Zoe Leigh Hopkins facts for kids
Zoe Leigh Hopkins is a talented Canadian writer and film director. She is from the Heiltsuk and Mohawk nations. Zoe started her career as an actor in 1991. Later, she became a filmmaker, telling stories through movies.
About Zoe Leigh Hopkins
Zoe Leigh Hopkins was born in a Heiltsuk fishing village in British Columbia. Her father, Brian Maracle, is a journalist. Zoe is also a fluent speaker of the Mohawk language.
She began her journey in film at just 15 years old. Her first acting role was in the movie Black Robe in 1991. Zoe then studied film at Ryerson University, graduating in 1997.
After college, Zoe became an independent filmmaker. Her first short film was Prayer for a Good Day (2004). This film was shown at the famous Sundance Film Festival.
The Embargo Collective
Zoe is also part of a special group called the Embargo Collective. This group brings together seven Indigenous filmmakers from different parts of the world. They work together to create new and unique films. The ImagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival chose Zoe to be a part of this exciting group.
Most of Zoe's films have been short stories. However, she is now making longer movies. Her feature film Running Home is currently being made. It received support from Telefilm Canada and the ImagineNATIVE Film & Media Arts Festival.
Zoe's Film Projects
Zoe Leigh Hopkins has worked on many film projects. She has been an actor, director, writer, and producer.
| Production | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Black Robe | Actor | 1991 |
| Prayer for a Good Day | Director, writer, producer | 2004 |
| One-Eyed Dogs Are Free | Director, writer, producer | 2006 |
| Tsi tkahéhtayen (The Garden) | Director, writer, producer | 2009 |
| Our First Voices | Director, writer | 2010 |
| Button Blanket | Director, writer | 2010 |
| Mohawk Midnight Runners | Director, writer, producer | 2013 |
| The Embargo Project | Director | 2015 |
| Kayak to Klemtu | Director, writer | 2018 |
| Run Woman Run | Director, writer | 2021 |
| Little Bird | Director | 2023 |
| Don't Even | Director | 2024 |
Awards and Recognition
Zoe Leigh Hopkins has won several awards for her amazing films.
Her short film Tsi tkahétayen (The Garden) won the A&e Short Filmmaker's Award. This award was given at the NSI Online Festival.
Zoe also won the #TIFFStarWars contest. She recreated a scene from the original Star Wars movie in the Mohawk language. This short film was called "Star Wars - Trash Compactor Scene."
Her short film Mohawk Midnight Runners received many honors. It won awards at several festivals. These included the NSI Online Film Festival and imagineNATIVE. It also won Best Canadian Short Drama at imagineNATIVE in 2013.
In 2017, Zoe won the Audience Choice award at imagineNATIVE for her film Kayak to Klemtu.
Her 2021 film Run Woman Run also earned many awards. It won the Moon Jury Award at imagineNATIVE. At the 2022 Vancouver International Women in Film Festival, it won Best Feature Film and Best Screenplay. The lead actress, Dakota Ray Hebert, also won Best Performance for her role in the film.
