Kathleen Gallagher is an actor, writer and producer. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Philosophy from the University of Winnipeg. Her acting film/TV credits include Escaping the Madhouse: The Nelly Bly Story, Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, Stegman is Dead and Chopin’s Heart. Her producing credits include Piece of Mind, selected by CBC’s Canadian Reflections, Party Animal, winner of the People’s Choice award at the Canadian International Comedy Film Festival, and Hook Up which premiered in 2023 at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival.

She recently wrote an episode for the upcoming true crime show Almost Unsolved and is currently working as a researcher for Farpoint Films. Last summer, she was an event coordinator for the first annual OurToba Film Festival. Recently, she has joined the board of directors

Natalia Longley is a Canadian writer and actress currently residing in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is proud to have built a rich portfolio including a number of independent projects as well as mainstream film and television. Her short film, "Bloody Mary," received recognition as an official selection at the Gimli Film Festival. Her subsequent film, "Bebe Blue," was recognized at the Manitoba Actra Awards in the category for Outstanding Performance in a Short Film.

Driven by a commitment to storytelling, Natalia is a staunch advocate for amplifying the voices of writers and performers, enabling them to authentically share their stories. Her belief in the transformative power of shared experiences fuels her work in the Manitoba film industry. She is proud to be a part of Ourtoba and excited to further connection in our community through the collective human experience.

Lisa Haydey (HAY-day) is currently pursuing a law degree at the University of Manitoba. She’s thrilled to be able to use her legal studies, including her role as a Student-at-Law with the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts, to contribute meaningfully to OurToba.

Before her studies in law, Lisa completed an Honours Degree in Psychology at the University of Winnipeg and a Masters in Physiotherapy at the University of Manitoba. Her academic background reflects her diverse interests and commitment to personal and professional growth.

Lisa loves learning about all aspects of film, especially screenwriting. She has taken numerous workshops through OurToba, Winnipeg Film Group, and Film Training Manitoba and engages in independent study.

As a director of OurToba, Lisa looks forward to fostering a welcoming environment where both seasoned professionals and aspiring filmmakers can come together to celebrate their shared passion for storytelling, collaborate on projects, develop skills, and exchange insights. For Lisa, OurToba represents a place where she has met friends and colleagues who have been an unwavering source of encouragement and support in her emerging identity as an artist

Welcome to OurToba – come find your community!

Jennifer Tomanek has been an educator with a focus on the performing arts for over twenty years. As a director and producer, her shows for the theatre include Alice in Wonderland, You Can’t Take It With You, It’s a Wonderful Life, Clue, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Three Musketeers, A Christmas Story, and Once in a Lifetime. She has served as book director and producer for several musicals, including Catch Me if You Can, Hello, Dolly!, Chicago, Cinderella, and The Addams Family. Most recently, Jennifer was the book director of the Winnipeg Fringe Festival hit Picasso at the Tom Hendry Theatre.

Merging her passions for film and teaching, Jennifer created a film program for grades nine through twelve at Grant Park High School, where she integrates the technical aspects of filmmaking with the creative side of film acting.  She has recently created a partnership between Grant Park and Vancouver Film School as she continues to connect professionals in the industry with emerging young filmmakers. Two groups of her students were involved in the 48 Hour Film Festival this year, and both were featured at the Gimli Film Festival.

Dedicated to ongoing learning, Jennifer has taken various workshops through Film Training Manitoba, where she finished her DGC training. As a board member of OurToba, Jennifer looks forward to supporting education in the film industry and learning more about how she can be a larger part of the community.