ASHLEY MAE JOHNSTON

Ashley Mae Johnston is an emerging Canadian filmmaker whose work explores themes of identity, disability, and the unseen narratives of marginalized communities. A graduate of Ryerson University's School of Image Arts, Johnston first gained recognition with her poignant short documentary Seen (2022), which premiered at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival before winning the Audience Choice Award at ReelAbilities Film Festival. Johnston's filmmaking approach blends intimate character studies with striking visual storytelling, informed by her background as a multimedia artist and disability advocate. Seen - a powerful portrait of Deaf artist navigating societal perceptions - has been praised for its authentic representation and innovative sound design, screening at TIFF Next Wave and DOXA Documentary Film Festival. Prior to Seen, Johnston's student film Through My Lens (2020) won the Best Emerging Filmmaker award at the Toronto Shorts International Film Festival. Her work often employs experimental techniques to challenge conventional narratives about ability and access. Johnston is currently developing her first feature-length documentary Unheard through the National Film Board of Canada's Filmmaker Assistance Program, while continuing her advocacy work with Reel Access, an initiative promoting disability representation in media.