{{Short description|Canadian film writer, producer and director}} {{multiple issues| {{BLP sources|date=August 2015}} {{Resume-like|date=December 2021}} {{Promotional|date=December 2021}} }} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Evan Beloff | image = <!-- just the filename, without the File: or Image: prefix or enclosing brackets --> | alt = | caption = | birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name --> | birth_date = <!-- {{Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} or {{Birth-date and age|birth date†}} --> | birth_place = Montreal, Quebec, Canada | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} or {{Death-date and age|death date†|birth date†}} --> | death_place = | nationality = <!---WP:INFONAT---> | other_names = | occupation = Film director, writer, producer | known_for = ''Once a Nazi'' }} '''Evan Beloff''' is a Canadian film writer, producer, and director. He is known for his documentary films ''Bigfoot's Reflection'' (2007), ''Daughters of the Voice'' (2018), and ''A People's Soundtrack'' (2019). Many of his films are focused on Jewish people and culture, in particular music.
==Early life and education== A Montreal native, Evan Beloff holds a double major in creative writing and theatre. While a student at Concordia University, Beloff was a member of a group of students who called themselves the "Sofar Poets".<ref>"[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32003334/the_gazette/ Literary calendar]" (28 Mar 1992) ''The Gazette'', Montreal</ref>
==Career== ===1990s=== In 1998, he and an associate organized Montreal's first Radical Jewish Arts and Performance Festival, which they called Chutzpah. It was inspired by the Radical Jewish Festival in New York. It was held on the McGill University campus and included music, spoken word and a walking tour.<ref>"[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32003548/the_gazette/ Chutzpah without the bad attitude: Montreal's first 'radical' Jewish arts festival is mostly a musical celebration]" (8 June 1998) ''The Gazette'', Montreal</ref> After a brief spell in Montreal's underground, Anglo theatre scene, he found work writing and researching IMAX documentaries for renowned producer Pietro Serapiglia.
===2000s=== In 2000–2001, Beloff co-founded the Montreal film house Diversus Productions and served as the Producer and Second Unit Director for the Gemini Award-nominated documentary ''Too Colorful for the League: A History of Blacks in Hockey'' for the CBC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/arts/arts_guide/king_jews|title=King Of The Jews|last=Goldman|first=Julia|work=The Jewish Week|date=2002-06-28|access-date=2015-08-14}}</ref>
In 2002, he produced, starred in and narrated the festival hit mockumentary ''Schmelvis: Searching for the King's Jewish Roots'' (Nodance, HBO Comedy Arts Fest). The film is about a camp Jewish character called Schmelvis created by a Montreal singer-songwriter earth citizen named Dan Hartal.<ref>[http://www.Schmelvis.ca]</ref> His costume comprises a rhinestone-studded white jumpsuit with a large Star of David wrestling-style belt-buckle and a red star-covered cape.<ref>"[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32004073/the_ottawa_citizen/ King of kings: The Schmelvis story: Two filmmakers explored Israel and the U.S. South for Elvis's Jewish roots]" (28 Feb 2002) ''The Ottawa Citizen'', Ottawa, Ontario</ref><ref>"The Mensch Connection; Was Elvis Just a Nice Jewish Goy?" (April 30, 2002) ''New York Post ''</ref><ref>[http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Movies/2002/06/The-Kosher-King.aspx?p=1 "The Kosher King: In search of Elvis Presley's Jewish roots" (June 2002) beliefnet]</ref>
In 2002 and 2003, Beloff produced, wrote, and directed the 19-part documentary series (two seasons) ''Women Warriors'' for WTSN, SCN, CBC, Radio Canada, and CFCF12/CTV.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telefilm.ca/en/catalogues/production/women-warriors|title=WOMEN WARRIORS|work=Telefilm Canada|access-date=2015-08-14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924114031/http://www.telefilm.ca/en/catalogues/production/women-warriors|archive-date=2015-09-24}}</ref> He also produced an episode of ''Life & Times'' for CBC on Canadian poet Irving Layton.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telefilm.ca/en/catalogues/production/irving-layton-red-carpet-sun|title=IRVING LAYTON: A RED CARPET FOR THE SUN|work=Telefilm Canada|access-date=2015-08-14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924114011/http://www.telefilm.ca/en/catalogues/production/irving-layton-red-carpet-sun|archive-date=2015-09-24}}</ref>
In 2003, Beloff co-produced the reality comedy-documentary ''Cruising Quebec'' for Global.<ref>"Reality TV show cruises Quebec: Documentary follows six Montrealers on RV tour" (10 July 2004) ''The Gazette'', Montreal</ref> He produced, co-wrote and co-directed the mockumentary ''The Legend of Memphre'' for Space and City TV.<ref>"Moviemakers seek out Memphremagog monster" (22 Oct 2004) ''The Gazette'', Montreal</ref>
In 2004, he co-produced ''Being Osama'' for CBC's Passionate Eye, RDI and Al Arabiya.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telefilm.ca/en/catalogues/production/being-osama|title=BEING OSAMA|work=Telefilm Canada|access-date=2015-08-14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017013236/http://www.telefilm.ca/en/catalogues/production/being-osama|archive-date=2013-10-17}}</ref>
