Staff Bios

Tony Merzetti

Tony was born 1959 in the port city of Saint John.

First as a volunteer and now as Executive Director of the New Brunswick Filmmakers’ Co-operative, Tony has devoted more than twenty years to making the province of NB a center for film creation in Canada.

Tony is known for his patience and dedication in his work with budding and experienced filmmakers alike. He has been instrumental in helping them to achieve their dreams and aspirations, all the while keeping the Co-op on solid financial ground.

Under his guidance the Co-op is reaching into communities across New Brunswick. In the process it has become a truly provincial organization representing traditional, alternative and multicultural film and video artists.

Always at the top of the class, Tony graduated with high honours from St. Malachy’s High in Saint John, made the Dean’s list in business administration at University of New Brunswick, Saint John and completed his MBA at St. Mary’s University. He then brought his considerable talent and vision back home to New Brunswick where he began to volunteer with the New Brunswick Filmmakers’ Co-op in Fredericton.

Tony has personally contributed to more than 100 films, including two which he wrote and directed himself. The Man Who Skied Citadel Hill and Natural Remedy have traveled both Canadian and international film festivals. Colleagues describe Tony as considerate and kindly; they profess a deep respect for the work he does as a skilled craftsman, teacher and activist on their behalf.

Tony won an Excellence Award for Community Cultural Development in New Brunswick in 2005

Cat was born in 1965 on the mighty Miramichi in the small village of Nelson.

Painfully shy and retiring for most of her life, she made the mistake of hooking up with some Film Co-op people in the 80's while getting her English Degree and Gerontology certificate at St. Thomas University.

At that time, she met Executive Director of the Film Co-op Tony Merzetti; oblivious to the fact that Tony had instantly fallen madly in love with her.

Eventually Tony and Cat were married and Cathie ended up volunteering at the Co-op for some time to help him out and now she works at the Co-op on staff.

Cathie is a documentary filmmaker and music composer/songwriter. She really enjoys her work at the  Film Co-op with Tony, the Board,  committees/advisory groups and the membership and spends a great deal of time assisting the membership with prep/production/post and distribution work on their projects..

Mike Cowie

From early on, Michael had an urge to entertain. He would create elaborate scenes for the neighborhood kids and himself to play out, only to get upset when someone deviated from "the plan". Much older now, Mike has learned to be more flexible, but he is still unwavering in his urge to entertain.

In high school Michael was in the Drama Club. It was there that he realized what he wanted to do with his life. Never daunted by a crowd, but a horrible actor, he soon found that he would be more interested in being behind the scenes.

Michael has always loved movies and music. He enjoys these "arts" above others for their collaborative functions. When it was time to pick a future after high school, he knew that film school was where he wanted to go. But he didn't...... So, five years after graduating from high school, and working a dead end job; he decided to attend NBCC's Video & TV Production program. From there he went on to study film at UNB. It was at this time that he became a member at the NB Film Co-op.

Michael has experience in video and television as a freelance editor and camera operator. He delivers workshops, edits and shoots for the commercial sector and has collaborated on multimedia installments shown in galleries across North America. He is currently directing/producing his own project about blues music in Atlantic Canada called "Here My Train a' Coming".

If ever you have a technical issue with gear or editing software, feel free to contact Cat, and she will put you in touch with Michael. Michael believes strongly in the supportive environment provided by the Film Co-op so, don't be shy.