OUR JOURNEY
We thrive on the energy of a film set—there’s nothing like a team of passionate artists giving their all to bring a story to life. We have a thousand stories and several ready to roll (see our Projects page)
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Here’s the truth: no one hands you a seat at the table—you have to build your own. No one opens the door to your big break—you kick it open. That’s what we do at Ghost River. We make it happen.
We built Ghost River Studios Ltd. from the ground up with our first film, Losing Arlene—because why start small when you can dive headfirst into the deep end?
Our Mission
To spark stories that hit you right in the feels, whether that means warming your heart, making you laugh, or scaring the popcorn out of your lap. We create characters that matter—alive or otherwise. Even the villains have layers (because let’s be real, sometimes their motivations make a little too much sense).
Our Character
Relentless –
We drive to create across genres, to push forward independently, and to deliver no matter the odds. We are indie, grit, and determined to tell stories that matter.
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Unforgettable –
Our characters stay with people, especially the villains, who feel real. Our stories are emotional and stick with the audience long after the credits roll.
Fearless –
We don’t shy away from any genre, tone, or truth. Whether it’s horror or heartbreak, disaster or drama—we go there. Boldly.
KATY DOUCETTE
CEO
The Creator
Katy brings a unique blend of academic insight and creative storytelling to the film industry, with a Master of Arts from Carleton University and a strong foundation in writing, showcased by her published novel Bancroft Immortal. As an actor and model in Calgary's film scene, she developed a deep understanding of performance and on-set dynamics. Her training in Producing and Directing at Vancouver Film School equipped her with the practical skills to lead creative projects from concept to completion. As the founder of Ghost River Studios Ltd., Katy has demonstrated strong leadership and vision, with her award-winning short film Losing Arlene marking a successful debut in independent filmmaking.
Paul Morrell
COO
The Manager
Paul Morrell is a veteran operations executive and co-founder of Ghost River Studios. With over two decades of international leadership experience, he has managed billion-dollar supply chains, led global procurement and vendor quality programs, and executed large-scale business transformations across the energy, tech, and consulting sectors.
As COO, Paul oversees the studio’s business operations, development strategy, and production support infrastructure—ensuring creative ideas move seamlessly from concept to screen. A former executive at Weatherford International and COO at Premier Project Management, Paul has been recognized for delivering cost savings, productivity gains, and team turnarounds during periods of high growth.
Paul is also the founder of Cape Tryon Enterprises, a consulting firm that helps companies navigate sourcing strategy and public procurement. A Canadian Army veteran, Paul blends strategic discipline with entrepreneurial agility, bringing a global mindset to independent film. He lives in Texas and works closely with Ghost River's North American teams.
