Midi Onodera is an award-winning filmmaker and media artist who has been making films and videos for more than 35 years. She has produced over 25 independent shorts, ranging from 16mm film to digital video to toy camera formats. In 2018 she received the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts. Skin Deep (1995), her theatrical feature, screened internationally at festivals including the Rotterdam International Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival. Her film The Displaced View (1988) was nominated for Best Documentary at the Gemini Awards.
Her experimental narrative project ALPHAGIRLS (2002) was the first Canadian interactive performance art DVD, and since 2006 she has made over 500 vidoodles (defined as bite-sized 30-second to 2-minute video doodles). From 2006–07 she published one a day for 365 days and has since released a video project each year, addressing themes of language, media, politics and everyday life. In 2017 she published an interactive narrative developed from her experience in Afghanistan as a Canadian Forces Artist in 2010.
Onodera’s work is held in collections around the world, and she has given lectures and workshops at galleries and institutions across North America and Japan. She currently teaches and continues to work on experimental media projects in Toronto.
| 2023 | THERE IS SUPERSTITION, 12 short videos in collaboration with Reem Al-Wakeal (Jan), Myuri Srikugan (Feb), Ruba AlWakeal (March), Millan Khurana (April), Christiana Ceesay (May), Jason Soesilo (June), Kim Fullerton (July), Naomi Fraser (Aug), Erin Lam (Sept), Noah (Hanyue) Qin (Oct), Julian Pivato (Nov), Christopher Dela Cruz (Dec) |
| 2022 | C’EST À QUI, CETTE VILLE? 3:55 min. super 8 YOU SAY RICE. I SAY GOHAN. 12 short videos in collaboration with Iori Matsushima |
| 2021 | SOLILOQUY SOLILOQUY, 12 short videos, experimental narrative, video SPAM BAAM, 12 short videos, experimental narrative, video |
| 2020 | GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM 12 short videos, experimental narrative, video |
| 2019 | SENSELESS AND RANDOM, 12 short videos, experimental narrative, video |
| 2018 | TOO NUTS, 34:21 min. experimental narrative, video SOLILOQUY, 12 short videos, experimental narrative, video |
| 2017 | LONELY VIDEOS, 12 short videos, experimental narrative, video NUTS, 2:56 min. experimental narrative, video |
| 2016 | TO POLL OR NOT TO POLL, 12 short videos, experimental narrative, video MY 8 DAYS AS A WAR ARTIST, Kosakow interactive video, digital video, photography REEL ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL ANNIVERSARY SHORT, 2 min. video directed by Lesley Chan, written by Midi Onodera |
| 2015 | ANNUAL REPORT, 12 Short video: experimental narrative, video |
| 2014 | THE PERFECT WORD, 13:55 min. Dance performance, choreographed by Peggy Baker for Nuit Blanche.12 hour performance, video, Director KICKING AROUND, 12 Short videos, experimental narrative, 16mm, Single 8, video |
| 2013 | THE CLASSIFIEDS, 12 Short videos: experimental narrative |
| 2012 | ODD SOCKS, 10 Short videos: experimental narrative, digital video, iPhone, video 12 x 12 x12: 12 short videos: experimental narrative, media media, video GRIEF WITHOUT FANTASY 1:22 min. ON HOLIDAYS 1:20 min. USE THESE POEMS 55 sec. video THE GRAND DESIGN, 9:37 min. experimental narrative, Super 8, video NIGHT GARDEN (2 versions: 3:37 & 13:32), time lapse documentation of a dance performance choreographed by Peggy Baker for Nuit Blanche. 12 hour performance, video THE MYSTIC ORACLE, Korsakow interactive video, experimental narrative, mixed media |
| 2011 | PROOF, 3:41 min. experimental narrative, moving text-based work, video 24fps: 20 Short videos, experimental narrative, Quad Camera iPhone app. video |
| 2010 | BAKER’S DOZEN: 13 Short videos: experimental narrative, mixed media: Canon digital camera, various iPhone apps, video ALEATORIA (2 versions: 8:23 & 4:27), time lapse documentation of a dance performance for twelve dancers choreographed by Peggy Baker for Nuit Blanche, 12 hour performance, video, Director ANIMAL CROSSING UNDERGROUND, 43 sec. experimental narrative, Quad Camera iPhone app. video BLAME WARHOL, 1:18 min. experimental narrative, Canon PowerShot S410, video IF WISHES CAME TRUE, 1:15 min. experimental narrative, Canon PowerShot S410, video |
