ALBERT KARVONEN, President, Producer, Cinematographer Albert Karvonen began his life-long love affair with nature while growing up on his family's homestead in northeastern Alberta. Surrounded by the ever-changing landscape of the boreal forest, he gained a profound respect for the earth's marvels and a strong work ethic. While he enjoyed a successful career as a teacher and then principal in Edmonton's public schools, even earning a Master's degree in education, he could not dismiss the call of the wild. After 23 years of teaching and five children to support, Albert risked it all and began producing independent wildlife films full-time. During the transition from teacher to filmmaker, he toured North America with the prestigious National Audubon Society for five years, lecturing on wildlife photography. Albert’s passion for the natural world and creative vision has led him to produce over 110 film, television, and multimedia titles. Relying largely on private financing, Albert's films have achieved commercial success enjoyed by few independent filmmakers. Albert's substantial contributions to filmmaking in Western Canada saw him honoured with the coveted David Billington Award in 1991. Sponsored by the Alberta Motion Pictures Industries Association, the award is a benchmark in a career devoted to the production of outstanding wildlife films. In 1997, the City of Edmonton recognised his tireless dedication and remarkable talents with the prestigious Salute to Excellence Award for Lifetime Contribution to the Arts. Albert's most recent acknowledgment was the Alberta Centennial Medal, awarded to him in November of 2005, for his contributions to education in Alberta. Although he is intimately involved with all aspects of his productions, from inception to completion, financing and distribution, Albert still prefers to be on location filming wildlife. PIRKKO KARVONEN, Vice President & Producer Co-founder of Karvonen Films Ltd., Pirkko Karvonen has gained a wealth of production experience working as camera assistant, still photographer, videographer, writer, director, researcher, associate producer, and producer. After a successful career in textiles, she branched out into co-producing wildlife films and then into producing ethnic and artist oriented productions: The People of Sointula and Tillenius: the Art of Nature. In 1996 the City of Edmonton recognized her contribution and talents with the prestigious Salute to Excellence Award for her artistic excellence. The previous year she received the Immigration Award for her contribution to fine arts.  DOWNY KARVONEN, Sound Designer Downy Karvonen is the man responsible for helping KF films come alive with the sounds of the natural world. As the sound designer and co-owner of Sonus Post Audio, he provides all the audio post-production for Karvonen Films as well as some of the field recording. Downy’s experience in sound design includes animation, commercial, educational and documentary productions, winning awards from various festivals across the nation. DOUG STEELE, Director & Cinematographer Doug Steele's career in the film and television industry spans over twenty-five years. He has worked under challenging and extreme filming conditions in Africa, Central America, the U.S., Canada and Australia, on land and underwater—all in pursuit of wildlife. Doug’s association with Karvonen Films began in 1985 and since then has completed over 25 programs as cameraman—and often director as well. An award-winning cinematographer, Doug has used macro, micro, time-lapse, and even underwater photography to add interest and variety to the Karvonen Films’ programs. ANDREW MANSKE, Director, Cinematographer, & Picture Editor Cinematographer, editor and director--Andrew Manske has done it all! With over 10 years experience in the television industry, Andrew has become the consummate filmmaker, often working under several titles with each program. Driven by his passion to promote awareness of our environment, Andrew has shot and edited over 35 films with Karvonen Films, bringing him face to face with mountain goats, caribou, and grizzly bears. His favourite species to film however, are wolves and birds of prey. Andrew’s skill has been recognized with awards and nominations at film festivals across Canada, the U.S., and Europe. SANDRA TOBER, Screenwriter, Director & Researcher Sandra Tober began her television career with Karvonen Films in 1997 and has gone on to complete over 20 programs as writer. Her recent ventures also include directing as well. With a Bachelor of Science (Zoology) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts behind her, she is able to blend her creative flare and love of nature into her film work. Sandra has accumulated critical praise, awards and nominations from industry events in Canada, USA, and Europe. MICHELE MACDONALD, Screenwriter, Director & Researcher Michele Macdonald joined Karvonen Films after meeting and working with KF President Albert Karvonen while she wrote "Watchable Wildlife", a checklist for species identification for his home area of Amisk Lake. Her immense personal passion for nature and the outdoors led her to earn a Bachelor of Science (Forestry) degree. A published naturalist-writer and one of Alberta's foremost bird authorities, Michele’s vast knowledge makes her invaluable as a writer and co-director. RAY HARPER, Director, Cinematographer, Editor   Ray Harper is a producer, director, writer and editor who was been working in film and television production since 1975. Visual arts provided a starting point for his career and he has brought his keen artist’s eye and mind to over two hundred projects, working for clients such as the National Film Board, CBC, CTV and Discovery Canada.  Harper now runs his own production company, NetworkONE Productions.  His work with Karvonen Films Ltd. has included picture editor and director for several programs in three different series. Highly regarded by peers and industry members, Harper has earned numerous national and international awards at the New York Film Festival, the Alberta Film and Television Awards and other prominent industry events.