Jen Markowitz
Jen Markowitz is a Canadian film and television director and producer, whose feature documentary film debut Summer Qamp was released in 2023.[1]
Career
[edit]Television work
[edit]Markowitz previously worked in documentary and reality television, including on the series Vice Canada Reports, Canada's Drag Race, and Call Me Mother.[1]
Markowitz is a three-time Canadian Screen Award winner for their work on Canada's Drag Race, winning Best Writing in a Lifestyle or Reality/Competition Program or Series at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021 for the episode "Welcome to the Family",[2] and Best Reality/Competition Series both at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards at the 10th Canadian Screen Awards in 2022 as a producer of the series.[3]
Summer Qamp
[edit]Markowitz made their feature film directing debut with Summer Qamp, a documentary which profiles Camp fYrefly, a summer camp program in Alberta that provides a safe space for LGBTQ youth.[4] According to Markowitz, "it’s important to show the public at large that this is a community of regular kids with regular kid problems. They are all regular kids at heart, they just happened to be really weighed down by a lot of this other stuff that is put on to them by the world."[5] The project was first announced as a documentary television series in 2021,[6] and was later revised into a feature documentary film.[4]
The film premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.[7] At TIFF, the film was named first runner-up for the People's Choice Award for Documentaries.[8] At the 2023 Calgary International Film Festival, the film received a special jury citation from the Best Canadian Feature Documentary award jury,[9] and was the winner of the Audience Choice award for best Canadian documentary.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Markowitz identifies as non-binary and uses gender-neutral pronouns.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Filmmaker Jen Markowitz on building trust with queer teens in doc 'Summer Qamp'". CP24. 2023-09-09. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ "Canadian Screen Awards 2021: News, Documentary, Lifestyle and Reality « Celebrity Gossip and Movie News". Tribute.ca. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ Thiessen, Connie (2022-04-07). "Canadian Screen Awards winners: Children's & Animation, Lifestyle & Reality". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ a b "Exclusive: Jen Markowitz, Michelle Mama board feature doc "Summer Qamp"". Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ a b Morfoot, Addie (2023-09-07). "'Summer Qamp' TIFF Documentary Highlights LGBTQ+ Youth in Safe Space". Variety. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ "Exclusive: Cineflix, Hello Friend Media developing "Summer Qamp" docuseries". Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ Mullen, Pat (2023-07-26). "Mr. Dressup, Fred Wiseman Lead TIFF Docs Line-Up". POV Magazine. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ Pond, Steve (2023-09-17). "'American Fiction' Wins Toronto Film Festival's Audience Award". TheWrap. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ "Winners of 2023 CIFF competitions unveiled". LiveWire Calgary. 2023-09-26. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ "Summer Qamp, Drawing a Life audience favourites at CIFF". LiveWire Calgary. 2023-10-03. Retrieved 2023-11-08.