Film Director, Fireside Pictures, 2024 Everything Puppies is a feature length romantic comedy Hallmark movie. A dedicated entrepreneur and inventor looking to make it big creating innovative dog toys and treats finds success with the support of a handsome client. Starring Pascal Lamothe-Kipnes, Stephen Huszar, and Kathryn Davis. Movie premiered on Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Summer”.
Film Director, Fireside Pictures, 2023 Everything Christmas is a feature length romantic comedy Hallmark movie. Christmas enthusiast, Lori-Jo embarks on an epic 3 day road trip with her workaholic best friend, Victoria to the town where it's Christmas all year round. They run into handsome, like-minded strangers Zach and Jason. Starring Cindy Busby, Kathrine Barrell, Corey Sevier and Matt Wells. Movie premiered on Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Christmas”.
Film Director, CME/Reel One Entertainment, 2022 A Match for the Prince is a feature length romantic comedy. A medieval romance novelist is hired to be a matchmaker for a real-life prince in a desperate attempt to find true love before the fixed royal wedding date. Movie aired on various networks internationally.
Film Director, CME/Reel One Entertainment, 2022 Love Hacks is a feature length romantic comedy. Relationship coach, Sam, believes she can fix any romance and she's creating a podcast to prove it. But fun-loving producer, Josh, challenges her to put her own heart to the test. Movie aired on various networks internationally.
TV Director, Boat Rocker Media, 2019 “The Next Step” is a half-hour live action single camera drama teen TV show. Loyalties are tested and drama ensues as a team of talented dancers work together to compete at various dance competitions. Episodes aired on CBC GEM.
Development Consultant, IOM Media Ventures - 2018-2019 Reporting to the LA based Creative Executive in the selection of possible future TV animated projects to build the development slate for IOM Media Ventures.
Director/Producer/Writer - 2010 - present Creating new and exciting projects for all ages. Developing materials for TV, Film and short-formed based digital platforms in collaboration with an array of filmmakers, writers and producers.
Film Director/Producer, Stromhaus Productions, Telefilm - 2010-2012 “The Ballad of Walter Bighands” is a live action feature length film. Marni worked closely with the other producers and writers to ready the project for production. Oversight include script consultation, production financing packages, grant and government agency participation submissions, budgeting and distributor negotiations.
TV Director, Aircraft Pictures, Dolphin Entertainment - 2011 “What’s Up Warthogs!” is a half-hour live action sitcom/single camera hybrid kids TV show. Each episode followed rivals Eric and Victoria as they gathered the news to report for their school’s morning announcements. Episodes aired on YTV.
TV Director, Entertainment One, Spin Productions - 2009 “Majority Rules!” is a half-hour, live action kids comedy mixed with animation. A young girl, with the help of her four friends, runs for Mayor of her small town. Each episode included animated elements featured within the live action story. Episodes aired on Teletoon.
TV Director, Shaftesbury Films - 2010 “Overruled!” is a half-hour, live action tween comedy where teenagers settle their high school problems by a jury of their peers...in the a high school’s teen court. Episodes aired on The Disney Channel (US) and The Family Channel (CDN).
TV Director, Epitome Pictures - 2009 “Degrassi: The Next Generation” is a half-hour, single camera live action teen drama. Degrassi students continue to struggle with the complexities of growing up. Episodes aired on The N (US), CTV (CDN).
TV Director, Decode Entertainment - 2007-2008 “The Latest Buzz” is a half-hour, live action kids sitcom. In each episode the kids struggle to create articles for the latest issue of their kids magazine while getting into trouble. Filmed in a traditional three camera sitcom format with a laugh track. Episodes aired on The Disney Channel (US), The Family Channel (CDN).
TV Director, Coneybeare Stories - 2007-2008 “Monster Warriors” is a half-hour, live action, single camera kids TV show starring Jared Keeso (“Letterkenny”). In each episode a team of brave and curious kids protect their town by fighting off giant B-Movie monsters. Work involved traditional cameras and VFX. Episodes aired on Jetix (UK), YTV.
Film Director, Candlelight Pictures - 2003 Winter Break is a live action comedy feature film, starring Milo Ventimiglia (“This is Us”). American Pie meets John Hughes on the ski slopes. The film follows four college grads as they head to Aspen, Colorado to delay graduate school and career opportunities to teach skiing, find love and live life to it’s fullest. Film was distributed by Universal Home Studios.
Directing Consultant, PS Your Cat is Dead - 2003 Adapted from the James Kirkwood Jr. award winning play and novel, PS Your Cat is Dead is a feature film written, directed and starring Steve Guttenberg. Marni on set as in a co-directing capacity as Steve Guttenberg made his directorial debut. The film follows down on his luck actor Jimmy Zoole (Guttenberg) on a new years eve where everything that can go wrong does. Supporting cast includes Lombardo Boyer, Cynthia Watros, and Shirley Knight.
Film Director, In the Can Productions, American Film Institute: Los Angeles, CA — 1998 Marni received the AFI’s prestigious Franklin J. Schaffner Fellow Award for outstanding direction for her short form thesis film John. It screened at festivals across the globe including at the American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival and won the Gold Student Academy Award and DGA Directing Award.
Education The American Film Institute, Los Angeles, CA - MFA, Directing 1998 Received the Franklin J. Schaffner Fellow Award York University, Toronto, ON — BFA, Film/TV 1996 Received the TVO Jay Scott Award
Festivals/Community/awards Marni has attended or been invited to participate in past Toronto International Film Festivals, Sundance Film Festivals, AFI Film Festivals, Los Angeles Film Festivals, American Film Markets, Lake Tahoe Film Festival, Yorkton Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, and Cannes Film Festivals. Participation on Toronto Fantasy Film Festival jury, DGC Award juries, CSA Award Juries, American Film Institute Admissions committee. Received the Gold Student Academy Award.
Skills As a filmmaker for over 20 years, Marni has developed a strong commercial sense in addition to an artistic one. She is a self starter who excels at strong communication skills to collaborate with actors, writers, producers and other parties under tight time and budget timelines.