Photograph by Michelle Peek
Kimber Sider
Artistic Director & Lead Programmer
Kimber (she/her) is a multimodal storyteller, documentary filmmaker, media artist, academic, and the Artistic Director of the Guelph Film Festival. Kimber has been working in the film industry for over 15 years and has created more than seventeen films, and numerous performances. Sider is most known for her 2010 feature documentary, Chasing Canada (CBC Documentary), which follows her journey across Canada with her horse, Katrina.
Kimber has a soft spot for quirky documentaries that take an unconventional artistic approach to storytelling, and in doing so offer a deeper understanding of another’s experience and/or perspective.
Bangishimo
Programmer: 2019-Present
Bangishimo (they/them), translating to "the sun is setting," hails from the Anishinabek people in Ontario, Canada. Embracing diverse identities, they've played numerous roles throughout life, including photographer and activist. As a fervent community organizer, their transformative journey with the Idle No More movement fueled a commitment to advocate for improved services.
Recently, Bangishimo became the first Indigenous artist in residence for Kitchener, challenging narratives through a year-long portrait exhibit. A co-founder of Land Back Camp, O:se Kenhionhata:tie, and the Willow River Centre, alongside Amy Smoke, Bangishimo passionately advocates for change, space, and better services in the Indigenous queer community.
Gesilayefa (Gesila) Azorbo
Programmer: 2020-Present
Gesilayefa (she/her) is a Nigerian-born, Kenyan-raised, Toronto-settled interdisciplinary artist & arts administrator. She is a writer, photographer, filmmaker, crafter, poet, artist and performer, as well as being an administrative multitasker and festival programmer.
She has an abiding love of cinema, photography, literature, music, television, and art, and with both her photography and filmmaking, she has a specific interest in creative portraits of creative people. Her interests also include exploring experimental and classical art, new technology, history, fashion, culture, and social commentary via creative expression. Her film writing has appeared in several issues of POV Magazine, and she is currently also the curator for the For Viola screening series at Hot Docs. www.lightplaysociety.com
José Garcia-Lozano
Programmer: 2020-Present
José Garcia-Lozano (he/him) is a video producer and director with over 25 years of experience in the production of images, animation, sound, and projection. He has a diploma in classical hand-drawn animation and speaks three languages: Spanish, French, and English. He is passionate about creating immersive video experiences that connect with audiences and convey powerful messages.
Paola Varela
Board Programmer: 2023-Present
Paola (she/her) is a visual artist, originally from Mexico. Paola is currently pursuing her passion for visual storytelling at Toronto Film School, where she's earning her diploma in video production. With a deep-rooted love for creative arts, particularly photography and videography, Paola sees these mediums as powerful tools for connecting people and sharing their stories.
Paola firmly believes in the transformative power of film to bridge gaps, break barriers, and celebrate diversity. Driven by her desire to make a meaningful impact in the film industry, Paola is determined to contribute to the growth and success of the Guelph Film Festival while pursuing her own artistic endeavours.
Rachel Collins
Children’s Programmer: 2019-Present
Rachel (she/her) has 15+ years experience with arts organizations and in youth development. She has worked with arts organizations such as the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation, ArtsEverywhere/Musagetes, and Re·Vision: The Centre for Art and Social Justice. She has done extensive work in the youth development sector, with organizations such as Girl Guides of Canada, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and 4-H Ontario.
She is passionate about youth engagement and creating spaces where folks feel a sense of safety and belonging. Rachel is Lead Editor and Coach for Learning Bird, where she supports the development of culturally relevant learning materials for learners of all ages.