Jennifer Podemski

Jennifer Podemski (she/her) is an award-winning director, writer, producer, and actor.

Her acting career took flight with a standout performance as Sadie in Bruce McDonald's iconic film, Dance Me Outside. Driven by the desire to address the underrepresentation of Indigenous voices in the entertainment industry, Jennifer pivoted to producing in 1999. She co-founded Big Soul Productions, a ground-breaking Indigenous-owned and operated film and television production/post-production company. The company produced an array of compelling content, including documentary television series, scripted short films, and the highly praised, first, all-Indigenous dramatic television series, Moccasin Flats, which aired on Showcase Television and APTN.

Jennifer branched out independently in 2005, establishing Redcloud Studios Inc., where she continues to create, produce, write, and direct content. Notable works under her belt include five seasons of the captivating paranormal television series, The Other Side, the award-winning feature film, Empire of Dirt, dramatic series Rabbit Fall and Unsettled, award winning documentary series Future History and most recently, the award-winning, critically acclaimed limited series Little Bird for Crave and APTN.

Alongside her career as a director and producer, Jennifer built an illustrious career on screen with popular shows like Degrassi TNG, Republic of Doyle, Take This Waltz, Blackstone, Hard Rock Medical, Cardinal, Reservation Dogs, Resident Alien and the upcoming comedy Don’t Even for Crave. Among her proudest achievements is her leading role in her film Empire of Dirt, which earned her a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Beyond her artistic endeavors, Jennifer's passion for empowering Indigenous voices led her to establish The Shine Network Institute in 2020, a Canadian not for profit dedicated to advancing the careers of Indigenous women within the screen, media, and creative arts sectors.

Hailing from Toronto but calling Barrie, Ontario, her home, Jennifer's artistic journey has been shaped by her rich Anishinaabe (First Nation) and Ashkenazi (Jewish) heritage.