Celebrating unique and diverse stories
ABOUT
Good Influence Films was founded in 2016 by Canadian producer JoAnne Fishburn, who relocated back to Canada after 9 years in the UK. While in the UK she produced the feature documentary FEZEKA’S VOICE, which filmed in South Africa, and was a co-production executive on five international co-productions with UK film finance and production company Aquarius Films. In 2008 she attended the first inaugural training for impact producers held by Doc Society, and has continued to work as an impact producer on a variety of projects.
Good Influence Films develops and produces original content and offers a variety of impact and consulting services.
Using storytelling as Good Influence
2016
A return to Canada
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After spending nearly a decade living and working in film and media in the UK, JoAnne returns to Canada. Good Influence Films is established as a vehicle to support her work as a storyteller and impact producer.
2016
Responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action
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2017
The birth of Indigenous 150+
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After a year of speaking with Indigenous film and media leaders and Indigenous community members, the Indigenous 150+ initiative is born as an Indigenous film and conversation series, in collaboration with co-founder Ronat John, and in partnership with the M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre. The steering committee also included Rene Abrams (Executive Director, M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre), Ralph Wolf Thistle (Senator, Great Lakes Métis Council), Susan Staves (Chippewas of Awash First Nation), Holly Black (M’Wikwedong Staff member), and Suzanne Ferguson.
On June 22, 2017, Indigenous 150+ launches its first event with a screening of Sacred Water: Standing Rock Part 1, at the Roxy Theatre in Owen Sound. The season included an outdoor screening in Harrison Park, Owen Sound and two events in Niagara Falls, as well as a series of films as part of the Indigenous Life Festival Miino Bmaadzwin at Blue Mountain Village.
2019
Indigenous 150+ launches national online media training program
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The Indigenous 150+ series continued nationally into 2018 with events in Canmore, Ottawa, Collingwood and Owen Sound. In 2019, it evolved into an online media training initiative for Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people across Canada.
2022
Good Influence Films begins developing original content
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With the goal of returning to her roots in film and television, JoAnne Fishburn, CEO of Good Influence Films begins development on several new projects, including an adaptation of Whit Fraser’s True North Rising, recounting his experiences during the Berger Inquiry, and two projects with Jerry Wolf of Cinethetica.
2023
Partners with Yonnweh’ón:we Indigenous Arts Series
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Building on it’s experience with the Indigenous 150+ film and conversation series, Good Influence Films is invited by Collingwood Poet Laureate Jillian Morris to be on the organizing committee of the Yonnweh’ón:we Indigenous Arts Series in Collingwood.
2023
Indigenous 150+ podcast celebrates it’s 100th episode release
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Indigenous 150+ launches a second season of online media training including an Introduction to Podcasting, as well as an Advanced Digital Storytelling program and a communiications program, Digital Impact Internship. The episodes created during the program were released as Season 2 and 3 of the Indigenous 150+ podcast.
2024
International co-production with filmmaker Yeşim Tabak
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Good Influence Films signs on to produce Rosopros, the debut feature of Turkish video artist and filmmaker Yeşim Tabak. Filming will be in Istanbul, and the team is currently seeking a German or French co-producer.
2024
HOUSEBOAT selected for Telefilm’s Talent to Watch 2024
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Good Influence Films founder JoAnne Fishburn will executive produce the debut feature of writer/director Jerry Wolf, with Adeline Bird producing. HOUSEBOAT was recently selected as one of 17 projects to be awarded funding by Telefilm’s Talent to Watch program 2024/2025.
