Director's Notes
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Welcome to the web page of director / producer David Hoffert.
I am proud to say that I have won or been nominated for over a dozen international awards for my work throughout the years. Highlights include producing and directing the feature documentary The Rhapsody, about a ninety-nine year old Holocaust survivor whose astonishing story is told through his long lost musical masterpiece and secret wartime diaries; directing the NFB feature documentary OCD: The War Inside; and producing the documentary Magical Imperfection, about the renowned architect Raymond Moriyama, whose architectural achievements were shaped by the trauma of wartime internment as a Japanese Canadian. My documentaries have been screened in numerous film festivals and broadcast around the world. |
I have directed over two hundred episodes of over a dozen television series, including American Mystery, Canada Sings, Yukon Gold, Style by Jury, The Transgender Project, I Wrecked My House, Party Mamas, Designer Guys, Made To Order and more. I also co-created and directed the travel adventure web-series Where 2 Next, which follows two strangers on an action-packed secret adventure across Canada.
Along the way I have been nominated for three Gemini Awards (now called the Canadian Screen Awards) including Best Direction in a Reality Series. Episodes that I have directed, produced or edited have been nominated or won this award almost twenty times. 
Filming in Houston with Destiny's Child member LeToya Luckett
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On top of that, I have edited close to one hundred episodes of series television, and have a viral video with over one million hits. In the field of music, I produced the first recordings of the Beastie Boys and composed scores for several TV series, specials and plays (highlighted by a Dora Award nomination for Valley Song). I also produce, direct, shoot and edit music videos, events and promotional pieces for companies and individuals.
At the Gemini Awards,
when I was nominated for Best Director of a Reality Show
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Give me a shout to discuss your next project, big or small. I can be contacted at:
Here is a very nice interview with me in Kultura Collective. It ranges from my newest film The Rhapsody to the time I produced the first recordings of the Beastie Boys. Click picture to get to article:
THE RHAPSODY
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The Rhapsody is the astonishing story of composer Leo Spellman. Born into a Polish musical dynasty that includes first cousin Wladyslaw Szpilman (portrayed by Adrian Brody in The Pianist), Spellman is a Holocaust survivor who sets out on a riveting and emotional journey towards artistic liberation at the age of ninety-eight. The film features a musical masterpiece lost for more than fifty years, a secret wartime diary revealed for the first time, a gripping account of survival told through bold animation and narration by Stephen Fry, and powerful live concert performances by orchestras in Canada and Europe.
The film premiered to a sold-out audience in Toronto in 2022 and has since gone on to play in festivals in Miami, Australia and Hong Kong, where it won Best Documentary. I'm proud to say that the reviews have been universally excellent (see poster above for quotes). 
Click below for a link to a trailer of The Rhapsody
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MAGICAL IMPERFECTION:
The Life and Architecture of Raymond Moriyama
I produced, wrote and edited this documentary that tells the inspirational story of world-renowned Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama. Imprisoned in his own country during the 1940s because of his race, Ray found the strength to combat injustice by devoting his career to social justice and equality. Magical Imperfection has screened at film festivals around the world, including the Fine Arts Festival in Venice, California (where it was an award winner), Yorkton Festival (nominated for best documentary), as well as festivals in Portugal, Italy, New York, Argentina, Mexico, Toronto and Winnipeg. It has been broadcast in Canada on TVO and the Knowledge Network.
Please click the link below to watch a trailer of the film.
Please click the link below to watch a trailer of the film.
With Raymond Moriyama and director Scott Calbeck
OCD: The War Inside
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I am very proud of my hard-hitting feature length NFB documentary about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The film has won six international awards, been broadcast on PBS and the Documentary Channel, and shown in film festivals around the world. I still receive emails from viewers who say it helped change their lives.
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With Mark Pancer and the NFB's Silva Basmajian
accepting the Freddie Award for OCD: The War Inside |
Where 2 Next?
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Where 2 Next is a travel adventure web-series that I co-created, produced and directed. It follows two complete strangers from different countries on a seven day action-packed trip of a lifetime. The two are winners of a worldwide contest, traveling to a series of mystery destinations across Canada, with no idea where they are going next. Tons of non-stop fun and adrenaline shooting in Toronto, Niagara Falls, Algonquin Park, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City.
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AMERICAN MYSTERY
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I directed six episodes of this series, featuring a wide range of dramatic recreations from the Lindbergh kidnapping to Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance to Area 51 and alien abductions.
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THE TRANSGENDER PROJECT
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I produced and directed four episodes of this wonderful series, following the lives of transgender women and men in Vancouver. Great stories, great people, and a timely subject. Click below to watch a TRAILER.
