Maple Popcorn

In this episode, host Marriska Fernandes explores the prominent career of Canadian actress, comedian, writer, and director Mary Walsh. From her early days with the Newfoundland Travelling Theatre Company to co-founding CODCO, Mary has left an unforgettable mark on Canadian comedy. Her sharp wit and memorable characters, including Marg Delahunty on "This Hour Has 22 Minutes," have established her status as a comedic force, seamlessly blending humour with sharp political commentary. Beyond entertainment, Mary Walsh is a dedicated advocate for social causes, lending her voice to campaigns supporting human rights and poverty eradication through organizations like Oxfam-Canada. As a director, she has overseen acclaimed films such as "Young Triffie" and showcased her acting talents in "Happy Days", "Mambo Italiano", and "The Grand Seduction". Mary will next be seen in Sam McGlynn's "Deaner '89", the sequel to the cult classic "FUBAR". Join Marriska Fernandes as she speaks to Mary Walsh about how a haircut led to her character Marg Delahunty, her time as Princess Warrior, using comedy to deliver hard truths, changing the country's perception of Newfoundland and much more! A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada. Follow Telefilm Canada on Instagram Follow The Brand is Female on Instagram Watch the video of this episode

In this episode, host Marriska Fernandes uncovers the story of Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan, celebrated for his diverse contributions to cinema. With internationally acclaimed films like "Exotica," "The Sweet Hereafter," and the upcoming film, "Seven Veils," Egoyan has consistently pushed cinematic boundaries, focusing on themes such as memory, isolation, identity, and more. His work has earned accolades at Cannes, TIFF, and the Oscars, solidifying his reputation as a master storyteller. Beyond filmmaking, Egoyan has also directed several operas, including Salome, Così fan tutte, and Jenůfa, for the Canadian Opera, Vancouver Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, and elsewhere. Join Marriska in conversation with Atom Egoyan, where they discuss his creative process and recall when Atom and Bruce McDonald screened their short films on a wall during TIFF. They also talk about the best ending he's ever written, and more insights into his incredible journey. ***TW: Atom Egoyan's films often explore the universality of trauma, and in discussing his work, there are mentions of sexual assault, child abuse and violence. Listener discretion is advised. A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada. Follow Telefilm Canada on Instagram Follow The Brand is Female on Instagram Watch the video of this episode

In this episode, Canadian Screen Award-nominated actor, singer, and performer Karen LeBlanc joins host Marriska Fernandes to talk about her multifaceted career. Karen's passion for performing led her to the renowned musical theatre program at Sheridan College. After graduating, she sang with several bands such as Glass Tiger and her own R&B band, Midnight Hour. On stage, she's performed in shows such as "Rent" and "Outrageous," and toured the world with the Legends In Concert series channelling Tina Turner. Her career spans film and television, with standout roles in "Nurse.Fighter.Boy," and series like "Trailer Park Boys," "Producing Parker" and "The Playboy Club." Recently, she starred as Vanessa King in Oprah Winfrey's TV Series "The Kings of Napa," took on the role of Dr. Lilly Crawford, in CBS's "Fire Country," and plays Lynette Miller in "Ginny & Georgia." Karen and Marriska chat about chasing craft rather than fame, feeling seen by Charles Officer when filming "Nurse.Fighter.Boy," and how sometimes being your best self means saying no. A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada. Follow Telefilm Canada on Instagram Follow The Brand is Female on Instagram Watch the video of this episode

Lights, camera, action! Welcome to the Maple Popcorn Podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, where we take you behind the scenes of Canada's vibrant entertainment industry. This new season will bring you exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes scoops, and unforgettable moments with your favourite Canadian stars and emerging talents. From blockbuster hits to indie gems, we're turning up the excitement meter and sharing candid moments, untold anecdotes, and insider secrets that will leave you wanting more. Proudly powered by Telefilm Canada, the Maple Popcorn Podcast is your ultimate destination for all things Canadian entertainment. So grab your popcorn, settle in, and subscribe now on your favourite podcast app. Don't miss a single episode packed with exclusive content you won't find anywhere else! A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada. Follow Telefilm Canada on Instagram Follow The Brand is Female on Instagram Watch Season 3 on video

In this episode, host Marriska Fernandes sits down with Hamza Haq. You likely know Hamza from CTV's hit medical drama Transplant, now in its second season, where Hamza plays the lead role of Bash, a doctor who comes to Canada as a Syrian refugee during the ongoing Syrian civil war. The role earned him a Canadian Screen Award for 'Best Lead Actor' in 2021. At the age of nine, Hamza himself immigrated to Canada from Saudi Arabia with his Pakistani family. Today, he shares with us his continued journey towards authenticity, his message to all immigrants and the importance of staying true to yourself. A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada.

