John Kastner

John Kastner was a documentary filmmaker, producer, writer, actor and director. He began his career as a professional child actor and appeared in many TV and radio programs, including the CBC drama The Offshore Island. He also produced, directed and wrote for a variety of television programs, including game shows, variety shows, and a children’s comedy. He is best known, however, as an award-winning writer, producer and director of television documentaries for the CBC and CTV. These documentary projects predominantly pertain to prisoners, Canada’s prison and parole systems as well as the personal struggles of people with life-threatening illnesses. Kastner won more than 75 international awards, including four Emmys for his films. He was honoured by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television with the Academy Achievement Award in 2007.

Also see: Remembering John Kastner
Also see: Peter Kastner.
Also see: Jamie Kastner.
Also see: John Kastner’s Official website.
Also see: Two John Kastner Films at Hot Docs.

Features & TV Movies:
VR indicates Direct-to-Video Release

Sharing the Secret (1981)
Fighting Back (1985)
The Lifer and the Lady (1986)

Hunting Bobby Oatway (1997)
Ask a Silly Question (1999)

Rage Against the Darkness (TV-2003)
Monster in the Family (2006)

Life With Murder (2010)
NCR: Not Criminally Responsible (2012)
Out of Mind, Out of Sight (2013)
Not Criminally Responsible: Wedding Secrets (2016)