Shelley Saywell is an acclaimed Canadian documentary filmmaker, director, and producer. She has been producing and directing documentaries for over thirty years, and is best known for her films that explore human rights issues and the experiences of marginalized communities. She has won numerous awards for her work, including the Genie Award, the Donald Brittain Award, and the Canadian Screen Awards.
Saywell was born in Toronto, Ontario, where she grew up. She attended the University of Toronto and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History. After graduating, she obtained a diploma in Film and Television from Ryerson Polytechnic Institute.
In 1987, Saywell began her career in the film industry. She started out as a production assistant on a documentary about a young girl in South Africa. This was the beginning of her interest in human rights and social justice issues. Since then, she has gone on to produce and direct over 25 documentaries, most of which have focused on human rights issues.
Some of her most successful works include “Unnatural Causes”, “The Last Keepers”, “The Reckoning”, and “Honour Diaries”. Her films have been broadcast on networks such as CBC, HBO, and CNN. They have also been screened at numerous film festivals around the world, including the Toronto International Film Festival, the Berlin International Film Festival, and the Sundance Film Festival.
Saywell has also taught film production courses at Ryerson University and York University. She has also been a mentor for documentary filmmakers with the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.
Saywell is passionate about using the power of film to educate and empower people. She believes that it is her duty to use her films to inform people about injustices in the world and to inspire people to create a more just society. Her films have helped to bring about positive social change and to promote the rights of marginalized communities.
Saywell’s work has been internationally recognized for its excellence. In 2019, she was awarded the Order of Canada, one of the highest honors in Canada, in recognition of her accomplishments and contributions to documentary filmmaking.
Shelley Saywell is an inspiring filmmaker whose work has made a profound impact on the world. Through her films, she has shown the power of film to create social change and promote the rights of marginalized communities.
