Pretty Fierce Films Inc. is a film and television production company located in Nova Scotia, Canada. Helmed by award-winning writer/director/producer Leah Johnston, the company was incorporated in 2015 with the mandate to create meaningful films through thoughtful and deliberate process. In defiance of the current culture which prioritizes “content” over form, the company aims to slow down the process and return to the simple building blocks of good storytelling – solid structure, strong performances, and a unique authorial point of view. By putting the focus back on the process, Pretty Fierce Films strives to create films that inspire audiences, spur conversations and stand the test of time.
The company’s films have screened around the world in A-list competitions such as Shanghai International Film Festival, winning awards from multiple festivals.
The company’s first film MY YOUNGER OLDER SISTER was created through the Linda Joy Award and earned nods for both the performances (Nominee- Best Performance by a Leading Actress- ACTRA Maritimes awards) and filmmaking (Remi Winner- Worldfest Houston, Best Short- Silver Wave Film Festival). The film was later broadcast on CBC Reel East Coast showcase.
It’s second film INGRID AND THE BLACK HOLE premiered at Fantasia Film Festival and was showcased at dozens of film festivals, winning eight awards, including Best Canadian Short at the Oscar-qualifying Edmonton International Film Festival. It was broadcast on CBC and shown on VOD.
Pretty Fierce’s most recent picture MOTHER’S SKIN was the only live-action film from North America selected to premiere in the 2023 Golden Goblet Competition at Shanghai International Film Festival – one of only thirteen A-list festivals in the world. It took home two awards at Atlantic International Film Festival, including Best Short and the Joan Orenstein Award for Outstanding Performance for its six-year old leading actress, Briar Ainslie. It will soon compete for Oscar-qualification in October 2024 at Edmonton International Film Festival.