Kyle Mackie
Chair
Kyle is an educational consultant living and working in downtown Guelph. You can find him cycling in the trails and gravel roads around town, playing his ukulele at the local pub, or at home with his busy family, noisy chickens and furry dog. Kyle has a Masters of Arts in Theatre from the University of Guelph. His scholarship focuses on digital mapping applications, digital identities and community narratives.
Patricia Sarafinchin
Treasurer
Patricia is a creative at heart, over the years honing her skills as a colourist and deliverables specialist in the film industry. She hopes to bring her years of experience in the film industry to wholeheartedly contribute to the success of the Guelph Film Festival. When not behind a camera she can be found baking something, probably with chocolate, climbing a rock wall, or enjoying a book in her hammock.
Paola Varela
Secretary
Originally from Mexico, Paola is a video production student at the Toronto Film School.
In 2022, Paola volunteered at the Guelph Film Festival, showcasing her dedication and passion for the industry. Eager to contribute her skills, Paola joined the Board of Directors. She believes that film has the power to bridge gaps, break barriers, and celebrate diversity. Paola hopes to make a meaningful impact in the film industry and contribute to the growth and success of the Guelph Film Festival.
Katie Pearce
Director
Katie is a film lover and creative community-builder with over a decade of experience in independent cinema, video editing, programming, and event curation. She co-founded the Milton Film Festival at age 22, serving as Vice President & Lead Programmer for more than ten years.
Katie is passionate about showcasing emerging voices—particularly local filmmakers and Sheridan College students—alongside acclaimed Canadian and international films. Her work has consistently fostered dialogue, discovery, and deeper community engagement through cinema. In her downtime, Katie enjoys time at the family cottage, painting, and solving crossword puzzles.
Beth Paterson
Director
Beth grew up in a house where her mother always had a camera in her hands. She developed a deep appreciation for the beauty of photography and how a photo has the ability to document the world around us, capture a moment in time, tell a story, and create beautiful images. Beth’s love for the arts continued at university where she studied dramatic and visual arts. She loves a good story whether it’s in the form of a photograph, a captivating stage production, or a great film.
As a recently retired drama/visual arts teacher and guidance counsellor, Beth looks forward to continuing her passion for community building and promoting social connections. Beth is a champion for the love of lifelong learning, and she believes strongly in how the arts can contribute to a more vibrant community.
Katarina Savic
Director
Looking for ways to connect with the community through her love of film, Kat began volunteering at the Guelph Film Festival in 2023, and then supported programming as a pre-screener. Kat is an artist, writer, and a lover of stories that make us feel seen, show us new perspectives, and challenge systems that don’t serve us. She appreciates that the GFF not only draws people together in curiosity and wonder, but inspires meaningful connection and action.
Jenn McCready
Former Chair - Advisory Position
Jenn is a librarian, a mother, a traveller, and a huge fan of the Guelph Film Festival and this community. With years of experience working at banks, managing library budgets, and volunteering as treasurer and president at her kids' preschool, she welcomed the opportunity to take on the role of Treasurer, and now Chair, with the GFF. She loves a book that makes you think, a film that shows you the world, and any opportunity to bring people together to talk about important (or just fabulously interesting) stuff.