Renée Godfrey is a Canadian film director and screenwriter. She is known for her work on the films My Own Private Oshawa (2020), Stray (2020) and The Animals (2019).
Renée was born in Oshawa, Ontario, and raised in a small town near Toronto. She attended Ryerson University, majoring in film production and obtaining a BFA in 2011. Renée then went on to complete her MFA in film directing at York University in 2016.
Renée’s debut feature film, The Animals, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2019 and was released in the US and Canada in 2020. The film follows two teenage girls in rural Ontario as they navigate the complexities of growing up and their relationships with each other. It received critical acclaim, with The Hollywood Reporter calling it “an impressive feature debut”.
Renée’s follow-up feature, My Own Private Oshawa, premiered at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival. The film follows a group of young adults in Oshawa as they explore their identities and navigate their relationships. It was praised for its thoughtful and nuanced exploration of identity and relationships, with The Globe and Mail calling it “a tender and moving film”.
Renée is also the co-writer and director of the short film Stray, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2020. The film follows a young woman as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. It was praised for its unique visual style and heartfelt storytelling, with The Toronto Star calling it “a beautiful and moving portrait of self-discovery”.
Renée is currently developing her next feature film, which is set in her hometown of Oshawa and explores the complexities of family relationships. She is also developing a series for television with her producing partner, Jodi Redmond.
Renée is a passionate storyteller who is dedicated to creating films that explore identity, relationships, and family dynamics. She is an emerging talent in the Canadian film industry and is sure to continue making waves with her unique and heartfelt stories.