| 2009 | GOLDEN RULES, 3:20 min. super 8, experimental narrative, b/w, iPhone video, YouTube footage and super 8 film, silent TRIBUTARIES: REFLECTIONS OF AIKO SUZUKI, 122 min. interactive DVD in collaboration with Grace Channer, Joy Kogawa and Ann Southam MOVE, (2 versions: 9:11 & 6:39), time lapse documentation of a dance performance for twenty-four dancers choreographed by Peggy Baker for Nuit Blanche. 12 hour performance, video, Director MOVIE OF THE WEEK 52 Short videos: experimental narrative, digital video, VCam Now |
| 2006-2007 | A MOVIE A DAY 365+ Short videos; experimental narrative, digital video, Mattel Vidster, VCam Now |
| 2005 | I HAVE NO MEMORY OF MY DIRECTION, 77 min. experimental narrative, digital video, film, super 8, Lomographic Supersampler, Barbie Wireless Videocam, Intel Digital camera, Tyco & Trendmaster toy video cameras, Surround Sound |
| 2002 | NOBODY KNOWS, 3:15 min. experimental narrative, Lomographic Supersampler & Intel Digital camera, video ALPHAGIRLS, a collection of 3 cyber-performances in collaboration with Tanya Mars, Louise Lilifeldt & Kinga Araya (accompanying web site: www.alphagirls.ca), interactive DVD, Director |
| 2001 | SLIGHTSEER, 3:20 min. experimental narrative, Braille and English titles, super 8 film, DV video, Tyco and Trendmasters video, broadcast: PrideVision TV SIMULACRA, new media prototype, in collaboration with Blair MacKinnon & David Oppenheim |
| 2000 | BASEMENT GIRL, 12 min. short experimental narrative,16mm and modified Nintendo Gameboy camera & Intel Play digital microscope, 16mm |
| 1995 | SKIN DEEP, 85 min. feature drama, 35mm, Director, Co-writer, Co-producer, Daruma Pictures Inc. (Canadian theatrical release: Aug. 97) |
| 1992 | A PERFORMANCE BY JACK SMITH, 5 min. historical documentation 1984-92, 16mm |
| 1990 | DAVID CRONENBERG – ARTIST’S PROFILE, 3:50 min. documentary, 16mm. Director/Writer, Toronto Arts Awards Foundation, broadcast: CBLT-CBC HEARTBREAK HOTERU, 30 min. drama, 16mm, Face To Face Productions, Producer: Chris Bruyere, Writer, broadcast: CBC |
| 1989 | GENERAL IDEA – ARTIST’S PROFILE, 3:50 min. documentary, 16mm, Director/Writer, Toronto Arts Awards Foundation broadcast: CBLT-CBC |
| 1988 | THE DISPLACED VIEW, 52 min. experimental documentary, 16mm, Executive Producer/Director/Writer, McANO Film Artists Inc. broadcast: TVOntario, Access Alberta, Saskatchewan Communication TV, Vision TV, PrideVision TV THEN/NOW, 30 min. drama, 16mm, Toronto Talkies Inc., Producer: Paul DeSilva, Writer, broadcast: CBC |
| 1987 | MISPLACED DUES, 3 min. super 8 sketch for The Displaced View |
| 1985 | TEN CENTS A DANCE (PARALLAX), 30 min. experimental drama, 16mm MADE IN JAPAN, 2:30 min. experimental narrative, Super 8, broadcast: WTN THE DEAD ZONE, 2:30 min. experimental narrative, Super 8, broadcast: WTN AFTER CAR CRASH WOMAN KILLS TWO, 1:30 min. experimental narrative, Super 8 |
| 1984 | VILLE QUELLE VILLE, 4 min. experimental narrative, Super 8, broadcast: WTN |
| 1983 | IDIOT’S DELIGHT, 5 min. experimental narrative, 16mm HOME WAS NEVER LIKE THIS, 9 min, experimental narrative, 16mm |
| 1982 | ENDOCRINE, 15 min. experimental narrative, Super 8 ONE IF BY LAND, TWO IF BY SEA, 10 min. music video, Super 8 |
| 1981 | THE BIRD THAT CHIRPED ON BATHURST, 3 min. experimental narrative, 16mm HOME MOVIES, Super 8/blow-up from 8mm, 3 projector installation FOOD TRILOGY: What’s For Lunch Charley 4 min. experimental narrative, Super 8 One Burger, Hold The Pickle 3 min. experimental narrative, Super 8 Apres Diner 3 min. experimental narrative, Super 8 |
| 1980 | A FILM, 6 min. experimental narrative with subtitles, Super 8 FILTER QUEEN, 7 min. experimental narrative, Super 8 |
| 1979 | UNTITLED, 7 min. experimental narrative, Super 8 CONTEMPLATION, 6 min. experimental narrative, Super 8 REALITY ILLUSION , 7 min. experimental narrative, Super 8 |
