# John Kent Harrison

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{{Short description|Canadian film and television director}}

{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date= January 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = John Kent Harrison
| image              = 
| caption            = 
| birth_name         = 
| birth_date         = 1947
| birth_place        = [London, Ontario](/source/London%2C_Ontario), Canada
| death_date         = 
| death_place        = 
| alma_mater         = [Appleby College](/source/Appleby_College)<br>[Columbia University](/source/Columbia_University)<br>[Concordia University](/source/Concordia_University)
| occupation         = {{hlist|Director|writer}}
| years_active       = 1980–present
| awards             = [CableACE Award](/source/CableACE_Award)<br>[Canadian Screen Award](/source/Canadian_Screen_Awards)<br>[Christopher Award](/source/Christopher_Award)<br>[Kidscreen Award](/source/Brunico_Communications)<br>Toronto Sprockets International Film Festival for Children award<br>[Bronze Wrangler](/source/Bronze_Wrangler) award
}}

'''John Kent Harrison''' is a Canadian film and television director and writer.

==Early life==
Harrison was born in [London, Ontario](/source/London%2C_Ontario), in 1947 and attended the private school [Appleby College](/source/Appleby_College) in [Oakville, Ontario](/source/Oakville%2C_Ontario). After graduating in 1964, he attended [Columbia University](/source/Columbia_University) in New York, then briefly worked as a stock broker before returning to school. He earned a [Master's degree](/source/Master's_degree) at Montreal’s [Concordia University](/source/Concordia_University), and stayed, becoming assistant professor of Film Studies at Concordia University. While there, he wrote and directed several films. He moved to Los Angeles in 1984.<ref>{{cite web |title=Episode 9: John Kent Harrison - Part 2 |url=http://www.roominthetrees.com/podcast/2016/6/17/episode-9-john-kent-harrison-part-2 |website=roominthetrees.com |publisher=Room in the Trees |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>

==Career==
Harrison has directed 32 projects, and written 21, most of which won, or were nominated for, numerous awards in acting and craft categories. Harrison has received several nominations for writing and directing.

His 1992 film ''[The Sound and the Silence](/source/The_Sound_and_the_Silence)'', which he wrote and directed, won the 1994 [CableACE Award](/source/CableACE_Award) for best International Movie or Miniseries/Comedy or Dramatic Special or Series. His 1997 adaptation of [William Faulkner](/source/William_Faulkner)’s ''Old Man'' won the 1997 [Christopher Award](/source/Christopher_Award) for Best Film. ''[You Know My Name](/source/You_Know_My_Name_(film))'' won the [Bronze Wrangler](/source/Bronze_Wrangler) for Television Feature Film at the [National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum](/source/National_Cowboy_%26_Western_Heritage_Museum)’s 2000 Western Heritage Awards. 
At the 2003 Toronto Sprockets International Film Festival for Children, ''[A Wrinkle in Time](/source/A_Wrinkle_in_Time_(2003_film))'' won the Audience Award for Best Feature Film. ''[L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables](/source/L.M._Montgomery's_Anne_of_Green_Gables)'' won the award for Best One-Off, Special or TV Movie at the 2017 [Kidscreen Award](/source/Brunico_Communications)s. Harrison won the 2018 [Canadian Screen Award](/source/Canadian_Screen_Awards) for Best Direction, Children’s or Youth, for ''Anne of Green Gables: Fire and Dew''.

==Personal life==
In 1969, following graduation from university, Harrison and a friend paddled an 18-foot canoe from their home town of [London, Ontario](/source/London%2C_Ontario),  through the Canadian river systems to Lake Erie, then down the Mississippi to [New Orleans](/source/New_Orleans), where Mayor [Victor H. Schiro](/source/Victor_H._Schiro) awarded them Honorary Citizenship and the Key to the City.<ref>{{cite web |title=John Kent Harrison, Alumni Biography |url=https://www.appleby.on.ca/uploaded/Assets/Alumni_Ties/John_Kent_Harrison.pdf?1433791756166 |website=appleby.on.ca |publisher=Appleby College |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Episode 9: John Kent Harrison - Part 2 |url=http://www.roominthetrees.com/podcast/2016/6/17/episode-9-john-kent-harrison-part-2 |website=roominthetrees.com |publisher=Room in the Trees |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>

Harrison is the father of Canadian author [Sabrina Ward Harrison](/source/Sabrina_Ward_Harrison).

