Paul Nguyen
Paul Nguyen, O.M.C. (born 1980) is a Vietnamese-Canadian filmmaker. He is an award-winning social activist, journalist and founder of Jane-Finch.com.
Life and career
Nguyen was born in Toronto, Ontario to Vietnamese parents who fled to Canada after the fall of Saigon during The Vietnam War. After graduating from C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute, he attended York University and earned his Bachelor of Arts in film in 2004. Nguyen grew up in the troubled Jane and Finch neighbourhood. In 2004, Nguyen created the community website, Jane-Finch.com, after growing tired of the constant negative media coverage about his community.
Jane-Finch.com
Nguyen launched Jane-Finch.com on March 13, 2004 in response to negative stereotypes about the Jane and Finch community. The website gives an unprecedented look into the neighbourhood and features a digital library of multimedia and information. In late 2005, a community news section was added to allow reporters to document local events not covered by the mainstream media. The website produces music videos, public service announcements, and broadcasts local political debates and town halls. In addition to the production of original content, the website also publishes submissions from residents.
Reception
The website has received widespread critical acclaim and national media attention. In 2005, the website was featured on Global Television Network's early evening newscast, Global National.[1] In late 2005, CBC Radio host Shelagh Rogers featured the website for a special edition of Sounds Like Canada.[2] In 2008, the website was selected by Now Magazine among "9 things we love about Jane-Finch".[3] In 2010, the website was recognized with the Canadian Ethnic Media Association Award for its ongoing community news coverage.[4]
Media career
Nguyen is a frequent commentator on social issues affecting the Jane and Finch community.
Advocacy
Nguyen has used his media footing to offer his opinion or act as an advocate for various issues.
- February 3, 2005, Nguyen was featured on Global National to talk about his viral music video You Got Beef? and his website, Jane-Finch.com.[5]
- August 4, 2005, Nguyen was featured on G4 Tech TV's Gadgets and Gizmos detailing his community work in the Jane and Finch area.[6]
- August 10, 2005, Nguyen spoke to the The Globe and Mail about the prevalence and easy access to illegal guns in Toronto.[7]
- October 18, 2005, CBC Radio Metro Morning host Andy Barrie introduced Nguyen's uncensored op-ed piece entitled "The Real Toronto".[8]
- December 2, 2005, Nguyen took CBC host Shelagh Rogers on a tour of the Jane-Finch area for a special edition of Sounds Like Canada.[2]
- January 14, 2006, Nguyen appeared on CBC's Canada Now to discuss solutions to gun violence.[9]
- April 7, 2007, Nguyen's radio documentary Give A Hood A Bad Name... aired on CBC Radio One for Outfront.[10] Nguyen interviewed several community residents about their positive experiences growing up in Jane and Finch.
- May 24, 2007, Nguyen and Mark Simms appeared on CBC News Morning with Heather Hiscox to talk about the Jordan Manners shooting.[11]
- May 24, 2007, Nguyen and Mark Simms appeared on CTV's The Verdict with Paula Todd to discuss the Jordan Manners shooting.[12]
- Summer 2007, Nguyen discusses his involvement with the fifth estate documentary Lost in the Struggle in the Ryerson Review of Journalism.[13]
- May 12, 2008, Nguyen talks about the growth of Jane-Finch.com in The Toronto Sun.[14]
- June 18, 2009, Nguyen appeared on Goldhawk Live with Dwight Drummond and Toronto City Councillor Anthony Perruzza to discuss the future of Jane and Finch in front of a live audience.[15]
- January 8, 2009, Nguyen spoke out in The Toronto Star against the rebranding of Jane and Finch to University Heights.[16]
- February 3, 2009, Nguyen talks about his Jane-Finch.com project in the Black History Month edition of Now Magazine.[17]
- January 8, 2010, Nguyen appeared on CBC's Metro Morning to give his opinion on Toronto's unsolved murder rate.[18]
- July 5, 2010, Nguyen was interviewed on Radio Canada International's The Link with Marc Montgomery about winning the Paul Yuzyk Award.[19]
- October 6, 2010, Nguyen asked then-mayoral candidate Rob Ford how he would help solve the problems in the Jane-Finch area on CBC Radio's Metro Morning.[20]
- December 13, 2010, The Honourable Judy Sgro, PC, MP made a statement in the House of Commons of Canada about community volunteerism citing Nguyen's work in the community.[21]
Broadcast
Nguyen has produced several broadcast works, primarily related to the Jane and Finch area. Notably, Nguyen served as an associate producer on the Gemini Award-nominated CBC documentary Lost in the Struggle.[22] Nguyen and Mark Simms spent 10 months documenting the lives of three troubled youth from the Jane-Finch neighborhood.[23]
Awards
- October 4, 2011, Nguyen received the 2011 Heritage Toronto Award of Excellence for preserving the living cultural history of the Jane-Finch neighbourhood[29]. The 37th annual awards ceremony was held at Koerner Hall, the Royal Conservatory of Music.[30].
- On June 27, 2010, Paul Nguyen received the Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism[36] for making significant contributions to multiculturalism in Canada from the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, The Honourable Jason Kenney, PC, MP. Nguyen received a $20,000 grant towards a non-profit organization of his choice. He was selected among 88 nominees across Canada.
Short films
External links
Paul Nguyen at the Internet Movie Database
References
| Persondata |
| Name |
Nguyen, Paul |
| Alternative names |
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| Short description |
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| Date of birth |
23 February 1980 |
| Place of birth |
Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Date of death |
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| Place of death |
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