Cassidy Civiero is a transgender filmmaker who uses experimental techniques to make movies that align with his values and identity. His films ask just as many questions as they answer and allow room for audience participation in the crafting of the narrative. His latest film, Return to Nature, was funded by the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund and premiered at the Penticton Art Gallery for a two month window before playing the Open Vault Film Fest and winning Critic's Choice at the Experimental Film Fest. His previous film, Ethical Consumption, was funded by the Mental Health Commission of California via the Voices With Impact production grant. Cassidy is a writer and co-executive producer for Season 2 of You're My Hero for CBC Gem, currently in post-production. He is co-creator and writer for the series Sweet as Sugar, in development for Out TV. With his sights set on feature films, he is breaking into long form content with steady passion and determination.
Cassidy began acting in films at the age of 10 before becoming disillusioned, disrespected, and disturbed as an AFAB actor, often being hired for roles which required nudity and simulated sex once he turned 18. He wrote and directed his first short film when he was 23, then wrote countless screenplays and studied the ins and outs of producing before directing again. He embodied his trans identity at the same time that the filmmaking bug fully burrowed into his brain in a synergy that started to make life beautiful and creative every single day at age 30.
Cassidy is constantly aspiring for never-before-seen imagery that blurs the lines between magic and reality, the heartfelt and the disturbed. He lives and breathes film and believes that anything is possible, both in life and on screen.
CASS MAKES FILMS YOU CAN FEEL IN YOUR BODY.
Photo by Jack Major
It's Really Dark Here Tonight
An immersive horror film emerging from the deepest hole.
Writer, Director
Premiere pending - contact for private screener
Return to Nature
A woman who lives alone, fraught with anxiety, finds relief by contemplating the natural world.
Writer, Director
Welwitschia
40 years in the life of a gender-diverse person growing into their identity, spurred by a foundational relationship with someone who has a deep love of plants.
Director, Executive Producer
In Development - Learn More
The Burn
A transmasc 31 year old burns school pictures from the worst year of his life, which he spent in agony as a suicidal 13 year old girl.
Director, Writer
Premiere pending - contact for private screener
Sweet as Sugar
A feminist virgin becomes a sugar baby to liberate herself financially and emotionally.
Writer, Co-Creator
In Development with Monkeys & Parrots
Manufactured Parts
A meditation on romantic relationships in the context of transitioning from female to male.
Writer, Director
Ethical Consumption
A burnt out 20-something is haunted by trash.
Writer, Director
Whimsigoths
Three queer witches in their 30s rediscover their divine feminine... while having plenty of laughs along the way 🔮🌙.
Writer, Director
In Development with Monkeys & Parrots
You're My Hero
A sardonic guy with cerebral palsy navigates a world not designed for wheels alongside his loyal best friend.
Writer, Co-Executive Producer
Acidwash
A depressed musician finds solace in the Toronto skateboarding community.
Writer
I'm in Love with All My Friends
A pansexual artist finds inspiration in the blurry lines between friendship and romantic love.
Writer, Director
Self Care
A meditation on late stage capitalism and consumption as a misguided form of self care.
Writer, Director
The Sculpture
A young housewife loses all sense of identity in her relationship with a tortured artist.
Writer, Executive Producer