He holds dual Canadian-American citizenship. In 2013, he married his second wife, American producer Gretchen Miller and has since lived in [Portland, Oregon](/source/Portland%2C_Oregon).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Turnquist |first1=Kristi |title=Portlander John Kent Harrison... |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/movies/2013/11/john_kent_harrison_christmas_i.html |website=oregonlive.com |date=November 28, 2013 |publisher=Oregon Live |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>

==Filmography==

'''Director'''
*''The Way of the Willow'' - short film, Catalyst Films 1981
*''Thanks for the Ride'' - short film, [National Film Board of Canada](/source/National_Film_Board_of_Canada) 1983<ref>{{cite web |title=Thanks for the Ride |url=http://onf-nfb.gc.ca/en/our-collection/?idfilm=14240 |website=onf-nfb.gc.ca | date=October 11, 2012 |publisher=National Film Board of Canada |access-date=3 February 2023}}</ref>
*''[The Hitchhiker](/source/The_Hitchhiker_(TV_series)) - Best Shot'' – series episode, Chester/Perlmutter/Markowitz Productions 1987
*''[Beautiful Dreamers](/source/Beautiful_Dreamers)'' - feature, [National Film Board of Canada](/source/National_Film_Board_of_Canada) 1990
*''[The Sound and the Silence](/source/The_Sound_and_the_Silence)'' - TV Movie, [Atlantis Films](/source/Alliance_Atlantis)/[South Pacific Pictures](/source/South_Pacific_Pictures) 1992
*''City Boy'' - TV Movie, [Western International Communications](/source/Western_International_Communications) et al 1992<ref>{{cite web |title=City Boy |url=https://en.kinorium.com/94868/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>
*''Whose Child Is This? The War for Baby Jessica'' - TV Movie, [Western International Communications](/source/Western_International_Communications) et al 1993<ref>{{cite web |last1=Loynd |first1=Ray |title=Abc Sunday Night Movie Whose Child Is This? |url=https://variety.com/1993/tv/reviews/abc-sunday-night-movie-whose-child-is-this-the-war-for-baby-jessica-1200433231/ |website=variety.com |date=September 23, 1993 |publisher=Variety |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>
*''[For the Love of Aaron](/source/For_the_Love_of_Aaron)'' - TV Movie, Patterdale Productions/The Storytellers Group 1994
*''Johnny’s Girl'' - TV Movie, Signboard Hill Productions 1995<ref>{{cite web |title=Johnny's Girl |url=https://en.kinorium.com/93320/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>
*''The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky'' - TV Movie, Signboard Hill Productions 1995<ref>{{cite web |title=The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky |url=https://en.kinorium.com/103845/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref> 
*''Old Man'' - TV Movie, [Hallmark Hall of Fame](/source/Hallmark_Hall_of_Fame) 1997<ref>{{cite web |title=Old Man |url=https://en.kinorium.com/108530/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref> 
*''[What the Deaf Man Heard](/source/What_the_Deaf_Man_Heard)'' - TV Movie, [Hallmark Hall of Fame](/source/Hallmark_Hall_of_Fame) 1997
*''[You Know My Name](/source/You_Know_My_Name_(film))'' - TV Movie, Ancient Mariner Films 1999
*''A House Divided'' – TV Movie, [Paramount Television](/source/Paramount_Television) et al 2000<ref>{{cite web |title=A House Divided |url=https://en.kinorium.com/195615/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>
*''[In Love and War](/source/In_Love_and_War_(2001_film))'' - TV Movie, [Hallmark Hall of Fame](/source/Hallmark_Hall_of_Fame) 2001
*''[Helen of Troy](/source/Helen_of_Troy_(miniseries))'' - Mini-series, [Fireworks Entertainment](/source/Fireworks_Entertainment) et al 2003