His final documentary project at Diversus was an architecture and travel documentary for Global titled ''Winter Wonderland: The Making of the Ice Hotel''. Beloff wrote, directed and produced the film which is distributed by the National Film Board of Canada and broadcast internationally on such channels as: HBO Europe, Spektrum TV RT Hungary, CPS Czech Republic, TVC Spain, NHK Japan and TV2 in France.<ref>[https://archive.today/20070810024640/http://www.nfb.ca/trouverunfilm/fichefilm.php?id=52651&v=h&lg=en&exp= "Winter Wonderland: The Making of the Ice Hotel" (2013-04-08) National Film Board of Canada]</ref>
In 2005, Beloff relinquished partnership in Diversus Productions to establish his own company, Ontic Media, and has since written, directed and produced (in collaboration with Bunbury Film's, Academy Award-winning producer Frederic Bohbot) the prize-winning, biopic thriller, ''Once a Nazi'' on former Waffen SS soldier turned professor Adalbert Lallier for SCN, CTV, Canal D, CLT, American Public Television/PBS and distributed internationally by the National Film Board of Canada. ''Once a Nazi'' was awarded the 2006 J. I Segal Award for Canadian, Jewish-Themed Film of the Year.<ref>[http://www.jewishpubliclibrary.org/images/Flyer%20JI%20Segal%202006.pdf Jewish Public Library] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927131032/http://www.jewishpubliclibrary.org/images/Flyer%20JI%20Segal%202006.pdf |date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.hour.ca/film/film.aspx?iIDArticle=10304 "Once a Nazi...: Nazi victim" (September 14, 2006) ''Hour Community''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927035730/http://www.hour.ca/film/film.aspx?iIDArticle=10304 |date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/columnists/story.html?id=e0843ccd-557f-4648-8306-ce353d23baba "Ex-soldier who turned confessional about Nazi past leads to accounts from all sides" (September 17, 2006) ''The Gazette'', Montreal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926221548/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/columnists/story.html?id=e0843ccd-557f-4648-8306-ce353d23baba |date=September 26, 2007 }}</ref>
In 2007, he co-wrote, produced, and directed an update of the Bigfoot/Sasquatch legend titled "Bigfoot's Reflection" for CHUM, City TV, CLT, Space, and SCN.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.playbackmag.com/articles/daily/20070308/bigfoot.html |title="Bohbot tracks Bigfoot" (March 8, 2007) ''Playback'' |access-date=March 10, 2007 |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929083644/http://www.playbackmag.com/articles/daily/20070308/bigfoot.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2008, he produced the documentary ''Quitter le Bercail'' (''Leaving the Fold'') by acclaimed director Eric Scott for Radio Canada, Documentary Channel Canada, ABC Australia. It is about two brothers who leave the Montreal Hasidic community.<ref>[http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/movies/story.html?id=a19c8831-8367-4ced-aaae-3ae297eddb01&p=2 "Leaving the Fold is an eye-opening experience" (August 29, 2008) ''The Gazette'', Montreal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105042602/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/movies/story.html?id=a19c8831-8367-4ced-aaae-3ae297eddb01&p=2 |date=November 5, 2012 }}</ref><ref>"The documentary filmmakers at Bunbury pick their fights and win" (17 Feb 2011) ''The Gazette'', Montreal</ref>
===2010s=== In 2010, Beloff produced the access documentary ''Burning Water'' along with Frederic Bohbot's Bunbury Films for CBC's The Lens. The film is directed by Cameron Esler and Tadzio Richards.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bunburyfilms.com/burningwater.html |title="Burning Water" (2010) Bunbury Films |access-date=August 29, 2014 |archive-date=September 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903100956/http://www.bunburyfilms.com/burningwater.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2010, Beloff also returned to directing with the documentary ''Underdog Plaza'' on Quebec Super Welterweight Boxing Champion Dierry Jean for OMNI Television Canada and PBS' World Compass.<ref>[http://www.onticmedia.com "UNDERDOG PLAZA" (2011) Ontic Media Inc.]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/Mirror/mir_060111_opt/2011010501/26.html#26 |title="Packing a Punch" (January 6–12, 2011) ''Montreal Mirror'' |access-date=2014-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903142816/http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/Mirror/mir_060111_opt/2011010501/26.html#26 |archive-date=2014-09-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2013 he covered the story of eight-year-old Sandra Cantu, who was abducted, sexually assaulted and murdered next to her trailer park home in Tracy, California. ''Heaven Beside Us'' (aka The Disappearance of Sandra Cantu) was produced by SLV Films and is distributed by Films Transit International.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}
On January 25, 2014, Beloff visited Washington, D.C., to document Dierry Jean's IBF Junior welterweight title fight against Lamont Peterson. The events surrounding the fight would become the central narrative to Beloff's boxing sequel on Jean. ''Underdog Rises'' premiered in 2015 on Omni Television in Canada.
