Brian Lye

Background

About Brian Lye

About me (short): I am a versatile Educator, Filmmaker, and Communicator. I am passionate about relationships, play, humour, and collaboration. I am in love with the weird and the wonderful. About me (long): I have a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Visual Art from the University of British Columbia, a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Victoria in Film Studies and Japanese Studies, a Diploma of Screen from Sydney Film School, and was a guest student at the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. I work as a community based filmmaker, educator, and film director. I successfully wear these hats because of my abilities to actively listen, lead from beside, and collaborate. I teach in the Digital Arts and English Language programs at Selkirk College and co-create and deliver place-based arts education projects in West Kootenay public schools through the support of ArtStarts. I have taught at The University of British Columbia as well as art galleries, libraries, and community centres throughout BC. As a community based filmmaker and film director I work through a methodical process of meaningful conversations and collaboration. I have worked with older adults, newcomers to Canada, First Nations, and youth of diverse backgrounds empowering them to tell their stories through film. I am an alumni of Sundance Film Festival and have written, directed, and produced award winning short films, music videos, and one feature film. My films have screened in festivals, galleries, and television networks such as Melbourne Film Festival, Canal+, SBS Television Australia, Images Festival Toronto, Vancouver International Film Festival, The Museum of Sydney, Centre of Contemporary Culture Barcelona, and others. I have extensive granting and non-profit experience. I have written and received project grants from ArtStarts in Schools, Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance, The British Columbia Arts Council, and The Canada Council for the Arts. I have worked as a juror for ArtStarts, The British Columbia Arts Council, and the City of Nelson. I am a former board member, secretary, and co-chair of Oxygen Art Centre in Nelson, BC, as well as Access Gallery in Vancouver, BC. From 2005 to 2007 I worked with a Ugandan partner and local youth to build the country’s first skateboard park and co-founded and registered the first skateboarding NGO in East Africa. I continue to have a strong relationship and involvement with the project.