What happens when a lifelong love of film turns into a career - and then takes you from Nashville to Calgary?

In this episode of Simply Says: Pivoting with Purpose, Nancy sits down with Brian Owens, Artistic Director & Documentary Programmer of the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF), to talk about the unexpected turns, risks and opportunities that shaped his career in film.

Brian began his festival career after a decade as an online film critic, founding the Indianapolis International Film Festival in 2004 before spending a decade as Artistic Director of the Nashville Film Festival. In 2018, another major pivot brought him to Calgary, where he has helped shape CIFF’s artistic vision and grow its profile as a destination for Canadian, international and independent cinema.

But Brian's story isn't simply about film festivals. It's about following a passion, taking chances, building something from the ground up, and knowing when it's time to take the next step.

In this conversation, Brian shares what drew him to film in the first place, what he learned from building festivals in two different cities, why he made the move to Calgary, and what he believes makes the shared experience of cinema so powerful.

Because sometimes the biggest pivots aren't about leaving your passion behind - they're about finding a new place to take it.

In this episode:

• Brian's journey from film critic to festival founder
• Founding the Indianapolis International Film Festival
• His decade with the Nashville Film Festival
• The decision to make the move from Nashville to Calgary
• His role shaping the artistic vision of CIFF
• The importance of independent and Canadian cinema
• Why film festivals are about more than just watching movies
• Taking risks, embracing change and following your passion
• What Brian has learned from a life and career in film

Find Brian:
Instagram @CIFFcalgary
Instagram @filmfestguy
ciffcalgary.ca

For Simply Says, find Nancy on:
Instagram @SimplyStyledInspo
http://instagram.com/simplystyledinspo
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@simplystyled.inspo
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@simplystyledinspo

Welcome to Simply Says: Pivoting with Purpose.

In this official trailer, Nancy Adie sits down with her husband, Marcio, for a conversation about the idea behind the podcast - and the personal journey that inspired it.

Why “pivoting with purpose”? What does it really mean to change direction, start again, take a leap of faith, or find yourself somewhere you never expected to be?

Marcio asks Nancy the questions, giving listeners a glimpse into the person behind the podcast, the experiences that have shaped her, and why she believes our pivots can become some of the most defining moments of our lives.

And this is just the beginning.

Throughout the season, Nancy will sit down with inspiring people from different walks of life to uncover the stories behind their pivots: the career changes, setbacks, risks, reinventions and unexpected opportunities that changed their paths.

Because sometimes the path changes for a reason.

In this season, expect conversations about:

• Career changes and new beginnings
• Taking risks and following your instincts
• Reinventing yourself
• Navigating unexpected setbacks
• Finding purpose in change
• Turning uncertainty into opportunity
• The lessons behind life's biggest pivots

Subscribe to Simply Says: Pivoting with Purpose and join Nancy for honest conversations about change, reinvention and finding purpose in the unexpected.

Instagram: @SimplyStyledInspo