Chad Blain is a kind and generous creative whose work consistently uplifts emerging filmmakers, celebrates meaningful causes, and shines a light on remarkable people. He made the leap from theatre to film as the editor for AMPIA’s 2016 Upstart Program — where I first met him —, and I was immediately struck by his respect, humility, and collaborative spirit.
Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with Chad many times as he’s expanded his craft and reputation. A gifted composer, sound and picture editor, director, and producer, some of his recent credits include Garden Shark, See Me: Change The Face of Addiction, Innaihtsiiyisinnii, Chasing The Long Yellow Line, Windchasers, and P3 – Pedal Powder Paddle.
The stories Chad chooses to tell often centre on quiet heroes — much like himself — people striving to make a difference in their communities and in the world. He’s passionate about collaboration across disciplines and always eager to explore new creative ground.
Beyond the screen, Chad is a co-founder of the Jamie Blain Memorial Foundation (aka Snowboarding Saves). In its 5th season, this not-for-profit promotes mental health and mentorship within the snowboard and ski community.
All of these threads come together beautifully in his latest documentary, Liam & Friends, which tells the story of Liam Gill, an Olympic snowboarder who creates a youth program for underserved youth from the NWT. I can’t wait to see it light up the big screen at CUFF Docs 2025.
-Written by Anna Cooley
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Which ’hood are you in?
I am in Arbour Lake, which is a great family community! I grew up in Silver Springs with access to endless bike paths and easy access to the mountains.
What do you do?
I am a “sound guy,” which includes audio post-production, sound design, composing for shorts, features, some series work, and lots of documentaries. I’m generally obsessed with making projects sound amazing. The last few years, I’ve been spending more time as a documentary producer and director to develop stories that fascinate me.
What are you currently working on?
Producing a music documentary, mentoring some up-and-coming talent for sound and score, and staying busy getting Liam & Friends out to festivals and community screenings this winter. There has been huge support getting this doc out into the world, so I can’t thank the film and snowboard community enough!
Where can we find your work?
To stay connected, I keep my personal work up to date at @chadblain, www.chadblain.com, on Soundcloud, and @SnowboardingSaves.
