A filmmaker and storyteller known for exploring existential themes through insightful character studies. His film journey began with narrative and documentary shorts, leading to his feature-length directorial debut, To the Mountain, for which he also wrote and composed the music. The film premiered at the Oakville Film and Art Festival, earning recognition as a Standout Discovery on iTunes and was described by the National Post as “wistful poignancy.”
He followed this with the poetic documentary Rosebud, Alberta, which premiered at the Edmonton International Film Festival. Since then, Eric has worked across genres and formats, directing true-crime television series, music videos, and commercial campaigns.
Beyond film and television, Eric applies documentary storytelling methods to research and systems thinking projects in government, healthcare, and social innovation. He has also taught storytelling at the University of Calgary School of Architecture, CSIF, and Calgary Design Week.
Eric Pauls
Writer | Director | Producer | Musican
Vlog/Blog
Filmography
The Baptism - Short Film - Director/Producer -2026
Young Neighbours ‘Luckiest’ - Music Video - Director/Producer 2026
Handwritten Letters - Short Film - Director/Producer - 2025
Young Neighbours Sarah Houston ‘08.06.2026’ - Music Video - Director - 2025
Brothers at Lake - Short Film - Director/Producer - 2024
Young Neighbours ‘Hell is Made Up’ - Music Video - Director 2024
Young Neighbours ‘Forever’ - Music Video - Writer/Director - 2023
‘Everybody’s Heading for the Exits’ - Short Film - Director - 2023
Steve Benjamins ‘Schemers’ - Music Video - Director - 2021
Sarah Houston ‘11:44’ - Music Video - Writer/Director - 2020
Young Neighbours/IILS; YLS ‘Famous Remix’ - Music Video - Director - 2020
Young Neighbours ‘Peace During Wartime’ - Music Video - Writer/Director - 2020
Young Neighbours ‘Famous’ - Music Video - Writer/Director - 2020
’Bridges Burning’ - Short Film - Producer/Director - 2020
Portrait of Dana Clayton - Documentary- Writer/Director - 2020
Steve Benjamins ‘Mushroom’ - Music Video - Writer/Director - 2019
’Rosebud, Alberta’ - Documentary - Writer/Director/Producer - 2019
’Process’ - Documentary - Writer/Director/Producer - 2018
’To the Mountain’ - Feature - Writer/Director/Producer - 2018
Young Neighbours ‘Made of Stars’ - Music Video - Director - 2017
Roman Paints - Documentary - Writer/Director/Producer - 2017
Young Neighbours ‘Summer’ - Music Video - Director - 2016
Wealth and Status - Short Film - Writer/Director - 2014
IILS; YLS ‘Tribute to Bow Tower’ - Music Video - Writer/Director - 2012
Leave Them Laughing - Short Film - Writer/Director/Producer - 2011
Kilimanjaro and the Wedding - Documentary - Writer/Director/Producer - 2011
Fox Opera ‘Shark Lung’ - Music Video - Writer/Director/Producer - 2010
The Bike Courier - Short Film - Writer/Director/Producer - 2009
Finding Courage - Short Film - Writer/Director/Producer - 2008
Better off Blindfolded - Short Film - Writer/Director/Producer - 2006
CV
Commercial
Calgary Tourism ‘Calgary on the Bow’ - Commercial Doc - Director/Producer 2026
J5 Design ‘2026 Launch’ - Commercial - Director/Producer 2026
National Bank ‘Evida’ 2026 Launch’’ - Commercial - Director/Producer 2026
1-800-Got-Junk ‘1-minute’ - Social - Director - 2025
City of Calgary Innovation Lab '10th Anniversary’ - Doc - Director/Producer - 2025
Kids Cancer Care ‘2025’ - Commercial Doc - Director/Producer - 2025
Fredsens ‘PFAS Tech’ - Promo - Director/Producer - 2025
NHL 2025 Awards ‘Norris Trophy’ - Commercial Doc - Director - 2025
Calgary Performing Arts’ ‘2025 Winner’ - Commercial Doc - Director - 2025
AHS ‘Women’s Health’ - Commercial Doc - Director/Producer - 2025
Gordie Howe Cares ‘Ripples of Care’ - Educational Doc - 2025
Incito ‘Better Business’ - Commercial - Director/Producer - 2024
Vivo’s ‘20th Anniversary’ - Commercial Doc - Director/Producer - 2024
