Team ReFrame

Kait Dueck (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR) was raised as a student of ecology in the woods northeast of Nogojiwanong, and is deeply connected and committed to this community and place. An alumnus of the Integrated Arts Program at PCVS, Carleton and Trent Universities and Fleming College, their formal education has been focused on gender studies, world religions, the arts through a justice-based lens, political repression and science, and environmental and forestry studies. Kait is an accomplished artistic administrator and volunteer coordinator with over a decade of experience in the field. They also have twenty years’ experience as a professional performance artist, most notably as an actor and musician. Outside of work and school, Kait adores her gorgeous family (both two and four-legged), transformative film and literature, being in the forest, and all manner of bird-nerdery.

 

Eryn Lidster (CREATIVE DIRECTOR) is a multidisciplinary artist and administrator whose work often originates in explorations of technical and material implications. In various roles, they have supported the production of over 40 performance works in Nogojiwanong since 2016. Lidster holds an Honors Bachelor in Cultural Studies with a Specialisation in Image Sound and Performance from Trent University. In 2018 and 2019 they were awarded the Gregory R. Firth Memorial Prize for their film work, which has screened in Trent University’s Edge Code program, Michigan State University’s Broad Underground Film Series and at the Art Gallery of Peterborough. Lidster is a passionate supporter of local arts organisations, artists and arts workers. 

 

FESTIVAL & CONTRACT STAFF

Michael Goede (FINANCIAL CONTROLLER) has been offering bookkeeping and financial control services for ReFrame Film Festival for many years. He is the owner of Geode Business Services with clients in virtual reality software, film and TV production, construction, real estate, hospitality, retail, local non-profits and unions. For the last several years, Michael has enjoyed marrying theory and practice while teaching financial and managerial accounting in the School of Business at Trent University. Michael also coaches U18 Indoor Soccer and has been producing electronic music for 25 years.

 

Philip Fox Jones (TECHNICAL DIRECTOR) has served in this role for ReFrame Film Festival in Nogojiwanong since 2020, and is an accomplished audio-visual technician with a passion for film and multimedia. His journey began at Sheridan College of Applied Arts and Technology, where he studied New Media Design in 2004.

Since joining the ReFrame team as a projectionist in 2019, Philip has played a pivotal role in enhancing the viewing experience at the festival. His meticulous attention to detail and understanding of audio-visual dynamics have been instrumental in showcasing our films in the best possible light.

Outside of work, Fox enjoys perfecting recipes in the kitchen, and playing host to myriads of multidisciplinary events on his 100-acre farm property in Hastings, where he creates large-scale interactive multimedia art installations. 

 

Angeni Lovelady (they/them) is a mixed race, non-status person of Algonquin and Scottish ancestry, and identifies as Two-Spirited and non-binary. They have lived and worked in various parts of the Williams Treaty territory since they were a child, and have called Nogojiwanong home for the past 8 years. Angeni is a Trent alumnus and holds a BA in Indigenous Studies, which has been the basis of their work supporting Indigenous students with the First Peoples House of Learning. They are a poet, and have previously enjoyed playing as a percussionist in a concert band and a drummer in a jazz band.

Brooke Erickson is a skilled and experienced fundraiser and community organizer. She worked several years building partnerships and communication expertise in the public sector before moving to work in a leadership position at Peterborough’s YES Shelter for Youth and Families where she advocates for community support for some of the most marginalized people in our community. Like many of us living in the Peterborough area, Brooke likes nothing better than to go on a long cross-country ski and then settle in for a cozy screening of several documentary films.

Joaquin Santana is originally from the Dominican Republic and has lived in Peterborough for the last 6 years. Before then, he lived in a few different cities in North America since his early childhood. Joaquin’s professional background and passion is in improving health in marginalized communities, especially for those that suffer gender-based violence, which he has done through a diverse number of employers and volunteer opportunities. Currently, he is a peer support worker for the Trans Peer Outreach program for the Canadian Mental Health Association. His preferred activities are spending time with his family and reading.

