On-location anamorphic still of Close-up of beet plants growing in the soil with large green leaves and purple stems. 
filmmaker  .............   handmade moving pictures

development

pre-production

production

post-production

distribution

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biography

Kai Cabodyna explores story as a container for change - metaphors for the universal questions that every generation asks. His films are a service to community resiliency & cultural legacy.

Born of Philipino-Canadian roots, Kai unearthed a natural inclination for the cinema arts early in life. He’s collaborated with a wide spectrum of artists, communities & organizations to produce a diversity of works (scripted/non-scripted/off-screen). His 1st documentary & web-series catalyzed a love for the land, water & local food. Producing alongside indigenous elders deepened his reverence & responsibility to the Muse. Kai was invited to speak about art at The Alberta University of the Arts. His drawings & paintings can be found in private collections and on public walls.

Currently; he is co-producing & directing a 2nd documentary, a web-series and developing a slate of narrative films to launch a production company. Kai & life-partner; Ru Rose, raise a family and tend their mountain homestead in the Slocan Valley (Sinixt təmxʷúlaʔxʷ) of BC, Canada.

A Philipino-Canadian filmmaker outdoors among trees, on-location, smiling and resting their chin on their hand, with sunlight filtering through the branches.

PORTFOLIO

select works

Gazing raptly

Music Video

Written & Arranged by Plectromancer. 

Cinematography /  Editing / Colour

Artist / Hunter

Portrait

Get inside the mind of a Ric Fedyna. See how experiences in the wild influence time in the studio.

Cinematography / Sound Recording / Editing / Colour

Take it to the water

Short Documentary

A journey into a Sinixt Cultural Practice centred on Water. Through rich sounds and visuals of the mountain-waterscapes of the Sinixt Təmxʷúlaʔxʷ (homeland) in BC, Canada. Sinixt Matriarch; Marilyn James, shares this indigenous practice and a group of children reflect on their experience of Taking It To The Water.

Post-Production Supervision / DCP / EPK / Festival Management

cultivating calgary

Feature Documentary

A meditation on Calgary's local food movement. Exploring barriers to a sustainable system and visions for resilient local food cultures everywhere. Hear insights from farmers, restaurant owners, city councillors and everyday people taking action. 

Produced / Directed / Cinematography / Editing / Colour / Event Premier

Make music here

Web Series

Music has long been a building block of community and culture in the Slocan Valley and our eclectic communities have a long history of celebrating through music.

Cinematography / Sound Recording / Editing

are we listening?

Art Film

The piece explores the power of listening and what it means in relation to ourselves, each other and nature. A collaboration with award winning poet Zaynab Mohammed. 

Cinematography / Editing

connect

fAQ

  • We’re on a quest together and I’ve got your back.

    As a rural based, freelance, independent filmmaker with over 15 years of experience; my practice is underpinned with regenerative & restorative tones while being influenced from my past work in agriculture, ecological restoration, public arts & fashion. I bring a harmonizing energy to any team I work with and help to catalyze the voice of the story.

    My collaborations are resourcing, inspiring and artistically explorative - aiming to invoke humanness & specificity. On crew based projects, I draw from my diverse network of experienced & talented artists, technicians & business owners. I thrive in small tight-knit teams that cultivate respect, clear communication & the simple joy of quality work.

  • Producing

    Directing

    Story Development

    Project Packaging

    Production Management

    Art Direction

    Cinematography

    Drone Photography

    Location Sound Recording

    Editing

    Colour (Correction / Balance / Grade)

    Sound Mixing

    Post-Production Supervision

    DCP rendering

    EPK creation

    Audience Impact & Community Building Strategy

  • I mainly produce in western Canada with international co-productions on the horizon.

    I love working locally in my West Kootenay community and work regionally between Calgary, Nelson, Vancouver & The Sunshine Coast.

  • My local crew is a nimble & talented team of human beings who know how to get a job done well;


    Adham Shaikh

    award-winning composer / sound designer & mixer / sonic alchemist

    Noel Fudge

    award-winning composer / location sound recordist / sound designer & mixer / musician / filmmaker

    Lisa Safarik

    camera operator, 1st AD, filmmaker