Liz Marshall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Liz Marshall
Born	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Nationality	Canadian
Education	Ryerson University, York University
Occupation	Filmmaker
Years active	1994–present

Liz Marshall is a Canadian filmmaker who lives in Toronto. Since the 1990s, she has directed and produced many independent films. She has also worked with film and television teams. Her projects include documentaries for TV, movies, and special campaigns. These films have been shot all over the world.

Liz Marshall's longer documentaries often focus on important topics. These include social justice (making things fair for everyone) and environmental issues. She tells these stories through strong characters. She is famous for her films The Ghosts in Our Machine and Water on the Table. For Water on the Table, she also created campaigns to help people get involved. She spoke at many global events about the film. Water on the Table features Maude Barlow, an activist who works for water rights. The Ghosts in Our Machine features Jo-Anne McArthur, an animal rights activist and photographer.

About Liz Marshall's Journey

Early Studies and Career

In the early 1990s, Liz Marshall studied film, video, and photography. She went to Ryerson University in Toronto. Since then, she has worked in many roles. These include director, writer, producer, and cinematographer. She often works with other award-winning filmmakers. Her work includes films about musicians, dancers, and authors. She also makes documentaries for different organizations. Liz Marshall often puts together film teams through her company, LizMars Productions.

Working with Big Names

Liz Marshall has worked with many well-known companies and broadcasters. Some of these include Netflix, MTV Canada, and the CBC. She has also worked with groups like War Child Canada and the Stephen Lewis Foundation. These groups help people in need around the world. She also worked with animal welfare groups like the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

Being Part of the Film Community

Liz Marshall is an active member of the Canadian film community. She was an elected board member for the Toronto chapter of the Documentary Organization of Canada. This group helps independent documentary filmmakers. She is also a core member of Film Fatales. This is a global group of female directors. They work to create more films by and about women.

In 1995, the American folk singer Ani DiFranco asked Liz Marshall to film her on tour. Liz Marshall created a multimedia collection of footage from this tour.

Declining an Award

In 2013, Liz Marshall politely turned down a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. She did this to show her support for the Idle No More movement. This movement works for the rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Other notable people like Maude Barlow and Naomi Klein also declined the medal.

In 2017, Liz Marshall finished her advanced degree. She earned a Master of Fine Arts in Cinema Production from York University.

Liz Marshall's Films

Documentary Films

• Meat the Future (2020)
• The Ghosts in Our Machine (2013): This film features Jo-Anne McArthur. Liz Marshall was the director, producer, writer, and co-cinematographer for this movie.
• Water on the Table (2010): This film features Maude Barlow. Liz Marshall was the director, producer, writer, and co-cinematographer for this movie.
• The Rawside of... the Bourbon Tabernacle Choir (2008): Liz Marshall was the director.
• Girls of Latitude (2008): This film features Nicole Holness, Diane Salema, and Aliya-Jasmine Sovani. Liz Marshall was the director.
• HIV/AIDS Trilogy (2007): Made for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Liz Marshall was the director and producer. This series included:
  • Grandmothers: The Unsung Heroes of Africa
  • A Generation of Orphans
  • Women: The Face of AIDS
• Inside Your Threads (2004): This film features Hawksley Workman, Jully Black, and Sam Roberts. Liz Marshall was the co-director and cinematographer.
• Voices of Dissent: The Struggle For Freedom of Expression in Turkey (2002): This film features Daniel Richler. Liz Marshall was the director and producer.
• Musicians in the War Zone (2001): This film features The Rascalz, David Usher, Chantal Kreviazuk, and Raine Maida. Liz Marshall was the director and field producer.

Short Films and Music Videos

• Mawal Saba (2007): This film features Maryem Hassan Tollar. Liz Marshall was the director.
• Listen (2005): This film features Sexsmith & Kerr (Ron Sexsmith and Don Kerr). Liz Marshall was the director.
• The Weight of Memory (2001): This film features Peggy Baker. Liz Marshall was the director.
• Messages: To the World's Leaders (2000): Made for War Child Canada. Liz Marshall was the director and producer.
• Ani Does Laundry (1997): This film features Ani DiFranco. Liz Marshall was the director, producer, and writer.
• Chemical Valley (1995): This film features Kyp Harness. Liz Marshall was the director.

Awards and Recognition

For The Ghosts in Our Machine

• 2015:
  • Nominated for the Donald Brittain Award for Best Social/Political Documentary at the Canadian Screen Awards.
  • Nominated for Best Direction and Best Photography in a Documentary Program at the Canadian Screen Awards.
  • Won Best Sound in a Documentary Program at the Canadian Screen Awards.
• 2014:
  • Honored at the 18th Annual Webby Awards for Best Use of Interactive Video.
  • Shortlisted for the International LUSH Prize.
• 2013:
  • Won Top Transformational Film (Viewers Choice Award).
  • Won Top Ten Audience Favourite Award at the Hot Docs Film Festival.
  • Won Best Nature/Environment Golden Sheaf Award at the Yorkton Film Festival.
  • Won Special Jury Prize at the DMZ Docs.
  • Won Best Canadian Feature at the Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival.
  • Won 2nd place Green Screen Award at the Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival.
  • Won Top Twenty Audience Favourite Award at the IDFA.
  • Nominated for Best Director in a Documentary at the Yorkton Film Festival.

Other Awards

• 2012:
  • Was offered the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. She respectfully declined it to support the Idle No More movement.
• 2011:
  • For Water on the Table: Received an Honourable Mention at Canada's Environmental Media Awards.
  • For Water on the Table: Was a Featured Canadian Film for Cinema Politica.
• 2010:
  • For Water on the Table: Won Best Canadian Feature award at the Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival.
  • For Water on the Table: Nominated for the Donald Brittain Award for Best Social/Political Documentary at the Gemini Awards.
• 2005:
  • For Inside Your Threads: Shortlisted for the CIDA Deborah Fletcher Award.
  • For Inside Your Threads: Won a Gold medal from the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB).
  • For Inside Your Threads: Won a Bronze medal at the New York International Film Festival.
• 2001:
  • For Musicians in the War Zone: Won a Gold medal from Cable in the Classroom.
  • For Musicians in the War Zone: Won a Gold medal from the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB).
  • For Musicians in the War Zone: Won a Bronze medal at the New York International Film Festival.