*''[A Wrinkle in Time](/source/A_Wrinkle_in_Time_(2003_film))'' - TV Movie, [Fireworks Entertainment](/source/Fireworks_Entertainment) et al 2003
*''The Winning Season'' – TV Movie, [Viacom Productions](/source/Viacom_Productions)/TNT et al 2004<ref>{{cite web |title=The Winning Season |url=https://en.kinorium.com/295609/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref> 
*''[A Bear Named Winnie](/source/A_Bear_Named_Winnie)'' – TV Movie, Original Pictures/PowerCorp 2004 
*''[Judging Amy](/source/Judging_Amy) – Revolutions Per Minute'' – TV episode, [20th Television](/source/20th_Television) et al 2005 
*''Faith: Pope John Paul II'' – Mini-series, [Rai Fiction](/source/Rai_Fiction) et al 2005<ref>{{cite web |title=Faith: Pope John Paul II |url=https://en.kinorium.com/357521/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref> 
*''The Water Is Wide'' - TV Movie, [Hallmark Hall of Fame](/source/Hallmark_Hall_of_Fame) 2006<ref>{{cite web |title=The Water is Wide |url=https://en.kinorium.com/337357/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref> 
*''Crossroads: A Story of Forgiveness'' - TV Movie, [Hallmark Hall of Fame](/source/Hallmark_Hall_of_Fame) 2007<ref>{{cite web |last1=Garron |first1=Barry |title=Crossroads: A Story of Forgiveness |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/crossroads-a-story-forgiveness-159376/ |website=hollywoodreporter.com |date=April 19, 2007 |publisher=Hollywood Reporter |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>
*''[The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler](/source/The_Courageous_Heart_of_Irena_Sendler)'' - TV Movie, [Hallmark Hall of Fame](/source/Hallmark_Hall_of_Fame) 2009
*''[When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story](/source/When_Love_Is_Not_Enough%3A_The_Lois_Wilson_Story)'' - TV Movie, [Hallmark Hall of Fame](/source/Hallmark_Hall_of_Fame) 2010
*''A Walk in My Shoes'' – TV Movie, Procter & Gamble Productions 2010<ref>{{cite web |title=A Walk in My Shoes |url=https://en.kinorium.com/541859/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>
*''Change of Plans'' – TV Movie, [Muse Entertainment](/source/Muse_Entertainment) 2011<ref>{{cite web |title=Change of Plans |url=https://en.kinorium.com/559904/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>
*''Game of Your Life'' – TV Movie, Procter & Gamble Productions/Rosemont Productions 2011<ref>{{cite web |title=Game of Your Life |url=https://en.kinorium.com/618583/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref> 
*''[Christmas in Conway](/source/Christmas_in_Conway)'' - TV Movie, [Hallmark Hall of Fame](/source/Hallmark_Hall_of_Fame) 2013
*''Hattie’s Heist'' – short film, Ferns Productions 2014<ref>{{cite web |title=Hattie's Heist |url=https://en.kinorium.com/1509457/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref> 
*''[L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables](/source/L.M._Montgomery's_Anne_of_Green_Gables)'' - TV Movie, [Breakthrough Entertainment](/source/Breakthrough_Entertainment) 2016 
*''Anne of Green Gables: Fire and Dew'' - TV Movie, [Breakthrough Entertainment](/source/Breakthrough_Entertainment) 2017<ref>{{cite web |title=Anne of Green Gables: Fire and Dew |url=https://en.kinorium.com/1636586/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref> 
*''Anne of Green Gables: The Good Stars'' - TV Movie, [Breakthrough Entertainment](/source/Breakthrough_Entertainment) 2017<ref>{{cite web |title=Anne of Green Gables: The Good Stars |url=https://en.kinorium.com/1613774/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>

