Francis Damberger is an award-winning filmmaker who resides on a ranch in Tofield, Alberta, where he serves as the president of The Damberger Film and Cattle Co. A graduate of the BFA Acting program at the University of Alberta, Francis has worked as an actor, writer, director, and producer in film, television, and on stage.
He began his career in filmmaking in 1985, and his first film, On the Edge, a drama about teenage suicide, won awards globally. His first feature film, Solitaire, swept the Alberta Film Awards and received four Genie nominations, including one for "Best Supporting Actor." Francis was also nominated for "Best Original Screenplay." Solitaire was invited to several prestigious film festivals, including the Cannes TV Festival.
Louis B. Hobson of the Calgary Herald praised Solitaire, stating, "It is an exquisite film, so rich in detail and bursting with raw energy, it will stay with you long after the final credits." Francis' subsequent feature films, Road to Saddle River and Heart of the Sun, received critical acclaim and several awards.
Among his numerous credits, Francis has directed episodes of popular television shows such as Heartland, Due South, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, and Caution May Contain Nuts. He has also directed the CBC TV Movie, Trial By Fire, a North of 60 mystery.
Francis acted as Producer, Associate Director, and 2nd Unit Director on the epic WW1 feature film Passchendaele, which won five Genie Awards, including Best Picture, at the 2009 Canadian Film Awards. Passchendaele also won the Golden Reel Award, presented to the top box office film of the year.
As well, Francis wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the Olympic documentary drama The Great Tournament, the story of a Father and his son on a road trip to the 2010 Olympic hockey tournament. The film won the hearts of Canadians everywhere, playing to an estimated audience of over fourteen million viewers.
Most recently, Francis directed his 24th episode of the comedy series Tiny Plastic Men and wrote and directed the critically acclaimed bio-doc Scout's Honor, about legendary 87-year-old baseball scout Mel Didier. He is currently developing several new film projects that he will write, produce, and direct.
