Penny McCann

Independent filmmaker Penny McCann’s body of work spans three decades and encompasses narrative, documentary and experimental films. Her work has been exhibited at festivals and galleries nationally and internationally, including the Ann Arbor Film Festival (Ann Arbor, Michigan), Kurzfilm Festival Hamburg (Hamburg, Germany), the Cinémathèque Québécoise (Montréal, Quebec), the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (Victoria, BC), the Ottawa Art Gallery and the Canadian Film Institute (Ottawa). Awards include a Special Jury Award, Yorkton Short Film Festival (Yorkton, Saskatchewan) and winner of the International Found Footage Competition and Audience Awards, Dresdner Schmalfilmtage (Dresden, Germany).

A veteran arts administrator, Penny was employed as Director of SAW Video (now Digital Arts Resource Centre) from 2004-2018, during which she contributed to the substantial growth of the media arts in the Ottawa region. In recognition of her contribution to the arts, in 2007 Penny was awarded the prestigious Ottawa Art Council’s Victor Tolgesy Award for Achievement in the Arts.

How has your Carleton English degree informed your professional and/or creative path?

Studying English at Carleton led me indirectly to my dual careers as a filmmaker and arts administrator. Through the wonderful and inspiring English professors at Carleton, I gained a critical perspective and learned to articulate my ideas.  Through the English department, I found Film Studies (which was then a very new department), and shifted to a double major in English and Film.  Also through the English department, I connected with Sock ’n Buskin Theatre.  Upon graduating from Carleton, I worked for several years in theatre before transitioning into working in film as a producer, writer and director.

Were there any specific experiences or opportunities that you benefitted from while studying English at Carleton?

A critical aspect of my studies at Carleton was learning to be a good writer.  Thanks to my degree in English, I’m a consummate grant writer, which has stood me in good stead through my years as an arts administrator and independent filmmaker.