Kenyan-Canadian writer and filmmaker
Jamila Pomeroy
Born Toronto, Ontario
Nationality Kenyan-Canadian Citizenship Canadian Occupation(s) Writer, director, filmmaker, Actor Awards Outstanding Director for a Feature Film, Union Street Website jmpomeroy .com
Jamila Pomeroy is a Kenyan -Canadian writer, director, filmmaker and actor.[ 1] [ 2] She is best known for her 2022 series A Happier Planet with Jamila Pomeroy on CBC ,[ 3] and her 2023 documentary film Union Street .[ 4]
Career
She was the writer, director, host and producer of the series A Happier Planet with Jamila Pomeroy on CBC ;[ 3] [ 5]
In 2022 she optioned and began development on a screen adaption of the novel Until I Smile At You ; which showcases the life of Canadian musician Ruth Lowe , who wrote the song that "dynamited Frank Sinatra ’s singing career into the stratosphere," "I’ll Never Smile Again " and “Put Your Dreams Away ,” another Sinatra hit, along with nearly 50 other numbers for Hollywood and Broadway .[ 6] [ 7]
In 2023 she was the writer, director and executive producer of TELUS originals [ 8] documentary Union Street ,[ 1] [ 9] [ 10] which won the Outstanding Feature Film Director award at the 2023 Toronto Reelworld Film Festival .[ 11] Union Street was also an official selection of Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) in 2023,[ 12] [ 13] and was named #1 in Vancouver Magazine 's top-10 Must-see films at VIFF,[ 14] and #2 in The Tyee's "Ten documentary highlights to bookmark,"[ 15] and top-10 must-see film by Vancouver Sun .[ 16]
She is the creator of drama-comedy series Sunflower Lemonade (unreleased) which Daily Hive coined as the "first African-Canadian dramedy in history";[ 17] and has worked as a writer and producer on other film and television projects.
Early career
She began her career as a freelance writer-journalist (writing for outlets like BBC , Red Bull Media , Hypebae more); and model, appearing in print and digital campaigns for brands like Lululemon , Kit and Ace , Arc'teryx , Laneige , Sephora , Paper Label and many more.[ 18]
Personal life
Pomeroy was born in Toronto , Ontario , grew up in New Westminster , BC , and as a teen moved to Vancouver , BC , where she still currently resides. Her father was born in Mombasa , Kenya , and her mother was born in St. John's , Newfoundland .[ 19]
Filmography
A Happier Planet with Jamila Pomeroy (2022) – series
Union Street (2023) – feature documentary
Awards
2023: Winner, Outstanding Feature Film Director award for Union Street , Reelworld Film Festival , Toronto[ 11]
2023: Winner, Best Documentary award for Union Street , Milan Independent Film Festival (MIAFF)
References
^ a b LAY, NICHOLAS (September 29, 2023). "Union Street – An interview with director Jamila Pomeroy – VIFF 2023" . Set the Tape .
^ Chung, Rick. "VIFF 2023—Kenyan-Canadian actress/screenwriter Jamila Pomeroy directs the joyful new Telus documentary Union Street (her feature-length debut)" . RickChung.com .
^ a b "Vancouver filmmaker Jamila Pomeroy showcases more sustainable life choices in new series" . CBC .
^ Chai, Daniel (Sep 26, 2023). "New VIFF documentary uncovers Vancouver's destroyed Black community" . Daily Hive . Retrieved Dec 5, 2023 .
^ "Second Life: The fashion industry is wreaking havoc on the environment, but here are some sustainable solutions" . CBC .
^ "Midland man's book to be adapted into feature film" . Midland Today . June 12, 2022.
^ Mendler, Andrew (June 24, 2022). "Midland-based author's latest book, 'Until I Smile At You,' being developed into movie" . Simcoe.com .
^ "TELUS originals presents Physician, Heal Thyself and Union Street at Vancouver International Film Festival" . The Globe and Mail . September 25, 2023.
^ "HISTORIC BLACK COMMUNITY OF HOGAN'S ALLEY EXPLORED IN NEW 'UNION STREET' DOCUMENTARY" . Because of them we Can . October 16, 2023.
^ " "Union Street" film unravels the history of Vancouver's Black community (interview with Jamila Pomeroy)" . CBC . October 6, 2023.
^ a b "2023 Reelworld Awards" . Reelworld . Retrieved 2023-11-29 .
^ "Five Canadian features set for world premiere at VIFF" . Playback .
^ "VIFF 2023 Highlighted Films: Union Street" . The Afro News . September 26, 2023.
^ Caddell, Nathan (September 17, 2023). "10 Vancouver International Film Festival Movies We'll Be Lining Up For" . Vancouver Magazine . pp. Page one, paragraph three.
^ "VIFF Is Back with a Stellar Selection of Global Cinema" . The Tyee . September 25, 2023.
^ Gee, Dana. "10 films to put on your Vancouver International Film Festival must-see list" . Vancouver Sun .
^ Chai, Daniel (May 3, 2022). "Sunflower Lemonade: First African Canadian dramedy in history filmed in Vancouver" . Daily Hive .
^ Harris, Aleesha (June 26, 2019). "Style in the City: Jamila Pomeroy" . Vancouver Sun . Retrieved Dec 5, 2023 .
^ "I'm Not Half-Black, I'm Full Middle Child" . Vitruvi . Retrieved 2023-12-01 .