Shelley Morten
| Shelley was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia but moved extensively throughout Canada with her parents, finally settling in Vancouver, BC. While a student at Simon Fraser University, she met her future husband Pier, a deaf-blind Paralympian in the sports of judo and wrestling. Her relationship with Pier allowed her to accompany him all over the world in his athletic endeavors and also encouraged her to become one of the pioneers in women’s wrestling in Canada, winning three National titles and finishing seventh in the 1995 World Championships. |
In the summer of 2010, upon graduation from the Capilano University Documentary Program, Shelley and Steve Pojitski, a fellow documentary student, co-founded VanWestFilm Productions Inc.
Since founding VanWestFilm, Shelley has produced and edited a short documentary film on body image and disordered eating, “One Body to Love,” and produced, directed, and edited a feature-length documentary on Mixed Martial Arts, “Fighting Average.” Both of these films met with some success on the festival circuit with “One Body to Love” achieving an Award of Merit from “The Indie Fest Film Awards Competition” in the category of Educational Films. “Fighting Average” was also an Official Selection of the "Action On Film International Film Festival" with Shelley nominated in the category of Best Documentary Director. Shelley’s last film, “Wrestling with Attitude,” which she also produced, directed and edited, is a documentary about women’s amateur wrestling in Canada. It was commissioned by the CBC-BC and aired on the CBC’s summer series “Absolutely Vancouver” just prior to the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Shelley’s latest production, “Pop Goes the Culture,” which she Produces, along with Director and Editor Kevin Fratpietro, is a film that explores the world of the often controversial Canadian Caricature Artist and self-proclaimed anarchist, Victor Pross. The film has recently resumed production and will shortly be launching a crowdfunding campaign on either Indiegogo or Kickstarter in order to secure completion funding.
Website Updated!!!
(01-06-2016)
We have finally updated our website to give it a little different and, hopefully, fresher look. Included in the update is an added Social Media Link to our Vimeo website for full-length viewing of several of our productions and a link to the Facebook page for our latest documentary, "Pop Goes the Culture."
"Pop Goes the Culture"
(23-05-2016)
VanWestFilm Productions is currently in ongoing production for "Pop Goes the Culture," a new feature-length documentary film from directors Shelley Morten and Kevin Fratpietro. Preliminary production began in late September 2015 and has been unfortunately delayed. We are now set to resume and (hopefully) wrap up principal photography over the summer. Details regarding our Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign will be available shortly.
"Fighting Average"
(29-08-2014)
"Fighting Average is now available to download or stream online at: https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/11143056#.
"Fighting Average"
(01-08-2013)
VanWestFilm Productions has entered into an agreement with R Squared Films to distribute "Fighting Average." Stay tuned for further details on the future availability of the film.
Steve Pojitski Headed Eastwards
(01-06-2013)
Recently, Steve has left the company to pursue other opportunities in Toronto. We are sure to hear good things from him in the future. Good Luck Steve!
"One Body to Love"
(23-08-2012)
"One Body to Love" has been honoured with an "Award of Merit" from The Indie Fest Film Awards Competition in the category of Educational/Industrial/Training films.
"Fighting Average"
(15-08-2012)
"Fighting Average" is an Official Selection of the 8th Annual "Action On film International Film Festival" which runs from Aug. 17-25 in Monrovia, California. It is due to screen on Aug. 23 at 2:00 pm at the Krikorian Premiere Theate. The film has also been nominated in the category of "Best Director - Documentary."
"Wrestling With Attitude"
(16-07-2012)
The film is a look at the evolution of the sport of Women's Wrestling in Canada and focuses on two of Canada's best female wrestlers as they vie for spots on the 2012 Canadian Olympic Team. It is the first in a series of regional Summer specials on CBC entitled "Absolutely Vancouver" and will air throughout BC and the Yukon on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at 7 pm (PST) on CBC-BC.
"Fighting Average"
(15-06-2012)
"Fighting Average" is finally complete and ready to go! We're currently in the process of submitting to several North American Film Festivals and are awaiting notification of acceptance for screening. We're also pitching the film as an acquisition to various broadcasters. Check back for further information on the status of the film!
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