User:Kkapt689/sandbox

= Thirza Cuthand = (pronounced cut-hand)

Thirza Cuthand is an Indigenous filmmaker, performance artist, and writer from Canada. Thirza is the main creator and contributor to a vast amount of short experimental videos and films about love/sexuality, culture/tradition, identity, spirituality, racism/homophobia, expression, trauma, etc, since 1995. Cuthand’s main goal with her short experimental narratives and films is to break down neoliberal Indigenous political philosophies, as well as breakdown stereotypes and stigmas surrounding mental health, and queer identity, as she depicts in her work her journey of growing up as a lesbian, and being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Thirza’s work/films have been broadcasted at many events and organizations around the world, therefore this has allowed her to travel to the many places in which her work goes; she has even helped curate a video game. Thirza has her own website/blog called “Fit of Pique” which has been up since 2004, where she writes very frequently about the events, circumstances and situations in her life; her website also includes a donation tab, where you can fund her work if you enjoy it, her biography, her education and credentials (such as exhibitions, screenings, etc.), her contact information for distributors and artists, and finally her videos.

About Thirza
Thirza is of Plains Cree and Scottish descent, born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1978; however, most of her childhood and growing up was spent in Saskatoon, and she now resides in Toronto. Thirza is currently 40 years of age and when she was 23 she began to explore making short experimental videos and films individually and collaboratively about many topics and themes that resonated with her growing up in the Canadian prairies while being an indigenous lesbian and having been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Thirza’s use of humour is very evident in her blogs and in her work with film, making these topics easier to attain for her viewers, and those who may relate to her.

Education/Scholarships and Grants
Thirza obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and majored in film/video at Emily Carr University of Art & Design, in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 2005 when she was 27. She then moved on to receive her Masters of Arts, and majored in Media Production at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario, in 2015.

Thirza has also received many scholarships and grants; the most recent being the Ontario Art Council Media Project Grant and the Telefilm Feature Development Funding, both in 2018. The remainder being the Telefilm Feature Development Funding in 2017, Canada Council for the Arts Travel Grant & Toronto Art Council Media Project Grant both in 2016, Canada Council for the Arts Screenwriting Grant in 2015, Canada Council for the Arts Travel Grant & the Ryerson University Fellowship in 2014/2015, Canada Council for the Arts Travel Grant in 2013, Saskatchewan Arts Board Individual Project Grant in Media Arts in 2012, Canada Council Travel Grant in 2011, Canada Council Travel Grant in 2010, Saskatchewan Arts Board Travel Grant & Canada Council Research/Creation Grant both in 2008, Canada Council Screenwriting Grant in 2003, and lastly, her first scholarships received in 2000, the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation Scholarship and Emily Carr University Tuition Scholarship.

Awards

 * REVEAL Award, Hnatyshyn Foundation, 2017


 * Best Low Budget Screenplay at Female Eye Film Festival, 2016, for "Evil Fire"


 * Audience Choice award at ReelPride, 2014 for "Just Dandy"


 * Best Experimental Film at Female Eye Film Festival, 2014, for "Sight"


 * New MIC Award for digital arts for Grad Film Anhedonia at Emily Carr University 2001


 * Honorable Mention in International Competition for "Helpless Maiden Makes an “I” Statement" at Oberhausen International Short Film Festival, 2001


 * Gerry Brunet Memorial Award for "Untouchable", Out On Screen, 1998

Filmography
Here is a full list of all Thirza's short experimental films/videos, followed by her role, the length, the year and the distributor.


 * "Evil Fire"- Feature in Development


 * "Reclamation"- Director/Writer/Producer, HD, 13:11, 2018 Dist. Cinema Politica


 * "Thirza Cuthand Is an Indian Within the Meaning of the Indian Act"- Director/Writer/Producer, HD, 8:40, 2017 Dist. Vtape, Videopool


 * "2 Spirit Dreamcatcher Dot Com"- Director/Writer/Producer, HD, 4:56, 2017 Dist. Vtape, Videopool


 * "The Longform Lesbian Census"- Co-Directed with Riki Yandt, HD, 4:20, 2017 Dist. Vtape


 * "2 Spirit Introductory Special $19.99"- Director/Writer/Producer, RED, 4:37, 2015 Dist. VTape, Video Out


 * "Just Dandy"- Director/Editor/Producer, HDV, 7:37, 2013 Dist. VTape, Video Out


 * "Boi Oh Boi"- Director/Editor/Producer, HDV, 9:32, 2012 Dist. VTape, Video Out


 * "Sight"- Director/Editor/Producer, Super 8, 3:23, 2012 Dist. VTape, Video Out


 * "Homelands"- Director/ Editor/Producer, Digital Video 53:00, 2010 Dist. VTape


 * "You Are A Lesbian Vampire"- Director, Editor, Producer, Digital Video, 3:17, 2008 Dist. Vtape


 * "Madness in Four Actions"- Director/Editor/Producer Digital Video, 9;00, 2008 Dist. VTape


 * "Love & Numbers"- Writer/Director/Editor/Producer , digital video, 8:03, 2004 Dist. VTape


 * "Anhedonia"- Writer/Director/Editor/Producer, 16mm/digital video fusion, 9:00, 2001 Dist. VTape


 * "Helpless Maiden Makes an “I” Statement"- Writer/Director/Editor/Producer, digital video, 6:12, 1999 Dist. VTape, Video Out


 * "Thirza Cuthand’s Through the Looking Glass"- Writer/Director/Editor, digital video, 14:00, 1999 Dist. Videopool, VTape, Video Out


 * "Manipulation/Dictation"- Writer/Director/Editor/Producer, super 8, 4:00, 1999 Dist. Vtape, Video Out
 * "Untouchable"- Writer/Director/Editor/Producer, Hi-8, 4:00, 1998 Dist. Video Out, VTape


 * "Earth Flesh"- Writer/Director, hi-8, 1:00, 1997 Dist. Video Out


 * "Bisexual Wannabe"- Writer/Director/Editor/Producer, Hi-8, 3:00, 1997 Dist. Videopool


 * "Working Baby Dyke Theory"- Writer/Director/Editor/Producer, Hi-8, 5:00, 1997 Dist. Videopool


 * "Colonization: The Second Coming"- Writer/Director/Editor, Hi-8, 3:30, 1996 Dist. Videopool


 * "My Sister"- Co-Director/Editor with Danielle Ratzlaff, S-VHS, 5:00, 1996 Dist. Videopool


 * "Lessons in Baby Dyke Theory"- Writer/Director, Hi-8, 3:30, 1995 Dist. Videopool