BIO
Rebecca Gibson knew she wanted to work as a writer, director, producer, and actor from a very young age. Following graduation from the New York Film Academy, a CFTPA International Internship took Rebecca to Los Angeles at the start of her film journey. Since, in addition to her own work as an actor, director, writer, and producer, Rebecca has trained and mentored thousands of writers, directors, actors, producers, and craftspeople.
Rebecca is a co-owner of Eagle Vision, one of Canada's top production companies. She recently shared the 2022 Banff World Media Festival's Innovative Producer Award with partners Lisa Meeches and Kyle Irving. Until recently, Rebecca was a Partner and Head of Development, leading development through the most productive period of the company's 20+ year history. She has stepped back to focus on her own creative content, but remains involved in several projects at various stages of production, as a writer, director, and producer. These projects include Deco Dawson's recently released feature Diaspora (producer); the factual series 7TH GEN (co-creator, executive producer, co-showrunner) for APTN which is currently in production of its second season; Madison Thomas' feature Finality of Dusk co-written by Madison Thomas and Katarina Ziervogel (producer, story editor, in post); the comedy web series DJ Burnt Bannock for APTN (producer, story editor, director, a recent success for Lumi); the recently released award-winning feature documentary Buffy Sainte-Marie: Power in the Blood (executive producer, story editor) for Bell Media - Crave Original, PBS American Masters, and APTN; Snapchat's first Canadian Original Series, Reclaim(ed) (co-showrunner, executive producer, episode writer and director), the recent documentary feature True Story for Corus (History, Global - executive producer); several podcast series.
Rebecca served as Showrunner (Executive Producer, Co-Creator, Head Writer, and Creative Producer) for the CBC/APTN television series Taken in addition to being an award-winning episode writer and director. Rebecca won a Beyond Borders Media Award, and was nominated for three Canadian Screen Awards - Best Factual Series, Best Cross-Platform Project, and the Barbara Sears Award for Best Editorial Research. As a writer, director, and producer, Rebecca’s work includes the digital documentary series Child First, which premiered at the Understanding the Disability Trajectory of First Nations Families of Children with Disabilities National Summit, the documentary Daphne Korol: The Drama Queen of Winnipeg, and most recently the award-winning short comedy Hard Way Girl, which premiered in Russia and played festivals around the world. Rebecca co-wrote and produced the award-winning drama H&G which premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival and is distributed by Multiple Media in Canada and Amazon Prime in the United States and Europe. H&G had a retrospective screening at TIFF Lightbox as part of the See the North series.
An award-winning actor, Rebecca can currently be seen in Burden of Truth (CBC/CW/Netflix) as Wendy Ross, and the feature Corruption of Divine Providence as Dr. Jessie Sloan. Formerly a casting director, Rebecca takes full advantage of any chance she gets to empower actors, through mentorship support, volunteering to teach classes, and advocating for diverse talent.
In 2016 Rebecca founded Orange Daisy Project, a social action campaign in support of mental health for teen girls, that includes a 40-part digital documentary series, a mentorship for emerging female filmmakers, a school and community tour, and a best-selling mental health workbook, which Rebecca co-wrote with her mentee Erin Danylchuk. Rebecca was honoured as a CAMH Difference Maker for her mental health advocacy and is ACTRA Manitoba's 2018 Woman of the Year. Rebecca’s work as a theatre producer and director has included productions of The Tempest, Rent, and Sweeney Todd and she has done fundraising through her theatrical work for arts and community organizations, and for people living with AIDS and HIV. Formerly a member of the Board of Directors for On Screen Manitoba, Rebecca serves on the Programming and Membership committees. Formerly a member of the Board of Directors for the Gimli Film Festival, Rebecca collaborated with the Gimli Film Festival and Women in View to create the highly successful Future is Female* (now Future is Ours) mentorship program, which invites top industry professionals to impart their guidance on emerging creatives. As a member of the Canadian Media Producer's Association, Rebecca sat on the Skills Development and TV committees. She is a member of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, ACTRA, Canadian Actors' Equity Association, Winnipeg Film Group, Creative Women Workshops Association, WIFT, Creative Manitoba, New Media Manitoba, and was a founding member of WCAM - Women's Committee of ACTRA Manitoba.
