Petal Short Film
Donation protected
Petal is an independent production about the rise of Feminism in the 1970s. To this end, we crewed the primary roles with women and the remainder of our incredible team each identify as equality seeking Feminists, regardless of gender. Each person donated both time & talent to bring this story to life, by the end of June. We are currently in Post-Production.
Scroll down to meet the cast & crew! 
Elsie Joy is a passionate feminist working tirelessly to motivate the women’s liberation movement of the 1970's, while facing backlash against her personal & business decisions. When a dismayed young girl enters her flower shop their interaction reveals the deeply ingrained problems with modern society & the necessary roles of both men & women in shaping the future." 
Recent movements have reawakened our awareness to the issues of the modern woman; they are issues of body autonomy, abortion, child care, equal representation & equal pay. They are also issues that are often not discussed because of societal stigma & taboo. By highlighting these issues within the context of a 1970's revolution we will show that Feminism is a movement that began long ago & should never have been silenced. We hope this film will resonate within the female community & present a forum for both discussion & action.
But the women of Petal need your help.
How Can You Help?? Your donation will directly fund the production and post-production so that this story may be told. 
Below you can learn a bit about each of the women you will be supporting 
The Crew
Writer | Georgia Hunter Moving from Australia to pursue her career in Acting at the start of 2017, Georgia is now represented by Soho Management in Toronto. Prior to commencing her diploma in Acting at Toronto Film School, Georgia featured in multiple short films in Australia, one of which 'Nice Girls' won various awards including the "Under the Radar" award at St Kilda Film festival. Since moving to Canada Georgia has appeared on the T.V series "Paranormal Survivor" and at the 2017 Toronto Film School "Festival of Films" she was nominated for Best Female Actress for her performance in "Skin Deep" directed by Sherry Isaac. 
Director | Jill Harper Jill is a Toronto based filmmaker and Dora Nominated theatre director. Jill has directed a number of shorts including This December and Waffles. She is also the co-founder of Cue6 Theatre, for whom she has directed 8 shows including: We Three; Byhalia, Mississippi (as a part of a 7-city World Premiere Conversation); Pool (No Water) (Best of Fringe, 2015); Kate and Sam Are Not Breaking Up; and Pieces. She works with Intermission Magazine, creating original video content and acting as media consultant. She has also creates promotional videos and online content for companies across Canada including the CFL, Nintendo, and Canadian North Airlines, and The Company Theatre.
 Producer | Rebecca McGarvie Rebecca is a Canadian producer currently working in Toronto, Ontario. She studied English & Theater at the University of Toronto & graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts & the Dean’s High Distinction. She has since produced an eclectic array of short films: Critical Distance (thriller, 2013), The Masterpiece (comedy, 2014), Best Buds (buddy film, 2015); as well as a music video & promotional spot. Rebecca is always looking for creative & unique ideas. She is currently producing two short films: an unnerving romance called 4am (2018) & a feminist film titled Petal (2018). In her spare time she travels & creates media content for Canadian travel blog The Roammates. 
Cinematographer | Morgana McKenzie Morgana McKenzie is a Toronto-based award-winning director and cinematographer working in both narrative and documentary film. Her shorts have won over 40 awards from international festivals, including the Canada 150 award for Best Director from TIFF Jump Cuts Next Wave. Morgana is currently shooting a number of doc projects in Toronto and Seattle, and is in post-production on her upcoming narrative short “Wild”, a supernatural 1930s period piece. 

Makeup Artist | Steph Lemieux Steph first began her makeup career back home in Saskatchewan, and has been freelancing since 2014 in everything from bridal, fashion, and film. She moved to Toronto in 2016 to further her education at CMU College of Makeup Art and Design and is sticking around Toronto to pursue a career in TV/film and fashion. 
Costume Designer | Rebecca Lake
Rebecca was born in Toronto where she studied and worked in film production following high school. She is now studying fashion design at George Brown. Rebecca loves sustainability and wants to incorporate that into whatever she does in the fashion and film industry. She believes in the power of supporting other women and is excited to be part of a female crew. 
Graphic Design | Jamieson Cosgriff Jamieson is a graphic designer from Melbourne, Australia. Currently in her last year of study at RMIT Jamieson will graduate with a Bachelor of Communication Design. She is now working as a freelance graphic designer in Melbourne & jumped on the opportunity to collaborate with a crew of passionate women here in Canada.
The Cast
 Elsie Joy Samuels played by Georgia Hunter Nearing graduation from film school multi-talented Georgia decided to write herself a strong female role rather than waiting for one to come her way in the industry. Petal and the movement to follow is all thanks to her motivated attitude and action. 
