Manitoba’s film industry training and workforce development organization, Film Training Manitoba (FTM), is pleased to announce Mark Bailey as our distinguished Masterclass instructor for 2025. This year, we have partnered with DOC MB to deliver this session.
With over 20 documentary writing credits, screenwriter Mark Bailey has been deeply involved in creating a wide collection of award-winning films such as The Synanon Fix (2024), Downfall: The Case Again Boeing (2022), Take Every Wave: The Life of Laird Hamilton (2017), Last Days in Vietnam (2014), and Ethel (2011).
Mark Bailey is a four-time Emmy-nominated writer and producer who has worked on a variety of award-winning documentaries. Bailey’s films have been broadcast on Netflix, HBO, PBS, National Geographic, Hulu, Discovery Channel, Lifetime Television, A & E, Court TV and TLC. His films have been shown at numerous festivals including Sundance, NY Film Festival, Tribeca, AFI, Hot Docs and Full Frame.
“Mark Bailey’s impressive filmography is a wide collection of exceptional films and writing. Film Training Manitoba is honoured to program this highly talented and renowned film professional with DOC MB to provide targeted and customized learning for our growing film community.” Said FTM’s Executive Director Adam Smoluk.
FTM annually conducts special master classes with highly innovative film industry professionals. These sessions help develop the skills of Manitoba’s film industry by allowing the instructors to share advice and insights on their careers and experiences.
“The selection of Mark Bailey to conduct this masterclass is an exceptional offering to aid Manitoba’s film industry workforce in upscaling critical knowledge areas. There is no doubt this outstanding training program will support and grow the capacities of Manitoba’s documentary, factual and other content creators.” Said the Chair of DOC MB Merit Jensen-Carr and President and Executive Producer at Merit Motion Pictures.
“DOC MB and FTM’s joint programming such as our DEEP DIVE mentorship programming, have been highly innovative training to improve Manitoba’s film industry’s competitiveness and industry growth.” She added.
Most recently, Bailey wrote/produced The Synanon Fix, the HBO 4-part docuseries on Synanon, the long-celebrated addiction treatment center that transformed over the decades into an organization engaging in cult-like activity. The series premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2024 and went on to break MAX’s Global Top Ten Documentary Series.
Past Master Series instructors have included: Rory Kennedy, Filmmaker – Downfall: The Case Against Boeing (2022) and Ethel (2011); Steve Yedlin – Cinematographer – The Last Jedi (2017) and Knives Out (2019); Carl Gottlieb, Screenwriter – Jaws (1975) and The Jerk (1979); Mark Irwin, Cinematographer – There’s Something About Mary (1998), Scream (1996); Jordan Samuel, Makeup Department Head – The Shape of Water (2017), and Fahrenheit 451 (2018); Les Blank, Filmmaker – Burden Of Dreams (1982), & Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe (1980); William B. Davis, Actor – The X-Files.
FTM is a non-for-profit charity and member of the Province of Manitoba’s Sector Council program funded through the Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources. FTM builds a highly skilled and adaptable film industry workforce to support the activities of Manitoba production companies. FTM collaborates and partners with members of the film industry to identify training needs to support workforce development.