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Jody Shapiro is a producer, filmmaker and photographer from Toronto, who is well known in Manitoba for his frequent collaborations with local filmmaker Guy Maddin.

His most recent documentary How to Start Your Own Country will be premiering at TIFF 2010 as part of the Reel to Reel Programme. Jody was writer, director and producer on this film, which takes a look at micro-nations – tiny states seldom recognized by better known and established countries to shed light on the question of what exactly makes a country.

Here are some Interesting facts about Jody that you may or may not have known!

Jody is a man of many trades. Not only was he Producer on Guy Maddin’s My Winnipeg, but he was also the Director of Photography!

This isn’t Jody’s first time directing a feature-length documentary. In 2005 he filmed the documentary Ice Breaker which debuted at the HOT DOCS Film Festival. Set in the Arctic, Ice Breaker follows a six week cruise of the Canadian icebreaker CCGS Henry Larsen.

Guy Maddin isn’t the only man in Isabella Rossellini’s life! Jody works with Isabella on her Green Porno series for the Sundance Channel. He co-directs and co-produces the series, which shares with viewers the secret sex-lives of bugs.

He’s a businessman! Jody is the owner and sole employee of his own production company Everyday Pictures.

Although he may not be a Manitoban, he’s produced a ton of projects here in Manitoba, such as; Keyhole, My Winnipeg, Nude Caboose, Brand Upon the Brain, My Dad is 100 Year Olds, The Saddest Music in the World, and The Heart of the World.

Visit www.howtostartyourowncountry.com to view the trailer and learn more about the film.

Click here to read the OSM article ‘Jody Shapiro’s How to Start Your Own Country Debuts at TIFF’

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