Building a Film Career in Edmonton: Megan Shott’s Journey

Megan Shott’s entry into filmmaking didn’t start with a long-term plan. It started with a story.

Her first project, My Girl, was a short film about Indigenous identity, commissioned by the Arts Council of Wood Buffalo as part of their Connection to Land video series. It was created across her family’s communities in Northern Alberta, using archival footage from her grandfather, an intergenerational message from a letter in the bottle, and the use of Dene language. At the time, it wasn’t about building a career in film; it was about making something that felt honest and close to home.

When the film was later accepted to screen internationally, including in New Zealand, it became an unexpected turning point. That experience revealed to Megan what might be possible if she continued on a creative path. After attending the screening with her mother in 2023, she described the experience as surreal but also clarifying. Shott knew this could be more than a one-off project.

Within months, she stepped into her first feature as a producer, joining her cousin Eric Janvier’s first directorial debut, Last Stop Video Rentals. The project moved quickly. Telefilm funding was secured and by 2024 the film was in production. Shot over four weeks inside a working video rental store, the black-and-white 16mm feature is a 1990s-set, character-driven film inspired by the era of independent cinema and physical media. The production leaned heavily on Edmonton-based cast and crew, with an intentionally collaborative atmosphere on set.

“We’re a family business,” she said. “And hopefully on set, people were able to feel a part of that as well. I feel the same way about the relationship with industry partners like our Accountant, Editor, or the Colorlab folks who processed the film.”

That approach carried through the production. The project brought together people from Edmonton’s film community, many of them also early in their careers, building experience and learning from each other along the way.

Edmonton Screen played a tangible role in that process. Shott received funding from the Elevation Program, and the organization contributed $35,000 toward the film’s production. That support helped bring in essential crew while allowing the majority of the work to remain local.

She also received travel support through the Community Development Program, which allowed her to attend industry events like TIFF, EXNW, and build connections beyond the region. Megan took part in the Alberta Producer Accelerator (APA) Program last Spring and later that year had Last Stop Video Rentals world premiere at the Edmonton International Film Festival (EIFF) in a sold out theatre.

Beyond funding, the program helped her step more fully into the industry, connecting her to other filmmakers and opening doors to new relationships.

“Dorian’s support in my producer career has made me feel like I can continue to make movies in this city ,” she said of the Film Commissioner. “It meant a lot to feel seen and trusted in that way, especially because this is my first time producing and it’s a full length movie plus the largest budget I have ever managed.”

Today, Shott is continuing to build on that experience. Her work reflects a producer who is focused on story, grounded in community, and intentional about how projects come together.

Her path is still unfolding, but it shows what can happen when early ideas are supported and built within a strong local network.

For filmmakers at a similar stage, her story is a reminder that there isn’t one clear way in. Projects can start small, take shape over time, and grow through the people around you.

Applications for the Elevation Program are now open. If you’re a producer in Edmonton or Northern Alberta working toward your first feature film or series, this is your opportunity to take the next step. Learn more and apply here by March 30, 2026.