Directing

Graeme Mathieson

Biography

An award-winning DGC filmmaker, Graeme has been shaped by his Jamaican and Scottish roots, growing up immersed in diverse cultures that ignited his curiosity and deepened his empathy for people's stories. This foundation has become the driving force behind his work. His filmmaking journey has taken him across the globe, collaborating with notable figures such as Ben Johnson, Leroy Sibbles, Nana McLean, Jagmeet Singh, and Johnny Osbourne. Passionate about creating ethical spaces for storytelling, Graeme is dedicated to exploring sensitive subjects and providing underrepresented communities with a platform to share their histories. His recent work includes Play It Loud! How Toronto Got Soul, which he directed and co-wrote, and was released on TVO in 2025, as well as the award-winning Sounds & Pressure: Reggae in a Foreign Land, a documentary anthology series he directed and co-wrote. Funded by the National Film Board of Canada, Sounds & Pressure was released in 2024 and explores the impact of reggae music in diasporic communities. He is also the co-founder of Bonfire Originals, a production company committed to amplifying untold stories and marginalized voices through powerful visual storytelling. Beyond filmmaking, Graeme is known as DJ Gramera, a vinyl enthusiast and longtime host of StolenSouls, a community radio show he led for over 15 years. Whether through film or music, he is driven by a love for authentic, culture-rich stories that deserve to be heard.