In October 2016, he partnered again with producer Frederic Bohbot and his company Bunbury Films to write and direct ''Kosher Love'', a feature documentary exploring orthodox and Hassidic relationships in a wired, modern world. ''Kosher Love'' premiered on CBC's new documentary strand FIRSTHAND on February 16, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/855924291810| title = Kosher Love – Does True Love Exist? {{!}} CBC.ca}}</ref> ''Kosher Love'' was a finalist for Best Canadian Documentary at the 2018 Canadian Screen Awards, March 11, 2018, in Toronto.<ref>[http://povmagazine.com/blog/view/2018-canadian-screen-awards-documentary-nominees2018 Canadian Screen Awards. Documentary nominees] povmagazine.com {{dead link|date=March 2024}}</ref>
On September 1, 2018, Beloff's film ''Daughters of the Voice'' premiered on the CBC film series ''Absolutely Canadian''.
On March 5, 2019, his feature documentary ''A People's Soundtrack'', which explores the rich history of Jewish cantorial music in Montreal, premiered on PBS. ''A People's Soundtrack'' had its US theatrical premiere in February 2020 at the Miami Jewish Film Festival.
===2020s=== Beloff again partnered with CBC on his documentary, ''Just As I Am'', a film which explores the founding of a special needs musical group called the Shira Choir, while the COVID-19 pandemic challenged their collective will to stay connected. ''Just As I Am'' highlights the power of music as it shatters judgement and celebrates the passion and well-being of those with disabilities. The film had its small screen premiere on September 25, 2021<ref>{{cite web|url= https://thelinknewspaper.ca/article/montreal-shira-choir-shines-the-spotlight-on-unlikely-stars| title = Montreal Shira Choir Shines the Spotlight on Unlikely Stars {{!}} News – The Link}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.cbc.ca/music/this-touching-documentary-shows-how-singing-gives-community-to-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-1.6187162| title = This touching documentary shows how singing gives community to people with intellectual disabilities {{!}} CBC Music}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/brownstein-music-transcends-all-for-montreal-special-needs-choir|title=Brownstein: Music transcends all for Montreal special-needs choir}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thesuburban.com/columnists/mike_cohen_cohen_chatter/cantor-daniel-benlolo-did-it-right-with-shira-choir-documentary/article_14d4b86c-8863-5478-9c92-71ff43b142b0.html|title=Cantor Daniel Benlolo did it right with Shira Choir documentary|date=September 22, 2021 }}</ref> ''Just As I Am'' had its US theatrical premiere in January 2022 at the Miami Jewish Film Festival.