For over twenty years, Rebecca has volunteered regularly to offer industry-related mentorship for schools, community organizations, and individuals. Some mentorship highlights include the Women's Mosaic Film Fund, supporting the late filmmaker Erin Hembrador as she made her award-winning first film; mentoring Olaoluwa Fayokun, Oladipo Daramola, Madison Thomas, Morgan Thickson, and Sarah Luby' through Creative Manitoba; serving as the director mentor for Women in the Director's Chair ShortWorks Award pilot project; serving as a mentor for several individuals through several programs, including producer Jessica To, filmmaker Whitney Horne, and currently producer/actor/director Dawn Nagazina. Rebecca speaks regularly on industry panels, including the Banff World Media Festival, All Access, the Playback Film Summit, and most recently at the Whistler Film Festival.
Rebecca has a track record of commitment to diversity, parity, accessibility, and inclusion in the film and television industry. Rebecca is an alum of Women in the Director's Chair (WIDC), TAP (Trans Atlantic Partners Producer Program), and Banff Spark.
FESTIVALS, AWARDS, and HONOURS (selected)
Banff World Media Festival Innovative Producer Award, with Eagle Vision, 2022 (Partner, Head of Development)
DIASPORA - WINNER - Best International Feature Film, 2023 Kollywood International Film Festival, India (Producer)
DIASPORA - WINNER - Best Film, 2023 Ukrainian Dream Film Festival, Ukraine (Producer)
DIASPORA - Official Selection 2023 Sincine International Film Festival, India (Producer)
DIASPORA - NOMINEE 2022 Whistler Film Festival Borsos Award (Producer)
DIASPORA - SEMI-FINALIST 2022 Blow-Up International Arthouse Filmfest, Chicago (Producer)
DIASPORA - Official Selection 2022 Oaxaca Film Festival, Mexico (Producer)
DIASPORA - Official Selection 2022 Antakya Uluslararasi Film Festival, Turkey (Producer)
DIASPORA - Official Selection 2022 Festival du Nouveau Cinéma, Montreal (Producer)
DIASPORA - 2020 Telefilm Canada - Perspective Canada, New York and Los Angeles
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON - Official Selection 2022 Toronto International Film Festival (Opening Night) (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON - Official Selection 2022 DOCNYC Film Festival (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON - Official Selection 2022 Whistler Film Festival (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON - WINNER Telus Audience Choice Award: Music On Screen Feature 2022 Calgary International Film Festival (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON: Official Selection 2022 Cinefest Sudbury International Film Festival, Audience Choice Award (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON: Official Selection 2022 FIN Atlantic Film Festival (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON: Official Selection 2022 Lunenberg Docfest (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON: Official Selection 2022 Film POP Montreal (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON: Official Selection 2022 Barrie Film Festival (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON: Official Selection 2022 Windsor International Film Festival (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON: Official Selection 2022 Sound Unseen Film + Music Festival (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON: Official Selection 2022 African Diaspora International Film Festival (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON: Official Selection 2023 Māoriland Film Festival (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON: Official Selection 2023 Reframe Film Festival (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON: Official Selection 2023 Invermere Film Festival (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON: Official Selection 2023 Belleville Downtown Docfest (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON: Official Selection 2023 Boulder International Film Festival (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON: Official Selection 2023 Athena Film Festival (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON: Official Selection 2023 Freeze Frame Film Festival (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON: Official Selection 2023 Hudson Film Festival (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON: Official Selection 2023 Yorkton Film Festival (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON: Official Selection 2023 Lambton Film and Food Festival (Executive Producer, Story Editor)
