Board of Directors Election
Voting Starts Friday, April 17th at 9am - Election poll will appear on this page at this time. An email will be sent out to all OSIF members to vote beforehand.
Voting Ends Wednesday, April 22nd at 9am
*** You must be an OSIF Member to vote *** - Non-members votes will not count
If you are not on our Crew List, you are not an OSIF Member. Sign up to become a member Here.
OSIF Members will vote in Four people to join the three existing 2nd-year term board members, to serve on the 2026/27 Board of Directors. See the Nominee's Bios Below
Board of Directors NomineesChoose 4 of the following nominees to represent OSIF in 2026/27 & 2027/28
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Kimberly Billinton
| About Hi, I'm Kimberly Billinton! I'm a a screenwriter, actor, director and producer residing in West Kelowna, BC. I'm the creator and showrunner of the internationally charting audio drama series Where the Leaves Fall Purple, which is currently in production for a second season. I am is an active member of the independent film community and my goal is to encourage people to create stories they are passionate about and bring them to life. I initially got my start with OSIF when I won the Script to Scream competition in 2018. I have had the honour of serving on the OSIF Board since 2022, being involved in the organization of all four Okanagan Screen Awards. In my time on the board, I have served as both the Secretary and Vice President of the board. I have a degree in Business Management, with a specialization in marketing. I have been able to perform many marketing duties for OSIF during my time on the board. In addition, I have used my talent and education to help many independent artists promote their own work. I also have experience in running events outside of HorrorFest and the Okanagan Screen Awards, as I have previously worked as a Festival Organizer for the Kelowna Fringe Festival and Kelowna Fan Experience. Currently, I am the Canada-wide Marketing Manager for People Over Phones, a trivia and entertainment company. What would you like to see the OSIF Board achieve in the next year? In the next year, I would love to increase the reach of OSIF and the community members we can support. I'd love us to be able to branch out further throughout the Okanagan and make more meaningful partnerships to benefit our members and the community. I would also love to see us offer more workshops and training. One thing about independent film is that there is a constant learning about it. With each project, there's something to gain. I've seen how much our filmmakers have grown over the past handful of years. I can't wait to see what they have in store yet and continue to give them a platform and audience to display their achievements.What is your long term vision for OSIF? I would love to see OSIF continue to build and become an even stronger pillar of the community. I want OSIF to be a hub of creativity and entertainment. It would be incredible to see OSIF eventually able to have a physical space, that can offer access to more resources for independent filmmakers in our community. I want OSIF to be a garden of talent and that we are able to help water the flowers of more films, documentaries, and other creative projects. I want to see OSIF be a place where new skills are learned and a hub of innovation, creativity, and storytelling. I want to see a continuation of our festivals and programming, with an elevation year over year. I want to see a place where both new indie filmmakers and veteran indie filmmakers in our community and supported and learning from each other. Overall, I want to see OSIF thrive for many years to come. |
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Jesse Nelson
| About My name is Jesse Nelson and I've been working in the Okanagan film industry as an Assistant Director for over a decade. In that time I have been a part of all sizes of projects ranging from independent short films and music videos to higher budget feature films. Born and raised in Kelowna, I have felt very early on in my career that the potential for Kelowna to become an independent arts/film hub such as Winnipeg, MB or Austin, TX. This has influenced my decision to stay in the valley while many of my peers would move to Vancouver to pursue their career. I have always enjoyed being a fixture in the community and championing others to reach their potential. As an Assistant Director, I am often at the heart of planning and problem solving large scale productions. I have to collaborate and contend with problems such as managing teams, mediating interpersonal conflicts, conceptualizing logistical plans along with executing them, and anticipating last minute changes. In the film community, I have volunteered time and skills at a majority of OSIF events over the years such as the OSA's, Horrorfest, Script2Screen and many others. I also have volunteered AD work to various shorts and consulted on those that I unfortunately could not find time for. I am also a passionate filmmaker myself, having moved more and more into the writing, directing, editing and acting side of filmmaking over the more recent years. Outside the film community, I also have 13 years of experience leading a volunteer charity team raising funds for B.C. Children's Hospital. Through the Extra Life program, my team has maintained a presence at various conventions and community events, as well producing a 24hr live variety broadcast every year. In the past 13 years, we have raised over $110,000 for the hospital.
What would you like to see the OSIF Board achieve in the next year? I'd like more workshops to be developed and conceptualize further ways and resources that an OSIF Membership benefits the community. Further growth in community communication is another important thing for me as well, such as either newsletters going out more often or having a more robust content. I'd also like to see OSIF to extend their presence to various community events, such as comic cons or arts initiatives.
