Michael Penney

Michael graduated in 2002 from Ryerson University with a BFA in Film Studies. He began working on HGTV shows such as "Designer Guys" and "So Chic With Steven and Chris" as a Camera Assistant and later Assistant Director. From 2005 to 2015, he worked as a camera operator and editor for Milestone Casting Studios in Toronto, providing casting services for many television shows and feature films. During this time, he founded the production company Afterlight Films, where he writes, produces and directs narrative and documentary films. In 2008, Michael produced and directed "The Last Gold Rush", a mini-documentary on conflict gold mining in Colombia. It was later used by the Fair Trade Labeling Organization to help raise awareness and create a standard for ethical mining. The miners featured in the documentary were the first to receive fair trade status. Michael has also donated services as a cinematographer, editor and director to a number of charities including KidsFest, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Polo for Heart, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and War Child. In 2008, Michael was a co-founder of HoHoTO, a Twitter-based non-profit that raised over $285,000 for the Daily Bread Food Bank in its first 5 years. Michael lives in Toronto with his wife and son.