Jamila Pomeroy

Jamila Pomeroy
Born
Toronto, Ontario
CitizenshipCanadian
OccupationsWriter, director, producer, Actor
AwardsOutstanding Director for a Feature Film, Union Street Daytime Emmy Nomination, "How I Got Here"
Websitejmpomeroy.com

Jamila Pomeroy is a Kenyan-Canadian writer, director, producer and on-screen personality. She is best known for her 2023 documentary film Union Street, her 2025 CBC Absolutely Canadian special Muzizi, the 2024 Daytime Emmy-nominated series How I Got Here, and her 2022 series A Happier Planet with Jamila Pomeroy on CBC.

Career

She was the writer, director, host and producer of the series A Happier Planet with Jamila Pomeroy on CBC;

In 2022 she optioned and began development on a screen adaption of the novel Until I Smile At You; which showcases the life of Canadian musician Ruth Lowe, who wrote the song that "dynamited Frank Sinatra’s singing career into the stratosphere," "I’ll Never Smile Again" and “Put Your Dreams Away,” another Sinatra hit, along with nearly 50 other numbers for Hollywood and Broadway.

In 2023 she was the writer, director and executive producer of TELUS originals documentary Union Street, which won the Outstanding Feature Film Director award at the 2023 Toronto Reelworld Film Festival. Union Street was also an official selection of Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) in 2023, and was named #1 in Vancouver Magazine's top-10 Must-see films at VIFF, and #2 in The Tyee's "Ten documentary highlights to bookmark," and top-10 must-see film by Vancouver Sun.

She is the creator of drama-comedy series Sunflower Lemonade (unreleased) which Daily Hive coined as the "first African-Canadian dramedy in history"; and has worked as a writer and producer on other film and television projects.

Early career

She began her career as a freelance writer-journalist (writing for outlets like BBC, Red Bull Media, Hypebae more); and model, appearing in print and digital campaigns for brands like Lululemon, Kit and Ace, Arc'teryx, Laneige, Sephora, Paper Label and many more.

Personal life

Pomeroy was born in Toronto, Ontario, grew up in New Westminster, BC, and as a teen moved to Vancouver, BC, where she still currently resides. Her father was born in Mombasa, Kenya, and her mother was born in St. John's, Newfoundland.

Filmography

Awards

References

  1. 1 2 LAY, NICHOLAS (September 29, 2023). "Union Street – An interview with director Jamila Pomeroy – VIFF 2023". Set the Tape.
  2. ↑ Chung, Rick. "VIFF 2023—Kenyan-Canadian actress/screenwriter Jamila Pomeroy directs the joyful new Telus documentary Union Street (her feature-length debut)". RickChung.com.
  3. ↑ Chai, Daniel (Sep 26, 2023). "New VIFF documentary uncovers Vancouver's destroyed Black community". Daily Hive. Retrieved Dec 5, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Schneider, Michael (Jul 9, 2025). "Daytime Emmys Announce 2025 Nominations (FULL LIST)".
  5. 1 2 "Vancouver filmmaker Jamila Pomeroy showcases more sustainable life choices in new series". CBC.
  6. ↑ "Second Life: The fashion industry is wreaking havoc on the environment, but here are some sustainable solutions". CBC.
  7. ↑ "Midland man's book to be adapted into feature film". Midland Today. June 12, 2022.
  8. ↑ Mendler, Andrew (June 24, 2022). "Midland-based author's latest book, 'Until I Smile At You,' being developed into movie". Simcoe.com.
  9. ↑ "TELUS originals presents Physician, Heal Thyself and Union Street at Vancouver International Film Festival". The Globe and Mail. September 25, 2023.
  10. ↑ "HISTORIC BLACK COMMUNITY OF HOGAN'S ALLEY EXPLORED IN NEW 'UNION STREET' DOCUMENTARY". Because of them we Can. October 16, 2023.
  11. ↑ ""Union Street" film unravels the history of Vancouver's Black community (interview with Jamila Pomeroy)". CBC. October 6, 2023.
  12. 1 2 "2023 Reelworld Awards". Reelworld. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  13. ↑ "Five Canadian features set for world premiere at VIFF". Playback.
  14. ↑ "VIFF 2023 Highlighted Films: Union Street". The Afro News. September 26, 2023.
  15. ↑ Caddell, Nathan (September 17, 2023). "10 Vancouver International Film Festival Movies We'll Be Lining Up For". Vancouver Magazine. pp. Page one, paragraph three.
  16. ↑ "VIFF Is Back with a Stellar Selection of Global Cinema". The Tyee. September 25, 2023.
  17. ↑ Gee, Dana. "10 films to put on your Vancouver International Film Festival must-see list". Vancouver Sun.
  18. ↑ Chai, Daniel (May 3, 2022). "Sunflower Lemonade: First African Canadian dramedy in history filmed in Vancouver". Daily Hive.
  19. ↑ Harris, Aleesha (June 26, 2019). "Style in the City: Jamila Pomeroy". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved Dec 5, 2023.
  20. ↑ "I'm Not Half-Black, I'm Full Middle Child". Vitruvi. Retrieved 2023-12-01.