Canadian filmmaker BLAKE MAWSON, a 2017 fellow of Oscar-nominated filmmaker Norman Jewison’s CFC Director’s Lab, is celebrated for his distinctive storytelling, unique characters, and striking visual style. His debut short PYOTR495 (2016), addressing anti-LGBTQ+ violence in Russia, won acclaim at over 100 festivals worldwide, earning a Canadian Screen Award for Best Lead Performance, a Best Direction nomination, the NFB’s A&E Filmmaker Award, and a nomination for SITGES’ Paul Naschy Award. Mawson’s work includes music videos for Orville Peck (Vogue premiere) and Crown Lands (Rolling Stone premiere). In 2022, he created a horror teaser for Mike Flanagan’s The Midnight Club. Mawson directed all six episodes of the queer dark comedy series I Hate People, People Hate Me, which premiered at Tribeca 2023 and played at NewFest and Just For Laughs. Emmy-winning WOW Presents+ (producers of RuPaul’s Drag Race) recently acquired the series as its first-ever scripted show, set to premiere globally in 2025. Currently, Mawson is developing his debut feature Perennials, a supernatural horror, with Wildhood producer Gharrett Paon and Good Question Media/Scythia Films (The VVitch, The Apprentice).