Kids Cancer Care ‘2024’ - Commercial Doc - Director/Producer - 2024
Gordie Howe Cares ‘2024’ - Commercial - Director/Producer - 2024
ATCO ‘International Woman’s Day’ - Commercial - Director - 2024
Fluor's ‘75th Anniversary’ - Commercial - Writer/Director - 2024
Closer to Home ‘Capital Building - Commercial - Writer/Director/Producer 2024
Nutrien ‘Common Ground - Commercial - Creative Director - 2024
Vivo ‘Growing Up and Out - Commercial - Writer/Director/Producer - 2023
Calgary Seniors ‘2023’ - Commercial Doc - Producer - 2023
Ashcore ‘What is Ash’ - Commercial Doc - Director - 2023
ATCO ‘Energy Tips’ - Commercial Doc - Director - 2023
PCL/Holland/COI/J5 ’Future of Workplaces’ - Commercial Doc - Director - 2023
Lobby Fest - Commercial - Writer/Director/Producer - 2023
Gordie Howe CARES - ’Ripples of Care’ - Online Content - Writer/Producer - 2023
Floribama Murders - TV series - Director - 2022
Calgary Seniors ‘2022’ - Commercial Doc - Director/Producer - 2022
Kemnet ‘Customizing Medicine’ - Commercial - Director - 2022
Gordie Howe Cares ‘An Opportunity’ - Commercial - Writer/Producer - 2022
TC Energy - Gallery Content - Writer/Director - 2022
J5 Design ‘What is Design’ - Commercial - Writer/Director - 2022
Friends Speak - TV Series - Director - 2021
Deadly Standoffs - TV Series - Director - 2021
Gordie Howe Cares ‘Centre for Alzheimer’s’ - Commercial - Writer/Director - 2021
United Way ‘Jacob’s Story’ - Commercial - Writer/Director- 2020
J5 Design ‘2020’ - Commercial - Writer/Director/Producer - 2020
Vivo ‘Stil Open’ - Commercial - Writer/Director/Producer - 2020
Vivo ‘Play Project’ - Commercial - Writer/Director/Producer - 2020
Vivo ‘Rainbow of Hope’ - Commercial - Writer/Director/Producer - 2020
COSIA XPrize - Commercial Doc Series - Director - 2020
Three Mountain Family Hike - Commercial - Writer/Director/Producer - 2019
Sanibel Landscapes - Commercial - Writer/Director/Producer - 2019
Jayman Homes Westman Village - Commercial - Director - 2018
Calaway Park ‘2018’ - Commercial - Director - 2017
JMPF - Commercial Series - Director - 2017
Calgary ‘MCC 40th’ - Commercial Doc - Writer/Director/Producer - 2012
World of Raptors - Commercial Doc - Writer/Director/Producer - 2012
SHIFT - Commercial Doc - Writer/Director- 2010
Top Story - TV Series - Producer - 2007-08
Discography
Young Neighbours ‘Five Songs for Amber’ (EP) - 2026
Young Neighbours and Sarah Houston ‘08.06.2026’ (Single) - 2025
Young Neighbours ‘Roman’ (EP) - 2025
Orphan (Soundtrack Contribution) - 2024
Alberta Film Podcast (Soundtrack Contribution) - 2024
Young Neighbours ‘Forever a Slow Rebellion’ (LP) - 2024
Young Neighbours ‘Canoe Demos’ (EP) - 2023
’This is Financial Advice’ (Soundtrack Contribution) - 2023
PB + J Plant Based with Jeremy (Soundtrack Contribution) - 2022
Young Neighbours ‘Live a CSIF’ (EP) - 2021
Young Neighbours ‘Ximer Smoaf’ (LP) - 2020
Young Neighbours ‘Famous’ (LP) - 2020
Bridges Buring (Soundtrack Contribution) - 2020
Rosebud, Alberta (Soundtrack) -2019
Process (Soundtrack) -2018
To the Mountain (Soundtrack) -2018
Young Neighbours ‘Made of Stars’ (EP) - 2017
Up in Smoke (Soundtrack) -2017
Youth In Decline (Soundtrack) -2016
Young Neighbours ‘The Landscaper’ (LP) - 2015
Young Neighbours ‘Young Neighbours’ (EP) - 2014
Village Green ‘Village Green’ (EP) - 2012
Fox Opera ‘Fox Opera ‘ (EP) - 2008
Fox Opera ‘Live at CJSW’ - 2007
Festivals and Awards
CSIF Stinger Awards ‘Best Experimental Film Nominee’ - 2023
Another Hole in the Head Film Festival ‘Official Selection’ - 2021
Alberta Producer Accelerator ‘Invite’ - 2020
Winnipeg Reel to Reel Film Festival ‘Best Short Documentary’ - 2020
Winnipeg Reel to Reel Film Festival ‘Official Selection’ - 2020
American Documentary Film Festival ‘Official Selection’ - 2020
CSIF Stinger Awards ‘Best Short Documentary Nominee’ - 2020
