Simran Dhinjal is a Finance & Administrative Coordinator at CMPA-BC, where she manages administrative operations within the BC branch and provides support to the Finance Manager.

In her role at CMPA, Simran is responsible for efficiently managing administrative processes within the BC branch. Her diverse skill set includes project coordination, creative problem-solving, and assisting in financial management.

Simran pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production at the University of British Columbia, where she made her mark by producing seven short films, showcasing her dedication to storytelling and creative exploration. Simran’s education also includes a Diploma in Filmmaking from Manchester Metropolitan University, a Diploma in Commerce from Ness Wadia College of Commerce, and training in Graphics Animation and Design.

Her creative passions extend beyond filmmaking into the realm of performance and installation art. Simran’s weekends are often spent as a 1st Assistant Director on indie film sets, a role that seamlessly integrates her organizational skills and artistic insights. She finds further artistic fulfillment in painting, specializing in Warli and Madhubani styles.

Simran’s favorite Canadian content is “STORIES WE TELL” by Sarah Polley, as she considers it one of the most daring and honest works.

As CMPA-BC’s managing VP, Tracey represents and supports BC-based independent production companies, plus oversees branch operations.

In her role she leads efforts to engage with government agencies and industry stakeholders across the province. In addition to her BC-focused responsibilities, Tracey also provides strategic input to the national organization and its members on a number of key files, including sustainability and climate action.

Tracey has over 30 years’ experience in Canada’s cultural sector. She spent more than a decade at the National Film Board, where she earned producer or executive credits on dozens of film, animation and interactive projects. Other contracts have included Rainmaker Digital Pictures in the ‘90s, the start-up phase of Roundhouse Radio, major research papers for DOC and Inspirit Foundation, and more recently the David Suzuki Foundation, as director of communications. Tracey is also an author and founder of Story Money Impact, the charitable organization advancing education around media impact. In 2013 she was named ‘Woman of the Year’ by WIFTV.

Tracey’s education includes a radio and television degree from TMU, and both an MA and MBA from SFU. She appreciates opportunities to mentor, moderate, adjudicate or convene groups, and was a regular co-facilitator at Hollyhock Leadership Institute’s annual Media That Matters conference. She currently sits on the board of BC’s Motion Picture Production Industry Association (MPPIA) and SCALE’s Mission Circle.

A Canadian big-screen highlight that still stands out in Tracey’s memory is the 2017 DOXA premiere of Marie Clements’ The Road Forward. What a powerful night!

Raila is the Director of Member Development at the CMPA-BC where she supports BC independent producers. Working closely with members, Raila oversees professional development opportunities and international development. She also manages the event sponsorship portfolio and works with community partners on various committees to support industry-wide initiatives

Raila was the inaugural Program Director for the Pacific Screenwriting Program (PSP), a non-profit organization co-founded by CMPA-BC, Netflix and Creative BC in 2018. The PSP provides support and career-advancement opportunities to BC-based film and television writers. Under Raila’s leadership, the PSP made meaningful strides in building and nurturing BC’s screenwriter community. Before the PSP, Raila served as Marketing Director at Corus Entertainment.

Jason oversees industrial relations for the BC Producers Branch of the CMPA, representing independent producers in collective labour matters and serving as a member resource for collective agreement interpretation and production practices.

As the lead negotiator in collective bargaining on behalf of the BC Branch Council, Jason is responsible for the negotiation and management of the CMPA’s labour agreements with BC’s guilds and unions, which represent writers, directors, performers and technicians. He assists members in the preparation of grievances and arbitrations, and represents the independent production sector in matters of employment standards, health and safety, and regulatory compliance.

Prior to joining the CMPA, Jason was vice-president of business and legal affairs with SEVEN24 Films, managing business and financial matters for the Canadian series Heartland, Young Drunk Punk and Wynonna Earp. During this time, he was co-chair of the CMPA’s national IR committee and was a producer representative in collective bargaining with ACTRA, the DGC and the WGC. Previously, Jason worked as an independent corporate, commercial and feature-film producer.

Jason received an honours BA and MA in social anthropology from the University of Calgary, and attended the National Screen Institute’s Drama Prize Program Producers Lab.

Jason’s favourite Canadian TV series is The Kids in the Hall because it was irreverent and subversive, and remains funny 25 years later.

Ryan oversees the general office management of the BC Producers Branch and is the corporate secretary to the Branch Council.

Ryan acts as a point of contact for BC members and assists with the coordination of BC sponsorship commitments and networking events. In addition, Ryan is responsible for the administration of the BC accounts.

Prior to the CMPA, Ryan worked at BC Hydro as a business analyst with the SAP PPM Application Support team, analyzing education materials for consolidation and redevelopment. Before BC Hydro, he worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers as a client account associate, acting as a liaison between clients and senior management and assisting with the facilitation of the audit process.

Ryan’s favourite Canadian movies include One Week, Room and C.R.A.Z.Y. Each film has the ability to evoke an emotional response with its story.

Tereza provides support and guidance to BC producers regarding the application and interpretation of the CMPA’s labour agreements, and is the primary contact for BC Industrial Relations inquiries.

As a member of the BC Industrial Relations team, Tereza supports in the preparation and management of collective labour negotiations and is responsible for the administration of the labour agreements that govern producers’ working relationships with the industry’s unions and guilds and their members in British Columbia.

Prior to joining the CMPA, Tereza had an extensive 20-year career with ACTRA Toronto, representing the organization in multiple capacities.  Tereza’s work included the administration of collective agreements on behalf of performers across all aspects of the screen-based production industry, as well as representing organization in outreach initiatives to promote and maximize the union’s impact within the entertainment industry.

When it comes to Canadian production, Tereza will happily binge watch any iteration of Degrassi and appreciates that they are not afraid to tackle the current challenges young people face in a relatable and inclusive manner.

Liz Shorten has been working to build capacity in the film, television and digital media sectors for the past 25 years. In her role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the CMPA, Liz leads staff and oversees organizational operations across the association’s offices in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver, and works to implement the CMPA’s corporate strategic plan.  Liz previously held senior positions at the Ontario Film Development Corporation (Ontario Creates), British Columbia Film (Creative BC), and CBC Television.

Active in many organizations, Liz is currently Chair of the Board of Directors of REEL CANADA and Secretary/Treasurer of the Pacific Screenwriting Program. Liz was a founding Board member of the Crazy8’s Film Society, Co-founder of Women in View and Founding Chair of Story Money Impact.  She was recently named one of BC’s top 500 Business Leaders by Business in Vancouver, “Woman of the Year” by Women in Film and Television Vancouver and “Industry Champion” by the Whistler Film Festival in recognition of her leadership role in the film and television industry.

As a member of the BC Industrial Relations team, Jeremy assists with a range of priorities, from member inquiries to collective bargaining. He coordinates and schedules meetings with staff, members, and external organizations; manages external communication for the BC Branch, including Notes to Members; and supports the IR team in preparing for labour negotiations and in creating CMPA-BC collective agreements.

Jeremy has a background in the independent sector, producing and managing the production of award-winning web and short-form content. Jeremy is a graduate of Capilano University, with a bachelor’s degree in Motion Picture Arts.

Jeremy’s current favourite CanCon series is Letterkenny, but he also regularly enjoys exploring much older works through the NFB, when the full potential of film was first being explored.