Karan Aquino has celebrated the ReFrame festival since moving to Peterborough in 2008, and is a strong believer in the power of stories to inspire, heal, and strengthen individuals and communities.  Prior to retiring from employment, Karan worked directly for remote First Nations in northern Ontario and Manitoba on their land stewardship initiatives, as well as in partnership with other First Nation and Métis organizations on land, resource and community development projects in positions with the Ontario government, and with a non-profit working towards community forestry with ethnic-minority communities in northern Thailand.  More recently, she has volunteered with Hospice Peterborough in several capacities, and the New Canadian Centre on refugee resettlement.  Karan has an MSc in Development Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a certificate in restorative justice from Simon Fraser University. 

Karleen Pendleton Jiménez is a writer, filmmaker, and educator. Her community and creative work centre on queerness, gender diversity, feminism, and Latinidad.  She wrote the award-winning animated shorts Tomboy and The Butch and The Baby Daddy (also co-director).  In addition, she is author of several books, Are You a Boy or a Girl?, How to Get a Girl Pregnant, Tomboys and Other Gender Heroes, and The Street Belongs to Us.  She is professor of education, gender, and social justice at Trent University. Originally from Los Angeles, she is an immigrant to Canada, making her home here with her girlfriend and daughter. 

Melanie Buddle (CHAIR)  is Principal of Peter Gzowski College at Trent University. She grew up, and now gratefully works and lives, in the traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishnaabeg, adjacent to Haudenosaunee territory and in the territory covered by the Williams Treaty. Melanie holds a PhD in History from the University of Victoria, MA from UNBC, and BA from the University of Guelph. She has worked at Trent since 2003 in various roles, and continues to teach courses in interdisciplinary humanities courses. An early interest in theatre and dance led to involvement in the Peterborough arts community. She loves working and living in a vibrant and arts-focused community and enjoys cycling and nordic skiing with her two young-adult kids and husband Drew. 

Michelle Nguyen (SECRETARY) is a researcher, writer, and community builder working to empower people and support communities so that they can thrive. Inspired by her family history of migration from Vietnam, she is passionate about migrant settlement, identity, and belonging in Canada. Michelle has developed programming and mentored youth on social justice, civic engagement, and arts-based storytelling projects. She holds a BA in History and International Development Studies from Trent University and an MA in Immigration and Settlement Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University. Currently, she works at the New Canadians Centre, bringing together partners to implement a cross-sector strategic plan for immigrant integration in Nogojiwanong (Peterborough) and the surrounding area. In her downtime, she enjoys cooking, singing, and watching films from around the world.

 

Sean Fitzpatrick is the co-owner of Take Cover Books, a local independent bookstore in East City. In addition to his retail activities, he is passionate about film. He holds an MA in Film Studies from the University of Western Ontario. Take Cover Books has also started up a film club that convenes monthly for a communal viewing experience in the store. He’s also just a massive film nerd who’s very excited to be on the Reframe Board.

Simal Iftikhar (VICE CHAIR) has been deeply committed to her work in activism and social justice in the community of Nogojiwanong, Peterborough. Due to her experiences with immigration as a Pakistani- Canadian, Simal is completing her Master’s degree at Trent University in Education, and focusing her research on supporting refugees resettling into Canada and better understanding the barriers newcomers face in the Canadian education system. Simal has also worked in the non-profit sector for almost 5 years, working in children’s mental health, health care programming, and child care. These intersectionalities have led to her deep passion for social justice and creating positive changes in our local community. Simal uses her privilege and voice to amplify the voices of marginalized individuals who deserve to have their stories heard. 

Tasha Chase grew up in the Kawartha Lakes and has always appreciated and valued the combined impact and strength that comes from community collaberations. She brings over 7 years experience working in non-profit along with an honours degree in Legal Studies, with a minor in Communications and a specialization in Alternative Dispute Resolution. Through her education, working knowledge and lived experiences, Tash holds a passion for social and environmental justice and understands the importance of holding the unique space that ReFrame creates. Tash has held leadership roles in successful event planning in the community, acheiving fundraising, education to the community and aided in reducing barriers and stigma for accessing mental health supports. Tash enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children and their dog.