Paul Nguyen (filmmaker)

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 Jane and Finch neighbourhood. In 2004, Nguyen created Jane-Finch.com to address the constant negative media coverage about his community.

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 at the neighbourhood and features a multimedia library of 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.

The website has received widespread critical acclaim and national media attention. In 2005, the website was featured on the Global Television Network evening newscast, Global National.Vuchnich, Aliison (February 1, 2005). "[http://www.canada.com/entertainment/product/global-national-0x6049/topic_videos.html?videoid=video5 Jane-Finch.com on Global National: Internet Neighborhood]", Global National In late 2005, CBC Radio host Shelagh Rogers featured the website for a special edition of Sounds Like Canada.[http://www.jane-finch.com/community/soundslikecanada.htm Sounds Like Canada] In 2008, the website was selected by Now Magazine among "9 things we love about Jane-Finch".[http://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=161575 9 things we love about Jane-Finch] The website won back-to-back Canadian Ethnic Media Association Awards in 2010 and 2011 for its ongoing community news coverage[http://www.rogersmediatv.ca/admin/uploads/pressrelease/cema_awards_2010_alert.pdf OMNI Television Presents the 32nd Annual Canadian Ethnic Media Association Awards] and the 2011 Heritage Toronto Award of Excellence in the media category.[http://www.canadianarchitect.com/news/2011-heritage-toronto-awards-recipients-announced/1000615169 2011 Heritage Toronto Awards recipients announced] In 2021, Nguyen received the Star Metroland Media Urban Hero Award for combating stereotypes.[https://www.toronto.com/news/urban-hero-paul-nguyen-combats-jane-finch-stereotypes-on-positive-news-portal/article_14afeef7-ae3e-50b8-898a-3f896148d5c9.html? URBAN HERO: Paul Nguyen combats Jane-Finch stereotypes on 'positive' news portal]

Nguyen is a frequent media commentator on social issues affecting the Jane and Finch community.

Nguyen has used his media footing to offer his opinion or act as an advocate for various issues.

• February 3, 2005, Nguyen appeared on Global National to talk about his viral music video You Got Beef? and Jane-Finch.com.[http://www.jane-finch.com/videos/global_internetneighbourhood.htm Internet Neighbourhood]
• August 4, 2005, Nguyen appeared on G4 Tech TV's Gadgets and Gizmos detailing his community work in the Jane and Finch area.[http://www.g4techtv.ca/gadgetsandgizmos/episodes/5023.shtml Gadgets and Gizmos: Out There]
• October 18, 2005, CBC Radio Metro Morning host Andy Barrie introduced Nguyen's uncensored op-ed "The Real Toronto".[http://jane-finch.com/articles/realtoronto.htm The Real Toronto]
• December 2, 2005, Nguyen took CBC host Shelagh Rogers on a tour of Jane and Finch for an episode of Sounds Like Canada.
• January 14, 2006, Nguyen appeared on CBC's Canada Now to discuss solutions to gun violence.[http://jane-finch.com/videos/canadanow_backpackingtour.htm Backpacking tour]
• May 24, 2007, Nguyen and Mark Simms appeared on CTV's The Verdict with Paula Todd to discuss the Jordan Manners shooting.[http://jane-finch.com/videos/verdict_schoolshootingaftermath.htm School shooting aftermath]
• Summer 2007, Nguyen discussed the CBC Television documentary Lost in the Struggle in the Ryerson Review of Journalism.[http://www.rrj.ca/m4093/ It's a Crime]
• May 12, 2008, Nguyen talked about the growth of Jane-Finch.com in The Toronto Sun.Tamara Cherry. Jane-Finch dot com- website opens community to the world. Toronto Sun. May 12, 2008. pg A3
• June 18, 2009, Nguyen appeared on Goldhawk Live with Dwight Drummond and Anthony Perruzza to discuss the future of Jane and Finch.[http://jane-finch.com/videos/goldhawk_futureofjanefinch.htm What's in the future for Jane and Finch]
• January 8, 2009, Nguyen spoke out in The Toronto Star against the rebranding of Jane and Finch to University Heights.[https://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/563486 Rebranding Jane and Finch]
• January 8, 2010, Nguyen appeared on CBC's Metro Morning to give his opinion on Toronto's unsolved murder rate.[http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/2010/01/unsolved-murder-rate-runs-843.html Unsolved murder rate]
• July 5, 2010, Nguyen was interviewed on Radio Canada International's The Link with Marc Montgomery about winning the Paul Yuzyk Award.[http://www.rcinet.ca/english/column/the-link-s-top-stories/multiculturalism-award-winner/ RCI The Link]
• 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.[http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/2010/10/mayoral-candidates-debate.html Mayoral Candidates' Debate]
• December 13, 2010, Judy Sgro, PC, MP praised Nguyen's community work in the House of Commons of Canada.[https://openparliament.ca/hansards/2335/92/only Community Volunteerism]
• June 4, 2012, Nguyen appeared on the CTV News Channel program, National Affairs, to discuss reaction to the Toronto Eaton Centre shooting.[http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/eaton-centre-shooting-not-a-gang-war-say-cops-1.834930 National Affairs: Shootings and stereotyping]
• June 29, 2012, Nguyen appeared on Voice of America about being the first Vietnamese-Canadian to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.[http://www.voatiengviet.com/content/paul-nguyen-nguoi-viet-o-canada-dung-suc-manh-internet-thay-doi-xa-hoi-nhan-huy-chuong-kim-khanh-boi-tinh-kim-cuong-cua-nu-hoang-anh-elizabeth-nam-2012/1351744.html Thanh niên gốc Việt nhận Huy chương Kim khánh bội tinh Kim Cương của Nữ hoàng Anh]

