Mike Simms
Directing
Biography
Mike Simms is a filmmaker based in Newfoundland and Labrador. With a deep fascination for the language of cinema and an unwavering commitment to his craft, he has spent the past decade building a career producing original work alongside freelance and broadcast projects. He works regularly with CBC, where he’s filmed major events such as King Charles’ visit to St. John’s, and recently shot and edited a mini-documentary in northern Labrador as part of a community engagement initiative. Outside of that, Mike writes, directs, shoots, and edits his own films. His latest short, Pearls, won Best Atlantic Short at the Atlantic International Film Festival. He's now focused on developing original narrative and documentary work, while continuing to collaborate on freelance projects in between.
Known For
A young man is forced to confront his past traumas following his first day of work on a logging camp in the 1930s.
Pearls
The wedding of their youngest sister, Janet, brings Gwen and Kay home to St. John’s, Newfoundland. While Janet struggles to hide her family’s dysfunction, Kay can’t help but create chaos wherever she goes and Gwen finds herself paralyzed by a past secret. The complicated web of relationships between the sisters, their Aunt Maureen, their absent mother, and Kay’s young daughter Billie, is only illuminated by the wedding. Gwen’s attempts to get Kay to take responsibility for her daughter highlights her own abandonment of her ex, Tom, leading them all to a not-so-perfect storm of a reception.
Little Orphans
There is no ‘best thing’ about having terminal cancer, but for forty-year-old Joe, being welcomed back into his childhood home, feeling the warmth and support of his sister and her husband and observing his young niece’s blossoming emotional maturity seem to give new meaning to a life he feels he had wasted. With unexpected humour, stark realism and quiet insight, Under The Weather is an uplifting meditation on one man’s graceful surrender to the inevitable and the palpable impact his passing has on those he leaves behind.
Under the Weather
A folklorist is summoned by the last living soul of a forgotten community to witness a folktale transform into a terrifying reality.
Always Going Never Gone
Two young women find themselves in an impossible situation. With no one to turn to and against all odds, the pair take the road trip of their lives. Based on the story Melody by Lisa Moore, from her 2002 collection of short stories, Open.
Melody
"Lorraine" is a riveting 15-minute documentary that delves into the remarkable journey and accomplishments of Lorraine Michael, a Lebanese-Newfoundlander who has made a significant impact as a politician for Newfoundland and Labrador. Known for her unwavering dedication to social activism and her tireless efforts to serve the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, Michael's story is one of inspiration and community empowerment, leaving a lasting impression on all who encounter it.
Lorraine
A high-strung reporter, hot on the tail of a rampaging murderer, returns home to find his partner hosting some old friends. He’s already started to unravel, leaning on alcohol to calm himself, as the gathering gets bigger and louder.
Thumbs Up
On a day when all he wants is to fix his leaky roof, a man finds himself persuaded to try a strange new product: Chemical Eggs—with unexpected consequences.