Creative Team
Bindu Shah’s journey through various careers and countries reflects a rich tapestry of experiences that have shaped her into a storyteller and documentary filmmaker. Beginning as a nutritionist, teacher, dancer, and entrepreneur across Kenya, India, UK, and Canada, she discovered her affinity for storytelling and listening. Her background in dance, where she choreographed and created sequences, sparked her interest in narrative flow, akin to filmmaking.
Driven by a desire to merge art with storytelling, Bindu identified gaps in diverse narratives within media and film. This realization led her to pursue workshops in editing and later a certificate program in Television Writing and Producing at Humber College. Her passion for real stories, cultivated by her international experiences, steered her towards documentary filmmaking.
In 2012, Bindu enrolled in the MFA program at Toronto Metropolitan University, marking a pivotal step towards her career in documentary filmmaking. Since graduating in 2014, she has crafted numerous short documentaries, including “Every Story Has a Twist” and “Life Written in my Flute”, contributed to editing projects, and created digital content for the York Region Arts Council. Simultaneously, she managed a school supply business with her husband.
Her most recent endeavor, “Threads That Tie Us: An Oshwal Odyssey,” delves into her own community, the lesser-known Halari Oshwals. This feature documentary explores their history, contemporary life, and future aspirations. The film has been screened globally, from Kenya and Toronto to Perth, with upcoming screenings scheduled in the UK and India.
Bindu’s work extends beyond her community to encompass broader themes of culture, traditions, and their preservation. Her future projects promise to delve deeper into these subjects, reflecting her ongoing dedication to documenting diverse stories and experiences.
In summary, Bindu Shah exemplifies a multifaceted career path driven by her passions for storytelling, cultural exploration, and the art of filmmaking, marking her as a significant voice in the realm of documentary film.
David Schmidt
| Editor
David Schmidt is a Toronto based documentary editor. His most recent film Wilfred Buck (2024), directed by Lisa Jackson, won special jury mention at DOXA and was nominated for the main prize at CPH:DOX. Eternal Spring (2022), directed by Jason Loftus, received 7 jury and 5 audience awards, a Peabody nomination, and was Canada’s official selection for the 2023 Oscars. David has also collaborated on several films with Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier and Edward Burtynsky. Anthropocene: The Human Epoch and Watermark, both received Canadian Screen Awards for Best Documentary. Long Time Running was First Runner Up for TIFF’s People’s Choice Awards. In 2023 he received a CCE award for his work editing the web series Canadiana. Threads That Tie Us marks his first time collaborating with director Bindu Shah.
William Robotham
| Editor
William Robotham is a growing filmmaker residing in the vibrant city of Toronto, Ontario. Dedicated and passionate about his craft, William has completed a BA Hons. in Cinema and Media Studies at York University and is currently completing his Advanced Diploma in Film and Television Production at Humber College. William has experience in both editing and directing short documentaries, now embarking on Threads that Tie Us as his first feature-length project. He continues to approach each project he undertakes as an opportunity to learn more about the filmmaking craft and honing his skills. William is thrilled to be collaborating with Bindu Shah in bringing Threads That Tie Us to life.
Carlie Macfie
| Editor
Carlie Macfie is a documentary film editor based in Toronto, ON. She graduated from York University in 2016 with a BFA in Film Production. Since then she has worked on a number of feature documentaries with acclaimed Canadian filmmakers such as Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier and Liz Marshall. Threads That Tie Us is her first feature editing credit.
| Camera & Fixer
(for India Trip 1)
As they say, the eye is the window to the soul; for Harshad, the eye is the important visual tool that helps him craft amazing stories to astound the audience. He is fluent in many components of film, framing and lighting helping to realize scenes that marks the creative and interpretive process of the work of art that the client or director desires.
Luke Murphy
| Animation
Luke Murphy is an animator and writer. Born in West Berlin, he grew up in Ireland and now lives in Toronto with his wife and children. Following years working in live television and as a graphic designer, he now writes television and video scripts and creates animated segments for clients including CBC, Discovery Channel, the NHL and Nickelodeon.
Havitt Shah (Hav-it)
| Score Composer/Score Recording/Score Mixing
Havitt Shah, known as Hav-it, is a passionate music producer and founder of WildZ XL, a London-based wildlife music and streetwear brand. Over the past four years, Hav-it has collaborated with artists from around the globe and is dedicated to using his music to raise awareness for wildlife conservation.
With two albums and numerous singles under his belt, from Afrobeats to rap each release by Hav-it serves as a vehicle to promote wildlife awareness and preservation. His impactful work has earned him recognition, including a feature on the front page of the independent music magazine Tunedloud and considerable radio play.
Hav-it’s commitment to using his platform for a meaningful cause sets him apart as an artist who not only creates captivating music but also actively works toward making a positive impact on the world. His artistry and advocacy for wildlife make him a unique figure in the music industry.