Born in Preeceville, Saskatchewan, Marnie Parrell is a Métis filmmaker, writer and artist. The first screening of her work was in 1991. Since then her films and videos have been screened both nationally and internationally and she has received numerous grants and festival awards. From Melbourne, Australia to Dawson City, Yukon, her films have an appeal that crosses cultural barriers. Parrell’s films are hybrids – short, experimental, narratives and documentaries. Her early work was completed with small gauge and obsolete technologies such as regular and super 8 film and the Fisher Price Pixelvision. A firm believer in DIY (Do-It-Yourself) ethic, Parrell enjoys the artistic and pratical challenges of working with outdated or unintended technology. She also has an interest in simple electronics and found objects/art.

Parrell completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Toronto (double major in Cinema Studies and Semiotics, minor in Women’s Studies) and an MFA at York University in film production where she wrote, directed and edited The Future. It’s so last week, a half-hour femsploitaction, sci-fi adventure. Experimental, lyrical, pornographic and humorous, her work endeavors to expose what is hidden in the everyday. She attempts to reframe objects, scenes and stories in such a way as to make the familiar, or some aspect of it, seem new or strange thus creating the potential for reinterpretation. Currently working in new media, Parrell is exploring the potential of fiducials and augmented reality, as well as interactive filmmaking. She currently resides in Toronto.

Artist Code: 779