Nguyen has produced several documentaries featuring Toronto's Jane and Finch neighborhood. In 2006, Nguyen served as an associate producer on the Gemini Award-nominated CBC documentary Lost in the Struggle.{{Cite web |url=http://www.geminiawards.ca/gemini22/releases/GM22AllNomination.pdf |title=The 22nd Annual Gemini Awards Nominees Announced |access-date=2010-10-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326094938/http://www.geminiawards.ca/gemini22/releases/GM22AllNomination.pdf |archive-date=2009-03-26 |url-status=dead }} Nguyen and Mark Simms spent 10 months following the lives of three troubled youth from the Jane and Finch neighborhood. The story was updated six years later in Lost in the Struggle: The Next Chapter, which aired on CBC on October 26, 2012.

• What Jennifer Did (co-producer) (Netflix, 2024)[https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/netflix-documentary-what-jennifer-did-1.7172534 Netflix documentary revives interest in Jennifer Pan murder-for-hire case]
• Rap Battle (producer) (CBC, The Doc Project, 2020)[https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/audio/1.5820347 Rap Battle [EXPLICIT LANGUAGE]]
• Year of the Gun (associate producer) (CBC Docs POV, 2019)[https://www.cbc.ca/cbcdocspov/episodes/year-of-the-gun Year of the Gun]
• Lost in the Struggle: The Next Chapter (associate producer) (CBC Television, the fifth estate, 2012)[http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/2012-2013/2012/10/lost-in-the-struggle-the-next-chapter.html Lost in the Struggle: The Next Chapter]
• Revealed: Missing the Target (associate producer) (Canwest Global/90th Parallel Prod., 2010)[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/television/john-doyle/a-frightening-portrait-of-gun-crazy-canada/article1646371 A frightening portrait of gun-crazy Canada]
• Goldhawk Live: What's in the future for Jane and Finch? (community associate producer) (Rogers TV, 2009)
• Ian Jones: Activist and Artist, How the Steelpan is Changing Lives (director) (Bravo!/Leda Serene Films, 2007)[http://www.caribbeantales.ca/heartbeat/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=26 EPISODE 9: Ian Jones: Activist and Artist, How the Steelpan is Changing Lives]
• Give A 'Hood A Bad Name... (producer) (CBC Radio One, "Outfront" 2007)[http://jane-finch.com/community/outfront.htm Give A 'Hood A Bad Name...]
• Lost in the Struggle (associate producer) (CBC Television, the fifth estate, 2006)[http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/lostinthestruggle Lost in the Struggle]
• Racism: Wash it Away (director) (Racism. Stop It! National Video Competition/MuchMusic, 1999)

