Gordie HaakstadGordie directed his first feature-length film, Abel’s Field starring Kevin Sorbo and Samuel Davis, in Texas in 2012. It was released on DVD by Sony Pictures in January 2013.

Born in Grande Prairie and raised in the United States, Gordie graduated with honours from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinema-Television. He then helped to create industrial, short and feature-length projects. He interned under cinematographer Don Burgess (FORREST GUMP, SPIDERMAN, CAST AWAY) on the set of TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES. Gordie was the cinematographer behind the award-winning 11 Minutes Ago, a feature-length film that was shot entirely in one day.

Gordie taught cinematography and editing at the New York Film Academy, developing much of the curriculum for those two departments. He moved to Grande Prairie from Los Angeles in January 2013 to visit family and decided to stay while maintaining filmmaking ties in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas. There’s a great article about Gordie called “Local Energy Keeps Visiting Director Busy” written by Deb Guerette which can be found at GP Now.

Gordie judged the Screenwriting Competition and taught the Editing for Filmmakers workshop during the 2013 fest. He taught DD1082 – Introduction to Video Production in the fall term at GPRC (Grande Prairie Regional College) in 2013 and 2014. As well as being on the 2014 festival’s jury, he judged the Youth Screenplay Competition and mentored the three winners of the 2013 and 2014 Reel Shorts screenplay competitions: Chris Beauchamp, Devon Burbank, and Susie Winters.

Gordie directed the Arnie the Viking webisode commercials for Hansen Ford Lincoln, four of which premiered at the 2014 fest. The newest ones will screen at this year’s fest!

Gordie is the Writer/Producer/Director of Cold Decision. Along with actors Travis Fowler and Brett Olsen, he will participate in a Q&A after it screens in the Choices film package at 8:45 pm on Wed, May 6. Join them at an after-party at the Crown & Anchor Pub after the screening! The film can also be seen in the Peace Region Encore package at 6:00 pm on Sat, May 9 when the award for Best Peace Region Short will be presented by Decca Industries.