Mike Johnston, a seasoned producer and co-founder of Vancouver-based indie production company Studio 104 Entertainment, has been named one of Playback’s 10 to Watch list. With a track record of acclaimed projects, Johnston has become a prominent voice in Canadian filmmaking, excelling in both documentary and narrative work.
Playback 10 to Watch
Johnston co-produced the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary I’M JUST HERE FOR THE RIOT, a powerful exploration of the 2011 Vancouver riots, and served as an associate producer on THE GRIZZLY TRUTH, a Crave original that delves into the history of Vancouver’s NBA team. His participation in the 2019 Documentary Lab and 2021 Producer’s Lab at the Whistler Film Festival further solidified his expertise in storytelling and production.
In 2023, Johnston represented Canada at the prestigious European Film Market as part of Telefilm’s Canada Producers Without Borders program, showcasing his ability to engage with global markets and bring Canadian stories to the international stage.
His recent work includes producing the 2023 film WILD GOAT SURF, financed by Telefilm and Bell Media, which is set to have its theatrical release in 2024 under Vortex Media. Johnston also produced Curl Power, a documentary for Telus Originals, which is anticipated for a theatrical release in fall 2024 by Sherry Media Group.
Looking ahead, Johnston is gearing up for his next major project, MEMORIA, an English-Spanish feature financed by Telefilm, Crave, CBC Films, and Creative BC. The film is in early pre-production and is slated to shoot in Colombia and Canada in 2025.