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LIGHTHOUSE / LEONARD COHEN
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I thoroughly enjoyed producing and directing (and shooting) a Lighthouse music video for their cover of Leonard Cohen's Tower of Song. Cohen himself makes an appearance, filmed not too long before he passed away. And it was a treat to work with legendary producer Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd's The Wall, Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, Kiss, Peter Gabriel, and many more). You can watch by clicking the link below.
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ART IMITATES LIFE
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Art Imitates Life is a half comedy series I have created and written. Artie Simek is one of the city’s fastest rising personal life coaches. His winning combination of good looks, an empathetic ear, and sound advice has made him a hit with his mostly female clientele. What none of his clients know is that Art is actually a forty year old pot smoking, heavy drinking underachiever that still lives in his mother’s basement. He has learnt how to help others. But can he help himself?
This project is currently in development. Click the button below for the TEASER. |
MY HOUSE, YOUR MONEYThe kids are finally moving out...but their parents are putting up the money and want their say. Hilarity, drama, tension and love ensue. I directed 33 episodes of this popular property reality show over two seasons, all across Ontario. As you can see by these crew and family photos, we managed to have some fun amidst all of the hard work.
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CANADA SINGS!One of my favourite shows I have ever directed is Canada Sings!, a singing and dancing reality show on Global TV. Our hard work payed off and in 2013 it was nominated for Best Music, Variety or Sketch Comedy Series at the Canadian Screen Awards.
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The Good Life 'Power Chords' ready to sing and dance!
Choreographer Kelly Kono
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Vocal coach Scott Henderson
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Vanilla Ice is watching you!
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Filming at the Toronto Zoo
Jorel Rocks his Bar Mitzvah
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I didn't expect to put my video of my son Jorel's Bar Mitzvah invitation on my Director's page...but it turned into a viral video smash! OVER 1,000,000 HITS, with major coverage in The Wall Street Journal, NBC's Today Show, The Huffington Post, the Washington Post, Canada AM, Global's 'Morning' Show, CBC News, CityNews, CP24, The Toronto Star, and much, much more.
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Jorel and I on Canada AM, amid the viral video frenzy.
LIGHTHOUSE: One Fine Movie
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I am producing and directing a feature length documentary about the groundbreaking thirteen-piece rock orchestra Lighthouse. Nine gold and platinum albums. Eleven Top 100 hits, including the international smashes One Fine Morning, Sunny Days and Pretty Lady. Junos for Group of the Year 1972, 1973 and 1974. The first rock band to perform live with a symphony orchestra. The first rock band to perform with a ballet company. Academy Awards, big money, grueling tours, Jimi, Janis, Miles, Santana, drugs, mafia, peace, love, tragedy and redemption. This is a hell of a story. Watch the sizzle reel here.
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I WRECKED MY HOUSE
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On this HGTV one hour special we traveled across the country, from Vancouver Island to Nova Scotia, to find Canada's unhandiest homeowners. The winner (loser?) got a $50,000 renovation. Very funny and entertaining, with the comic edge of host Steve Patterson (CBC Radio's The Debaters). Patterson received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Host for this show. Click below for a video promo:
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YUKON GOLD
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Working on this show was a real adventure - filming gold miners in the wilderness of the Yukon. Now I know why gold is worth so much money - it's a lot of hard work for just a few grains. But when the going is good - you get gold fever! Check out some behind the scenes pics below.
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PARTY MAMAS
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Outrageous parties thrown by larger than life women for their kids. As Oscar Wilde said, "Nothing succeeds like excess."
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Another wild and wacky Party Mamas shoot in Houston. Here I am with party girl Demi and Letoya Luckett, solo artist and original Destiny's Child member. Good times.
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Shooting Party Mamas with Blues great Jack de Keyzer and skateboard stars Bobby de Keyzer & Willie Santos
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On the set with Shawn Desman, directing a flash mob dance to his hit song 'Night Like This'. Great fun!
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Doesn't every party have an elephant?
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STYLE BY JURYI directed 46 episodes of this makeover series. Funny, touching, crazy, emotional, inspirational, life-changing. And that was just behind the scenes!
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Filming on a Caribbean Cruise with host Bruce Turner. It's a tough life, but...
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We surprised our candidate with a trip to Jamaica. She had never even been on a plane before!
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With cameraman Tom Bellisario and Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin
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PURE DESIGN
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I directed 13 episodes of this design series, featuring the lovely and talented Samantha Pynn. In between takes we would sing and play piano...lots of fun!
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