Daughter of the Sun

Ryan Ward hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba—Canada's violent crime capital, home to the windiest street corner in the country, where the only thing colder than the weather is the reception to the idea that there is actually a film industry here. But as Ryan proves, sometimes the most interesting stories come from the most unlikely of places.Growing up in a frozen, cultural wasteland where he shoots the lion’s share of his films has imbued his work with a gritty realism and poetic search for any kind of meaning inspired by pastel Prairie sunsets, the urban decay of his home city, and outlier filmmakers like Joel Potrykus, Vincent Gallo, Gasper Noé, and his former University Prof, Guy Maddin.Ryan’s debut feature, SON OF THE SUNSHINE (Slamdance), was nominated by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television for a Canadian Screen Award (CSA). The film received critical acclaim with Indiewire praising it as "a mature, immediately involving story” and the National Post calling it "a gem of filmmaking genius." It screened at over 50 festivals, winning 13 awards, and was distributed by Netflix, Amazon, HBO, Hulu, and MUBI. His new feature, DAUGHTER OF THE SUN, won an Audience Award for "Best Canadian Film" at Fantasia International Film Festival where it premiered. As an actor, Ryan originated the lead role of Ash in the Broadway cult hit, EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL that MTV called "the greatest musical phenomenon on the planet. With over 800 performances in the role, Ryan was nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award for Best Actor. Ryan is shooting his newest feature, THE AQUANAUT AND THE SHIPWRECK, this spring.