Niamh Carolan as Ann Miller
Irish born Niamh was fortunate enough to study Performing Arts at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London, UK. Niamh moved to Toronto one year ago and has had the opportunity to work in both theatre and in film. Last Summer she originated the role of Cathy in the play Runaway by Roger Goldsmith and has also been involved in numerous short films including BeNT, Heima and 4AM. She just recently filmed a commercial for Interac and is currently rehearsing a play “Heart to Heart”. Particularly in today’s current climate with the Times Up and #MeToo movements, it is empowering to have a female crew telling women’s stories. It is an exciting time for women and even though we have come a long way in feminism, there is still so much more to do. Women still face some of the same issues that we did 40-50 years ago and Petal sheds a light on that. It is important to acknowledge the women that came before us and the struggles that they faced. “I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine marriage and a career” - Gloria Steinham
 Chantel McDonald as Donna Bailey Chantel McDonald is an actor and playwright born and raised in Toronto. She graduated from the University of Toronto, where she majored in Math and minored in Theatre Studies. Select theatre credits include: narrating a staged reading of Trey Anthony’s Black Mother’s Don’t Say I Love You (retitled) for bcurrent’s Rock.Paper.Sistahz festival, Agnes in Orphaned Egret’s production of She Kills Monsters, and Tracey in Bob Del Rio’s Professionally Ethnic. She has appeared in Kazik Radwanski’s feature film Tower, Chris Power’s Bloodslinger and Lovely Blues short Muna. She also wrote the play #scarecrow, which was produced at the Toronto Fringe festival in 2016. 
Fateema Al-Hamaydeh Miller as Suzie O'Riley Fateema Al-Hamaydeh Miller is a recent graduate of the University of Toronto Theatre Performance program, as well as a passionate improviser and activist. She has organized arts events around Toronto through the collective Uplift TO which blends performance and activism, and in 2018 she completed her undergrad thesis which explored the representation of Sexual Assault in theatre, and its power to either perpetuate Rape Myth or work actively against it. She is looking forward to continue her work intersecting performance
 Carly Telford as Tessa Cameron Carly Telford has been in love with acting since she was very young. Starting out her theatrical journey in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat when she was 6 years old. Since then she has made theatre a large part of her life having graduated from the Theatre Arts Program at Fanshawe College and the Applied Theatre program from Griffith University in Brisbane Australia. After graduating she appeared on the Alumni theatre stage as Ismene in a production of Antigone. Carly has been expanding her acting knowledge by attending Toronto Film School. Carly would like to thank her amazing teachers at Toronto Film School, her sister Emily, and her parents for their amazing support! 
Tote Bag Reward (Tier 4 - $250 donation)
Scroll down to meet the cast & crew! 
Elsie Joy is a passionate feminist working tirelessly to motivate the women’s liberation movement of the 1970's, while facing backlash against her personal & business decisions. When a dismayed young girl enters her flower shop their interaction reveals the deeply ingrained problems with modern society & the necessary roles of both men & women in shaping the future." 
Recent movements have reawakened our awareness to the issues of the modern woman; they are issues of body autonomy, abortion, child care, equal representation & equal pay. They are also issues that are often not discussed because of societal stigma & taboo. By highlighting these issues within the context of a 1970's revolution we will show that Feminism is a movement that began long ago & should never have been silenced. We hope this film will resonate within the female community & present a forum for both discussion & action.
But the women of Petal need your help.
How Can You Help?? Your donation will directly fund the production and post-production so that this story may be told. 
Below you can learn a bit about each of the women you will be supporting 
The Crew
Writer | Georgia Hunter Moving from Australia to pursue her career in Acting at the start of 2017, Georgia is now represented by Soho Management in Toronto. Prior to commencing her diploma in Acting at Toronto Film School, Georgia featured in multiple short films in Australia, one of which 'Nice Girls' won various awards including the "Under the Radar" award at St Kilda Film festival. Since moving to Canada Georgia has appeared on the T.V series "Paranormal Survivor" and at the 2017 Toronto Film School "Festival of Films" she was nominated for Best Female Actress for her performance in "Skin Deep" directed by Sherry Isaac.  Director | Jill Harper Jill is a Toronto based filmmaker and Dora Nominated theatre director. Jill has directed a number of shorts including This December and Waffles. She is also the co-founder of Cue6 Theatre, for whom she has directed 8 shows including: We Three; Byhalia, Mississippi (as a part of a 7-city World Premiere Conversation); Pool (No Water) (Best of Fringe, 2015); Kate and Sam Are Not Breaking Up; and Pieces. She works with Intermission Magazine, creating original video content and acting as media consultant. She has also creates promotional videos and online content for companies across Canada including the CFL, Nintendo, and Canadian North Airlines, and The Company Theatre. Producer | Rebecca McGarvie Rebecca is a Canadian producer currently working in Toronto, Ontario. She studied English & Theater at the University of Toronto & graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts & the Dean’s High Distinction. She has since produced an eclectic array of short films: Critical Distance (thriller, 2013), The Masterpiece (comedy, 2014), Best Buds (buddy film, 2015); as well as a music video & promotional spot. Rebecca is always looking for creative & unique ideas. She is currently producing two short films: an unnerving romance called 4am (2018) & a feminist film titled Petal (2018). In her spare time she travels & creates media content for Canadian travel blog The Roammates.  Cinematographer | Morgana McKenzie Morgana McKenzie is a Toronto-based award-winning director and cinematographer working in both narrative and documentary film. Her shorts have won over 40 awards from international festivals, including the Canada 150 award for Best Director from TIFF Jump Cuts Next Wave. Morgana is currently shooting a number of doc projects in Toronto and Seattle, and is in post-production on her upcoming narrative short “Wild”, a supernatural 1930s period piece.  