In this episode, host Marriska Fernandes sits down with Michael Greyeyes, actor, director, scholar, educator, choreographer and graduate from Canada's National School of Ballet. Michael is Plains Cree from the Muskeg Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan, and you may know him for his iconic roles in award-winning Canadian horror film Blood Quantum, Canadian cult classic, Dance Me Outside, and more recently for his roles as Terry Thomas in the new hit TV series Rutherford Falls and as Makwa in the thriller Wild Indian. Both have garnered much media attention and recognition, with Michael twice nominated at the Gotham Awards! Tune in to the conversation and discover Michael's self-proclaimed "most Indigenous quality" and his love of both Indigenous joy and Indigenous creator Sierra Ornelas, showrunner of Rutherford Falls. A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada.

In this episode, host Marriska Fernandes sits down with three up-and-coming Canadian filmmakers: Shasha Nakhai, Martin Edralin, and Priscilla Galvez. Shasha co-directed and co-produced Scarborough with fellow filmmaker Rich Williamson. The film won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Picture, and Nakhai and Williamson won the award for Best Director, at the 10th Canadian Screen Awards in 2022. The feature drama follows the stories of three children and their surrounding community as their lives collide at a community reading club all while navigating their own personal challenges. Islands is Martin Edralin's directorial feature debut on which Priscilla Galvez worked on as producer. The feature centres around Joshua, a shy middle-aged Filipino man who takes on the role of caretaker for his father. Join us as we navigate the Filipino-Canadian diaspora represented in contrasting narratives — one on growing up in Scarborough and the other on growing old in Islands - and the importance of diasporic communities' representation in Canadian film and television. A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada.

From the stages of Stratford to Hollywood, all Canadians have watched Colm Feore in one of his extraordinary roles. You may have seen him on the big screen in films like Thor, or the hilarious 2006 buddy cop flick Bon Cop Bad Cop, alongside Patrick Huard. You've noticed him on your TV screen if you've watched 24, The Borgias, and The Umbrella Academy. From playing King Lear to playing former Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, time after again, Colm has proved his reflexiveness as an actor and his ability to take on difficult roles and make them his own. Colm has been nominated for numerous awards, and won two for his performance in Trudeau, both for Best Actor in a Mini-Series; he has also been awarded a Governor General Award. Throughout his success, Colm has remained a down-to-earth Canadian, beaming with pride at the development of his country's contemporary film scene. A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada. ... Learn more about Maple Popcorn

If you love a good scare, this episode is for you! This week on the podcast, our host chats with Adam MacDonald and Katharine Isabelle, two veterans of the horror genre, who call Canada home. Since he was a little boy, Adam MacDonald was captivated by the horror genre. The thrills and chills from classics like The Exorcist and Evil Dead had him wondering how directors figured out the perfect scares. Fast forward to today, Adam is a filmmaker with two features under his belt, his 2015 film Backcountry and his 2017 film Pyewacket. He is also a director on the Netflix series Slasher Solstice. Katherine Isabelle grew up on the gloomy film sets of Vancouver, as she watched her father work as an art director on shows like the X-Files. Since then, her acting career has blown up, and you can catch her in major films like American Mary, Freddy vs. Jason, and in television shows such as Hannibal and The Order on Netflix. Perhaps Katharine is best known for her role as Ginger in the 2000 horror film Ginger Snaps, which is now hailed as a feminist horror classic. So sit down, kick back, and get comfortable (but not too comfortable, because you never know what's lurking in the shadows) and get a behind-the-scenes look at Canadian horror! A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada. ... Learn more about Maple Popcorn

The landscape of Canadian cinema has changed drastically over the years, with our homegrown talent getting more international recognition for their unique and impactful work. In this episode, we sit down with three women who are changing the rules of the game in Canadian cinema and advocating for representation of diverse voices in today's film and TV industry. Gloria Kim, Supinder Wraich, and Mary Galloway are all graduates from the Canadian Film Centre and have been making waves with their recent projects. In 2019, Gloria Kim released her feature film Queen of the Morning Calm, which garnered rave reviews for its stylistic and aesthetic excellence. Supinder Wraich won an international Emmy in 2013 for her web series Guidestones, since then, she has released another web series, The 410. Mary Galloway made her directorial debut in 2017 with her film Unintentional Mother. Since then, she has worked on numerous projects, with an Indigi-Queer focus, and in 2019 The Hollywood Reporter listed her as one of 15 "Breakouts Making an Impact on Hollywood". Don't miss this insightful conversation, and join us in celebrating our homegrown Canadian talent! A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada. ... Learn more about Maple Popcorn

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of your favourite homegrown films and TV shows? It's time to pop the Maple Popcorn, go behind the camera and meet the people who are making it happen. Discover exclusive interviews with Canadian icons and hear them talk about Canadian flicks and even break the fifth wall to share set anecdotes. Subscribe now and don't miss an episode; Maple Popcorn launches soon! A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada.