Team & Staff
The Team
Megan Smith-Harris
Co-Founder / Executive Director / BOARD MEMBER
Megan has an extensive background in film, television, theatre, radio, and magazines. Her documentary programs and features have aired and streamed around the world. She was the Festival Director of the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival and ran the New Perspectives Documentary Film Series in Wilton, CT for a decade.
Bill Harris
Co-Founder / General Manager
Bill is an award-winning producer and a former television executive with A&E Television Network and The History Channel in New York with decades of experience in film and TV production. Bill was a university professor for TV/Film Masters program, oversaw the restoration and reopening of a century-old Community Theatre, and was GM of the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival.
He is an inductee in the Cable Mavericks Hall of Fame and the Executive Producer of Oscar-qualifying documentaries, Digital Dharma and Trial By Fire: Lives Reforged.
Ellen Lewis
Senior Programmer
While working in New York and traveling the world both for work and pleasure, Ellen cultivated a passion for the arts. She is an avid theatergoer, ceaseless reader, a museum habitué, and an ardent film lover. She served as the Senior Programmer of the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival for three years, helping the festival quadruple in size and consistently place on Film Freeways “Top 100 Best Filmmaker Reviewed Film Festivals.”
Tamara Comas
Communications & Marketing Manager
Tamara is a multidisciplinary creative and communications professional with a background in visual storytelling and digital media. At the Stratford Film Festival, she works across marketing, social media, graphic design, video, and audience communications, developing creative content that promotes the festival’s films, filmmakers, and events.
Elizabeth Kerr
Grant & Development
Born in Stratford, Elizabeth returned home in 2012 after 30 years away. A keen cook and baker, Elizabeth graduated from Stratford Chefs School in 2021 and has worked at local restaurants. Elizabeth is thrilled to help the Stratford Film Festival team and can’t wait to see what they create.
Jack Harris
Technical Coordinator
Jack brings a strong background in event production, A/V systems, computer and cyber technology. He has previously worked with the Ridgefield Film Festival, Nicholson Events, Pyewackitt Productions and CompuDoc.
Jason Gracey
Video Editor / Videographer
Jason spent ten years as a video editor, another decade designing and programming DVD and Blu-Ray material, and almost a decade working in marketing. Somewhere among all that, he managed to fit in a bit of stand-up comedy.
Paddy Anne Hobbs
Paddy Anne Hobbs is a registered nurse and senior healthcare consultant with more than 25 years of experience in clinical informatics, systems implementation and organizational change. A skilled collaborator, trainer and problem-solver, she brings decades of experience working with diverse teams to her role as Co-Volunteer Coordinator with the Stratford Film Festival.
Patricia "Tish" Tousaw
A retired teacher, Tish commits time to family, friends, cycling, hiking, collecting art, and traveling. Organizing events and community-building round out her experience and she is delighted to be a part of the Stratford Film Festival Team.
Claire Bickley
BOARD MEMBER / SCREENER / FESTIVAL PRODUCTION
For over two decades, Claire created current affairs and documentary content for CBC, TVOntario, History Television, Bravo, the Smithsonian Channel, the Oprah Network, Discovery Channel and CTV. She’s a former Board Member of The Female Eye Film Festival and the North American Television Critics Association.
Jean Anne McLeod
BOARD Member
Jean Anne McLeod brings decades of senior executive and governance experience in both the private and public sectors, including serving as Chief Operating Officer of Stikeman Elliott LLP and in senior leadership roles with the Government of Ontario. A committed supporter of arts and culture in Stratford, she served on the board of Stratford Summer Music from 2016 to 2024, including as Chair, and currently serves as Vice-Chair of the STAR Family Health Team. Jean Anne brings extensive expertise in strategic planning, governance and organizational leadership, along with a deep commitment to the Stratford community, to the Board of the Stratford Film Festival.
Anna Stratton
BOARD MEMBER / SCREENER
Anna Stratton is an award-winning feature film producer and for 25 years was president of the Toronto-based production company, Triptych Media. Prior to that she was active in the performing arts and was head of English Language Theatre for the Canada Council. She recently completed a masters in environmental studies at York University and is a member of the Energy and Environment Committee for the City of Stratford.