• 2019: Nguyen received the Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA) Award in the Internet category for Why Am I Still Alive?.[https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canadian-ethnic-media-association-41st-annual-awards-gala-november-15-2019-880262900.html Canadian Ethnic Media Association 41st Annual Awards Gala November 15, 2019]
• 2018: Nguyen was awarded a Canada's Volunteer Award from Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Jean-Yves Duclos for creating unique opportunities for the at-risk youth.[https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/volunteer-awards/2018-recipients.html Recipients of the 2018 Canada’s Volunteer Awards]
• 2018: Nguyen received the Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA) Award for best podcast.[https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1365083715878 Podcast about trans woman escaping from Syria wins award]
• 2017: Nguyen was awarded the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers from Toronto Mayor John Tory for his efforts to eliminate racial discrimination through Jane-Finch.com.[https://www.toronto.com/community-story/7537360-north-york-s-jane-finch-com-creator-awarded-sovereign-s-medal-for-volunteers North York's Jane-Finch.com creator awarded Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers]
• 2017: Nguyen was awarded the June Callwood Award from Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Laura Albanese.[https://news.ontario.ca/mci/en/2017/04/outstanding-volunteers-receive-june-callwood-awards-1.html Outstanding Volunteers Receive June Callwood Awards]
• 2015: Nguyen was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal from Governor General David Johnston for his website in allowing area resident's voices to be heard.{{cite web|title=Jane-Finch.com, the voice of a neighbourhood for more than a decade, gets GG award|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/jane-finch-com-the-voice-of-a-neighbourhood-for-more-than-a-decade-gets-gg-award-1.3354470|website=CBC News Toronto|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=8 December 2015}}
• 2012: Nguyen received the [http://nationalethnicpress.com National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada] Award[http://www.sources.com/Releases/NR1780.htm National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada Award Recipients 2012] from the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, David C. Onley, at the Ontario Legislative Building.
• 2012: Nguyen received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal from the Governor General of Canada, David Johnston and Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, for fighting stereotypes and acting as role model and mentor for at risk youth.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=14414|title = The Governor General of Canada}}
• 2011: Nguyen received the Heritage Toronto Award of Excellence for preserving the living cultural history of the Jane-Finch neighbourhood.[http://www.cbc.ca/hereandnowtoronto/episodes/2011/10/05/heritage-award-for-jane-finchcom Heritage Award for jane-finch.com] The 37th annual awards ceremony was held at Koerner Hall, the Royal Conservatory of Music.[http://www.heritagetoronto.org/news/story/2011/10/04/2011-heritage-toronto-award-recipients The 2011 Heritage Toronto Award Recipients]
• 2011: Nguyen received the Newcomer Champion Award from Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. He was recognized as a community leader in the Jane and Finch area who promotes civic engagement with at-risk youth.[http://www.news.ontario.ca/mci/en/2011/06/newcomer-champion-awards-2011-recipients.html Newcomer Champion Awards: 2011 Recipients]
• 2011: Nguyen received the Bobbie Resnick Philanthropy Award from the Toronto chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC/Toronto) for outstanding leadership and service to the community.[http://toronto.iabc.com/elert/e-LertMay32011.html#4 The 2011 Bobbie Resnick Philanthropy Award Goes to…][http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archive/May2011/26/c8097.html Strategic Objectives fights sex trafficking and wins IABC/Toronto's People's Choice Award]
• 2010: Nguyen was granted the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship. He was invested at Queen's Park by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Canada, David C. Onley.[http://news.ontario.ca/mci/en/2010/11/ontario-medal-for-good-citizenship-recipients.html Ontario Medal For Good Citizenship Recipients]
• 2010: Nguyen received the Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA) Award for best ethnic internet journalism in Canada.[http://newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2010/04/c9294.html Canadian Ethnic Media Association announces award winners for 2010 32nd annual awards]
• 2010: Paul Nguyen received the [http://www.cic.gc.ca/paulyuzyk/ Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism][http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/multiculturalism/paulyuzyk/recipients_2010.asp 2010 Award Recipient for Outstanding Achievement] for making significant contributions to multiculturalism in Canada from the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, 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.
• 2009: Nguyen was honoured at the City of Toronto's [http://www.toronto.ca/civicawards/index.htm Access, Equity and Human Rights Awards]. Nguyen received the [http://www.toronto.ca/civicawards/hubbard_award.htm William P. Hubbard Award for Race Relations][http://www.toronto.ca/civicawards/hubbard_award.htm William P. Hubbard Award for Race Relations][http://www.toronto.ca/civicawards/2009winners.htm#hubbard 2009 William P. Hubbard Award for Race Relations winners][http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/159237--advocate-wins-city-award-for-work-in-jane-and-finch-community Advocate wins city award] for outstanding achievement in fostering a positive race relations environment and the elimination of racism and prejudice in Toronto. The award was presented at Toronto City Hall by City Councillor Gord Perks and the Mayor of Toronto, David Miller.[http://www.toronto.ca/civicawards/2009_gallery/popup/20.htm Access, Equity and Human Rights Awards]
• 1999: Nguyen was one of ten winners in Citizenship and Immigration Canada's [http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/multiculturalism/march21/index.asp Racism. Stop It! National Video Competition].[http://jane-finch.com/community/stopracism.htm Racism. Stop It!] His winning entry was broadcast nationally on MuchMusic.[http://www.muchmusic.com/mediaed/guidepage_much.asp?studyID=34 Stop Racism] Nguyen was awarded by former Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and [http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/index-eng.html Status of Women], Dr. Hedy Fry. The winners were selected among 320 entries across Canada. The 1999 winners were brought to Toronto for a March 3 taping of the MuchMusic Stop Racism Concert and Video Awards Program.

