Nafisa Murji joins the Canadian Academy 

Nafisa Murji (pictured, above left) has officially joined the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television as director, talent development programs.

A new role, Murji is tasked with overseeing all of the organization’s talent-related programming, such as the Canadian Academy Directors Program for Women, WarnerMedia x Canadian Academy Global Access Writers Program and the Music Video Production Project (MVP).

She joins after five years with the Canadian Film Centre, where she most recently served as programs manager, talent & content. Her first day on the job was Jan. 4.

Guru Studio adds head of recruiting and community engagement

Toronto-based Guru Studio has appointed animation and VFX veteran Jody Jessop (pictured, above right) as head of recruiting and community engagement.

In her newly created position with the family and kid’s content producer whose credits include originals such as Pikwik Pack and Blue Blue, Jessop will oversee recruitment across all 2D and 3D productions – with a focus on attracting and retaining top global talent.

Further, she will work closely with the company’s producers and creative leads to find new opportunities for existing talent as well as continue to strengthen Guru’s focus on diversity and inclusion and champion its internal community initiatives. She reports to president and executive creative director Frank Falcone.

With 22 years of experience in the animation and VFX industry under her belt, Jessop’s past roles include serving as an artist manager for WildBrain and Sony Pictures Imageworks as well as a production manager for Pixar Canada. Of note, during her time with Sony, she’s credited with helping build the team behind award-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Enderby Entertainment teams with director Kirk Wise

California and Kelowna, B.C.-based finance and production company Enderby Entertainment is working on its first animated feature film, Sunny, with veteran director Kirk Wise (1991’s Beauty and the Beast).

Conceived by Enderby Entertainment CEO Rick Dugdale and Darrell Brown of Creative Anarchy, veteran writer Todd Ireland (ReBoot: The Guardian Code) – who recently joined Enderby Entertainment Canada as EVP – will pen the project’s script. Further, animation will be handled by Enderby Entertainment Canada.

Directed by Wise, Sunny follows a boy who must learn to manage his emotions because they control the sun. Executive producers on Sunny include Dan Petrie, Jr., Cam Cannon and Zac Reeder.

Dean MacDonald and Lynne Wilson join Island Horse Productions’ Inside

Former Rogers Cable COO Dean MacDonald and producer Lynne Wilson have joined Island Horse Productions’ Inside as executive producers.

A film adaptation of Kenneth J. Harvey’s 2007 novel, it was announced earlier this year that Harvey’s Newfoundland and Labrador-based production banner had optioned the project – with Harvey attached to pen the screenplay and direct. Production on the feature is expected to take place in Newfoundland in early 2022.

In addition to his past role with Rogers Cable, MacDonald is also the former CEO of Persona Communications. Currently, he is chair of Deacon Investments and owner of Deacon Sports and Entertainment.

Meanwhile, Wilson’s producing credits include Love & Savagery starring Alan Hawco as well as Relative Happiness and An Audience of Chairs directed by Deanne Foley. She has also worked in various production positions on projects such as Hudson & Rex, Republic of Doyle and the upcoming TV series The Surrealtor.

Pictured (left to right): Nafisa Murji and Jody Jessop