On April 15, 2021, he was commissioned to write and direct a follow-up to his documentary ''Kosher Love''. ''Meet. Pray. Love: Return of The Love Rabbi'' premiered September 24, 2022 on CBC.<ref>{{cite web | title=Return of the Love Rabbi Movie – Has the match-maker met his match? | website=loverabbimovie.com| date=20 September 2022 | url=https://loverabbimovie.com/ | access-date=5 March 2024}}</ref> The film had its first US screening at the 26th Annual Miami Jewish Film Festival which took place from January 12–26, 2023.<ref>[https://miamijewishfilmfestival.org Miami Jewish Film Festival]</ref>
Beloff began preliminary development on the documentary ''Rip It Up & Start Again: Jews, The Holocaust & Punk'', based on Steven Lee Beeber's influential, multi-biography ''The Heebie-Jeebies at CBGB's: A Secret History of Jewish Punk''.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Heebie-Jeebies at CBGB's: A Secret History of Jewish | website=Goodreads | date=1 October 2006 | url=https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/14599.The_Heebie_Jeebies_at_CBGB_s | access-date=5 March 2024}}</ref>
During the filming of ''Just As I Am'', Evan met autistic artist Benjamin Lachapelle<ref>[https://www.benanimalia.com/ Ben Animalia website]</ref> and in February 2024 CBC agreed to license his feature documentary on Ben's art, environmentalism and the story of unpaid caregivers fighting for equal rights in Canada. ''Ben's Animals'' was broadcast on June 28, 2025 on CBC.<ref>{{cite web | title=New to CBC Gem in June 2025 | website=CBC Media Centre | date=23 May 2025 | url=https://www.cbc.ca/mediacentre/press-release/new-to-cbc-gem-in-june-2025 | access-date=21 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Robins | first=Sue | title=Ben's Animals: A commentary | website=suerobins.com | date=3 July 2025 | url=https://www.suerobins.com/post/ben-s-animals-a-commentary | access-date=4 July 2025}}</ref> ''Ben's Animals'' will make its US premiere in New York City during International Autism Month at the Culture Lab LIC in Queens on Saturday, April 4. https://pagesix.com/2026/04/03/entertainment/bens-animals-documentary-to-make-us-premiere-in-nyc/
==Awards and honors== Beloff is the recipient of a CTV Producer's Fellowship from the 2000 Banff International Television Festival.<ref>[http://www.montrealfilmgroup.com/Segal_MediaWorkshop_Classes_Feb%2008.html "mfg news / nouvelles du mfg" (February 19, 2008) Montreal Film Group]</ref> as well as a Gemini nomination for best sports documentary- ''Too Colourful for the league: a history of Black hockey players'' (2001), a JI Segal Award for Canadian Jewish-themed film of the year - ''Once a Nazi'' (2006), and a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Canadian Documentary - ''Kosher Love'' (2018)
==Podcast== Beloff hosts a podcast with his doc collaborator Noah Leon. "Let's Not Be Lazy Filmmakers" is available on multiple platforms including Spotify and Acast.<ref>{{cite web | title=Let's Not Be Lazy Filmmakers | website=Acast Podcasts | date=17 March 2023 | url=https://shows.acast.com/lazyfilmmakers | access-date=5 March 2024}}</ref>
==Personal life== Beloff is a strict vegetarian.<ref>[http://www.ivu.org/people/actors/beloff.html "Famous Vegetarians - Evan Beloff"] International Vegetarian Union (IVU)</ref>
== Credits ==
===Plays=== *''The Wait'', produced by Vilna Players (1997)<ref>"Waiting for Tragedy" (16 June 1997) '' The Gazette'', Montreal</ref> *''Never'', by Rightime Productions *''Natural Times,'' produced by the OK Theatre
===Films=== *''Too Colorful for the League: A History of Blacks in Hockey'' (2001) *''A Red Carpet for the Sun: The Life & Times of Irving Layton'' (2002) *''Schmelvis: Searching for the King's Jewish Roots'' (2002) *''Winter Wonderland: Making of the Ice Hotel'' (2003) *''Being Osama'' (2004) *''Cruising Quebec'' (2004) *''The Legend of Memphre'' (2004) *''Once a Nazi...'' (Nazi un Jour...) (2006) *''Bigfoot's Reflection'' (2007) *''Quitter le Bercail'' (''Leaving the Fold'') (2008) *''Burning Water'' (2010) *''Underdog Plaza'' (2011) * ''Heaven Beside Us'' (aka ''The Disappearance of Sandra Cantu'') (2013) *''Underdog Rises'' (2015) *''Kosher Love'' (2017) *''Daughters of the Voice'' (2018) *''A People's Soundtrack'' (2019) *''Just As I Am: The Shira Choir'' (2021) *''Meet Pray Love: Return of The Love Rabbi'' (2022) *''Ben's Animals'' (2025) *''Women Of Substance: The Legacy Of Patricia Schwarz'' (2027)
==Television== *''Life & Times: Irving Layton'' (2002) *''Women Warriors'' (2002–2003)
==Music videos== *''La Vie est Laide'' (1998)
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|id=1619476}} * [http://www.onticmedia.com/ Beloff's personal website]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Beloff, Evan}} Category:Film producers from Quebec Category:Film directors from Montreal Category:Canadian male screenwriters Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:Concordia University alumni Category:Jewish Canadian screenwriters Category:21st-century Canadian screenwriters Category:21st-century Canadian male writers Category:Screenwriters from Montreal