director & editor
Video by Eric Shiozaki Courtesy of Canon Canada
Paula Ner Dormiendo is a Filipino Canadian director and editor based in Brampton. She has been featured on, led, and worked with nationally leading organizations in Canada, from non-profit collectives to renowned companies, that champion her strong passion for meaningful, inclusive, and community-oriented storytelling.
Her first film on immigrant experiences and cultural disconnect, On The Fence, has been selected by more than 24 academy and screen award-qualifying showcases around the world, with a total of 13 awards and nominations including, WIFT, Canadian Film Festival, Reelworld, NFFTY, and a national broadcast on CBC Gem. Following her debut film, she directed and edited the 2022 and 2023 campaigns for the fastest-growing festival for emerging filmmakers in Canada, The Future of Film Showcase, which premiered at Scotiabank Theatre and was featured in an interview with Lamar Johnson on Global News. In 2022, she collaborated with Queer Filipino artist, Kelso Jeans, for her first music video, Siren Song, a recipient of the Brampton City Grant with 6 selected screenings and publications.
She is an alumna of the Canon FUTURES Program run by industry-leading experts like Kim’s Convenience director, Justin Wu, and the WIFT Connect Mentorship under Peabody Award Winning Director, Karen Shopsowitz.
As an editor, she has worked on APTN’s docuseries, Friday Night Thunder, and PRIDE Toronto for their 40th Anniversary Parade Commercial featured on CP24. At Bell Media (for MuchMusic, CTV, and Discovery) and Canon Canada, she pitched strategies, and edited and produced promotional campaigns to bring social influence and brand awareness to their digital platforms.