Jennifer Podemski
Jennifer Podemski is an award winning Film and Television Producer and Actor born and raised in Toronto, Canada. Of mixed First Nations and Israeli descent, Jennifer began her acting career as a teen. Her career blossomed when she was cast as Pique in CBC's The Diviners followed by a starring role in Bruce McDonald's Dance Me Outside. As her career in front of the camera exploded, Jennifer began to notice the inequity behind the lens. Although all of the roles she was awarded as actor were First Nations characters, she rarely, if ever, saw any First Nations writers, producers or directors. By 25, with a solid career under her belt, Jennifer opened her first production company, Big Soul Productions (BSP) with fellow burgeoning producer Laura Milliken. BSP became the first Aboriginal owned and operated, full service production company in Canada, producing hundreds of hours of television including three seasons of the award winning Dramatic Series Moccasin Flats for Showcase and APTN. In 2005, Jennifer branched out on her own and founded Redcloud Studios, Inc. Although Jennifer has maintained a successful career as an actor, with roles in Degrassi, Republic of Doyle, Sarah Polley's Take This Waltz and Jimmy P alongside Benicio Del Toro, she is most proud of her starring role in her own film Empire of Dirt for which she was nominated for two Canadian Screen Awards for Best Actress in a Supporting Role as well as Best Feature Film for her work as producer. Empire of Dirt premiered at TIFF 2014 and continued to a theatrical release in Canada and traveled the world on the film festival circuit. Jennifer is also the creator and producer of APTN's famed paranormal series The Other Side, currently shooting it's second season; in her 9th year as Co-Executive Producer and Creative Director of the Indspire Awards (Global, APTN) for which she was nominated for Best Lifestyle Television Show at the 2014 CSA's. More recently, Jennifer can be seen as Dr. Crowshoe on the award winning drama series Blackstone; HBO's Sensitive Skin with Kim Catrall and in FireSong, written and directed by Adam Garnett Jones. A storyteller behind and in front of the camera, Jennifer still makes time for training aboriginal youth in film and tv, mentoring and holding self esteem workshops across the US and Canada.
Known For
Credits
- 2024 ยทThe Light Before the Sunas Syd
- 2024 ยทAberdeenas Grace
- 2024 ยทDon't Evenas
- 2023 ยทRedlightsas Tina's Mom
- 2021 ยทAkilla's Escapeas Mrs. Rosenthal
- 2021 ยทResident Alienas Rachel
- 2019 ยทDepartureas Gail
- 2019 ยทMouthpieceas Mrs. Cappo
- 2017 ยทReel Women Seenas Mom
- 2016 ยทPrivate Eyesas Colonel
- 2015 ยทFire Songas Jackie
- 2013 ยทEmpire of Dirtas Minnie Mahikan
- 2013 ยทJimmy P.as Doll
- 2011 ยทTake This Waltzas Karen
- 2010 ยทRepublic of Doyleas Maria House
- 2008 ยทPavaneas Kim
- 2007 ยทFugitive Piecesas Grace
- 2007 ยทMoose TVas
- 2007 ยทThe Robber Brideas Juanita
- 2005 ยทDistant Drumming: A North of 60 Mysteryas Marjorie Sebastian
- 2005 ยทHeritage Minutes: Tommy Princeas Beryl Prince
- 2004 ยทThis Is Wonderlandas Beth Taylor
- 2003 ยทMoccasin Flatsas Deb Johnson
- 2002 ยทBliss - Erotische Versuchungenas Kate
- 2002 ยทSue Thomas: F.B.Eyeas Rosie
- 2001 ยทDegrassias Ms. Chantel Sauvรฉ
- 1999 ยทDon't Think Twiceas
- 1997 ยทRiverdaleas Michelle Martin
- 1996 ยทBogusas Circus Character
- 1996 ยทThe Rezas Sadie Maracle
- 1995 ยทDance Me Outsideas Sadie Maracle
- Future ยทRehabas Janet
- 1993 ยทThe Divinersas