Makeup Artist | Steph Lemieux Steph first began her makeup career back home in Saskatchewan, and has been freelancing since 2014 in everything from bridal, fashion, and film. She moved to Toronto in 2016 to further her education at CMU College of Makeup Art and Design and is sticking around Toronto to pursue a career in TV/film and fashion.  Costume Designer | Rebecca Lake Rebecca was born in Toronto where she studied and worked in film production following high school. She is now studying fashion design at George Brown. Rebecca loves sustainability and wants to incorporate that into whatever she does in the fashion and film industry. She believes in the power of supporting other women and is excited to be part of a female crew. 
Graphic Design | Jamieson Cosgriff Jamieson is a graphic designer from Melbourne, Australia. Currently in her last year of study at RMIT Jamieson will graduate with a Bachelor of Communication Design. She is now working as a freelance graphic designer in Melbourne & jumped on the opportunity to collaborate with a crew of passionate women here in Canada. The Cast
 Elsie Joy Samuels played by Georgia Hunter Nearing graduation from film school multi-talented Georgia decided to write herself a strong female role rather than waiting for one to come her way in the industry. Petal and the movement to follow is all thanks to her motivated attitude and action.  Niamh Carolan as Ann Miller Irish born Niamh was fortunate enough to study Performing Arts at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London, UK. Niamh moved to Toronto one year ago and has had the opportunity to work in both theatre and in film. Last Summer she originated the role of Cathy in the play Runaway by Roger Goldsmith and has also been involved in numerous short films including BeNT, Heima and 4AM. She just recently filmed a commercial for Interac and is currently rehearsing a play “Heart to Heart”. Particularly in today’s current climate with the Times Up and #MeToo movements, it is empowering to have a female crew telling women’s stories. It is an exciting time for women and even though we have come a long way in feminism, there is still so much more to do. Women still face some of the same issues that we did 40-50 years ago and Petal sheds a light on that. It is important to acknowledge the women that came before us and the struggles that they faced. “I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine marriage and a career” - Gloria Steinham
 Chantel McDonald as Donna Bailey Chantel McDonald is an actor and playwright born and raised in Toronto. She graduated from the University of Toronto, where she majored in Math and minored in Theatre Studies. Select theatre credits include: narrating a staged reading of Trey Anthony’s Black Mother’s Don’t Say I Love You (retitled) for bcurrent’s Rock.Paper.Sistahz festival, Agnes in Orphaned Egret’s production of She Kills Monsters, and Tracey in Bob Del Rio’s Professionally Ethnic. She has appeared in Kazik Radwanski’s feature film Tower, Chris Power’s Bloodslinger and Lovely Blues short Muna. She also wrote the play #scarecrow, which was produced at the Toronto Fringe festival in 2016.  Fateema Al-Hamaydeh Miller as Suzie O'Riley Fateema Al-Hamaydeh Miller is a recent graduate of the University of Toronto Theatre Performance program, as well as a passionate improviser and activist. She has organized arts events around Toronto through the collective Uplift TO which blends performance and activism, and in 2018 she completed her undergrad thesis which explored the representation of Sexual Assault in theatre, and its power to either perpetuate Rape Myth or work actively against it. She is looking forward to continue her work intersecting performance  Carly Telford as Tessa Cameron Carly Telford has been in love with acting since she was very young. Starting out her theatrical journey in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat when she was 6 years old. Since then she has made theatre a large part of her life having graduated from the Theatre Arts Program at Fanshawe College and the Applied Theatre program from Griffith University in Brisbane Australia. After graduating she appeared on the Alumni theatre stage as Ismene in a production of Antigone. Carly has been expanding her acting knowledge by attending Toronto Film School. Carly would like to thank her amazing teachers at Toronto Film School, her sister Emily, and her parents for their amazing support!  Tote Bag Reward (Tier 4 - $250 donation)
Organizer
Rebecca McGarvie
Organizer
Mississauga, ON