Our Team/Maddin

Director of Optimism & Mischief
Guy Maddin has the rare ability to compose a tale woven with mischief, hilarity, melodrama, outright absurdity and irrepressible glee. This is vividly apparent in his body of creative work, but also in casual conversation, say, over a homemade sweet potato pie. Guy is an artist, a writer, and an award winning filmmaker with director credits for twelve feature-length movies and innumerable shorts. He has curated over seventy performances of his films around the world, integrating live elements such as orchestra, sound effects, singing and narration. His internationally recognized work has critically shaped the Canadian filmscape, while elevating Winnipeg’s status as a centre for independent filmmaking. He has lectured at Harvard University and is currently teaching at the University of Toronto. Guy has been awarded The Order of Canada and The Order of Manitoba for outstanding merit. With all the high esteem generated by his creative output, he maintains a low profile, approachable and always gracious in sharing his experience, knowledge and quick witted quips. In joining The 48 Film Festival, he intends to inspire, challenge, seed mischief and work towards elevating the national profile of regional voices.