WRITER - DIRECTOR BIO:
Courtney Deelen
After graduating with honours from St. Clair College's Musical Theatre Performance program, Courtney Deelen spent two summer seasons in Dawson City, Yukon performing as a world renown Gertie Girl at Diamond Tooth Gertie’s Casino. Shifting her focus from theatre to film and television, she began to build her body of on-camera work with roles on Suits, Murdoch Mysteries, 12 Monkeys, Becoming Burlesque, Good Witch, and Reign.
By getting involved in ACTRA's Young Emerging Artist’s Assembly, Courtney had the opportunity to take charge of the producing duties of a variety of projects for other members. This along with her experience in front of the camera, opened the doors to crafting her own stories behind the camera as a director, and writer.
Since developing her production company, Deelen with Trouble, Inc. with her partner Michael T. Burgess, they have successfully completed multiple short films, two PSAs, a concept trailer, a music video, and 3 commercials since DwT’s inception in 2015.
Courtney was hired by the Canadian Film Centre to produce their 2018 Actors Conservatory Series showcase, and has been a faculty member of St. Clair College for the past three years. Most recently, Courtney was a finalist of the 2018 Cayle Chernin Awards, and the 2019 TAWC Short Film Creation Lab. Her debut short, Hunter's Chance is an award winning film gaining over 10 festival laurels and counting. Courtney's upcoming short films, 365 months and The Last of Ian Campbell will debut on the 2020 film festival circuit.
