Emma Bonikowsky

"Subtle", "layered", "lovely", and "honest" - all words used to describe Emma's work as it's matured and developed in over five years of experience and professional training. Starting off with small town theater productions, getting a taste of the industry with some background artist work, and then transitioning to auditioning for film and TV full time, Emma has become well versed in many aspects of the film industry. In Emma's most pertinent role to date - lead in the short film 'La Cartographe' (directed by Nathan Douglas), which previewed at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland and subsequently showed at VIFF and the Festival du nouveau cinéma (FNC) along with a number of other festivals - her work in the moody, atmospheric film was described as "sublime" and "poetically contemplative". While flourishing in the indie, thought provoking roles, Emma also pulls off the not-so-innocent, girl with a dark secret in the horror/thriller genre with ease, finding it enticing to play a character so opposite from her usual cheerful self. A straight A student and high school valedictorian, Emma has a solid work ethic and is kind and down to earth with friends and strangers alike, leaving a strong and positive connection with everyone she meets. Emma was born in Minnesota, but grew up in a small town surrounded by mountains east of Vancouver before moving to the city (yes, that means dual citizenship!). For someone who loves the outdoors, there were many adventures to be had; hiking, snowboarding, and swimming in frigid rivers have and continue to be enjoyable pastimes.