Francine Zuckerman

Francine Zuckerman is a Canadian documentary film maker.

She graduated from McGill University's Communication Studies department and joined the National Film Board to co-produce and direct her first documentary film, 'Half the Kingdom'. A controversial film AbOUT women and Judaism, 'Half the Kingdom' was invited to participate in more than twenty international film festivals: was broadcast in Canada on TVO, in the U.K. on Channel 4 and in Australia on SBS; and was supported by Telefilm Canada. The film won several awards and was nominated for two Geminis: best documentary program and best direction of a documentary program.

In 1998 she produced and directed 'Exposure: environmental links to breast cancer', a documentary which explores the connection between toxins in the environment and our physical health. Hosted by Olivia Newton-John, 'Exposure' was seen in Canada on CBC, TVO, WTN and Vision TV. The film won the best Health Documentary award at the New York Film and Video Festival.

Directed And Co-produced with New Zealand producer, Jonathan Dowling, the feature film 'Punch Me in the Stomach', starring Deb Filler. The film is based on Filler's 36-character off-Broadway solo performance piece produced by New York Theatre Workshop. It is a story of the triumph of one man, a Polish born concentration camp survivor, as told by his comedienne daughter, Deb. A co-production with New Zealand, Punch Me in the Stomach was produced in association with CBC with funds from the OFDC and New Zealand on Air. It was broadcast on Bravo, CFCF, Vision TV, WTN and PBS. The film had its world premiere at the London Film Festival and toured to film festivals internationally.

Co-produced and directed short film, 'Passengers', a drama that tells the story of a road trip between a father and daughter through time. Made in association with CBC, Showcase, WTN and Vision TV, 'Passengers' had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and was invited to several international festivals including Palm Springs, San Paulo, Berlin, Vancouver, Montreal, San Francisco, Los Angeles and London. Selected for screening at the Independent Feature Project's Sundance short film program.

She co-produced the dramatic anthology TV series, 'The Atwood Stories' with Shaftesbury Films of Canada, in association with the W Network. 'The Atwood Stories' are based on short stories by Margaret Atwood. Directed and co- wrote a film in the series, 'The Sunrise'. Rebecca Jenkins was subsequently nominated for a Gemini for best performance and the series was nominated for a Gemini for best dramatic series.

Zuckerman creative produced and directed the TV series, 'Class Act', for the Life Network and Breakthrough Films, following a group of young performers as they strive to make it in the world of MusicAL theatre.

Making the Cut, a documentary about the Canadian fashion industry, aired on the Life Network, featuring renowned Canadian actor, Wendy Crewson. Short dance film 'Urban Creatures' shot for Bravo Television with dancer Nicole Fougere. Development of a new project, creating a fusion of two diverse, yet complementary worlds: dance and high fashion in a new project, 'Quatre Saisons', a dance film bringing together four Quebec choreographers and fashion designers.

Zuckerman produced three documentary specials for TVOntario's series, 'Person 2 Person' and the BookShort, 'A Quiet Courage', a short film adaptation of the book by Paula Todd. Executive produced short films for BravoFact television, 'Trip', and 'Ladies and Gentlemen: Biddie Schitzerman', starring longtime collaborator Deb Filler who plays multiple roles.

A member of the Independent film project, New York; Directors Guild of Canada; served as a jury member for the Ontario Arts Council, Media Arts Program; jury chair for a Gemini Awards at The Academy of Film and Television a founding member of Femmes du Cinema de la Télévision et la Vidéo a Montréal.

In 2005, as an invitee of the UK's ‘Script Factory - the same year supported by ‘The Irving Avrich Fund' to promote Canadian filmmaking talent as part of the Toronto International Film Festival.

As founder of 'Z Films inc' has worked in conjunction with the North York Community House on two video projects, exploring the diversity of the Toronto immigrant community. Recently collaborated on The Trethewey Project working with black youth on a multi-media project.

In development a feature film based on Margaret Atwood's novel 'The Edible Woman'; a sequel to 'Half the Kingdom' looking at Jewish women in Eastern Europe; a multi platform TV and web series; and the feature documentary 'La Beauté...The Beauty' discussing women and beauty, with British psychotherapist, Dr. Susie Orbach.