Today we’d like to introduce you to Maryam Remtulla

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

My name is Maryam Remtulla. I’m a filmmaker and producer based out of Toronto, Canada and I’ve been working in the film industry for the last seven years.

I’ve had a deep love of storytelling for as long as I can remember and this love has been the guiding force throughout my life. Growing up, I was drawn to all forms of art, but performing on stage was where I truly felt most connected as a human and at the same time made me feel like I was a part of something larger than myself. This passion, led me to major in drama at a performing arts secondary school where I also discovered my passion for filmmaking. My friends and I would always beg our teachers if we could turn our assignments into video projects.

I spent my first year of post-secondary education in the UK at the Bader International Study centre expanding my interests in Humanities, Social Sciences and global development. I eventually returned home to Canada to Queen’s University and completed a BAH in Stage and Screen, a program that combined my interests in theatre and film and allowed me to explore the many different realms of both of the industries. During my time at Queen’s, one of my favourite experiences was working on the student run film festival. I also started volunteering on film sets to get some real hand on experience working in the industry.

I jumped into the deep end producing full time right after my last exam at Queen’s University. I actually coordinated the coverage of my own commencement and hopped into the robe to walk on stage and hopped right out to finish the job. My producing projects consisted of branded-storytelling and documentary work. Since then, I’ve gone on to produce dozens of short documentaries, advertisements and educational series. During the pandemic, I decided it was time to finally take the leap into narrative filmmaking and have been working in both fields ever since.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

The road to where I am now has definitely had its bumps, turns, twists and full on drops.

Producing, in any capacity is no easy feat. It requires such an intense level of involvement that it can feel like there’s no off switch. I’m always thinking about what could go wrong, what needs to be done next, or how to support the team better. The catch is, the best way to predict a potential problem is to experience the roadblocks firsthand and learn how to avoid them or prepare for them in the future. That process takes some serious resilience and a lot of getting it wrong, in order to get it right.

Filmmaking, like any arts profession comes with a familiar set of challenges. Burnout, Imposter syndrome, financing projects etc, all while trying to keep on top of an industry that’s evolving constantly. It’s quite the balancing act!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

The projects I’m most proud of are always the projects that harken back to that feeling I used to get when performing on stage. That feeling of being a part of something larger than myself as well as sharing something central to the human experience. “Holding the mirror up to nature” so to speak. This naturally extended into the kinds of projects I’ve pursued— ones that are socially conscious and leave a lasting impact.

Because of this, documentary filmmaking will always have a special place in my heart. There’s something uniquely powerful about capturing authentic moments as they unfold and shaping them into a narrative that can inspire, educate, and move audiences. The process is challenging—balancing truth with storytelling, building trust with subjects, and often working with limited resources—but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Being able to think on your feet, adapt to unpredictable situations, and connect with people on a truly authentic level are skills I’m eternally grateful for.

What’s next?

My first feature film The Killgrin is starting to make its way out into the world. It’s super exciting to experience this level of the industry for the first time. Fingers crossed that I get to make more feature films in the future! In general, I’m always looking forward to exploring genres, collaborating with new people, and continue honing my craft.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @mermmalaid
• Other: Tiktok – @mermmalaid

Image Credits

Daniel Yuan and Jordan Dawson