'''Writer'''
*''[Shock Waves](/source/Shock_Waves_(film))'' - feature, Zopix Company 1977
*''Voice of the Fugitive'' – drama short, [National Film Board of Canada](/source/National_Film_Board_of_Canada) 1978<ref>{{cite web |title=Voices of the Fugitives |url=https://en.kinorium.com/185184/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>
*''[Bravery in the Field](/source/Bravery_in_the_Field)'' – drama short, [National Film Board of Canada](/source/National_Film_Board_of_Canada) 1979
*''[Coming Out Alive](/source/Coming_Out_Alive)'' - feature, [Canadian Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Canadian_Broadcasting_Corporation) 1980
*''The Way of the Willow'' - short film, Catalyst Films 1981
*''[Murder by Phone](/source/Murder_by_Phone)'' - feature, [Telefilm Canada](/source/Telefilm_Canada) 1982
*''[The Hitchhiker](/source/The_Hitchhiker_(TV_series)) - Best Shot'' – series episode, Chester/Perlmutter/Markowitz Productions 1987
*''[Beautiful Dreamers](/source/Beautiful_Dreamers)'' - feature, [National Film Board of Canada](/source/National_Film_Board_of_Canada) 1990
*''[Tropical Heat](/source/Tropical_Heat) - She''– TV series episode, [National Film Board of Canada](/source/National_Film_Board_of_Canada) 1991<ref>{{cite web |title=Tropical Heat - She |url=https://en.kinorium.com/92467/episodes/s2e10/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>
*''[The Sound and the Silence](/source/The_Sound_and_the_Silence)'' - TV Movie, [Atlantis Films](/source/Alliance_Atlantis)/[South Pacific Pictures](/source/South_Pacific_Pictures) 1992
*''City Boy'' - TV Movie, [Western International Communications](/source/Western_International_Communications) et al 1992<ref>{{cite web |title=City Boy |url=https://en.kinorium.com/94868/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>
*''Johnny’s Girl'' - TV Movie, Signboard Hill Productions 1995<ref>{{cite web |title=Johnny's Girl |url=https://en.kinorium.com/93320/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>
*''Calm at Sunset'' - TV Movie, [Hallmark Hall of Fame](/source/Hallmark_Hall_of_Fame) 1996 <ref>{{cite web |title=Calm at Sunset |url=https://en.kinorium.com/105102/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>
*''[You Know My Name](/source/You_Know_My_Name_(film))'' - TV Movie, Ancient Mariner Films 1999
*''[A Bear Named Winnie](/source/A_Bear_Named_Winnie)'' – TV Movie, Original Pictures/PowerCorp 2004
*''Faith: Pope John Paul II'' – Mini-series, [Rai Fiction](/source/Rai_Fiction) et al 2005<ref>{{cite web |title=Faith: Pope John Paul II |url=https://en.kinorium.com/357521/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref> 
*''[The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler](/source/The_Courageous_Heart_of_Irena_Sendler)'' - TV Movie, [Hallmark Hall of Fame](/source/Hallmark_Hall_of_Fame) 2009
*''Change of Plans'' – TV Movie, [Muse Entertainment](/source/Muse_Entertainment) 2011<ref>{{cite web |title=Change of Plans |url=https://en.kinorium.com/559904/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>
*''Game of Your Life'' – TV Movie, Procter & Gamble Productions/Rosemont Productions 2011<ref>{{cite web |title=Game of Your Life |url=https://en.kinorium.com/618583/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref> 
*''Hattie’s Heist'' – short film, Ferns Productions 2014<ref>{{cite web |title=Hattie's Heist |url=https://en.kinorium.com/1509457/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref> 
*''Anne of Green Gables: The Good Stars'' - TV Movie, [Breakthrough Entertainment](/source/Breakthrough_Entertainment) 2017<ref>{{cite web |title=Anne of Green Gables: The Good Stars |url=https://en.kinorium.com/1613774/ |website=kinorium.com |publisher=Kinorium |access-date=3 January 2023}}</ref>

==References==

<references />

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|id=0006867|name=John Kent Harrison}}

{{John Kent Harrison}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Harrison, John Kent}}
Category:Living people
Category:Appleby College alumni
Category:Columbia University alumni
Category:Film directors from Los Angeles
Category:American male screenwriters
Category:American television directors
Category:Film directors from London, Ontario
Category:Canadian male screenwriters
Category:Canadian television directors
Category:1947 births
Category:Canadian Screen Award winning directors

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [John Kent Harrison](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kent_Harrison) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kent_Harrison?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.