Written & Directed by Myles Hodder
Produced by Lisa Kannakko
When a questionable charge appears on the company credit card, Terry suspects his employee Sandra might be behind it, causing the otherwise routine meeting to descend into chaos.
ABOUT THE FILMMAKER
Myles Hodder was named one of Canada’s Brightest Rising Directors in 2025. His work spans narrative, commercial, and music video, inspired by a rural upbringing in early-2000s coastal Newfoundland, where his fascination with storytelling began.
His latest short film, The Company Card, premiered at the 2026 Fantasia International Film Festival and won the Audience Award for Best Film at the 2026 50/50 Comedy Festival in Los Angeles. His previous film, Little Bird, had its world premiere at TIFF in 2021, where it was nominated for the IMDbPro Award for Best Canadian Film.
His most recent spot for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights won Ad of the Year at the Manitoba Tourism Awards. His music video work has included artists at Universal Music and Island Records, such as Canadian pop star Rêve and indie rock singer Banners. Myles is represented by Revolver Films in Canada for commercials and music videos.
READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH MYLES
Welcome to our Weekly Pick!
Congrats on being named one of Canada's Brightest Rising Directors in 2025 by Little Black Book. Thus far you've worked primarily on music videos and short films, with previous work screened at TIFF and the film we're to talk about today, The Company Card, screened at Fantasia.
What else can you tell us about your background and how you got into filmmaking?
Thanks so much!
I've always been in the arts. I started out in theatre, and then when I was a teenager I was in a TV pilot and a few indie films back home. I always wanted to be in the film industry, but growing up in outport Newfoundland, that was not something that seemed attainable or realistic. I got accepted into an acting program at Toronto Film School, and my parents saw I was determined, so they agreed I should go try and make it happen. When I was at TFS, I was always more drawn towards writing and directing. I still act, but being behind the camera is where I feel the most fulfilled.
After film school I fell into directing music videos, which led to some cool opportunities with Universal Music, and then a friend of mine told me about ads and that whole world, so then I pivoted and kind of followed that journey, all while writing/directing my own films when I can.
The Company Card is not your typical short film about frustration in the workplace. Tell us about the genesis of the project? Where did the idea come from and why did you choose to focus on this project in particular?
In the beginning, all I had was the image of the tiger face reveal in my head. It then morphed into 'what if someone was accused of doing something absurd, and even though all signs point to them having done it, they actually didn't". A wrong place, wrong time situation. I originally wanted to make something short and quick for my commercial reel that could help me get comedy work, but this became something more. When we were actually making the film, my execs suggested we also do a festival run with it, and I'm glad we did. It made me build the world out a little more.
I think most filmmakers would make the choice of having the corporate stooge being a cookie cutter villain, while making the employee the relateable anchor for audiences to identify with. Pardon our French, but both of your characters kinda come across like douche bags - which is an excellent fresh take by the way.
In taking that original approach, the piece seems to elevate itself above political/social commentary so it can deliver fresh laughs. Was this an approach that was intentional from the get go, or did that emerge as you developed the project?
Haha, I like that take.
Yeah, they're both insane in their own way, but I would love to go for drinks with Sandra. I think I'd follow her anywhere.
The goal wasn't to make any kind of statement, I just wanted to make people laugh. I'm really drawn to heightening / campifying mundane situations, and creating characters that exist in their own world and who follow their own rules. Something as simple as getting 'in trouble' as an adult, and showing how the worst person you've ever met might handle that situation.
For your previous short, Little Bird (which played at TIFF), you also starred in that as well. Can you tell us about the differences you've experienced in directing a film whilst acting vs just focusing on directing?
I notice when I solely write/direct and don't act, I have way more time to focus on watching performance, which is great. When I shot Little Bird I gave myself three takes and would watch playback on the last take to see if I was going in the right direction. It's nice to not have to do that all the time. Although, I will say that as an actor/director, I feel like I really understand actors and having been on both sides of the camera makes it easier for me to connect and direct them. I always admire people that can do both, it's definitely a skill to master and a lot harder than it looks.
Excellent casting choices! Can you talk about how you went about finding the right actors for these roles?
Thank you! I love my cast.
Laura and I met at Second City in Toronto, where we were both doing the conservatory for sketch comedy. I saw her on stage during a Tuesday night 'Anyone Goes' improv jam, and was immediately obsessed with her. We stayed close and have always wanted to do something together, so when I thought of this, I knew it had to be Laura.
Rodrigo and I met on a film set, and he's one of the most talented Canadian actors in the game. I knew he'd be perfect for this as well, and I really wanted to just watch him and Laura play off each other. The improv he came to set with was unmatched, and so much of it made it into the final film.
Let's chat about the release of your film now that you've played at festivals and online? What were the highlights and low-points of the journey to finding your audience?
The first screening in LA at 50/50 Fest was definitely a highlight. I was really caught off guard with how big of a laugh we got at the initial reveal, and it just made every bit of the journey worth it. To watch your film in a theatre and have people have such a strong reaction is such a dopamine hit. I was riding that for a while.
Fantasia was also a great experience, the crowds in Montreal are amazing. So energetic and ready to laugh. I think people just really want to laugh, and sometimes it can be as simple as that. Comedy really helps us escape.
Any film recommendations that we should add to our watchlist? Give us both a short and a feature.
Yes! Between Late April and Early May directed by Sophia Smith, and Frequency directed by Lauren Andrews. Two great Canadian comedy writer/directors on the rise right now, both with really strong POVs.