don't loiter on the way. - WINNER 2022 Indo Global International Film Festival Special Jury Prize - Best Experimental Short Film (Writer/Director/Producer)
don't loiter on the way. - WINNER 2022 One-Reeler Short Film Competition (USA) Award of Merit (Writer/Director/Producer)
don't loiter on the way. - WINNER 2022 Only The Best International Film Awards (USA) Best Experimental Short, Best Woman Filmmaker, Best Original Score (Writer/Director/Producer)
don't loiter on the way. - NOMINEE 2022 Symbiotic Film Festival, Ukraine - Best Tiny Budget Film (Writer/Director/Producer)
don't loiter on the way. - FINALIST 2022 WorldFest Houston (Writer/Director/Producer)
don't loiter on the way. - Official Selection 2023 Bollywood International Film Awards, India (Writer/Director/Producer)
don't loiter on the way. - Official Selection 2022 Eko International Film Festival, Nigeria (Writer/Director/Producer)
don't loiter on the way. - Official Selection 2022 Odyssey Film Fest, Greece (Writer/Director/Producer)
don't loiter on the way. - Official Selection 2022 Anatolia International Film Festival, Turkey (Writer/Director/Producer)
don't loiter on the way. - Official Selection 2022 8 & HalFilm Festival, Italy (Writer/Director/Producer)
don't loiter on the way. - Official Selection 2022 World London Film Festival, England (Writer/Director/Producer)
don't loiter on the way. - Official Selection 2021 Filmmakers United International Film Festival, England (Writer/Director/Producer)
don't loiter on the way. - Official Selection 2021 Robinson Film Awards, Italy (Writer/Director/Producer)
DIASPORA - 2020 Telefilm Canada - Perspective Canada, New York and Los Angeles (Producer)
WINNER 2019 Shorty Awards Gold Distinction, Human Rights, Social Justice National MMIWG Inquiry Closing Ceremony Digital Docs (Director)
FINALIST 2019 Shorty Social Good Awards, Racial Equality, Call to Action, Images (Director)
WINNIPEG ARTS COUNCIL - Making a Difference Award Nominee 2019
TAKEN - NOMINATED Best Cross-Platform Project 2019 Canadian Screen Awards (Co-Creator, Executive Producer, Showrunner, Episode Writer, Director)
TAKEN - NOMINATED Best Factual Series 2018 Canadian Screen Awards (Co-Creator, Executive Producer, Showrunner, Episode Writer, Director)
TAKEN - NOMINATED Barbara Sears Award for Best Research 2018 Canadian Screen Awards (Co-Creator, Executive Producer, Showrunner, Episode Writer, Director, Researcher)
TAKEN - NOMINATED Best English Electronic Media, Ep. Fonassa 2018 Beyond Borders ECPAT Canada Media Awards (Co-Creator, Executive Producer, Showrunner, Episode Writer, Director)
TAKEN - WINNER Best English Electronic Media, Ep. Cherisse 2018 Beyond Borders ECPAT Canada Media Awards (Co-Creator, Executive Producer, Showrunner)
TAKEN - WINNER Award of Merit, 2017 Accolade Global Film Competition (Writer/Director/Producer)
TAKEN - Official Selection - Cinema New York City (Writer/Director/Producer)
TAKEN - NOMINATED Golden Sheaf Award, 2017 Yorkton Film Festival, Documentary Series (Writer/Director/Producer)
ACTRA Manitoba - Woman of the Year, 2018
ORANGE DAISY PROJECT - HONOUREE CAMH DifferenceMaker, National Recipient
ORANGE DAISY PROJECT - Official Selection 2018 Short to the Point Film Festival, Romania
THE PINKERTONS - WINNER ACTRA Award, Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series
THE MURDOCH MYSTERIES - WINNER Blizzard Award, Best Supporting Actress
DAPHNE KOROL: DRAMA QUEEN OF WINNIPEG - NOMINATED 2016 Windy Award, Short Documentary (Writer/Director/Producer)
LOVESICK - WINNER Audience Choice, Comedy, 2017 Cinequest (Associate Producer/Supporting Lead)
LOVESICK - WINNER ShowCanada Spotlight Award, Los Angeles, 2016 (Associate Producer/Supporting Lead)
LOVESICK - Official Selection of the Whistler Film Festival (Borsos Nominee), 2016 (Associate Producer/Supporting Lead)
HARD WAY GIRL - Official Selection 2017 Near Nazareth Film Festival, Israel (Writer/Director/Producer)
HARD WAY GIRL - Official Selection 2017 Artemis Film Festival, Los Angeles (Writer/Director/Producer)
HARD WAY GIRL - NOMINATED 2017 Windy Awards (Screenplay, Editor) (Writer/Director/Producer)
HARD WAY GIRL - Official Selection 2016 Bridge of Arts International Motivational Film Festival, Russia (Writer/Director/Producer)