| 2018 | Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts |
| 2015 | Toronto Urban Film Festival, Lifetime Achievement Award |
| 2008 | Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, 2008 |
| 2006 | Ann Arbor Film Festival, 2006 |
| 2001 | Best Lesbian Short Film, Sapphos 2001 Movie Award, Girlfriends |
| 1995 | Best Feature Film: Audience Award |
| 1995 | Best Short Film: Special Judges’ Award |
| 1989 | Gemini Awards, Nominated for Best Documentary |
| 1988 | Golden Gate Award, Honourable Mention |
| 2021 | the 8Fest, “Out of Place” Spotlight, curated by Milada Kovacova |
| 2019 | Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival, Reel Ideas Conference, Artist Talk & screening, Toronto, Ont. Book Launch for: Other Places: Reflections on Media Arts in Canada, Jackman Hall, AGO, Toronto, Ont. |
| 2018 | Wavelengths, TIFF Cinematheque, Toronto, Ont. |
| 2017 | Akimbo-TV, Lonely Videos, featured online |
| 2016 | Akimbo-TV, To Poll or Not to Poll, featured online |
| 2015 | Akimbo-TV, The Annual Report, featured online |
| 2011 | Ed Video, Guelph, Ont. |
| 2007 | The Factory Hamilton Media Arts Centre, Hamilton Ont. |
| 2006 | LIFT’s New Directions In Cinema & Reel Asian Praxis/Cineworks/Simon Fraser University, Vancouver B.C. |
| 2003 | Women’s Art Network, Tokyo Japan |
| 2002 | Asian America Film Festival, University of Madison Wisconsin, Spotlight |
| 2001 | Toronto ReelAsian Film Festival, Spotlight |
| 2000 | Inside/Out Toronto Lesbian & Gay Film & Video Festival, Director’s Series |
| 1996 | The National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa Ont. |
| 1992 | Three Cranes In Flight, Euclid Cinema, Toronto Ont. |
| 1990 | Freunde der Deutschen Kinemathek e.V. Berlin, Germany London Filmmaker’s Co-op, England |
| 1988 | The National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ont. Pacific Cinematheque, Vancouver, B.C. Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers, Alberta Winnipeg Film Group, Manitoba |
| 1987 | Kingston Artists Association, Ontario |
| 1986 | The Funnel Film Centre, Toronto, Ont. |
| 1985 | The London Regional Art Gallery, Ont. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C. Women In Focus, Vancouver, B.C. North West Media Network, Edmonton, Alberta Neutral Ground, Regina, Saskatchewan S.A.W. Gallery, Ottawa, Ont. Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers, Alberta Ed Video, Guelph Ont. |
| 2020 | TOO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS | playtime | inside my head, Centre[3] for Artistic & Social Practice Gallery, Hamilton, ON. Sept 4 – Oct.10, 2020 curated by Lesley Loksi Chan Solo exhibition (in gallery) & online exhibition (EXC-19.com) |
| 2018 | The Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts 2018, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, ON. March 29 – Aug 5 Group Exhibition Curated by Rhiannon Vogl The Displaced View (1988) The Basement Girl (2000) I have no memory of my direction (2005) Grief without Fantasy(2012) The Grand Design (2012) Nuts (2017) |
| 2011 | Vidoodles: Intimate Cinema, Concordia University, Department of Communication Studies’ Media Gallery, Montreal Quebec Sept. 5 – Dec. 19 Solo Exhibition Curated by Monika Kin Gagnon and Matt Soar Movie of the Week project 2009 (touchscreen monitor) Tabletable Viewables 2011 (PHI version) |
| 2010 | Tributaries: Reflections of Aiko Suzuki, Japanese Canadian National Museum, Burnaby, B.C. June 30 – Aug 28 Group Exhibition Curated by Beth Carter Tributaries: Reflections of Aiko Suzuki DVD installation Spatial View of Pond video installation Portrait of the Artist as a Donkey (DVD Viewing station) Estuary (DVD Viewing station) Various artwork by Aiko Suzuki |
| 2010 | Archive and Everyday Life Conference and Exhibition, Hamilton Artists Inc. Gallery, Hamilton Ontario May 1 – 15 Group Exhibition Curated by Mary O’Connor, Irene Loughlin, Devon Mordell and Simon Orpana Movie of the Week project 2009 (computer display) |
