Partizan’s Ally Pankiw on Early 2000s Music Videos and Her Upcoming Feature Film

After being named as one of Hollywood Reporter’s “Top 15 Canadian Talents to Watch,” writer/director Ally Pankiw made her TV directing debut with Netflix’s ‘Feel Good,’ created by comic Mae Martin. She directed and executive produced the show’s hit first season, which was critically acclaimed as one of the best series of 2020.

Pankiw has since directed on Hulu’s ‘Shrill’, starring Aidy Bryant, on Tony McNamara’s Emmy-nominated comedy, ‘The Great’, with Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult, and the much lauded ‘Joan Is Awful’ episode of Netflix’s Black Mirror, starring Annie Murphy and Salma Hayek.

Pankiw recently completed her first film, ‘I Used To Be Funny’, starring Rachel Sennott. She wrote, directed and served as executive producer on the movie, which premiered at the prestigious SXSW Film Festival to rave reviews in March 2023 and was honoured as a Critics Pick by both the New York Times and The Globe and Mail upon its theatrical release. The film releases on Netflix on September 5.

In addition to her work in film and TV, Pankiw has built an impressive career in music videos and branded content. She has helmed ad campaigns for top brands like Amazon, Adidas, Chanel, and Pepsi, and spearheaded a series of Women in #STEM shorts for MTV and The Ad Council. She has also directed and produced videos for artists such as Katy Perry, Phoebe Bridgers, Janelle Monae, and Ariana Grande.

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