FESTIVAL TEAM
MEGAN SMITH-HARRIS
Co-Founder / Executive Director
Megan has an extensive background in film, television, radio, and magazines. A documentary film director and producer, she was also the Festival Director of the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival and ran the monthly New Perspectives Documentary Film Series in Wilton, CT for a decade. In addition to her work with SFF, she is a playwright, a screenwriter, and currently the Managing Editor of OUR HOMES Magazine (London + Stratford).
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BILL HARRIS
Co-Founder / General Manager
Bill is an award-winning producer and a former television executive with A&E Television Network and The History Channel with decades of experience in film and TV production. Bill was a university professor for TV/Film Masters program, oversaw the restoration and reopening of a century-old Community Theatre and was GM of the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival. He is an inductee in the Cable Mavericks Hall of Fame and Executive Producer of Oscar qualifying documentaries, Digital Dharma and Trial By Fire: Lives Reforged.​
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ELLEN LEWIS
Senior Programmer
While working in New York and traveling the world both for work and pleasure, Ellen cultivated a passion for the arts. She is an avid theatergoer, ceaseless reader, a museum habitué, and an ardent film lover.​​ She served as the Senior Programmer of the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival from 2018-20, helping the festival quadruple in size and consistently place on Film Freeways "Top 100 Best Filmmaker Reviewed Film Festivals." ​​
CLAIRE BICKLEY
Festival Production
For over two decades, Claire created current affairs and documentary content for CBC, TVOntario, History Television, Bravo, the Smithsonian Channel, the Oprah Network, Discovery Channel and CTV. She’s a former Board Member of The Female Eye Film Festival and the North American Television Critics Association.
JEFF WOOD
Videographer & Photography
Jeff is a photographer and filmmaker who was born in Stratford Ontario and is still proud to call Stratford home. He shoots a mixture of lifestyle, portrait, landscape, tourism, weddings and events. Clients include Destination Stratford, The Stratford Festival and numerous real estate companies and local businesses.
ADVISORS
DAN MATHIESON
Sponsorship Engagement
Dan is a life-long advocate for the city of Stratford. He’s served five terms as Mayor while overseeing the phenomenal growth and success of our vibrant Festival City. Dan is Managing Director of Kari Management, a strategic advisory firm that provides clients with invaluable insight into the intersection of government and business. Dan is also CEO of Coriano Capital.
ROSEMARY DUNSMORE
Artist Engagement
An accomplished, multiple award-winning actor and director, Rosemary has graced stages, television screens, and film venues across the country and around the world. She’s familiar for her roles on Orphan Black, To Catch A Killer, Mom PI, Three Pines,and many others.
SHEILA McCARTHY
Artist Engagement
Sheila is a Canadian actress and singer. She has worked in film, television, and on stage. McCarthy is one of Canada's most honoured actors, having won two Genie Awards (film), two Gemini Awards (television), an ACTRA Award, and two Dora Awards (theatre), along with multiple nominations.
DON SHIPLEY
Artist Engagement
A seasoned artistic director who has helmed prestigious theatres both large and small around the globe, Don is also a dynamic, sought-after producer and creative consultant for arts and events. He helmed cultural organizations, government agencies, Festivals, and commissioned projects, with an unparalleled knowledge of the arts industry and a breadth of arts management experience.
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ALIX GRICE
Legal Consultant
A senior lawyer with extensive experience in ICT, outsourcing, telecommunications, regulations, compliance, trade sanctions, corporate governance, corporate technology, legal transformation and IP, in a variety of in-house and law firm roles in North America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.
ENGAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT
DEANNA HORTON
Community Engagement
Before setting out on her career as a diplomat, Deanna Horton studied film as an undergrad at McGill University. She is currently a Distinguished Fellow at the Munk School at the University of Toronto, serves on the Board of the Stratford-Perth Museum, volunteers at the Stratford Festival, and supports local arts organizations.
WENDY WILKINSON
Community Engagement
Wendy's creative perspective blends community knowledge, connections and family history with her career background in fashion and interior design, costuming, teaching and entrepreneurship.
ANGIE DORNAI
Community / Volunteer Engagement
A lifelong educator and cinephile, Angie is known for bringing her creative ideas to life. She has deep roots in restorative justice and mediation. Angie has traveled the world in search of great movies and is excited to be part of a team bringing some of the best of them to the Stratford Film Festival.
LORRIE ADAMS
Community / Sponsorship Engagement
Lorrie is a Commercial Insurance Account Executive for NFP Canada. Born and raised in Burlington, Ontario, she relocated to Stratford in 2023, a destination she had been visiting for 20+ years. She has an appreciation for the many parks, theatre, and music events our city has to offer and looks forward to giving back to her new community by helping to bring a world class Film Festival to Stratford.
ELIZABETH KERR
Community Engagement / Hospitality
Born in Stratford, Elizabeth returned home in 2012 after 30 years away. A keen cook and baker, Elizabeth graduated from Stratford Chefs School in 2021 and has worked at local restaurants. Elizabeth is thrilled to help the Stratford Film Festival team and can’t wait to see what they create.
MACKENZIE JOHNSTONE
Youth Engagement
Mackenzie is a prolific writer and film enthusiast. Currently, she is completing the first book of the Clockwork Dolls Trilogy, a Young Adult book series. She also studies World Languages & Culture at the University of Ottawa.