What is your long term vision for OSIF? I have been incredibly impressed with the current trajectory of OSIF has been over the past years, going from an arts collaboration group to a full scale community presence with screenings, galas and more. I would like to continue to foster this and keep the momentum going strong and ensure OSIF becomes the de facto Okanagan film non-profit in the region. |
Nathan Peacock
| About I'm a sound recorder, I've been multiple other departments on set for TV, film, commercial, and ads all over BC and some international. Prior to getting in the film industry over 7 years ago, I was an audio/visual tech for events, so my technical background covers a lot of bases. Sharing knowledge by investing into community is something I enjoy, so much that I've taught courses in person for sound on numerous occasions. What would you like to see the OSIF Board achieve in the next year? I would like to see two things happen. First, networking events designed to bring active professionals together to meet and find out about talents they have as solutions for current and future projects. There's so much hidden talent that hasn't had the excuse to be brought up and we'd be better for knowing about it. Second I'd like to see an increase in shared knowledge with workshops and peer-led group learning. Many new folks to the industry aren't taught many tricks of the trade until they get to their first set and learn the hard way. Everyone benefits with fewer ignorant crew in every department. What is your long term vision for OSIF? Deliberately designed social moments that create opportunities for advancing careers. Everyone I know in this industry got their start because someone opened a door for them. Empowering moments for me have always come from a connection made on a job, nearly zero of them would've happened without having gone to a networking event early on. Now with higher average skill level, it's more beneficial than ever to make new contacts. Understanding where we can grow is also easier with frequent connection opportunities. The simple cycle of meeting new people, making things with them, and doing it again will surely make for a stronger local film community. |
Martin Berthiaume
| About I’m a Kelowna-based filmmaker and the owner of East 2 West Productions. I started out in sound engineering and gradually moved into filmmaking, working across documentaries and independent narrative projects. Alongside my own work, I’ve also had the opportunity to work on medium to large-scale scripted features and series as an editor, colourist, digital imaging technician and camera operator, which has given me a broader perspective on how productions operate at different levels. Most of my indie filmmaking experience comes from being hands-on-developing projects, working with small teams, and seeing things through from idea to completion. I’ve also had the chance to connect with a range of filmmakers and organizations, both locally and outside the region.
What would you like to see the OSIF Board achieve in the next year? I’d like to see OSIF continue building on what it already does well - creating opportunities for filmmakers to connect, learn, and share their work.
A few things that stand out to me are: I think even small improvements in these areas can have a meaningful impact over time. What is your long term vision for OSIF? Long term, I’d like to see OSIF continue to grow in a way that stays grounded in community while expanding its impact.
That could mean: Overall, I see OSIF as a place where filmmakers feel supported, connected, and encouraged to keep creating. |
Andrea Wrauley
| About What would you like to see the OSIF Board achieve in the next year? I’d like to see the Board expand practical support for members through professional development opportunities (workshops, webinars) and clearer, centralized production resources. This includes creating a dedicated production resources page for members that aggregates local crew, services, indie filmmaking infrastructure in place/in the works, and essential production information. Strengthening partnerships with the city and film commission to clarify processes like permits and logistics would also be a priority. Overall, I’d like to help move forward initiatives that make the region more accessible and production-ready for independent filmmakers. What is your long term vision for OSIF? My long-term vision is to help foster the growth of Kelowna’s independent film industry by supporting the development of a comprehensive, Kelowna-specific indie production handbook for scripted features and television projects. This could include tools like a locations database, clear municipal partnership resources, and a list of regional incentives and funding in the Okanagan for indie creators. I’m also interested in supporting OSIF's collaboration with the film commission. As someone newer to this region, I’m also eager to learn what is already in place and build on existing efforts. |
Lyndsey Wong
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About
Lyndsey Wong was born and raised in the exotic landscape of Fort McMurray, Alberta, and grew up studying Violin, Piano, Voice and Polynesian Dancing. She obtained a B.Sc with a Minor in Classical Voice and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from the University of Alberta before moving to the Okanagan. After years in Musical Theatre as a performer, Vocal Coach and Music Director, she ventured into film in 2022 as an actor, and is interested in exploring the industry from a Producer's standpoint as well. She quit her job as a software developer in 2024 and has been OSIF's Director of Sponsorship for the past two years, as well as creator/organizer of the OSA Silent Auction, from which proceeds have doubled each year.
What would you like to see the OSIF Board achieve in the next year? Each year, she intends to continue fostering awareness of and support for OSIF in the community, as well as expanding relationships with local businesses. She would love to help create and amass more member benefits, including screenings, learning opportunities for students, collabs, and discounts at local and online shops. With more than a 150% increase in membership over the past two years, she hopes to grow our base by that much again over the next two years, reaching 250 by 2028.
What is your long term vision for OSIF? Lyndsey would love for everyone in the Okanagan to know who and what OSIF is -- and for at least 1/3 of attendees simply be film lovers in the community. With a ~30% increase in attendance over the last year for HorrorFest and the Okanagan Screen Awards, she's incredibly excited to see where we go from here! |
2nd-Year Term Board Members
These members are not being voted in, they will carry over for their 2nd year in 2026/27
Nina Bournival
| Zach Jones
| George Popi
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Thank You Crystal Van Pelt!
We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Crystal for her time, energy, and dedication as a member of the OSIF Board of Directors for the past 2 years.
Throughout her tenure, Crystal brought a thoughtful perspective, a collaborative spirit, and a genuine passion for supporting the local filmmaking community. Her contributions helped shape the growth and direction of OSIF, and her presence will be truly missed at the board table.
On behalf of the entire organization, thank you, Crystal, for everything you’ve given to OSIF. We’re grateful for the impact you’ve made and look forward to seeing all that you'll continue to accomplish in our film community.
