We are devastated about the passing of beloved Director, Actor and talented human, Charles Officer. Charles was a dear friend, mentor, colleague and inspiring co-conspirator to the Obsidian team and our community at large. We greatly mourn his passing. 

Charles fought hard to put Black stories and Black talent at the forefront of his work as a Director and influential filmmaker and theatre maker. Some of his most notable work  included Nurse. Fighter. Boy, The Skin We are In, Unarmed Verses, Akilla’s Escape and The Porter TV Series. For Obsidian Theatre, Charles most recently directed The Death News by Amanda Parris as part of our 21 Black Futures series which went on to win three Canadian Screen Awards including Best Direction. Charles also directed the theatrical production of Aneemah’s Spot by Motion which Obsidian sponsored in 2012. 

“Charles was such an inspiration. He blazed a trail for so many of us Black storytellers in the industry. Even though he was predominantly working in film and tv, he loved the theatre and made it possible for me to imagine the possibility of moving fluidly between both mediums. When we decided to embark on 21 Black Futures, he was one of the first people I called. And I called him many times during that process! He was a huge resource. And the beautiful  thing is that I knew I could call him because he had always been incredibly generous with his time. No matter how busy he got. And he was so generous because he loved our community and cared deeply about our stories. It is truly hard to imagine he is gone but his legacy brightly shines on.” 

Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu, Artistic Director, Obsidian Theatre