Other Works

if you were me

(13 min. 2022)

Intimate and uncertain, a young couple ask each other questions with the hopes of becoming closer.

“This film is rather wonderful. A feature-length of story in thirteen minutes! Deceptively straightforward but remarkably layered.” Jonathan Marlow

“A marvellous, very dense tale of two. Quite touching and quite ‘Ingrid-esque’ in the most positive way.” Florian Weghorn

“A wonderful new short film (from Ingrid Veninger) that I found profoundly relevant to our current state of things in the US.” Holly Herrick

 

WISH

(11 min. 2021)

In this intimate and achingly beautiful portrait of a mother and daughter, we share the milestone of Laska’s 1st birthday with crocheted crowns and blueberry muffins. A story about family, motherhood, courage and the resilience people find during the most challenging times.

WATCH ON CBC GEM.

“Veninger’s own daughter and granddaughter star in the film. There is much to appreciate in WISH. It is about family, motherhood, relationships, and the resilience people find during the most testing and difficult circumstances.” Heidy M @hyemusings

“Beautiful, provocative.” Julia Grant

“Touching, and profound, a film for our times to be sure” Robyn Stevan Matamoros

“I love this film. It’s such a beautiful portrait of new motherhood during this crazy time.” Laura Good

Watch it Here:

WISH CBC GEM

 

JAY FEELBENDER – BIG GAME

From director, Ingrid Veninger, “I love working with Jacob (aka Jay Feelbender) because he’s always receptive, playful, creative. He has been an amazing collaborator from our very first ventures — starting when he was 8-years-old. We’ve made short films (The Bunny Project, Everything is Love and Fear, Mama) and features (Only, i am a good person/i am a bad person, The Animal Project).

BIG GAME is the third Jay Feelbender single release in 5 months. The psychedelic energy of this track quickly got under my skin. Immediately I visualized layers, 360 rotations, split screens, shooting through prisms, pinks, blues, greens. Wide angle lenses and rapid zooms. Jay in a pink suit was a key image and dancing was a must. I reached out for b-boys on Facebook and was linked to Lee Pham. Lee led me to Mark and Arie, who are featured in the video. A drive through the Wasaga Beach near Collingwood lead to the discovery of some excellent and nostalgic locations: motels, painted walls and sand dunes. The track has a party vibe but, as with many of Jay’s songs, there’s a vulnerable underbelly. I wanted the visual energy to be a blurring of kinetic joy, mixed with a desperate need for escape, and intense longing. I reunited with DP Michael Maddeaux and editor Chris Mutton who were both part of the key team for Porcupine Lake, my 6th feature film. We shot this video in 6 hours with a crew of 3. Next, I plan to co-develop a series with Jacob. We have a good time together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQRNSL3dDJw

 

THE OTHER SIDE OF PORCUPINE LAKE

WORLD PREMIERE WHISTLER FILM FESTIVAL

(85 min. 2017)

In the spirit of encouraging a new generation of filmmakers, The Other Side of Porcupine Lake not only gives insight into how Ingrid Veninger, “Canada’s DIY queen of filmmaking”, makes her films, but also provides us with a front row seat on the fascinating, challenging, and collaborative journey of independent filmmaking.

“A moving portrait of a personal and collective process.” Jill Friedberg, Whistler Film Festival, World Documentary Jury

“Required viewing for filmmakers and film fans.” Jason Whyte, eFilmCritic

“This film is not only a companion piece [to Porcupine Lake], it’s cinema. It can stand alone.” Alan Zweig, Filmmaker

Watch it Here:

 
THE OTHER SIDE OF PORCUPINE LAKE                   THE OTHER SIDE OF PORCUPINE LAKE
 

 

GOODBYE HONOLULU – TYPICAL

“I’ve been working exclusively in features so it was liberating to direct this music video — my first!” explains director Ingrid Veninger. “I love the sound of GOODBYE HONOLULU. With the melancholy feel of this track, the first image I saw in my head was the band playing on a winter beach in the bright sun, dressed in yellow rain ponchos. Next came the idea of shooting infrared and wide-screen. And who doesn’t like a little time-lapse? We shot this video in 6 hours with a crew of 3. I hope the images serve the song and capture some of the band’s awesome energy.” Ingrid Veninger

