Holly Dale

Holly Dale (born December 23, 1953) is a Canadian filmmaker and television director. Over the course of her career, Dale has worked in the Canadian film and television industry as a director, producer, writer, and editor.

Although she has completed solo projects, the majority of Dale's work has been in collaboration with her former classmate, Janis Cole. The Thin Line (1977), P4W: Prison for Women (1981), and Hookers on Davie (1984) are some of their most recognized projects. Dale and Cole co-founded Spectrum Films in the early 1980s. Dale's work has been featured in festivals around the world including North America, Europe, and Australia. She has also received award nominations and wins, including a Gemini Award in 1982 for the Best Theatrical Documentary for P4W: Prison for Women.

Early life and education Holly Dale was born on December 23, 1953 and raised in a low-income household in Toronto, Ontario.

However, she decided to leave home as a teenager due to ongoing family conflict. During this time, she worked in non-therapeutic massage parlors in downtown Toronto.

Spectrum Films Dale and Cole decided to develop and operate the Toronto-based independent production company called Spectrum Films in the early 1980s. They registered the name as a partnership but when they tried to incorporate the company in the late 1980s, discovered that the name had already been used for another company. They therefore incorporated it as Spectrum-One Films Inc. Spectrum Films produced independent films of various lengths and genres, including Hookers on Davie; Calling the shots; P4W : prison for women; Blood & donuts; Thin line; The making of Agnes of God; and Dangerous offender. The company won a number of awards, including the 1988 Theatrical Producers Achievement Award and the 1994 Toronto Arts Award. It folded sometime between 2002 and 2026.

Television In addition to her career in film, Dale has directed and produced episodes of different Canadian television series, including Bliss, Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye, Just Cause, Twice in a Lifetime, Durham County, Cold Case, and Being Erica.

Filmography Director

Producer Thin Line (co-produced with Janis Cole) (1977) Starship Invasions (1977; assistant producer) Plague (1978) P4W: Prison for Women (co-produced with Janis Cole) (1981) Hookers on Davie (co-produced with Janis Cole) (1984) Calling the Shots (co-produced with Janis Cole) (1988) Awards and nominations