ABOUT

WHO I AM

For Edmonton born, Filipino-Canadian filmmaker Daniel Wester, filmmaking is an act of intimate sublimation; a transformation of trauma into art. Diagnosed with several mental illnesses and ADHD, his work is informed by the relationship between his lived experiences as an underprivileged person of color and his struggles through mental adversities.

While obtaining a BFA as a Film Major at Simon Fraser University School for Contemporary Arts, he focused on experimenting with forms of improvisation in narrative filmmaking, inspired by the works of John Cassavettes, experimental ethnographic filmmaking practices, and Gilles Deleuze's philosophies on them.

After completing Film School, Daniel began production on his first feature film, an independent, no-budget, guerrilla style self-portrait, but would have to step away.

Coming back strong after several years, Daniel received mentorship through the VIFF Catalyst program and would go on to complete his first feature film.