THE MONGREL MEDIA TEAM

Hussain Amarshi

President and Founder

After graduating from University of Toronto and Queen's University he founded the Kingston International Film Festival in 1989; ran the Euclid Theatre in Toronto; worked on Atom Egoyan and Jeremy Podeswa's earlier films, before setting up Mongrel Media from his bedroom in 1994. Hussain has served on several arts boards and committees over the years. He has many favourite films from the Mongrel library of titles but the first film that Mongrel Media acquired and released in 1995-- The Silences of the Palace -- is his first love.



Jonathan Wyman

Executive Vice President

Jonathan began his professional life in mechanical and environmental engineering, but lunch with a friend fifteen years ago encouraged him to make the switch to filmed entertainment. Since then, he has worked with a select group of Canada's most successful and respected independent distributors.



Andrew Frank

Co-President

Prior to working at Mongrel, he was a consultant for Robert Redford's Sundance Cinemas flagship theatre in Madison. He also owned and ran Visions Cinema in Washington.



Tom Alexander

Vice President, Theatrical Sales

Before joining Mongrel in 2001, Tom worked in various capacities with Alliance Atlantis Communications, Famous Players, and the Toronto International Film Festival Group, among other organizations. He holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business (Marketing, and Arts & Media Administration).

 


Danish Vahidy

Vice President, Marketing

Danish has worked on numerous high-profile films at distributors such as Metro Goldwyn Mayer and Polygram Filmed Entertainment. Danish also sits on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Picture Pioneers Trust Fund. He lives in Leslieville with his wife and son.

 


Ai Tsuzuki

Director, Technical Services - Theatrical

Ai began her career working for filmmakers as well as in foreign film sales at Alliance Atlantis. When not shopping around the world for technical and publicity materials for Mongrel's various departments, she can be found renovating and gardening in her new home.


Darrin LaFramboise

Creative Services, Home Entertainment

Darrin has worked extensively as a graphic designer in the world of film and publishing for over a decade. A "Movie Geek" in every respect, Darrin enjoys lengthy discussions about cinema and the filmmaking process – much to the chagrin of his friends and family.

 


Marko Orlic

Director, Acquisitions & Sales

Marko has worked in the film industry in a number of capacities: distribution, programming, journalism, and on-set production. When not scouting the finest pictures Mongrel has to offer, you can catch him blabbering about the movie he just saw at a festival or local theatre, programming films, writing, or podcasting.

 


Renata Czyzycka

Vice President, Finance

Renata is a Certified General Accountant and brings over a decade of experience to Mongrel. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, cooking and traveling.


Michaela Tobin

Financial Accountant

Michaela always wanted to be an Accounting Technician in Canada. After a diversion through art school in Ireland and construction in Australia she got there at last.