CSIF Stinger Awards ‘Best Director Nominee’ - 2019
CSIF Stinger Awards ‘Best Original Score Nominee’ - 2019
CUFF.DOC ‘Audience Choice Award’ - 2019
CUFF.DOC ‘Official Selection’ - 2019
Edmonton International Film Festival ‘Official Selection’ - 2019
CSIF Stinger Awards ‘Best Music Video Nominee’ - 2019
CSIF Stinger Awards ‘Best Short Documentary Nominee’ - 2019
CSIF Stinger Awards ‘Best Director Nominee’ - 2019
CSIF Stinger Awards ‘Best Original Score Nominee’ - 2019
Mindfield Film Fest ‘Best original score Nominee’ - 2018
AMPIA Rosie Awards ‘Best original score Nominee’ - 2018
North West Fest ‘Official Selection’ - 2018
CSIF Stinger Awards ‘Best Short Documentary Nominee’ - 2018
Regina International Film Festival ‘Official Selection’ 2017
Willson Oakville Film Festival ‘Official Selection’ - 2017
Newtwon Film Festival ‘Official Selection’ - 2015
North West Fest ‘Official Selection’ - 2014
AMPIA Rosie Awards ‘Best original score Nominee’ - 2012
CUFF Filmerific Award’s “Best Short Film’ - 2011
Canada International Film Festival ‘Rising Star Award’ - 2010
Speaking
Calgary Design Week ‘Film and Architecture’ - Speaker - 2025
Noir at the Bar ‘Guest Reader’ - 2025
U of C School of Architecture “Storytelling Program’ - Instructor - 2025
Vancouver Island University ‘Design Program’ - Guest Speaker - 2023
SAIT Film School - Year-End Panel Member - 2023
SAIT Film School - Guest Speaker - 2021
CSIF ‘Music Video Program’ - Instructor - 2020
SAIT Film School - Guest Speaker - 2019
Calgary Comic Con ‘- Indie Filmmaking’ - Panel Member - 2018
Press
Bridges Burning is available here
Eric Pauls Productions re-launches as Make Me
Young Neighbours music featured in the Folding Ideas documentary This is Financial Advice
Everybody is Headed for the Exit is nominated for Best Experimental Film at the Stingers
Eric Pauls contributes as a writer and editor to the first two issues of Strange Attractor
Eric Pauls was a guest on the Friendless Podcast
Lament accepted into the APL Program
CSIF Filmmaker of the Week here
National Post article on Rosebud, Alberta, here
Alberta Filmmakers Podcast has Eric Pauls and Michael Janke on to discuss Rosebud, Alberta here
CBC coverage of Rosebud, Alberta Doc here
CKUA Interview with Eric Pauls about his Doc Rosebud, Alberta here
To the Mountain is free to stream on Tubi!
Rosebud, Alberta, will screen in Palm Springs on March 30th, at the American Documentary Film Festival
Rosebud, Alberta has won Best Short Doc at the Winnipeg Real to Reel Festival
Mushroom and Rosebud have been nominated for several CSIF“Stinger Awards”.
Rosebud, Alberta, will screen in Calgary on Nov 30th as part of the CUFF.DOC Festival
Rosebud, Alberta will have a screening in Drumheller on Nov 18th
The official video for Steven Benjamin’s “Mushroom” is out now, watch it here
Rosebud, Alberta, will make its world premiere at the Edmonton International Film Festival
Interview with CSIF about the new short film Bridges Burning here
Lament’s screenplay has been shortlisted at the Austin Film Festival, BlueCat, and the Sundance Writers Lab.
Process has been nominated for Best Short Documentary at the CSIF “Stinger Awards”.
We, the Bereaved’s won Best Score at the Mindfiled Film Fest 2018
To the Mountain is now available on HBO Europe
Young Neighbours catalogue is now available to stream on iTunes SpotifyGoogleplay and more.
Sarah Houston and Eric Pauls have been nominated for best original score at the AMPIA Awards
To the Mountain is available on iTunes!Vimeo! VHX!
Young Neighbours original soundtrack for To the Mountain is available here.
Flicks X-rayed podcast reviews To the Mountain and spoke with director Eric Pauls here.
National Post review of To the Mountain here.
CBC Radio interview with Eric Paulshere.
Alberta Filmmakers Podcast featuring Eric Pauls and Paige Boudreau out now.
Beatroute Magazine's review of To the Mountain is here.
Links