Rooted in Story: A Conversation with Donovan Richard

1) Your profile mentioned you “mentored several filmmakers” including various workshops and training. What would you say inspired you to begin teaching filmmaking?

Don: After spending several years as a producer, production manager, and assistant director for a wide range of film projects through the NB Film Co-op, I realized how valuable it would have been to have a mentor when I first started out. That insight is really what inspired me to begin teaching. I wanted new filmmakers to have the chance to have someone who could help walk them through the process step by step, answer their questions and help them avoid the pitfalls I had to learn the hard way. Sharing the knowledge and skills I’ve gained over the years felt like the right next step. It's not just teaching the fundamentals, but also bringing in my personal experiences from real sets. I find that those stories and lived lessons are what truly resonate and help emerging filmmakers connect the dots in a meaningful way.

2) What would you say has been the most challenging part of your filmmaking career so far?

Don: For me, the biggest challenges in filmmaking have really come down to two things, time and procrastination. They tend to feed into each other. When you procrastinate, you lose valuable time and when time slips away, it becomes harder to stay focused on the projects that truly matter. I’ve learned that time doesn’t wait for anyone, so you have to intentionally carve out space to work on the stories you care about and avoid getting pulled into distractions. Those have been my toughest challenges and they’re still areas I’m actively working to improve on. But acknowledging them has helped me stay more accountable and more committed to the creative work that inspires me.

3) How did you become interested in directing and producing?

Don: My interest in directing and producing really began with my love for storytelling. As a kid, I didn’t recognize it as “storytelling” because I just wanted to become the heroes that I admired. But as I got older and started imagining my own worlds and characters, I realized that I had stories of my own that I wanted to tell, so I explored every outlet I could think of to try and tell thsoe stories. I did writing, drawing, creating adventures through role playing games with friends. But finally, I discovered filmmaking as a medium that could bring all those creative impulses together and as technology evolved, it became way more accessible. I didn’t need to move to a big city or secure massive budgets to start creating. I could tell meaningful stories on a smaller, more intimate scale.

4) What is a project you’re currently working on that you feel excited about?

Don: I’m juggling a few projects right now, but the one I’m most excited about is a historical period drama that’s nearing the point of production. That genre has always been my passion and this particular story has been simmering in my mind for quite a while and thanks to some recent breakthroughs with a few good friends, the script has really started to take shape. It follows a man named Beausoleil whose entire world is torn apart during the tragic events of the Great Upheaval. The film focuses tightly on his emotional journey and the hard decisions he's forced to make to protect his family and the desperate escape that follows. It’s an intimate, character driven story set against a historical backdrop and this is a project I’m genuinely thrilled about.

5) How has the Moncton region inspired your filmmaking?

Don: The Moncton region has been a huge source of inspiration for my filmmaking. It’s rich with history and filled with incredible locations that have shaped many of my projects. From old cemeteries and rustic cabins for my short film on the legend of Rebecca’s Grave, to fort ruins, thick forests and old farms that helped bring my Acadian historical film Délivrance to life to name a few examples. There are still so many untouched locations that I know will elevate future stories that I want to tell. But more than the scenery, it’s the people who inspire me the most in the area. My family, friends, colleagues, and the local arts community have always shown up with support, encouragement, and a willingness to lend a hand. That sense of community fuels my creativity and keeps me grounded. I’m excited for the many more projects still ahead that will be rooted in this corner of Atlantic Canada that I’m proud to call home.

Emerging Voice, Fearless Vision: Yohann Kamto's Creative Ascent - Part 3

By Oluwayemisi Mafe
Photo of Film Co-op ED Tony Merzetti and member Yohann Kamto

13. What film projects are you currently working on? What stories are you most excited to tell right now?

Yohann: Currently, I’m editing the 10-minute film I shot last month. It’s about a serial killer finding love. It’s bloody, but primarily focused on the romance and comedy aspects. My main character is at odds with society, and although he may be different, he seeks a partner for himself. That’s the story I’m most compelled to tell right now.

14. Looking back, is there a particular project you’re most proud of? What made it special to you?

Yohann: There are a couple of projects that I’m happy with to a certain degree, but I’m not fully proud of them. I’m hard on myself. They were good in the moment, they were okay. Every project is a pathway for me to improve; I continue moving forward.

15. How do you choose your themes or characters—what draws you to a story enough to dedicate months of your life to it?

Yohann: Usually, the story comes first to me, but it’s the characters that drive my story forward. I strive to create and develop characters who are charismatic, funny, or enigmatic. I like characters that keep you wondering why they do what they do. Their back story is essential.

16. Where do you see yourself in the next few years, creatively or career-wise? Are there any dream collaborators or goals on the horizon?

Yohann: Collaborators on the horizon, for sure. I always have big goals and strive for them, but I never know what the future holds. I want to be a writer, screenwriter, poet, and novelist. Currently, my focus is on screenwriting. I would also like to stay involved in film in any capacity and get paid for it. I would also love to get some more film projects of my own out there. I’m writing a couple of stories and poems that I would like to get published or turned into films.

17. What role do you think young creatives like yourself play in shaping the future of film in New Brunswick and beyond?

Yohann: New Brunswick is impressive compared to other provinces. The young people who are here are the future of the province. The way our mentors taught us about creativity and film has a substantial impact on what we’re doing. I think we have great people willing to help us out, and we are fortunate. The NB Film Co-op is always there for me, guiding and helping me to succeed.

