Halifax, Nova Scotia based filmmaker Leah Johnston discusses her artistic journey and creative process – sharing how a vocal surgery ended her singing career but led her to filmmaking. Johnston emphasizes the importance of patience and openness in finding inspiration for her films, often drawing from personal experiences and merging ideas over time.

Leah values the support of institutions in Canada that foster culture and provide funding for film projects, making filmmakers in Canada less reliant on personal savings and investments. Leah also emphasizes the importance of having the time and space to develop scripts and ideas, and acknowledges the challenges of being a director – including the gruelling nature of being on set and making crucial decisions.

The Creative Nova Scotia Awards are presented by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council to celebrate artistic excellence across Mi'kma'ki.

Award categories are as follows:

• Creative Community Impact
• Prix Grand-Pré
• Established Artist
• Emerging Artist
• Black Artist
• Indigenous Artist
• The Portia White Prize

Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000! Visit artsns.ca for more information.

This series would not be possible without the fantastic production work of Heist and Keke Beatz.

Duane welcomed Writer and Performer, Lee-Anne Poole to discuss her residency at Pavia Gallery.

Lee-Anne is the author of 7 produced plays, her first full-length play, Splinters, has been adapted into a feature film by Thom Fitzgerald. Splinters premiered at The Toronto International Film Festival and was the Opening Night Gala presentation at The Atlantic Film Festival. Lee-Anne was featured in Hustling Verse: An Anthology of Sex Workers' Poetry and attended the BANFF Centre for a 3-week-long writing residency where she explored adapting her play Talk Sexxxy. Talk Sexxxy ran in January 2025 at the Saint Mary's University Art Gallery. Upcoming, she is writing a combination of zines and performance projects. Sometimes she knits and sometimes she is a playwright learning how to draw. She lives in Herring Cove with her two dogs – who will bark at you.

Cartoonist, illustrator and novelist Vivian Zhou discusses her creative process, influences, and experiences – emphasizing the importance of daydreaming and quiet time for developing stories. Vivian also highlights the value of having an agent to navigate the publishing industry and maintain creative control over her work.

The Creative Nova Scotia Awards are presented by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council to celebrate artistic excellence across Mi'kma'ki.

Award categories are as follows:

• Creative Community Impact
• Prix Grand-Pré
• Established Artist
• Emerging Artist
• Black Artist
• Indigenous Artist
• The Portia White Prize

Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000! Visit artsns.ca for more information.

This series would not be possible without the fantastic production work of Heist and Keke Beatz.