Jack Parker, Filmmaker – Calgary
Jack Parker makes fiction and non-fiction films on 16mm. His work has screened at festivals both nationally and internationally, including the Vancouver International Film Festival, WNDX, and Kasseler Dokfest. Some are also available on CBC Gem. He is the Festival Coordinator for the Artifact Small Format Film Festival too. His 2025 short Canada in the 12th Century is included in the Cats in the Cracks program during this weekend’s Diffusion 2025 festival in Toronto.
- Study for “The Smiths”: Compositional Sketch No. 1 by W. Blair Bruce
I’ve probably spent more time looking at this painting than any other on account of it being my work computer wallpaper. One day I would like to see it in person.
2. Palliser’s Triangle
Palliser’s Triangle is a region which stretches along the Southern part of Canada’s prairie provinces and is defined by its dry climate, sandy soil, and extensive grass cover that suffers frequent droughts. Despite initially being deemed unsuitable for agriculture, Canadian colonialist expansionism beginning in the late-19th Century transformed the landscape into “Canada’s Breadbasket.” I hope to soon make a movie about this landscape and its history of displacement and resource extraction.
3. Year of the Horse by Neil Young
“They all sound the same – it’s all one song.”
4. Deborah Stratman’s films
I’ve got this great DVD that collects some of her films, and I rented all the others that are available on Doc Alliance. I still need to see the one she did in the Yukon.
5. The Toronto Maple Leafs off-season
Now that his 6x$7.75M extension is official, I will be buying a Matthew Knies jersey this season. I’m all in on this guy. There’s nothing better than a power forward.