| 2001 | Alphagirls, InterAccess, Toronto Ontatrio December 6-20 Solo Exhibition Curated by Kathleen Pirrie-Adams collaborating artists: Kinga Araya, Louise Liliefeldt, Tanya Mars |
| 2022 | Critical Distance Centre for Curators, Board of Directors |
| 2021 | Conversations with 7 Real Action Figures: Marjorie Beaucage, Christene Browne, Sylvia Hamilton, Maria Teresa Larrain, Michelle Mohabeer, Leila Sujir, and Zainub Verjee, video interviews for “The Breadth of” series, CFMDC Concordia University, Montreal, Guest Lecturer, History of Toy Cameras, and Artistic Application |
| 2020 | University of Toronto Scarborough, Guest Lecturer, UTSC Critical Digital Methods Institute KMD 1001 University of Toronto Scarborough, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Department of Arts, Culture, and Media |
| 2019 | Reel Scarborough jury member, University of Toronto Scarborough & Scarborough Arts Reel Asian Film Festival, Reel Ideas Conference in partnership with VTape, Speculating on Fictions / Dreaming In Colour: A Programme Of Work + Artist Talk |
| 2018 | Critical Distance Centre for Curators, Advisory Committee Artscape Youngplace Board of Directors |
| 2017 | University of Toronto, Scarborough, sessional instructor, Department of Arts, Culture, and Media |
| 2016 | Toronto Arts Council, media arts jury |
| 2015 | Toronto International Film Festival, panelist for Canadian Feature Film Section, Canada’s Top Ten Film Festival Winnipeg Film Group, Reflecting Light 40 years of Canadian Cinema, panelist: Postmodernists & New Wave Pioneers: 1980s Cinema and In Dialogue: Canadian Women Directors |
| 2014 | University of Toronto, Guest lecturer, performing for the camera |
| 2013 | University of Toronto, Artist Talk, presented by Cultural Pluralism in the Arts and the Department of Arts, Culture and Media |
| 2011 | Concordia University, Communication Studies, “War vs. Art: Embedded in the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force), Artist Talk, Montreal, PQ Concordia University, Communications Studies, Toy Camera Workshop, Montreal, PQ Art Gallery of Hamilton & The Factory Hamilton Media Arts Centre, Hamilton ON, Talk Media presents: Artist talk |
| 2010 | ON.Fire Independent Media Arts Conference, “New Socialisms: Independence or Co-dependence,” Panelist |
| 2009 | Canada Council, Bell Award Jury member |
| 2008 | Meiji Gaukin University, Tokyo Japan, Guest Speaker, Canadian Cinema 23rd Annual Gemini Awards, Jury member |
| 2007 | Reel Asian Pitch Jury 22nd Annual Gemini Awards, Jury member |
| 2006 | Reel Asian: The Reel Retrospective 1997-2006, Panelist Asian/Pacific/American Caucus (APAC) of the Society for Cinema and Media Studies Conference, honoured guest Gendai Art Gallery, Board of Directors Ontario Arts Council, Chalmers Art Fellowships, Jury member Canada Council, mid-career film & video production Jury member York University, Cineseige Jury member |
| 2005 | York University, main campus: Women’s Studies Program, Guest Speaker York University, main campus: Film Studies Graduate Program, Guest Speaker |
| 2004 | York University, main campus: Women’s Studies Program, Guest Speaker |
| 2003 | Meiji Gaukin University, Tokyo Japan, Guest Speaker, Gender & Sexuality Meiji Gaukin University, Tokyo Japan, Guest Speaker, Japanese Canadian Film & Literature Conference University of Toronto, Cultural Pluralism and the Arts, Guest Speaker York University, main campus: Women’s Studies Program, Guest Speaker |
| 2002 | Toronto Arts Council, Jury Member Centennial College, Stories & Architecture: Writers and Designers, Guest Speaker York University, main campus: Women’s Studies Program, Guest Speaker Association of Italian-Canadian Writers 9th Biennial Conference, “Creativity In Canada” Panelist York University, Founder’s College, Asian-Canadian Studies, Guest Speaker |
| 2001 | York University, main campus: Women’s Studies Program, Guest Speaker L.I.F.T, Workshop Instructor: “Grant Writing” |
| 2000 | York University, main & Glendon campus: Women’s Studies Program, Guest Speaker Ontario Arts Council, Jury Member, Media Arts Program Ontario College of Art, New Media Department, Guest Speaker L.I.F.T., Workshop Instructor: “Hand-made Films” |
