Eva Thomas

From Script to Screen: The Triple Threat Filmmaker Will Take TIFF by Storm

Eva Thomas at TIFF 2023 – Photo Credit: GAT PR

With Two of Her Films Bowing at TIFF;
Funding in Place For Her Next Feature,
All Eyes Are on Eva Thomas

Eva Thomas, a Canadian First Nations (Walpole Island First Nation) multi-talented writer, producer, and director, is taking the film industry by storm.

In 2023, Eva debuted her short film, Redlights, at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Starring Kaniehtiio Horn and Ellyn Jade, the film draws inspiration from the Starlight Tours in Saskatoon and the 1991 film classic, Thelma & Louise. Recently, Eva secured Telefilm funding for her next feature, NIKA AND MADISON, which is based on the storyline of Redlights. The film follows Nika and Madison as they become fugitives after Nika saves Madison from a sexual assault by beating down a police officer. Shooting for this highly anticipated feature begins in October around Ontario.

During TIFF 2023, Eva and Kaniehtiio Horn were selected for the TIFF Every Story Accelerator Program with their film SEEDS. Eva serves as Executive Producer, while Kaniehtiio writes, directs, and stars in the film. SEEDS will have its world premiere at TIFF 2024.

Last September, Eva co-directed and co-wrote her first feature film, Aberdeen, in collaboration with Ryan Cooper. Eva also served as Executive Producer. Aberdeen is a raw, authentic drama about an Indigenous climate-change refugee adjusting to big-city life and facing inter-generational trauma. Starring a stellar cast of Gail Maurice, Billy Merasty, Jennifer Podemski, Liam Stewart-Kanigan, and Ryan Black, Aberdeen will also world premiere at TIFF 2024.

Eva’s additional notable work includes her role as associate producer on the 2021 film Night Raiders. She has directed episodes of the CBC docuseries Still Standing. And Eva has also written for CTV’s Shelved (2023), CTV/APTN’s Acting Good (2022) and Crave/APTN’s Don’t Even (2024).

As a member of the Walpole Island First Nation, Eva is also of Tohono O’odham, Cherokee, and Scottish descent. She is based in Toronto and Wallaceburg, Ontario.

• Redlights screened at over 20 film festivals globally following its TIFF 2023 world premiere.

• Redlights is streaming in Canada on CBC Gem

• Redlights is featured on Air Canada’s “Indigenous Connections” in-flight screenings.

• 2023 Nominee – Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) – Best Short Film, Redlights.

• 2024 GEMSFest Vancouver Winner – Short Film Impact Award, Redlights.

• 2024 Canadian Film Fest Winner – Best Short Film, Redlights.

• 2024 Canadian Screen Award – Best Direction, Factual – Still Standing, New Richmond, QC.