An upcoming panel discussion hosted by The University of Winnipeg as part of Homecoming 2024 will explore the works and university experience of inspiring alumni filmmakers Sonya Ballantyne (BA 14) and Ian Bawa (BA 08).
Stories from the Heart: Alumni Filmmakers on the World Stage takes place Thursday, September 26 from 5 – 7 p.m. in Convocation Hall and Tony’s Canteen (515 Portage Avenue).
Panelists Sonya Ballantyne and Ian Bawa will sit down with filmmaker and moderator Charlene Moore (BA 18, MA 22) to reflect on how their experiences at The University of Winnipeg helped to define what matters to them and why, how they turned their ideas into action, and what they are looking forward to in the years ahead.
Charlene Moore, who will moderate the panel, said both panelists are successful local filmmakers. “Both Ian and Sonya have made feature films that have travelled across the world,” said Charlene. “They both have very different perspectives of school, storytelling, and the film industry. They will have a lot to share about their time at university, their time outside of university and how they got to where they are now,” said Charlene.
All three alumni featured in the panel have diverse paths to becoming filmmakers. From studying criminal justice and political science, to psychology, and Indigenous governance – each will be able to share their academic and experiential paths that helped build careers in filmmaking. “University cannot prepare you for everything,” said Charlene. “Theory is important, but experience only comes through practice. Both Sonya and Ian can share the possibilities of what you could be doing after you graduate.”
Charlene believes the panel is a great opportunity for current students and alumni to hear from those who have taken their path to great heights. “It can be scary to get to the point of graduation, especially if you’re doing niche things,” said Charlene.
To register for Stories from the Heart: Alumni Filmmakers on the World Stage and other Homecoming events, visit the Homecoming schedule. Light refreshments will be served.
About Sonya Ballantyne
Sonya Ballantyne is a Swampy Cree filmmaker living in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her work focuses on putting indigenous women and girls in non-traditional settings. Her first feature-length film, The Death Tour, premiered at Slam Dance Film Festival in Utah in 2023 and can currently be viewed on CBC Gem.
About Ian Bawa
Ian Bawa is a filmmaker from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is best known for his films Offline, The Champ, Imitations, and Strong Son. His short film The Best, a sequel to Strong Son, will premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. Ian is in pre-production for a feature length version of Strong Son.
About Charlene Moore
Charlene Moore is a filmmaker, writer, producer, director, and member of the York Factory First Nation. Charlene holds a Masters in Indigenous Governance and two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Indigenous Studies and Film from UWinnipeg. Charlene is passionate about sharing Indigenous history and Canadian issues from an Indigenous perspective.
To learn more and register for Stories of The Heart: Alumni Filmmakers on the World Stage visit Homecoming 2024.
