Leena Minifie
Bio
Leena Minifie is a mixed blood (Gitxaala and British) film/video artist raised in Kitimat BC and who now resides in Vancouver as a freelance Producer /Production Manager for film & television. Leena has pursued a lifelong dream of producing media art and independent film. Her work in this area started in video before progressing to film and multi-media. After working in Edmonton for Media-Masters, she went on to assist independent producers in the area until 2001. Minifie’s acceptance into Capilano’s Aboriginal Film and Television Program (AFTP) prompted a move to Vancouver.
Leena made the dean’s list and acquired a few scholarships and awards while completing her two-year diploma specializing in Producing in the Advanced Motion Picture Program. Leena has completed two self-produced shorts. Her graduating film from Capilano College,Two Lines, placed 2nd in the 2002 Cascadia Festival of Moving Images for best post-secondary dramatic short.
Leena went on to a specialized program for Indigenous Professionals in media at IMAG in 2002. While there, she created her next piece. Connected By Innate Rhythm was a solo creation – an experimental video installation that is a unique combination of traditional and modern Aboriginal forms of dance accompanied by cutting-edge, electronic piece-music artist Meek.
Leena Minifie then made a move back home to her traditional territory on Kaien Island (Prince Rupert, BC). She went on to reporting and producing daily news for the next few years for agencies such as CBC, NPR and Aboriginal Peoples Television Network’s Prime Time National News. After returning to Vancouver, she was accepted into the CFTPA/Telefilm’s Producer in Training Program and finished her placement recently with Screen Siren Pictures Inc. This year marks her first with her own company, Stories First Inc., which now has several projects in development.
Artist Statement
Geeka (Water’s Edge) is a narrative modern Native dance film that explores one Native American dancer as she interacts with a future in which the most powerful rivers and pristine lakes run dry. Starring Melina Laboucan Massimo (Cree). Produced and Directed by Leena Minifie (Tsimshian).
Video
"Geeka"
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