18. If you could write a letter to your younger creative self, what would it say?

Yohann: I firmly believed that the path I took helped my creativity. It may take longer to get to where I need to go, and that’s okay. Those years were necessary in my creative journey. I would say to my younger self, “Don’t rush.” I’m a very impatient person. I don’t like to wait, I want to do it when I want to do it. “Take your time, learn as much as you can. Take more classes.”

Emerging Voice, Fearless Vision: Yohann Kamto’s Creative Ascent - Part 2

By Oluwayemisi Mafe

Photo of Film Co-op ED Tony Merzetti and member Yohann Kamto

In this issue of the NBFC Weekly E-news, we spotlight a rising creative force in the New Brunswick film community: NB Film Co-op member Yohann Kamto. A multidisciplinary storyteller with a penchant for tackling society’s complexities through humour, emotion, and imagery, Yohann’s journey from high school poetry to producing and directing original films is a testament to talent forged through persistence, mentorship, and the courage to dive in headfirst.

Through the Jane LeBlanc Legacy Fund’s provincial Mentorship Program, an internship with Strike Pictures, and academic training at the University of New Brunswick (UNB), Yohann has been cultivating a unique voice, one rooted in experimentation and resilience. In this candid interview, Yohann reflects on navigating creative breakthroughs, lessons from cramped film sets, and what it really means to “just give it a shot.”

Whether you’re a fellow student, a member filmmaker, an aspiring creative in the community, or a future JL applicant or Film Co-op member, Yohann’s story will both inspire and energize you.

From frozen poetry to blood-splattered rom-coms, Yohann Kamto is shaping New Brunswick’s creative landscape one bold script at a time. Dive into his story in this week’s NBFC Weekly E-news interview.

6. Can you share a bit about a specific school project or moment that affirmed your path as a filmmaker?

Yohann: My most recent project. There was another film I did before that, but my most recent one was a film that I received a grant from the NB Film Co-op for. I was the director, writer, and producer on it. It was a great experience that showed me that I want to continue making films and telling my stories.

7. Congratulations on being part of the 2024 JL Mentorship Engagement Program! What drew you to apply, and how has the experience shaped you as a creative?

Yohann: I was looking for more. My life was all about school. My classes were mainly theoretical, and I needed more hands-on film experiences, so I started discussing my concerns with my teachers. It was a teacher at UNB who recommended that I apply to participate in the program. Initially, I wanted it for writing because I was more focused on writing at that point, specifically creative writing. I also didn’t feel like I had enough experience yet to undertake a film mentorship. Luckily for me, Thandiwe McCarthy chose to be my mentor, and it was a great experience. It was one of the pivotal moments in my career. My mentor taught me how to improve my writing and poetry, but more importantly, he taught me how to make a living from my art and how to write grants, allowing me to pursue the projects I wanted to undertake. I’m very grateful to him for that.

8. Mentorship can be a powerful force. What have you learned from your mentor through the program that has impacted your journey?

Yohann: Do you know the saying? “Give it a shot.” I would say that’s probably the most important thing I have learned from my mentor. It’s okay if it doesn’t work out, but you have to do it. That’s powerful because I received other creative opportunities by incorporating that new belief into my life.

9. What advice would you give to other emerging filmmakers considering applying to the Jane LeBlanc Legacy Fund for a grant or seeking mentorship?

Yohann: Use your time wisely and ask your mentor questions. Ask why they do the things they do, even if it seems insignificant. Often, they do things that are successful automatically, and that could be a key creative step that you are missing in your creative toolbox.

10. You’ve had some exciting placements with film companies. Could you tell us about those experiences and what you learned from them?

Yohann: I’ve worked with several film companies. I learned how to utilize a location space and position it to achieve the desired look. These internships helped develop my creativity, as well as small things like bringing an extra clip or tape to set to make the minor adjustments that are often needed. Additionally, I learned how to produce a script within budget constraints.

11. What was it like stepping into a professional film environment for the first time? Any memorable moments or“aha” learnings from the set?

Yohann: My aha moment came when I realized how small film sets can be. There are numerous people on set, each with a specific role to play. It's crucial to remain very quiet once the camera and sound start rolling. If any noise is made, the sound recordist will ask everyone to be silent. Ultimately, I had a lot of fun during the experience, which reassured me that this is the right path and career for me.

12. Were there any unexpected challenges, and how did you navigate them creatively or professionally?

Yohann: There are time-based challenges to consider when making a film. Many people assume that the process is quick, but that’s not the case. Once you get into the editing room, you often find yourself debating various aspects with others. For me, collaborating with others and being deeply involved in a project can be quite challenging. For instance, during the editing of a 10-minute project, it took us three hours just to agree on one scene! It's crucial to learn how to step back and appreciate perspectives beyond your own. We needed to figure out how to collaborate, reach agreements, and compromise. There are people in your creative network—like the Film Co-op staff and members—whom you can turn to for support, and that’s really what it’s all about. All these experiences have taught me a great deal.

NB Film Co-op ED/UNB film teacher Tony Merzetti and NBFC member filmmaker Yohann Kamto