Jamila Pomeroy is a
Kenyan-
Canadian writer, director, filmmaker and actor.
She is best known for her 2022 series ''A Happier Planet with Jamila Pomeroy'' on
CBC,
and her 2023 documentary film ''
Union Street''.
Career
She was the writer, director, host and producer of the series ''A Happier Planet with Jamila Pomeroy'' on
CBC;
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
Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Chairman of the Board" and later called "Ol' Blue Eyes", Sinatra was one of the most popular ...
’s singing career into the stratosphere," "
I’ll Never Smile Again" ''and'' “
Put Your Dreams Away
"Put Your Dreams Away" is a song written by Richard Leigh and Wayland Holyfield, and performed by American country music artist Mickey Gilley
Mickey Leroy Gilley (March 9, 1936 – May 7, 2022) was an American country music singer and songwr ...
,” another Sinatra hit, along with nearly 50 other numbers for
Hollywood
Hollywood usually refers to:
* Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California
* Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States
Hollywood may also refer to:
Places United States
* Hollywood District (disambiguation)
* Hollywood, ...
and
Broadway.
In 2023 she was the writer, director and executive producer of
TELUS originals documentary ''Union Street'',
which
won
Won may refer to:
*The Korean won from 1902–1910
*South Korean won, the currency of the Republic of Korea
*North Korean won, the currency of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
* Won (Korean surname)
* Won (Korean given name)
* Won Buddhis ...
the Outstanding Feature Film Director award at the 2023 Toronto
Reelworld Film Festival.
''Union Street'' was also an official selection of
Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) in 2023, and was named #1 in
''Vancouver Magazine'''s top-10 Must-see films at VIFF, and #2 in
The Tyee's "Ten documentary highlights to bookmark," and top-10 must-see film by ''
Vancouver Sun''.
She is the creator of drama-comedy series ''Sunflower Lemonade'' (unreleased) which ''
Daily Hive
''Daily Hive'', formerly known as ''Vancity Buzz'', is a Canadian online newspaper based in Vancouver, British Columbia. It began digital publishing in 2008 and became Western Canada's largest online-only publication by 2016.
In September 2022 ...
'' coined as the "first African-Canadian dramedy in history"; 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
Kit and Ace is a Canadian clothing brand.
History
Kit and Ace was founded in 2014 by Shannon Wilson, former lead designer of Lululemon Athletica, and her stepson J. J. Wilson.
The company was founded to sell machine-washable cashmere woo ...
,
Arc'teryx,
Laneige,
Sephora
Sephora is a French multinational retailer of personal care and beauty products. Featuring nearly 340 brands, along with its own private label, Sephora Collection, Sephora offers beauty products including cosmetics, skincare, body, fragrance, n ...
, Paper Label and many more.
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
Newfoundland and Labrador (; french: Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador; frequently abbreviated as NL) is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region. The province comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region ...
.
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
*2023: Winner, Best Documentary award for ''Union Street'', Milan Independent Film Festival (MIAFF)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pomeroy, Jamila
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
Canadian documentary film directors
Canadian women film directors
Film directors from Toronto
Black Canadian filmmakers