Brishkay Ahmed is my best friend. She is an acclaimed Canadian filmmaker who wears many hats as a writer, director, and producer. Her fiction and non-fiction work has been shown on both screen and stage. Perhaps it was kismet that she arrived in Canada at an age when she was transforming into a woman in her own life while finding the common thread shared by all women in the world, and was able to weave together Eastern and Western perspectives.
With every film and theatre project, Brishkay allows audiences to step into the shoes of women through a different global perspective. Her work shines a light on female experiences that audiences are rarely exposed to. Whether it be through her documentaries or the metaphors often found in her fictional storytelling, the viewer is not only entertained but comes away with a sense of enlightenment. I’m happy to find myself pulled into her projects in odd and fun ways—something I welcome and enjoy. We are “ride or die” friends.
-Written by Meghan McAdam, who met Brishkay in Grade 7 at Van Horne Elementary School when Brishkay moved to Canada.
***
Which ’hood are you in?
I’ve been living in the Langara area since I moved to Canada in 1988. The neighbourhood is beautiful, and every corner holds memories that I cherish and that continue to inspire my writing. I was a bit of a wild kid, so… lots of fun and crazy memories around the ’hood.
What do you do?
I’m a filmmaker and playwright, and I keep myself busy in the film, television, and stage industries in many different ways. I don’t mind wearing many hats or taking on different roles. Since I’m very much rooted in independent cinema and stage, I’ve honed a wide range of skills and am happy to use them in any capacity needed.
What are you currently working on?
I’m very excited about my feature documentary In the Room, which I directed with the National Film Board of Canada’s Western Documentary Unit here in Vancouver. This film is deeply important to me because it shines a light on the lives of Afghan women and also serves as a cautionary tale for women around the globe—showing how quickly and easily women’s rights can be rolled back. This is my current project, and I’m thrilled to share it with audiences at the Vancouver Int’l Film Festival (VIFF) on October 7.
Where can we find your work?
You can find my work online. You can also see my films on CBC Gem and Knowledge Network. Soon, In the Room will be available on the NFB’s streaming platforms and the NFB app—but first, come and see it at VIFF on Oct 7 or October 10, alongside all the other amazing films! You can also catch my work on stage at various times. And of course, I’m easy to find on Instagram too.
