For the past four years, Jeff Chiba Stearns has been shooting a documentary about how hard it is for multiracial people to find bone marrow donors.
It's a project that, he hopes, will wrap up in another two years.
The subject is particularly close to Chiba Stearns' heart - and one that he received recognition for recently from a lofty institution. In 2011, the Kelowna native of Japanese and European descent was awarded the Cultural Pioneer prize from Harvard University for his "continued exploration of multiethnic identity in his work."
Speaking from Los Angeles last week, Chiba Stearns said he's been hearing fascinating stories of people with mixed backgrounds on life-saving journeys.
The founder of Mediating Bunny, a Vancouver-based Webby award-winning and Emmy-nominated studio, Chiba Stearns has gained plenty of attention for his thoughtful themes that combine experimental techniques and old-school styles. Among his high-profile clients are 3M International, Post-it Notes, Sharpie, Anything, Living Blueprint, Generali and BC's health ministry.
On Thursday, Chiba Stearns will talk about his process in the animation, and independent and commercial filmmaking worlds - and his success - as part of the Salon Speaker Series at Place des Arts.
(Chiba Stearns has a personal connection to the facility as he once shared a room while at university with the now-husband of Fleur Sweetman, Place des Arts' fine and performing arts programmer).
For his talk, Chiba Stearns will give a PowerPoint presentation to illustrate his work. "I want to inspire people to be creative, too," he said.
Tickets to hear Jeff Chiba Stearns at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) on Feb. 5 are $5 plus tax by calling 604-664-1636 or visiting placedesarts.ca.
@jwarrenTC
