Ally Pankiw

Ally Pankiw (born November 14, 1986 ) is a Canadian film and television writer and director from Toronto, Ontario, whose debut feature film I Used to Be Funny premiered in 2023.

Career
Pankiw began her career with Partizan Midi-Minuit, directing music videos for artists such as Kira Isabella, Ralph, Muna, Janelle Monáe and Arkells, as well as making short films. Beginning in 2017 she directed the comedy web series Terrific Women for CBC Gem, as well as becoming a story editor on the television sitcom Schitt's Creek.

She subsequently directed the entire first season of Mae Martin's semi-autobiographical comedy series Feel Good, as well as episodes of Shrill and The Great.

In 2022, she was announced as co-creator with Dan Levy of Standing By, an animated comedy series about a group of disgruntled guardian angels, for Hulu.

I Used to Be Funny premiered at the 2023 South by Southwest festival, and had its Canadian premiere at the 2023 Inside Out Film and Video Festival. She also directed "Joan Is Awful", a 2023 episode of the anthology series Black Mirror which starred Annie Murphy and Salma Hayek.

Lilith Fair, following the concert tour of the same name is slated to premiere on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation schedule in 2025–2026.

Awards
She received a Canadian Comedy Award nomination for Best Direction in a Web Series at the 18th Canadian Comedy Awards in 2018, for Terrific Women.

At Inside Out, I Used to Be Funny won the Audience Award for best narrative feature film.

Personal life
Pankiw came out as queer in 2008. She was in a relationship with Naomi McPherson of the band Muna.