Synopsis
Three friends embark on a gruelling winter trek to explore what it really means to be left out in the cold. Meanwhile, an ongoing discussion examines the community's challenges with homelessness and the affordable housing crisis.
The film, which showcases beautiful HD footage shot during the 2018-2020 Crossing Treks, also shares the perspectives of key community members and influencers discussing the state of the region's affordable housing crisis.
A Starting Point
We can't begin to express our gratitude for the people who have come together and offered up their services and talents to make this film a reality.
Trek Crew
Ashley DeMarte
Trekker
Tessa Jennison
Trekker
Lily the Malamute
Trek mascot, Adventure dog
Dave Wall
Trekker
Brad Baumber
Trek logistical support
Mitch Mommaerts,
SOC, IA667, Lead Camera Operator, Executive Producer
Bo Urbina
Camera Operator
Cam Wind
Drone operator
Perspectives Crew
Elizabeth Clarke
Region Councillor, CEO of the YWCA
Duff Becker
Lifelong Kitchener Resident
Mike Farwell
Host of The Mike Farwell Show on 570 News
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Kate Fraser
Shelter Frontline Worker
Joe Mancini
Founder of The Working Centre
Paul Salvini
CEO of the Accelerator Centre, GRCA Foundation Board member
Samantha Stoner
Tent City Community Member
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Charles Whitlock
Director and past President of the Grand Valley Trails Association
Nick Montgomery
Editor and title designer
Postmodern Machine
Film score
Michael Malko
Camera Operator, Lighting
Aaron McFerran
Camera Operator and Co-Producer, Lucid Intent
About the director
Tessa Jennison
Director, Producer, Creator of Waterloo Region Crossing
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Tessa Jennison is a community advocate, artist, and adventure enthusiast. Tessa's passion for community led to the conceptualization of Waterloo Region Crossing. By sharing the idea and surrounding herself with skilled and motivated team, the group was able to plan and execute the first cross-regional trek in 2018. In addition to this feat, they captured essence of the journey in the Waterloo Region Crossing documentary film, "A Starting Point", as a means to call others to action and encourage community engagement.
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Tessa has been recognized as one of Waterloo Region's "Top 40 Under 40" for her work in community and arts advocacy, and for her efforts in working with local politicians to recognize and protect culturally significant spaces. She is also the recipient of a Waterloo Region Arts Award in the music category, and has been nominated for a Rogers Oktoberfest Woman of the Year award for Community Service.
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Tessa is a four-time competitor in the Adventure Racing World Series, and participated as TAC in The World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji. She ran for a seat as a Kitchener city councillor in the 2014 municipal elections. She has a degree in Urban and Regional Planning from The University of Waterloo.
Major funders
