Lynne Fernie facts for kids

Lynne Fernie, born in 1946, is a talented Canadian filmmaker and artist. She is known for her work in documentaries and her passion for Canadian films. For 14 years, from 2002 to 2016, she helped choose Canadian films for the Hot Docs Festival. People said she had deep knowledge and always supported Canadian documentaries and the people who made them.

Filmmaking and Art Career

Award-Winning Documentaries

Lynne Fernie co-directed an award-winning documentary film in 1992. It was called Forbidden Love: The Unashamed Stories of ... Lives. She worked on this film with Aerlyn Weissman. They also directed another award-winning film together. This film was a biography about the author Jane Rule. Jane Rule was also a recipient of the Order of Canada.

Films for Young Audiences

Lynne Fernie also made short films that help young people. Her film School's Out! (1996) focused on bullying. Another film, Apples and Oranges (2003), was made for elementary school children. This film used both animation and documentary styles. It talked about bullying and how to be kind to everyone. The National Film Board of Canada produced it.

In Apples and Oranges, one part shows a girl named Anta and her two moms. They work with an all-girl band to deal with a bully. Another part features two skateboarders, Habib and Jeroux. They learn to handle unkindness after Jeroux shares something personal about himself.

Music and Community Work

Lynne Fernie was also involved in music. She wrote lyrics for the pop band The Parachute Club. She helped write the lyrics for their famous song, "Rise Up". This song was added to the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019. She also wrote lyrics for other songs, like "Neon Blue."

She was a founding member of a feminist magazine called Fireweed. She also worked as an editor for an artist magazine called Parallélogramme. Lynne Fernie has been very active in supporting diverse communities in Toronto. She worked with groups like the Lesbian Organization of Toronto and the Inside Out Film and Video Festival. These groups help celebrate different cultures and stories through film.

Teaching and Recognition

For eight years, Lynne Fernie taught film production at York University. She continues to be a programmer for the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. Her work in building diverse culture and history in Canada is recognized. A portrait of her, painted by artist Rafy, is kept in The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives. This collection honors important people in Canada's history.

Personal Life and Achievements

Lynne Fernie lives in Toronto. She is also a visual artist, and her art can be seen at the Oeno Gallery. She graduated with honors from the Ontario College of Art and Design. Besides her filmmaking, she has received many grants for her art and films. These grants came from organizations like the Canada Council, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Toronto Arts Council. She has also been a judge for these arts councils.

Filmography

Films Directed or Featured In

Television Work

Awards and Nominations

Lynne Fernie has won several awards for her work in film and art.

Art Exhibitions

Lynne Fernie's visual art has been shown in many exhibitions.