Jamie Kastner | |
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Nationality | Canadian |
Occupation(s) | film director, screenwriter |
Known for | There Are No Fakes, The Secret Disco Revolution, The Skyjacker's Tale |
Jamie Kastner is a Canadian writer, director and documentary filmmaker based in Toronto, Canada. His company, Cave 7 Productions, produces both theatrical and television productions.[1] Kastner is best known for his feature documentaries, including There Are No Fakes, which premiered at Hot Docs in 2019,[2] The Skyjacker's Tale (2016) [3] and The Secret Disco Revolution, both of which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.[4]
Jamie Kastner is a member of a family of filmmakers. He is the nephew of actor Peter Kastner and filmmaker John Kastner.[5] Kastner's grandmother, Rose, served as an associate producer on several of John Kastner's films,[6] while his mother, Susan Kastner, was involved in the production of several of Jamie Kastner's films as a researcher.[7] Kastner's wife Laura Baron Kastner is producer and business partner at Cave 7 Productions.[8] Kastner worked as an associate producer and researcher on several of John Kastner's films, including 1997's Hunting Bobby Oatway.[9]
Jamie Kastner's films explore such topics as pop culture,[10] political and social issues, crime and identity.[11] His first documentary was Free Trade Is Killing My Mother (2003), a black comedy about protest.[12] Films such as Djangomania! (2005),[13] Kike Like Me (2007)[14] and Recessionize! For Fun and Profit! (2011).[15] employ both comedy and a first-person, road movie format.Kike Like Me, which follows Kastner as he travels to several countries exploring the notion of modern Jewish identity, premiered at HotDocs in 2007.[16] The film won the Audience Award at Munich Dokfest and was shortlisted for the Grierson Award in 2008.[17]
Kastner has also worked as a producer and writer on several television series,[18] as a newspaper reporter and features writer,[19][20] playwright,[21] critic and television host.[22]
In 2017, The Harold Greenberg Fund supported the adaptation of The Skyjacker's Tale into a dramatic feature film, titled, The Skyjacker's Son, with Kastner as screenwriter.[23]
Award | Date of Ceremony | Category | Result | Reference |
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Canadian Screen Awards | May 20, 2021 | Direction in a Documentary Program or Series | Nominated | [24] |
Writing in a Documentary Program or Series | Nominated | |||
Biography or Arts Documentary Program or Series | Nominated |