Bill BRIND - Filmmaker

BRIND, Bill - Filmmaker
London 1933 - Bowen Island 2023

Bill was an extraordinary man who led an extraordinary life. From his childhood in the East End of London, he was determined to break through the class barriers of British society and achieve what he wanted: to be a documentary filmmaker.

From the BBC in England to the CBC in Toronto to the National Film Board in Montreal to the United Nations in Lebanon, the West Bank, Gaza, Syria, Jordan and Vienna. He edited, directed, and produced numberless award-winning documentaries including "High Grass Circus" nominated for an Oscar in 1977 for Outstanding Documentary Feature and the "The Devil at Your Heels" which won the 1983 Genie Award for Best Theatrical Documentary. Some of his best-loved films are "Impressions of Expo '67" and "Jack Rabbit" all of which are available for viewing on the NFB website.

Bill died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. He will be terribly missed by his wife Loredana, son Brandon, daughter Geraldine, son-in-law Peter, granddaughters Francesca and Selena, and by all who loved him, Farzaneh, Clare, Potter, and his many close friends.

His outsized personality, brilliant mind and passionate nature will remain in all our hearts and memory. He wanted to thank his wonderful doctors Blackwood and Kiraly and caregiver Peter for their friendship and care of these last few years on Bowen Island. His autobiography "Not a Bad Life, All Things Considered" is available at our local library, the Hearth, and Amazon.