Dan Mathieson
Sponsorship Engagement
Dan is a life-long advocate for the city of Stratford. He’s served five terms as Mayor while overseeing the phenomenal growth and success of our vibrant Festival City. Dan is Managing Director of Kari Management, a strategic advisory firm that provides clients with invaluable insight into the intersection of government and business. Dan is also CEO of Coriano Capital.
Rosemary Dunsmore
Artist Engagement
An accomplished, multiple award-winning actor and director, Rosemary has graced stages, television screens, and film venues across the country and around the world. She’s familiar for her roles on Orphan Black, To Catch A Killer, Mom PI, Three Pines,and many others.
Michael Welsh
screener
After a career in Canada’s foreign service sending him to promote and represent Canada in the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Washington, D.C., and Barbados, Michael moved to Stratford to revel in the richness and variety of the arts for which this city is known worldwide. Film figures prominently in his personal interests and he is delighted to collaborate with so many creative people to celebrate both the medium and this community.
Sheila McCarthy
Artist Engagement
Sheila is a Canadian actress and singer. She has worked in film, television, and on stage. McCarthy is one of Canada’s most honoured actors, having won two Genie Awards (film), two Gemini Awards (television), an ACTRA Award, and two Dora Awards (theatre), along with multiple nominations.
Don Shipley
Artist Engagement
A seasoned artistic director who has helmed prestigious theatres both large and small around the globe, Don is also a dynamic, sought-after producer and creative consultant for arts and events. He helmed cultural organizations, government agencies, Festivals, and commissioned projects, with an unparalleled knowledge of the arts industry and a breadth of arts management experience.
Alix Grice
Operations Advisor
A senior lawyer with extensive experience in ICT, outsourcing, telecommunications, regulations, compliance, trade sanctions, corporate governance, corporate technology, legal transformation and IP, in a variety of in-house and law firm roles in North America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.
Alexandra Quimby Macdonald
Community Engagement
Alex moved from Toronto to Stratford in 2005 after marrying her husband Tim. She has extensive experience in advertising, art, and interior design and is pleased to join the Stratford Film Festival team as a creative and community advisor.
Deanna Horton
Community Engagement
Before setting out on her career as a diplomat, Deanna Horton studied film as an undergrad at McGill University. She is currently a Distinguished Fellow at the Munk School at the University of Toronto, serves on the Board of the Stratford-Perth Museum, volunteers at the Stratford Festival, and supports local arts organizations.
Angie Dornai
COMMUNITY & VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT
A lifelong educator and cinephile, Angie is known for bringing her creative ideas to life. She has deep roots in restorative justice and mediation. Angie has traveled the world in search of great movies and is excited to be part of a team bringing some of the best of them to the Stratford Film Festival.
Wendy Wilkinson
COMMUNITY & VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT
Wendy’s creative perspective blends community knowledge, connections and family history with her career background in fashion and interior design, costuming, teaching and entrepreneurship.
Become a volunteer
Volunteer Opportunities
Dedicated and talented volunteers are the lifeblood of any successful film festival and the Stratford Film Festival is no exception. Whether you like watching movies, making movies, or just enjoy being an integral part of an important community event, we’d love to hear from you.
Volunteer Areas
Watching & Rating Films
Event Planning
Assist Running Events
Social Media
Photography
Videography & Editing
Fundraising
Transportation
Marketing and Promotion
Guest Hospitality
Administration
Support Cinematic Arts in Stratford
Your support helps SFF bring great films and events to Stratford all year long! As a registered Ontario non-profit, every donation goes directly toward programming, operations, and community engagement. By donating, you’re not only helping us share powerful stories—you’re also investing in arts, culture, and community here in Stratford.
Please note: Stratford Film Festival is a registered non-profit organization but not a registered charity. Tax reciepts will be issued from Hermione Presents~SpringWorks Festival.