Biography
Jennifer Podemski is an acclaimed Film and Television Producer and Actor hailing from Toronto, Canada.
With a mixed heritage of First Nations and Israeli descent, Jennifer began her acting journey as a teenager. Her career took off when she was cast as Pique in CBC's The Diviners, followed by a leading role in Bruce McDonald's Dance Me Outside.
As her on-screen career flourished, Jennifer became aware of the lack of representation behind the camera. While she frequently portrayed First Nations characters, she seldom encountered First Nations writers, producers, or directors.
By age 25, having built a strong career, Jennifer co-founded Big Soul Productions (BSP) with fellow producer Laura Milliken. BSP was Canada's first Aboriginal-owned and operated full-service production company, producing hundreds of hours of television, including three seasons of the award-winning dramatic series Moccasin Flats for Showcase and APTN.
In 2005, Jennifer established Redcloud Studios, Inc., embarking on a solo producing path.
Though she has sustained a successful acting career with roles in Degrassi, Republic of Doyle, Sarah Polley's Take This Waltz, and Jimmy P alongside Benicio Del Toro, Jennifer's proudest achievement is her lead role in her film Empire of Dirt. The film earned her two Canadian Screen Award nominations: Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Best Feature Film as producer.
Empire of Dirt premiered at TIFF 2014, followed by a theatrical release in Canada and screenings worldwide on the film festival circuit.
Jennifer is also the creator and producer of APTN's popular paranormal series The Other Side, currently filming its second season; she has served nine years as Co-Executive Producer and Creative Director of the Indspire Awards (Global, APTN), which received a nomination for Best Lifestyle Television Show at the 2014 Canadian Screen Awards.
More recently, Jennifer appears as Dr. Crowshoe on the acclaimed drama series Blackstone, HBO's Sensitive Skin with Kim Catrall, and in FireSong, written and directed by Adam Garnett Jones.
A storyteller both in front of and behind the camera, Jennifer remains dedicated to mentoring Aboriginal youth in film and television, conducting workshops on self-esteem across the US and Canada.
