Kyle Thomas (born 23 June 1983) is a Canadian screenwriter, director, producer, and actor. His first feature film, The Valley Below, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2014. It garnered two Canadian Screen Award nominations in the categories of Best Supporting Actor for Kris Demeanor and Best Original Song for Dan Mangan's "Wants".[1] The film received largely positive reviews from the Canadian media, including The Globe and Mail and the National Post, who called the film a "superb first feature".[2]
Kyle Thomas | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Thomas in 2013 | |
| Born | 23 June 1983 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Alma mater | Concordia University |
| Occupation(s) | Film director, screenwriter, producer, actor |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Website | northcountrycinema |
Early life and education
Thomas was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, and raised in Calgary, Alberta.[citation needed] He began making films with the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers in his teenage years before attending Concordia University's Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema in Montreal in the early 2000s. After completing his BFA, he returned to Calgary to establish the North Country Cinema media arts collective in 2005.[3]
Career
Directing and producing
Thomas is a founding member of North Country Cinema, along with filmmakers Alexander Carson and Nicholas Martin, whom he met at the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec.[3] Through North Country Cinema, Thomas has focused on producing director-driven film and video content, and has created award-winning works[4] that have screened at major international festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival[5] and SXSW.[6] Thomas' recent films have portrayed neo-realist narratives concerned with intimate, personal stories depicting life in rural Alberta. Following the announcement that his first feature film The Valley Below would be funded by Telefilm Canada, he was declared one of "10 Canadians to Watch at Cannes" in 2013.[7]
Acting work
Thomas plays the role of Danny in North Country Cinema's second feature film O, Brazen Age written and directed by Alexander Carson. The film premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival in 2015.[8]
Education Work
Kyle Thomas currently runs The Studio at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology as an invaluable resource for the education community. Focusing on developing educational content within the Teaching and Learning Centre of Innovation alongside his illustrious colleagues, Kyle holds a unique position that belongs with a focus on education.
Filmography
- 2007: Last Chance Saloon
- 2008: Ghost Town
- 2009: Liminal State of Decay
- 2011: Not Far from the Abattoir
- 2012: The Post
- 2014: The Valley Below
- 2021: Range Roads