| 1999 | York University, main campus, Glendon campus: Women’s Studies Program, Guest Speaker Canada Council jury, Creative Development |
| 1998 | York University, main campus: Women’s Studies Program, Guest Speaker Ontario Arts Council: Jury Member, Film & Video Program |
| 1996 | Sheridan College, 3rd Year Film Production, Instructor Ontario College of Art, New Media Department, Critique Consultant Cinematheque Ontario, Advisory Council (since 1991) L.I.F.T., Workshop Instructor: “Workshop for Writer/Directors” |
| 1995 | Ann Arbor Film Festival, Festival Juror Ontario College of Art, New Media Department, Guest Speaker Revisions: The Winnipeg Women’s International Film & Video Festival, “Workshop for Writer/Directors” Out On Screen: Vancouver Lesbian & Gay Film & Video Festival, “Fetish, Fantasy and Flesh”, Panelist |
| 1994 | Telefilm Canada, Outside Reader (since 1989) Metro Cultural Affairs, Media Arts Advisory Committee (since 1993) National Association of Japanese-Canadians, National Gender Sensitivity Conference, Guest Speaker |
| 1993 | National Film Board of Canada, Studio D: New Initiatives In Film, Advisory Board (since 1991) Canada Council, Explorations Program, Jury Member (since 1992) University of Southern California Davis, Guest Speaker A Space: “Keeping Secrets and Other Perverse Practices”, Panelist Mediawatch: “Politics of Desire: Pornography, Erotica, Freedom of Expression”, Panelist Canadian Advisory Committee On The Status of Women, “Sharing Our Experience”, Editorial Advisory Committee |
| 1992 | Canada Council, Art Bank Jury for films & videos Gemini Awards – Multicultural Award Jury Member “Asian Sexuality”, Harbourfront, Panelist Ryerson University, “The Politics of Identity”, Guest Speaker |
| 1991 | Canada Council, Media Arts Advisory Board Ontario Arts Council, Media Organizations, Advisory Panel Canadian Film Centre, Summer Lab Juror Multicultural Dramatic Film Fund, L.I.F.T./O.F.D.C Juror |
| 1990 | Toronto International Film Festival: National Film Board Award, Jury Member Goethe-Institut, Toronto, “Women, Aesthetics, Theory, Practice”, Film Panelist York University, “Feminisms In The Cinema”, Guest Speaker Canada Council, Film Production Jury Full Screen, Toronto, Panelist, “Shooting The System” |
| 1989 | Yale University, “Visions Beyond The Screen”, Guest Speaker Ontario College of Art, New Media Department, Guest Speaker Northern Visions, “Images ‘89 Film & Video Festival”, Film & Video Programmer, open call submissions Image & Nation Film & Video Festival, Montreal: “Representation, Responsibility, Movable Margins”, Panelist In Visible Colours Festival, Vancouver: “Structure & Politics of Film & Video Industries”, Panelist York University, MFA Graduate Students, “Marginalization in the Arts”, Guest Lecturer Media & Society: The Rochester Conference, “Lavender Menace: Imaging/Imagining Lesbian Sexualities”, Panelist Ontario Arts Council, Film Production Jury |
| 1988 | Winnipeg Film Group: “Sexual Representation in the Cinema” & “Funding For Independent Films”, workshops Secretary of State Multiculturalism Jury, Film & Video Projects |
| 1987 | Canada House, England “Underground Films”, Program Curator |
| 1986 | “The Process of Identification”, Program Curator, cross-Canada touring show Tyneside International Film Festival, England: Forum Participant “Artists With Their Work Program”, Art Gallery of Ontario Extension Services 1985-1993 |
| 2022 | C’est à qui, cette ville?, The 8Fest, Toronto, 2022 Festival |
| 2017 | Nuts, Images Festival, Spotlight Artist: Deirdre Logue |
| 2012 | The Grand Design, Liaison of Independent Filmmakers (L.I.F.T.) 30th Anniversary |
| 2011 | Proof, Studio XX, .dpi, Montreal |
| 2009 | Golden Rules, The 8 Fest, Toronto, 2010 Festival |
| 1990 | David Cronenberg – Artist’s Profile, Toronto Arts Awards Foundation |
| 1989 | General Idea – Artist’s Profile, Toronto Arts Awards Foundation |
| 1984 | Ville Quelle Ville, The Funnel, Toronto Sesquicentennial Project |