Jennifer Podemski has been named as ACTRA National Woman of the Year.

Podemski is an award-winning actor, writer, director and producer. Her on-screen credits include The Rez, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Blackstone, Departure and Reservation Dogs. (Her first on-camera role was on Wonderstruck when she was 13 years-old.)

Behind-the-camera, Podemski has helmed several series, including The Seventh Generation, Rabbit Fall, The Other Side, Moccasin Flats and Future History. Recently, she co-created the award-winning limited series Little Bird, which garnered the most nominations for the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards.

Podemski’s advocacy work has been equally notable. Working with her team at the Shine Network Institute, in partnership with the National Screen Institute, she spearheaded the 45 minute PACT (Pledge, Activate, Cultivate, Thrive) online training course, which provides training for non-Indigenous people in the screen industry to help prepare them for working with Indigenous productions and content.

“Jennifer Podemski is a performer, creator, producer and activist – an inspiration to everyone working in our entertainment industry,” said ACTRA National president Eleanor Noble in a statement. “She understands the power of storytelling and is deeply committed to the mentorship and growth of Indigenous creators. For decades she has fought to raise the bar for women and equity deserving filmmakers to be able to create high-quality Canadian content.”

“I am truly honoured to be acknowledged as the 2024 ACTRA National Woman of the Year,” said Podemski. “It is a privilege to do the work I do and to have a career that has spanned 30 years. It continues to amaze me. I promise to continue to do my part in passing on knowledge and uplifting Indigenous women with love. I would also like to acknowledge the incredible women who came before me and truly created space for so many of us to do what we do.”

Since 2010, ACTRA has bestowed the annual National Woman of the Year Award upon an ACTRA member who uses their passion to support union members and women within the broader audiovisual industry.

Image courtesy of ACTRA