The Team Behind Remnant: Why I'm Excited About These Collaborators
- kenkabatoff
- May 22
- 4 min read
As filmmakers, we all know that a great script is just the beginning. What really makes or breaks a project is the team you surround yourself with—the people who share your vision and have the skills to bring it to life. For Remnant, I'm genuinely excited about the group we've assembled. These aren't just names on a call sheet; they're collaborators I trust to help tell this story the way it deserves to be told.
Check out the team page HERE.
The Producing Team
I'm directing Remnant, bringing fifteen years of experience from both sides of the camera. My time writing and co-producing on Netflix's Travelers taught me a lot about crafting character-driven stories under pressure, and getting nominated for a Writers Guild of Canada Award for the final episode was validation that the work resonated. More recently, winning the Directors Guild of Canada BC Emerging Greenlight award for The Doukhobor gave me the confidence to take on this feature. That short has been screening around the world, and the response has been encouraging—it feels like the right time to step up to a longer narrative.
Christopher Nash is our writer and producer, and honestly, finding someone with his combination of academic depth and practical filmmaking experience was a real gift. His Master's degree in English from Dalhousie University means he thinks about story structure and themes in ways that elevate the material, but he's also been in the trenches making no-budget features and running his own YouTube channel. That balance of theory and practice is exactly what Remnant needs.
Cole Hewlett is the kind of producer you want in your corner. Ten years in the industry, and he's worked on everything from award-winning shorts to major Netflix series like Altered Carbon, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass. Cole was also the producer on The Doukhobor, so we already have that collaborative shorthand. What I appreciate about Cole is that he understands both the creative and logistical sides of filmmaking—he knows how to protect the vision while keeping things on track and on budget.
For marketing and distribution, we have Christophine and Chrystal Opsetmoen, two sisters who graduated with honors from Douglas College's creative writing program and earned their diplomas from Vancouver Film School. Their projects have shown at Whistler Film Festival and LA Indie Horror Fest, and they were part of The Doukhobor team as well. Having dedicated marketing and distribution producers who actually understand filmmaking—not just the business side—feels like a smart advantage in today's landscape.
Connor Saam is our executive producer, bringing a unique background that spans English literature and commercial video production. His work has reached millions of viewers on digital platforms, and he's collaborated with Juno award-winning artists. Connor gets both the creative and commercial aspects of what we're trying to do, which is invaluable when you're balancing artistic vision with practical considerations.
Production & Post (more announcements soon!)
Jay Kamal is our Director of Photography, and his resume speaks for itself—member of the International Cinematographers Guild, associate member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers, Leo Award winner for Best Cinematography. Jay has led camera teams for Netflix, Warner Brothers, and Disney, with work that's screened at Cannes. Right now he's shooting a Lifetime feature and prepping a new series for UpTV, so we're getting someone who's actively working at the highest levels of the industry.
Andrew Gust is cutting the film, and I'm particularly excited about this collaboration. Andrew's path from a wheat farm in Manitoba to editing major studio films like The Hate U Give and prestige TV like The Morning Show shows both his talent and his work ethic. He understands pacing and character development across different genres, which is exactly what Remnant needs.
For VFX, we have Curt Miller, a multiple Emmy nominee who's worked on films like Deliver Us From Evil and Sinister 2, plus series like Mad Men, Pachinko, and The Man In The High Castle. Curt approaches effects as a filmmaker first, which means every decision serves the story rather than just showing off technical capability.
Blake Matthew is composing the score, and with over 90 credits across film, games, and trailers, he brings both versatility and genre expertise. His work on V/H/S 85 and The Doukhobor shows he understands how to build tension and atmosphere, while his trailer work for major properties like Minecraft proves he can create music that connects with audiences.
Ali Hodayi is handling color correction, bringing experience as both a DP and colorist. His work includes The Doukhobor and the Scottish BAFTA Best Film winner Winners. Having a colorist who understands cinematography from the ground up means the final image will be exactly what we intended.
Why This Team Works
What I love about this group is the mix of experience levels and perspectives. We have people who've worked on major studio and streaming productions, combined with emerging talents who bring fresh energy and ideas. Everyone understands their craft, but more importantly, they understand how their work fits into the larger story we're trying to tell.
Remnant is a project I care deeply about, and having collaborators who share that commitment while bringing their own expertise to the table makes all the difference. I'm looking forward to seeing what we create together.
More updates coming as we move through production.
K
This team looks amazing! 🥳