Biographie
Tanner Zurkoski is a third-generation Indigenous media maker, born in Prince Rupert, BC, and raised on the traditional territories of the Sto:lo, Nuu-Chah-Nulth, Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. His involvement in film began early, assisting his mother, documentary filmmaker Nitanis Desjarlais, by logging and transferring mini DV tapes of her footage and interviews documenting Indigenous resistance movements in the early 2000s. His Kokum, Cleo Reece, was a founding member of one of Canada’s first Indigenous film festivals, and his grandfather, Victor Reece, was a renowned Tsimshian carver. Tanner studied film production at York University in Toronto and went on to write, direct, and produce the award-winning comedy series "The Village Green" for Canal+. After returning to BC, he collaborated with talented filmmakers, refining his skills across American TV movies, feature documentaries, series, and animation. Tanner is committed to telling authentic Indigenous stories through both his professional and creative work. His Crave short film "Whale" addresses language revitalization and cultural resurgence, following a young boy who returns to his estranged community and is embraced and guided by it. The short was supported by the Harold Greenberg Fund, Bell Media, and the Netflix Accelerator Fund via the Canadian Film Centre. Tanner aims to continue growing professionally while championing genuine Indigenous storytelling within the Canadian production landscape and as a creative filmmaker. His most recent project is a hybrid animated documentary focusing on Nuu-Chah-Nulth history along the west coast of Vancouver Island.