LYRICS
Oh my love I’ve done it again / Went and lost my only friend
That’s so typical of me…
Oh my love I’m breaking down / Got no one to run to in this small town
Well that’s so typical of me…
Now I’m drinking something I shouldn’t / I tried to call you up but I just couldn’t
‘Cause it’s so typical of me..
Call me… Old fashioned but I’m looking for some love… With some action
And I know that I Could do better
But I keep runnin’ back to the arms of your sweater
Bones are breakin’ and I’m feelin’ weak / Haven’t eaten and I can’t speak
That’s so typical of me…
I’m losing my patience and I can’t sleep / Avoiding all of your apologies
That’s so typical of me…
I’ve got no more money and I got no more weed / I used to think those were the only things I need
That’s so typical of me…
Call me… Old fashioned but I’m looking for some love… With some action
And I know that I Could do better
But I keep runnin’ back to the arms of your sweater
I keep runnin’ back… I keep runnin’ back… I keep runnin’ back…

 

1K Wave Toronto

WORLD PREMIERE THE ROYAL CINEMA

On May 22 2012, Ingrid Veninger and Stacey Donen initiated a $1000 Feature Film Challenge for Toronto-based filmmakers. 34 local filmmaking teams took up the Challenge. Five were selected. 5 features for $5000 in 5 months.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Ingrid Veninger, Stacey Donen

HOTEL CONGRESS
DIRECTORS: Nadia Litz, Michel Kandinsky
A woman and man agree to meet at a hotel in Tucson, known for its nefarious associations to bank robber John Dillinger, in this funny and tender story of true love told through infidelity.

ME, THE BEES AND CANCER 
DIRECTORS: John Board, Hector Centeno
Legendary 1st AD, John Board (Cronenberg, Jewison, Louis Malle), delves into this personal documentary.  An exploration of ‘modern’ medicine and alternative treatments, including bee sting therapy, in an effort to cure his own cancer.

MOURNING HAS BROKEN
DIRECTORS: Jason and Brett Butler
In this dark comedy, a husband refuses to deal with the death of his wife, and ends up dealing with everything else that pisses him off instead.

SOCKEYE
DIRECTOR: Ben Roberts
A one-night father-son odyssey, where hidden family secrets surface unexpectedly.

LIQUID HANDCUFFS: THE UN-MAKING OF METHADONIA
DIRECTOR: John L’Ecuyer
A diaristic look at 24-hours in the life of a meth addict.

 

The End of Time

WORLD PREMIERE LOCARNO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

(114 min. 2012)

DIRECTOR: Peter Mettler

PRODUCERS: Ingrid Veninger, Cornelia Seitler, Gerry Flahive

THE END OF TIME is a personal, rigorous and visionary exploration into our perception of time. Filmmaker, Peter Mettler dares to dream the movie of the future while also immersing us in the wonder of the present.

“… recalling the work of Terrence Malick, Werner Herzog and the late Chris Marker… THE END OF TIME become immersive and hypnotic… a ravishingly beautiful experience.” Stephen Dalton, The Hollywood Reporter

“A work of vision… A globe-trotting cine-essay about time… poetic and lovely.” Adam Nayman, POV

“Splendiferously trippy.” Jason Anderson, Cinema Scope

“One of the year’s best films, THE END OF TIME isn’t something you simply watch; it’s something you surrender to.” Peter Howell, Toronto Star

 

Nurse.Fighter.Boy

WORLD PREMIERE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

(92 min. 2008)

DIRECTOR: Charles Officer

SCREENPLAY: Ingrid Veninger, Charles Officer

PRODUCER: Ingrid Veninger

A young boy turns to magic to protect his dying mother and unknowingly conjures a lover for her, and a father for himself.

“This risky, rewarding drama blends emotional naturalism with a formal style in the story of its three titular characters — a young Jamaican-Canadian mother with sickle-cell anemia, an ex-boxer looking for a human connection and a 12-year-old boy.” Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

“A stupendous soundtrack, telling images, sensitive performances and an honest emotional screenplay.” Sophie Godin, Festival du Nouveau Cinema

“Nurse.Fighter.Boy is a rich exploration of the connections between the healer, the warrior and the child of its title.”Jesse Wente, TIFF