Kimberly Bordage
Support Worker for individuals with intellectual disabilities / Missing Persons Advocate / Filmmaker
Website / Instagram / Help Find Emma Fillipoff
I made the move from Montreal to Nova Scotia in 2011, in order to be closer to my ailing dad and stepmom. It wasn't long before the government took away the film tax credit which made it difficult to find steady work as a TV editor, so I continued to edit personal projects and found employment as a support worker for people with disabilities. I also began to advocate for the missing in my spare time. Over time, I found a way to combine all my passions.
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What are you most proud of professionally? And who or why?
I'm proud of my efforts to continue editing and filmmaking, even after leaving Montreal and the sometimes soul-crushing world of broadcast TV, by combining my passion for advocating for the missing, filmmaking and psychology, to create documentary film projects that are fulfilling and might also make a difference.
What’s your vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years? What’s our biggest opportunity now?
This province is full of incredible artists. I think we need to empower women in film to create projects that bring the art back to life into Nova Scotia. We have important stories to tell.
What was your greatest stage of growth? What made it a shift for you?
When my dad passed away in December of last year after a long battle with Parkinson’s, I started to realize doing whatever inspires me to keep going is the key to feeling useful and fulfilled.
What’s your favourite or most read book or podcast?
One of my favourite book is "Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter". A favourite podcast would be "The Vanished" which covers missing person cases.
What’s your deepest learning from this past year? How did/will you apply it?
Losing my father has been difficult and part of me wanted to just crawl under a rock and hide. Over time I started to make some changes to keep me inspired to move forward. It’s still a struggle at times.
Who’s inspired you, directly or indirectly? How have they inspired you?
My dad was an artist and incredible sign painter. He taught art here in Nova Scotia when he moved from Montreal to Dartmouth in 1999 after his diagnosis with Parkinson's disease. My dad is definitely my inspiration; he never let anything get in the way of his passion for art, even his struggle with alcoholism. In his 30 years of sobriety, being a sponsor for others seemed to fulfill him the most. And when Parkinson's stole his ability to create art, rather than throw in the towel, he chose to help and inspire others to create.
What would you have done differently?
I would've moved to Nova Scotia much sooner. I would've had more time with my dad and probably would've met my love and his sweet daughter even sooner.
What are the principles you live by?
Find your passions and then find a way to combine them. Help others. Be kind.
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Advocate, Filmmaker, Editor, Support Worker, Introvert, Friend, Partner, Daughter, Stepmom, Lover of Psychology