From Pitch to Principal Photography
From acting to filmmaking and storytelling, Evan’s journey has explored many creative avenues. With the guidance and experience of professional mentor Rebecca Gibson, Evan was able to take his skills to the next level! Their experiences with Creative Manitoba’s Professional Mentorship Program are detailed here!
Evan Friesen
Evan Friesen (he/him) is an emerging Director, Producer and Writer based in Treaty 1 Territory. Upon graduating from the Asper School of Business with his Bachelor of Commerce, Evan developed his skillset working in various startup and production companies, and regularly applies his administrative skills to benefit his creative practice.
Evan has coordinated both domestic and international productions, and most recently earned his place as a finalist in the 14th Annual RBC $15,000 Emerging Filmmaker Pitch Competition, pitching his short film “Maladaptive”. Having completed principal photography in March 2026, Evan is continuing his work moving “Maladaptive” through post-production, and into distribution.
Rebecca Gibson
Rebecca Gibson‘s work in documentary, drama, and comedy has played in festivals, in theatres, and on screens around the world. Credits include her ACTRA Award-winning role in The Pinkertons for Netflix, serving as co-creator, executive producer, showrunner, and a writer and director for five seasons of the international award-winning series Taken, and executive producing and writing and directing on Canada’s first original series for Snapchat. A multi-international award winner, Rebecca is devoted to mentorship and was honoured nationally as a CAMH Difference Maker for mental health advocacy.
Last year, Rebecca was invested into the Order of Manitoba.
Mentor Rebecca Gibson (left) and mentee Evan Friesen (right) spent their mentorship period working on Evan's upcoming short film 'Maladaptive'.
How long have you been a practicing artist?
I began acting when I was in middle school, growing into an avid musical theatre kid. My journey with filmmaking began when I enrolled in the University of Manitoba’s 2018-2019 Film Production course; my time in that class laid the foundation for my production planning skills to date, and allowed me to branch into production coordinating for TV and producing short films. This year, I took my administrative and planning skills and used them to complement my creative pursuits. In short, I have always been fascinated with storytelling and have worked in many different capacities to tell important stories. Now, it’s time to tell stories of my own.
- Evan
I have been a practicing artist for 35 years. I started as a dancer, then began to develop my skills as a singer, then moved into the theatre. I had great mentorship along the way, especially from Mrs. Daphne Korol. My ultimate goal was always film and television. I left Winnipeg to learn and work, and although I work in many places, I’m grateful to have Winnipeg as my home community. I had great support and mentorship along the way from many powerful women in this community, including Lesley Oswald, Kim Todd, Norma Bailey, Vonnie Von Helmolt, Ellen Rutter, Phyllis Laing, and others. Their support is part of why mentorship and supporting emerging artists is so important to me.
- Rebecca
Still of the character Aubrey (played by Tyson Wagner) from ‘Maldaptive’ staring at himself judgmentally in the mirror. His reflection splits, showing a distorted second version of Aubrey reflected back.
What have you been working on together?
Spurred by a successful pitch at the Gimli International Film Festival, Rebecca worked with me to refine the core thesis of the project and develop a proof-of-concept short film to demonstrate the project’s viability. Rebecca led me through numerous writing exercises through the lens of finding the project’s audience, and melding creative expression with feasibility. After developing and finalizing the script through the first few months of this mentorship, I initiated and successfully completed principal photography throughout March 2026.
- Evan
Evan and I have been working together on his cinematic project ‘Maladaptive’. He recently wrote, directed, and produced a short film that he intends to expand into a feature or series. He has also joined me as my assistant in an actors’ collective I run.
- Rebecca
“ Rebecca has redefined what I feel I am capable of. She challenges me when it's necessary and always offers her genuine thoughts on how my work has progressed. Through our work together, I have tapped into skillsets and reserves of resilience that I did not even know I had. ”
- Evan, on the impact of professional mentorship
What aspect of your work brings you joy?
In my most recent project, “Maladaptive”, I find I am speaking to a much younger, much more insecure version of myself. “Maladaptive” comments on male insecurities, and the ways in which vulnerable men are exploited by online influencers (particularly those associated with the Manosphere), who often do not have their followers’ best interests at heart. As I have brought the project to life, I recognize all the ways in which I’ve grown as a man and how far I’ve come to be in a place where I can offer my authentic perspective, trialed by fire.
- Evan
I love everything I have the privilege of doing in my practice, especially learning every single day, and sharing my creative, technical, and logistical practices with others.
- Rebecca
What have been your most positive takeaways from this mentorship session? Any favourite results or moments?
Rebecca has redefined what I feel I am capable of. Throughout this process, Rebecca has offered nothing but unconditional support. She challenges me when it’s necessary and always offers her genuine thoughts on how my work has progressed. Through our work together, I have tapped into skillsets and reserves of resilience that I did not even know I had. Rebecca has been among the greatest champions I have ever had and after this wonderful mentorship, I am filled with excitement for what the future has in store for us as collaborators.
- Evan
Evan’s pure, devoted energy has been a real gift to share. I love how he views the world in an intersectional, optimistic way, and the courage and vulnerability he shows in his life and work. He draws people toward him with that energy in a beautiful way, and empowers those around him to do their best work in collaboration with him.
