her second elected term and chairs the Community Engagement and Workforce Development Committee.

Amy Mantyka

Amy Mantyka is a freelance director, specializing in narrative content. In 2012, she co-founded a production company called Play Creative where she served as the in-house director for twelve years. She was able to work with some of Saskatchewan’s biggest commercial clients such as SGI, SaskTel and Apple. Currently, Amy is a freelance director, expanding her work across Canada.

Amy has a keen ability to work with actors and coax outstanding performances, as Amy is an ACTRA actor herself. Amy also has an extensive background in movement and choreography, which has led to her directing complex and flowing scenes by marrying the camera movement to the content.

In 2022, Amy was awarded a Western Canadian Music Award for Video Director of the Year, for a music video called Chew Quietly by Megan Nash. Amy also won Best Commercial at the 2024 Yorkton Film festival for her SGI commercial called, Love You Forever. Amy was also nominated in 2024 for another Western Canadian Music Award as well as Capital Music Award for a music video called Buds, by the breakout French group, Beau Nectar.

In 2024 Amy attending an exclusive director training program through NSI, put on by Canadian Director, Winnie Jong. After completion, Amy directed a proof of concept trailer for the NSI’s Series Incubator program. Amy also received a special mentorship from Director Lowell Dean last summer, and was able to shadow him during the filming of Die Alone.