Grand Boulevard Entertainment
Telling Stories that Matter
MEET THE TEAM
JOVANNA BURKE (she/her)
Since entering the film and television industry over 20 years ago, Jovanna Burke has produced, acted, and championed diverse screen-based content, including feature films, scripted web series, shorts, and television series. As founder and CEO of Grand Boulevard Entertainment, she is dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and creating opportunities for women and minorities both in front of and behind the camera.
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Jovanna’s projects include the critically acclaimed series The True Heroines, nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Digital Series, and the feature film Parallel, distributed by Vertical Entertainment. Her industry involvement includes participation in initiatives such as the GEMS Emerging Producers Program and the Whistler Film Festival’s Women in Focus program.
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A fierce advocate for women in the industry, Jovanna draws from her personal experience as a Latina woman and mother to champion inclusive storytelling. She is an active member of Gender Equity in Media Vancouver (GEMS) and the CMPA, remaining committed to fostering talent and empowering diverse voices in global storytelling.
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CHELSEA HOBBS (she/her)
With over 30 years of experience, Chelsea Hobbs is a celebrated Canadian actress and writer known for her dynamic performances and commitment to authentic storytelling. From her early beginnings in Vancouver to acclaimed roles in projects such as Snow Queen and Make It or Break It, she has earned a reputation for delivering nuanced, compelling portrayals across film and television.
As a creator and writer, Chelsea has collaborated with Jovanna Burke at Grand Boulevard Entertainment for several years, co-developing a slate of scripted series and feature films. Her extensive industry expertise fuels her mission to craft narratives that amplify diverse voices and foster meaningful representation.
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Balancing a vibrant career and life as a mother of four, Chelsea remains a passionate advocate for pushing creative boundaries and championing inclusivity both on-screen and behind the scenes.
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CREATIVE COLLABORATORS
RICK ALYEA
(he/him)
WRITER/CREATOR: Rick Alyea is a Canadian filmmaker, writer and entrepreneur, known for his ongoing collaborations with creative partner Jovanna Burke. Their partnership began in 2004 with their first feature film, Part of the Game, a gritty drama about Vancouver’s drug underworld. Rick wrote and directed the film, while Jovanna starred in it. The film was nominated for the Borsos Award for Best Canadian Feature at the Whistler Film Festival, marking a key milestone in their careers.
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Since then, Rick and Jovanna have collaborated on various projects, including many YouTube shorts, with their latest being their 1/2 hour scripted comedy:Patio Town. The show is inspired by Rick’s business, 604 Wholesale, the series blends their entrepreneurial spirit and love for storytelling into a comedic and engaging project.​ Rick also served as the executive producer on JANE, the first project from Grand Boulevard Entertainment, further demonstrating his commitment to supporting innovative storytelling.
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In addition to filmmaking, Rick owns 604 Wholesale, a popular store offering stylish patio furniture at wholesale prices since 2009.
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ALEX VANCE
(she/her)
STORY EDITOR: Alex Vance is an award-winning writer and filmmaker with Métis, Caribbean, and European roots. Selected for Vancouver’s Pacific Screenwriters Program (2024) and a 2023 UCLA Professional Screenwriters’ Program graduate, she’s committed to her craft.
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Her sci-fi horror feature Mt. Asha won the Hagan Hicks Underrepresented Women’s Voices Scholarship at Cinestory’s Screenwriting Retreat & Fellowship in 2023 and is in development with Naltobel Productions. The project also premiered at Fantasia’s Film Market: Frontiéres through the GEMS Vancouver Genre Lab. Her work has been shortlisted for the Sundance Screenwriters Lab, reached the second round at the Austin Film Festival, and her debut film I Dare You was featured at the Cannes Film Market with Telefilm’s Not Short on Talent program.
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Alex and Jovanna have collaborated on numerous projects at Grand Boulevard Entertainment, developing a strong creative shorthand and a deep understanding of each other's storytelling instincts. Passionate about women-centric stories, Alex continues to craft compelling, authentic narratives.
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CHRISTIAN MEIJA ACOSTA
(he/him)
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: Christian Mejía Acosta is an Ecuadorian-Canadian director, producer, and founder of the award-winning production company Retrogusto Films, operating in Canada and Ecuador. With a background in documentary and narrative filmmaking, he has built a career spanning feature films, television, and commercial projects, championing diverse and compelling storytelling.
Christian began his career as a photographer for the Spanish Red Cross in Rwanda before working as a Field Producer for UNICEF in Latin America and the Caribbean. Transitioning into film, he has produced and directed internationally recognized projects, including Dreamtown, Island of the Dolls, and Neisi: The Power of a Dream. His work extends to major VFX productions, having contributed to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The Batman, The Adam Project, and Shazam: Fury of the Gods.
A graduate of CENTRUM (MBA), Vancouver Film School, and ITESM, Christian is a member of CMPA, DOC, and COPAE and serves on the board of Art in Action Society. Fluent in English and Spanish, he continues to expand Retrogusto Films’ slate of international co-productions while splitting his time between Ecuador, Canada, and Mexico with his wife and two children.