Draft:Michelle Mama
Michelle Mama is a Canadian-Parsi writer, director, producer, and LGBTQIA+ advocate known for her work in film and television. She directed the episode Fluid: Beyond the Binary for CBC’s The Nature of Things and co-founded Gay Agenda, a Toronto-based production company focused on LGBTQIA+ stories. Mama has been nominated multiple times for Canadian Screen Awards, including for her work on Lost Car Rescue and Shine True, and has won several industry awards for her documentary and reality television productions.[1][2][3]
Background
Michelle Mama was born to parents who immigrated to Canada from India and Pakistan. Her family is of Zoroastrian descent, part of the Parsi community.[4] She is a vocal advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and representation in the media.[5]
Career
Writer and Director
Mama has worked for over two decades in various roles across the entertainment industry. As a writer, she contributed to Baroness Von Sketch Show (Season 5, IFC/CBC), a series known for its sharp humour and social commentary.[6] She also directed the award-winning documentary 21 Days to Nawroz, a film exploring the cultural significance of the Iranian New Year, as well as Your Beautiful Cul de Sac Home, a feature comedy.[7]
In 2023, Mama directed Fluid: Beyond the Binary, an episode of The Nature of Things featuring non-binary comedian Mae Martin. The episode explores the complexity of gender identity, with an emphasis on queer representation in media.[8]
She has also directed and executive produced episodes of Canada’s Drag Race, including Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs. The World.[9] In addition, she worked on the 2023 series Lost Car Rescue, earning a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Direction in a Factual Program.[10]
Producer and Showrunner
Mama's production credits include In The Making, which was nominated for several awards at the 2019 Canadian Screen Awards[11] and Summer Qamp (executive producer), a documentary that follows a group of LGBTQIA+ youth in rural Alberta.[12] She is also the showrunner, series producer, and director for the Shine True documentary series, which received recognition for its focus on LGBTQIA+ fashion and beauty.[13]
Advocacy and Cultural Impact
Mama is a vocal advocate for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the media. In 2023, she co-founded Gay Agenda, a queer-owned production company based in Toronto, focused on telling stories by, for, and about queer communities.[14]
Her work often highlights issues of identity, belonging, and culture, with a special focus on the intersection of queer and South Asian narratives. This includes her ongoing involvement in the documentary AntiDiva: The Confessions of Carole Pope, which is set to delve into the life of Canadian rock icon Carole Pope.[15]
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Award/Festival | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Anchorage International Film Festival | Best Feature | Your Beautiful Cul de Sac Home | Nominated |
| Cinéfest Sudbury | Best Canadian Film | Nominated | ||
| 2009 | World Fest Houston - Platinum Remi | Best Documentary | 21 Days to Nawroz
Producer |
Won |
| Baghdad International Film Festival | Best International Documentary | Won | ||
| Mexico International Film Festival - Silver Palm | Best Documentary | Won | ||
| CINE International, Los Angeles - Golden Eagle | Best Documentary | Won | ||
| Accolade Competition, Los Angeles | Best in Show, Documentary | Won | ||
| 2019 | Golden Sheaf Awards | Best Documentary Series | In the Making
Showrunner, Series Producer, Director |
Nominated |
| Canadian Screen Awards | Best Original Music | Nominated | ||
| Canadian Screen Awards | Best Photography | Nominated | ||
| Canadian Screen Awards | Best Direction, Documentary Series | Nominated | ||
| 2020 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Direction, Documentary Series | Nominated | |
| 2022 | MIPCOM Diversity TV Excellence Award | Best LGBTQIA+ Unscripted | Shine True
Showrunner, Series Producer, Director |
Won |
| Imagen Awards | Best Variety/Reality Show | Won | ||
| Critic's Choice Awards | Best Lifestyle: Fashion/Beauty | Nominated | ||
| Canadian Screen Awards | Best Direction, Factual | Nominated | ||
| 2023 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Direction, Factual | Lost Car Rescue
Series Director |
Nominated |
| 2023 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Reality/Competition Program/ Series | Canada's Drag Race
Executive Producer |
Nominated |
| 2023 | Calgary International Film Festival DGC Canadian Doc Feature Award | Summer Qamp
Executive Producer |
Special Jury Mention | |
| People's Choice Award - TIFF '23 Audience Award | First Runner-Up |
References
- ^ "Mae Martin explores the science of gender and sexual fluidity in a new episode of The Nature of Things". CBC News. 27 March 2024. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "Michelle Mama". Academy.ca. 2023-02-22. Retrieved 2025-01-18.
- ^ "Banff World Media Festival 2025 - Michelle Mama". banffmediafestival.playbackonline.ca. Retrieved 2025-01-18.
- ^ "Michelle Mama". The ANOKHI ADVOCATE List 2021. Retrieved 2025-01-18.
- ^ "Michelle Mama". The ANOKHI ADVOCATE List 2021. Retrieved 2025-01-18.
- ^ "Michelle Mama". The ANOKHI ADVOCATE List 2021. Retrieved 2025-01-18.
- ^ "21 Days to Nawroz By Michelle Mama". Parsi Khabar. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
- ^ Factora, James (2024-03-14). "In Another Win for Gay Animals, Mae Martin Stars in a Doc About Sexual Fluidity in Nature". Them. Retrieved 2025-01-18.
- ^ Reporter, P. T. (2024-06-15). "Michelle Mama Wins Canadian Screen Award 2024". Parsi Times. Retrieved 2025-01-18.
- ^ "Michelle Mama". Academy.ca. 2023-02-22. Retrieved 2025-01-18.
- ^ "Michelle Mama". Academy.ca. 2020-02-18. Retrieved 2025-01-18.
- ^ "Summer Qamp". TIFF. Retrieved 2025-01-18.
- ^ "Michelle Mama". The ANOKHI ADVOCATE List 2021. Retrieved 2025-01-18.
- ^ "Canadian producers Michelle Mama and Bill Taylor team to form Gay Agenda". C21 Media. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
- ^ "High School Confidential’ singer Carole Pope focus of documentary ‘AntiDiva’". City News Toronto. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
External Links
Michelle Mama at IMDb.