Avrïl Jacobson, CCE is a Toronto-based editor, story editor and consultant. She has been cutting both Canadian and international films for over 15 years. She works closely with directors to form a narrative spine, while leaving space for moments of reflection and stillness in fine cutting. Her aesthetic has been described as mischievous.
Feature film work includes Ever Deadly, a journey into the mind and music of Tanya Tagaq, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival; Jaddoland, an intimate story of diasporic longing in small-town Texas, which received an Independent Spirit Award; The Prison in Twelve Landscapes, a contemplative portrait of the American carceral system, which won prizes at Hot Docs and DOXA and was selected as a New York Times Critics’ Pick; My Prairie Home, a documentary-musical in competition at Sundance 2014; and Michael Shannon Michael Shannon John, a subversion of the true crime genre (Hot Docs & True/False 2016).
In television, Avrïl received a Canadian Screen Award for Best Picture Editing in Documentary for BLK: An Origin Story. Other work in television includes The Boyz II Men Effect, part of the hit Netflix series This Is Pop, The Skin We're In, an exploration of Black Canadian history and present-day resilience (nominated for the Donald Brittain Award) and In the Making, which delves into the creative processes of Canada’s leading artists. In 2011, Avrïl received a Gemini Award for Best Picture Editing in a Documentary Program or Series.
Avrïl has also had the privilege to work with celebrated visual artists to create installations and short films. Airborne, a video installation edited for Spring Hurlbut, was acquired by the National Gallery of Canada in 2008.
As a story editor and editing consultant, Avrïl uses a tailored process to help clients elevate form and find the best story possible. Consulting work includes the series Beauty Mark for Shopify, the short film Why We Fight (CBC Gem) and the feature documentary Dropstones (Hot Docs 2021). Avrïl has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production from York University. She is a full member of Canadian Cinema Editors.
t. (416) 453-4369
e. avril@cutuppictures.ca