OUR TEAM
As filmmakers ourselves, our commitment to impact grows from lived creative experience. We approach every collaboration with empathy, care and a deep respect for the storytellers we work alongside.
Founder | Filmmaker | Impact Producer
Chrisann Hessing is a Toronto-based documentary filmmaker and impact producer whose work explores the intersection of culture, identity and transformation. Her films have screened at Hot Docs, RIDM, Calgary International Film Festival and the London Asian Film Festival, and have been released on CBC Gem, Crave, TVO and CNN’s Great Big Story.
As a director, Chrisann has created documentary shorts, features and series. Her short film Turning Tables won Best Short Documentary at the 43rd American Indian Film Festival and screened at more than 30 festivals internationally. Her debut feature, We Will Be Brave, won Audience Choice Feature at the 2023 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival and was later nominated for a Heritage Toronto Public History Award. Her recent directing credits include Crossing the Divide (Hot Docs Citizen Minutes Series 3) and TVO’s Unrigged, a doc series examining the state of Canadian democracy and spotlighting practical, community-driven solutions to strengthen civic participation.
As an impact producer, Chrisann has led national engagement campaigns for films including Michèle Hozer’s The Pitch, Jennifer Holness’ Subjects of Desire, and Hot Docs’ Citizen Minutes Series 1 and 2. She has developed cross-sector partnerships, national screening tours, sponsorship activations and educational initiatives that connect films with communities, institutions and decision-makers — positioning documentary storytelling as a catalyst for dialogue and measurable social impact.
She has collaborated with organizations including TIFF, the Global Centre for Pluralism and the DOC Institute, and currently serves on the board of POV Magazine.
CHRISANN HESSING
Associate Impact Producer
Brianna Girdler is an Impact Producer and arts administrator based in Vancouver. She is dedicated to using film as a catalyst for change, working on projects ranging from the climate crisis to food security to gender equity.
Brianna currently leads Reel Causes, where she oversees operations and produces events: social justice film screenings followed by discussions with artists, activists, and community leaders.
Previously, at Story Money Impact (SMI), she supported filmmakers in developing and executing impact campaigns, cultivated stakeholder relationships, and organized events. Prior to SMI, Brianna was the Operations Manager at Women in Film and Television Vancouver (now Gender Equity in Media Society).
Across her work, she has organized over 100 events, from film festivals to grassroots screenings, collaborating closely with curators, creators, academics, activists, and community partners.
Outside of work, she loves watching and talking about films, and travelling to obscure places.