Bio

Maya Bastian is a Tamil Canadian filmmaker, writer and artist. She has spent several years travelling the world as an investigative video journalist, documenting areas of conflict and post-conflict which has culminated in an ongoing exploration of trauma as it relates to community and culture.  As a director, she has won awards and exhibited her short films internationally, which run the gamut from narrative to documentary, to experimental animation. Her work has been shown in Los Angeles, New York, Berlin, UK, South Asia and across Canada. Her short hybrid film ‘Air Show’ received national press for its look at refugee reactions to militarized air shows, and is currently airing on CBC Gem. She is a recipient of the Al Magee Screenwriting Mentorship, was included in Reelworld Film Festival’s Emerging 20 and was shortlisted for the Academy Apprenticeship for Women Directors. Maya has received filmmaking grants from Art With Impact, Home Made Visible and the Canada, Ontario and Toronto Arts Councils. She is currently in post-production on her short narrative film ‘Tigress’ which looks at militant rebellions. Tigress was recently chosen to participate in the Netflix/CFC Calling Card Accelerator. Maya’s work frequently explores post-conflict reconciliation and intergenerational trauma.

Intro

More and more, I am seeking to engage in creative projects within the BIPOC and LGBTQ community. My work reflects the communal experience of diaspora culture and I feel my creativity is enhanced by sharing ideas and giving voice to those who are traditionally underrepresented in media.  They say there are no new stories, but they haven’t heard OUR stories.  I’m here to be seen and heard and to help others do the same.  These days, that is the only work I want to invest time and energy into.

Currently I’m in post-production on my OAC and TAC funded short drama ‘Tigress’, which was shot in India in 2019.  I’ve also got two feature films in development and am looking to build a Canadian above the line crew to take to India/Sri Lanka to shoot those.  I’m also consistently existing in the short documentary realm, making several films throughout the year both for myself and various organizations. My short film ‘Air Show’ which looks at refugee reactions to militarized air shows is currently airing on CBC Gem.