John Walker

John Walker began his career as a photographer in Montreal. In 1975 he turned to cinematography and filmmaking. He has won many awards for his producing, directing and cinematography with credits on over sixty films. His films have received international acclaim, have been widely broadcast and have appeared at the major international film festivals in Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, Berlin and London. From the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (ACCT) he has received numerous nominations and awards including the Genie for best feature documentary- Strand - Under the Dark Cloth, a Gemini for best director- The Hand of Stalin and the coveted Donald Brittian Award for best documentary - Utshimassits: Place of the Boss.

Walker has tackled some of the foremost tragedies of the twentieth century. He photographed and directed Leningrad and Leningradskaya - A Village in Southern Russia, both part of the BBC/October Films trilogy The Hand of Stalin, which addressed the devastating human suffering under Stalin's regime. The films were broadcast to general acclaim; "oral history at its most devastating," said London's Daily Mail; "words fail the enormity of what these films reveal," said The Observer. Nominated as best series by the Royal Television Society, the British Press Guild and the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Other directorial credits include Passage (screening at this year's VIFF), Men of the Deeps, The Fairy Faith, Place of the Boss: Utshimassits, Tough Assignment, God's Dominion: Shepherds to the Flock, Distress Signals and Chambers: Tracks & Gestures.

A Fresh Take On Docs
DOC DAY, September 24, 11.00 am - 12.15 pm