HARD WAY GIRL - Official Selection of the Oscar-qualifier 2016 LA Shorts Film Festival (Writer/Director/Producer)
HARD WAY GIRL - Official Selection of the 2016 Amsterdam Lift-Off Film Festival (Writer/Director/Producer)
HARD WAY GIRL - Official Selection 2016 Toronto International Short Film Festival (Writer/Director/Producer)
HARD WAY GIRL - Official Selection 2016 LA Femme Film Festival (Writer/Director/Producer)
HARD WAY GIRL - WINNER two 2016 Joey Awards (Writer/Director/Producer)
HARD WAY GIRL - NOMINATED 2018 ACTRA Awards (Writer/Director/Producer)
THE SINGING BONES - WINNER Special Jury Award Best Short 50th annual WorldFest Houston, 2017 (Producer)
THE SINGING BONES - Official Selection Female Eye Film Festival (Producer)
THE SINGING BONES - Official Selection Culver City Film Festival (Producer)
THE SINGING BONES - Official Selection Hollywood International Moving Pictures Film Festival (Producer)
THE SINGING BONES - Official Selection Moving Images Festival (Producer)
WINDCITY - Official Selection 2014 Vancouver Web Fest (Writer/Lead Actor)
WINDCITY - WINNER 2015 Signature Award for Best Non-Broadcast (Writer/Lead Actor)
CHILD FIRST - World Premiere at the Understanding the Disability Trajectory of First Nations Families of Children with Disabilities National Summit (Writer/Director/Producer)
Q&A - Official Selection 2015 Whistler Film Festival, Muskoka Film Festival (Best of Fest) (Producer/Lead Actor)
Q&A - WINNER 2016 WorldFest Houston Gold Remi (Producer/Lead Actor)
H&G - Official Selection of the 2013 Vancouver International Film Festival (Producer/Co-Writer)
H&G - Official Selection LA Femme International Film Festival (Producer/Co-Writer)
H&G - Official Selection Canadian Film Fest (Toronto) (Producer/Co-Writer)
H&G - Official Selection of the Women’s International Film Festival (Miami) (Producer/Co-Writer)
H&G - Official Selection Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival (Producer/Co-Writer)
H&G - Official Selection Female Eye Film Festival, nominated for Best Canadian Feature (Producer/Co-Writer)
H&G - Official Selection of WorldFest Houston, WINNER Silver Remi (Producer/Co-Writer)
H&G - WINNER Joey Award (two nominations in the same category) (Producer/Co-Writer)
SEA LEGS - Official Selection Gimli Film Festival, 2013 (Director)
SEA LEGS - Official Selection National Screen Institute Online Film Festival, 2013 (Director)
TIPI TALES - Parent’s Choice Gold Medal Award WINNER 2003 and 2007 (Writer/Lead Voice Actor and Puppeteer) TIPI TALES - Blizzard for Best Children or Youth Series
HEATER - Official Selection Sundance Film Festival (Production Manager)
JANE GARBAGE - WINNER Vancouver International Women in Film Festival’s Screenwriting Mentorship Competition, 2014 (Writer/Director/Producer)
JANE GARBAGE - selected for the Women in the Director’s Chair SIM 2.0 in Vancouver and Whistler, and the Banff Centre Aspects of Camera and Post programs (Writer/Director/Producer). Supported by Manitoba Arts Council and On Screen Manitoba
JANE GARBAGE - Finalist Amp My Pitch Playback Marketing Summit (Writer/Director/Producer)
JANE GARBAGE - supported by Rogers Development Fund
JANE GARBAGE - supported by Super Channel Development Fund
SKINNER - Invited to eQuinoxe Europe, in Austria, 2015 (Writer)
ACCESS - comedy series in development (Creator, Writer) supported by the CMF, Bell Media
STEVIE AND THE SACRED ANIMALS - children's animated series in development (created by Lisa Meeches and Rebecca Gibson) supported by the CMF, Bell Media
FAMILY FIRST - comedy series in development (created by Lisa Meeches and Rebecca Gibson) supported by APTN
SATAN'S BREW - feature comedy/horror script supported by Telefilm
A DIFFERENT LIGHT - drama based on a true story supported by Telefilm, Manitoba Film and Music
LOVE LIGHTS - romantic comedy in development (written by Rebecca with Ashley Hirt) supported by Rogers Development Fund
SKINNER - drama in development (written by Rebecca) supported by Telefilm, Manitoba Film and Music
THE PRAIRIE BRIDESMAID - romantic comedy in development (written by Rebecca with Daria Salamon) supported by Telefilm, Manitoba Film and Music
STOLEN BROTHERS - factual series in development ((created by Rebecca, Lisa Meeches, and Kyle Irving) supported by APTN
STARCATCHER - factual series in development (created by Rebecca, Lisa Meeches, and Kyle Irving) supported by APTN