About Us
About the Filmmaker
Lorna Kirk has been immersed in film and television – as a director, field producer, researcher and editor – since earning her Master’s degree in Visual Anthropology from the University of Manchester, England in 1999.
Her award-winning film A Little Bit of Freedom (NEPAL/UK) was recognized by the International Documentary Association in Los Angeles with its David L. Wolper Award. A Little Bit of Freedom went on to screen at the 53rd Cannes International Film Festival as part of the Kodak Emerging Filmmaker Showcase, and has been presented at film festivals around the world.
Lorna’s director and field producer credits include the documentary series Tasty Planet / Cooking Metropolis (BBC 1); Forensic Firsts Season 1 and Season 2 (Smithsonian Channel); the Gemini Award wining series Canada’s Super Speller (CBC) and Street Cents (CBC).
Lorna has directed on several of CBC’s flagship shows (Land & Sea/Doc Zone). Her work is intimate, reflecting her belief that great documentaries can only be made through an honest approach that results in a revealing exchange with her subjects.
Animating Dementia
This film explores the rich and complex world that Peggy and Brian both occupy through a combination of animation and live action footage captured in the home over a ten year period starting before Peggy’s first stroke. The animation sequences follow Peggy’s wave of consciousness, often following her transition in and out of reality.
The Film
36 Hitchin Road captures the gritty intimacy of the relationship between a wayward adult son and his dying mother. An artistic portrait of a life nearing its end and the accidental caregiver determined to see it through with unexpected tenderness and a lot of smoke breaks. Warmth, humour and pioneering visual storytelling weave this poignant material into a portrait of two ordinary people in a reversal of roles no one could have predicted.
Photo Gallery
Awards
Screen Nova Scotia
Awarded Excellence in Animation for Him 2018
FIN: Atlantic International Film Festival
Best Atlantic Animation 2017
Silver Wave Film Festival
Best Animation 2017 for 'Him'
Film Festival Laurels (Him)
Kirk's film continues on the film festival circuit with her short animation 'Him'
HotDocs BravoFactual Winner 2017
Kirk pitched her film at the annual HotDocs International Documentary Film festival as part of the BravoFactual pitching event. Lorna was awarded $20000 towards her documentary film '36 Hitchin Road'
Harold Greenburg Fund 2017
Kirk was a finalist in the 2017 Feature Film Script Writing Program at FIN:Atlantic International Film Festival