Matthew Kowalchuk
My greatest satisfaction as a filmmaker comes when taking a risk, trusting in those I've chosen to work with, and enjoying the ride together.
About Matt
Matthew's films have been watched around the globe, including his multi-award winning debut feature, Lawrence & Holloman, and the acclaimed Bedbugs: A Musical Love Story. He is a recipient of the Canadian Comedy Award for Best Feature Film (Lawrence & Holloman). Other honours include: BC Emerging Director (VIFF), Rising Star Director (EIFF), Best Director of a Comedy (VTXIFF), and several 'Best of Fest' awards. In addition to North American theatrical release for Lawrence & Holloman, he is honoured to have seen his films play such diverse festivals as Shanghai, Perth, London, Berlin, and Cannes.
Having lost his hearing in his teens, Matthew identifies as Deaf/Hard of Hearing, a subject he first explored in his experimental short, Hearing Test. His upcoming work includes The Gain, inspired by his high school years, and My Life as a Diamond, based on the acclaimed YA novel by Jenny Manzer, about a 10-year old baseball player who comes out as transgender.
Matthew has long been a student of comedy, having first trained as an improvisor with Edmonton's storied Rapid Fire Theatre, which counts among its distinguished alumni, Nathan Fillion (Firefly, The Rookie), Mark Meer (Mass Effect 3), and Ron Pederson (Mad TV).
Feature film - Lawrence & Holloman
Matthew's first feature film, Lawrence & Holloman won big at the Edmonton International Film Festival and Vancouver International Film Festival:
"The Canadian Feature Award Goes To The “Wonderfully Whacky, Darkly Comedic” Lawrence & Holloman. The Jury Unanimously Chose This Film For Its Original Storyline, Innovative Direction By Matthew Kowalchuk And Stellar Performances From Ben Cotton And Daniel Arnold."
Short film - Bedbugs: A Musical Love Story
Matthew's most recent project was directing Crazy 8s Film Society Winner, BED BUGS: A Musical Love Story.
Additional Work
Present Moment Pictures
Present Moment Pictures is a Vancouver-based film and television development and production company. We are committed to telling stories relevant to our here and now; visceral tales of the people who make up our world and our lives. Founder Matthew Kowalchuk has made the short films BEDBUGS: A MUSICAL LOVE STORY and THE JANITORS, and the Canadian Comedy Award feature film LAWRENCE & HOLLOMAN.
Projects in Development
The Gain - Feature Film
Marlee Matlin, attached to The Gain as an actor and EP, with Matthew Kowalchuk and Daniel Arnold at SXSW.
Contact Matt
For all booking enquiries, please contact Matt: matt@mattfilms.ca