Steve Suderman
Filmmaker and empathy enthusiast
About
As a documentary director and producer, Steve has spent more than a decade immersing himself in intimate and personal stories of people going through life-altering experiences. This trajectory started with documenting his own family's journey losing their farm on the Canadian prairie (Over Land, 2008) and carried on into his feature documentary about five young people from urban backgrounds risking it all to become small-scale organic farmers (To Make A Farm, 2011). Premiering as one of the ten most popular Canadian films at Vancouver International Film Festival, To Make A Farm went on to win the Santa Cruz audience choice award as well as three Golden Sheaf awards including Best of Festival.
Steve's feature documentary Beyond the Spectrum is multi-platform theatrical documentary and mobile app that delves into the story of a family grappling with their two-year-old son's autism diagnosis. The accompanying free app (My Autism Passport), created through a partnership with St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, is designed to help parents plan, navigate and manage their child’s developmental treatment journey after they have received an autism diagnosis.
WORK continues with the theme of life-altering transitions, focusing on the personal journeys of four individuals transitioning away from their long-held careers. A farmer, a teacher, a nurse and an antique dealer explore the profound connections between our personal identities, our roots, and the complex emotions tied to the substantial time invested in our careers.
Filmography
2022 (1 hour documentary)
When the career we've dedicated our lives to comes to an end, who are we? WORK is an evocative documentary that focuses on the personal journeys of four individuals transitioning away from their long-held careers. A farmer, a teacher, a nurse and an antique dealer explore the profound connections between our personal identities, our roots, and the complex emotions tied to the substantial time invested in our careers. By highlighting the profound impact that work has on our identity—and how we, in return, influence our work—the film offers a rich insight into the pivotal choices that chart the course of our lives.
2017 (Feature length and 1 hour documentary)
When two-year-old Oskar is diagnosed with autism, this busy family of seven drops everything for a year to focus on his therapy. As they strive to connect with him, they confront a critical question: does accepting Oskar mean accepting his autism?
Common Men
2016 (Short documentary)
Doug is losing his marbles. Henry remembers the war. Keith discovers he has ADHD.
Just a few of the humorous and moving stories told by these 70-plus-year-old men
who have come together in a group called Men's Shed. Through volunteerism,
hobbies, and just spending time together, these men are challenging stereotypes and
breaking down the barriers that often keep retired men isolated and sometimes
depressed.
2011 (Feature length documentary)
One of the ten most popular Canadian films at the Vancouver International Film Festival, To Make A Farm explores the lives of five young people who have decided to become small-scale farmers.
Over Land
2008 (1 hour documentary)
Over Land is an intimate and personal portrait of a family facing a crisis in agriculture. Between 1996 and 2006, prices for farm goods dropped to their lowest point in Canadian history, driving many farmers off the land. The Sudermans now face a challenge that threatens to pull the family apart.
Education
University of Regina
2006
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Media Production
Brandon University
1998
Bachelor of Education, Brandon University
Brandon University
1996
Multidisciplinary degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Business Administration.