• Know Your Rights (executive producer), Jane-Finch.com (2010)[http://www.plenet.org.uk/60-second-interviews/paul-nguyen,10193,FP.html 60 second interview with Paul Nguyen][http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/819335--know-your-rights-screening-at-york-woods-library Know Your Rights screening]
• Open Your Eyes (director) (2007)[https://www.thestar.com/news/2007/06/25/empowerment_at_heart_of_poets_positive_message.html Empowerment at heart of poet's positive message]
• You Got Beef? starring Chuckie Akenz (director) (2004)[https://archive.today/20130201003902/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/799965171.html?did=799965171&FMT=ABS&FMTS=FT&date=Feb+27,+2005&author=Jordan+Heath-Rawlings&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Rapping+against+Jane-Finch's+bum+rap;+A+hip-hop+video+draws+both+ire+and+success Rapping against Jane-Finch's bum rap][http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=22914 Vietnamese International Film Festival][http://www.humanities.uci.edu/fvc/archive/2005Spring/schedS05_viff.html Vietnamese International Film Festival]

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{{reflist|2}}

• http://www.jane-finch.com
• http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/lostinthestruggle/filmmaker.html
• http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/multiculturalism/paulyuzyk/recipients_2010.asp
• http://www.toronto.ca/civicawards/2009winners.htm#hubbard
• http://caribbeantales.ca/heartbeat/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=39&Itemid=27
• http://www.torontolife.com/daily/informer/2010/08/06/torontos-six-most-memorable-neighbourhood-naming-smackdowns/
• http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=62c72629-98b1-4b3e-bbb9-1e77fade5d3a&k=55728
• http://www.canadianimmigrant.ca/learn/newsitems/article/7322
• http://wx.toronto.ca/inter/it/newsrel.nsf/9da959222128b9e885256618006646d3/fff0fb3a0249145f8525767a00508694?OpenDocument
• http://www.blogto.com/people/2009/06/toronto_through_the_eyes_of_paul_nguyen/
• {{IMDb name|name=Paul Nguyen|id=1777091}}

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Category:1981 births

Category:Activists from Toronto

Category:Canadian activists

Category:Film producers from Ontario

Category:Canadian male journalists

Category:Canadian people of Vietnamese descent

Category:Film directors from Toronto

Category:Journalists from Toronto

Category:Living people

Category:Recipients of the Meritorious Service Decoration

Category:Asian-Canadian filmmakers