Nicholas is a producer, filmmaker, and media educator based in Toronto, (T’karonto). He is passionate about stories that make us more curious, more informed, and inspired to engage with our communities. He has a H.B.Sc in Geological and Environmental Sciences.
Most of his work has been with non-profits, B-corps, charities, tourism agencies, and foundations in Canada around climate science, truth and reconciliation, youth leadership, adventure, and social equity. He is one of the Co-Founders of Coexistence Films which produces hopeful documentaries of allied impact and social and environmental justice. Follow along their substack to learn more.
His latest collaboration Warrior Spirit (23), commissioned by the CBC, profiles an Indigenous land and water activist as he defends himself in court while using culture to heal from inter-generational trauma. His previous, Coextinction (21), is an “eye-opening analysis of interdependence, conservation and social justice” (VIFF) which showcases colonial policies affecting the critical decline of orca and salmon in the Pacific Northwest and the uprising of Indigenous Nations asserting rightful stewardship of their lands and waters. It was award-winning at Jackson Wild and nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for cinematography. In The Footsteps Of Our Ancestors (19), his debut feature, was a cross-cultural adventure film exploring Shúhtagot’ı̨nę and American Army WW2 trails in the Mackenzie Mountains - a film described as “powerful” by Canada’s National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.
Nicholas is a strong asset in the field, fully equipped for all-weather, multi-day expedition filmmaking. He offers a full suite of film production services, from concept to delivery. He is trained in wilderness medicine, scuba, and is a certified advanced drone pilot. His equipment is available for rental.
Nicholas is passionate about helping new audiences tell their own stories, and has led workshops on the topic. His workshops focus on discussion, story structuring, conducting interviews, and choosing the right tools for the job. He has worked with students in Ethiopia, Hudson Bay, and the Canadian Arctic among others. He is also a co-author of a paper about the use of video to disseminate research published in the African Journal of Reproductive Health. He is available for hire as a workshop host.
Filmmaking challenges Nicholas’s curious and investigative mind; linking journalism, art, history, science, and community work together. When he’s not working, he can be found hosting a music jam, nordic skiing, or cloud collecting. He is excited about what is to come!
I live and work on the traditional land of the Anishinaabe, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, Haudenosaunee, and Huron-wendat (Wyandot). I recognize my responsibility to honor Indigenous sovereignty and perspectives both personally and professionally.
hello[at]nicholascastel.com | meet
DISTINCTIONS
2024 - Hot Docs Festival For Schools - COEXTINCTION
2024 - Paddle Film Festival World Tour - Shortlist - The Coppermine River
2023 - Hot Docs Deal Maker - Warrior Spirit
2022 Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival - Jury Special Mention - COEXTINCTION
2021 - Planet In Focus - People’s Choice Award - COEXTINCTION
2021 - Vancouver International Film Festival - Rob Stewart Eco Warrior Award - COEXTINCTION
2021 - Jackson Wild - Our Human Planet Award - COEXTINCTION
2021 - Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival - People’s Choice, Indigenous Identity In The Outdoors Show - In The Footsteps of Our Ancestors
2019 - Ottawa Adventure Film Festival - 613km Director Award - In The Footsteps of Our Ancestors
2018 - Canadian Online Publishing Awards - Best Video Content Finalist - Wuikinuxv Nation's Renewable Energy Project - The Narwhal
2016 - The Explorer's Club Polar Film Festival - Official Selection - In the middle of everything
2012 - Daytime Emmy’s - (nominated) Outstanding Children’s Series - Super Why (lead voice actor)
FEATURED
2024 - Ontario Feels The Pinch - POV Magazine
2020 - Worry In The Context of a Freelance Filmmaker - Heaps Band
2019 - Filming the Heartbeat of the Canol Trail - Above & Beyond (graphic)
2014 - Undergraduate Spotlight - Queens University Geological Sciences
PUBLISHED
2021 - Capture it on video: Implementing a novel knowledge translation strategy as part of the Safe Motherhood Project, Jimma Zone, Ethiopia - African Journal of Reproductive Health
RENTAL
RED Gemini Documentary Kit
Sony FS5 + A7R2 Documentary Kit
Vintage Leica R Summicron Prime Set
Please Inquire Below For Rentals
PRESENTATIONS
2024 - Youth Drone Pilot Foundations, Storytelling and Co-Creation aboard the Oqwatnukewey Eleke’wi’ji’jit - SOI Foundation
2024 - Building Community During Documentary Production - Coexistence Foundation
2024 - Indigenous Wisdoms for Sustainable Futures - Raven Trust, Toronto
2023 - Youth multimedia workshops aboard the MV Polar Prince - SOI Foundation
2022 - Youth multimedia workshops aboard the MV Polar Prince - SOI Foundation
2022 - Power of Story in the Climate Crisis - BLD Canada
2021 - Storytelling Through Film - Students On Ice Panel Discussion
2020 - Memorable Photography That Tell Meaningful Stories - SOI Alumni Summit
2019 - Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking - American Embassy Library Room, Addis Ababa Ethiopia - 2 day course
2019 - Introduction to Videography - Jimma University, Ethiopia - 2 day course
2018 - Sony ProFusion Video Presenter: Documenting a Transformational Arctic Journey - Vistek Canada
2017 - Cross-Cultural Connections In Nature - National Youth Reconciliation Conference, Winnipeg, Canada
2016 - Island Earth: Moving forward after Arctic adventure - TEDx QueensU
2014/16 - Front Man, songwriter of indie rock band Attic Kids
EXHIBITS
2017 - Winterlude Torngat Mountains National Park Exhibition Selection - Parks Canada
VOLUNTEER
2023, 2024 - Scholarship Review Board - Students On Ice Foundation
CERTIFICATIONS
2024 - Working with Indigenous Peoples in the Screen Sector (P.A.C.T) - The National Screen Institute and The Shine Network Institute
2024 - Art Of Documentary - Spring Business Accelerator Alumni
2024 - Whitewater Rescue (I+II) - Boreal River Rescue
2024 - Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR Level BLS - Wilderness Medical Associates
2024 - Member, Voting - Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television
2023 - Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) - Advanced Operations Pilot Re-Certificate - Transport Canada
2021 - REDucation - Red Digital Cinema
2021 - present - Member, DOC Institute - Documentary Organization of Canada
2020 - PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
2018 - Geologist In Training - Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario
2016 - Firearm PAL - RCMP
2016 - H.B.Sc - Environmental Science specializing in Geology - Queens University
2011 - Bronze Cross - Lifesaving Society
English (fluent) | French (beginner)
Canadian and République Francaise Passport Holder
GET IN TOUCH!
Copyright 2024 © Nicholas Castel. All rights reserved.