At a Glance: D.W. Waterson is an award-winning non-binary Canadian filmmaker, writer, musician, and former touring DJ. Known for their punchy, rhythm-driven editing and authentic LGBTQ+ representation, Waterson transitioned from acclaimed web series and music videos to directing their breakout feature debut, Backspot (2023).
🎧 Underground Music Roots to Screen Directing
D.W. Waterson’s filmmaking aesthetic is fundamentally shaped by their background in Toronto’s underground music scene. Before behind-the-camera work became their primary focus, Waterson was a professional drummer, DJ, and event promoter—performing under the stage name hey! dw and throwing queer underground parties across the city.
After graduating from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), Waterson co-founded the production company Night is Y. Their unique fusion of musical beat-matching, sharp visual pacing, and lived experience in Toronto’s queer music community allowed them to jump quickly from music videos into award-winning digital series.
🎨 Key Themes & Signature Style
1. Kinetic Pacing & Musicality
Because of their background behind the DJ booth and drum kit, Waterson approaches visual storytelling with an intense emphasis on sound design and rhythm. Their camera movements, cuts, and character blocking frequently sync directly with music or ambient noise to create immediate physical immersion.
2. Authentic Queer & Non-Binary Representation
Waterson consistently champions non-binary, lesbian, and gender-diverse stories without falling into tropes of queer trauma. Their projects celebrate subcultural spaces, nightlife community building, and personal identity with affection, nuance, and energy.
3. High-Stakes Physicality & Stress Dynamics
Whether depicting the chaotic nightlife of electronic music artists or the intense body horror and athletic pressure of elite competitive cheerleading, Waterson excels at capturing characters operating under physical and psychological strain.
🎬 Essential Filmography & Key Works
That’s My DJ (2014–2017) — Creator, Writer & Director | The acclaimed multi-season digital series exploring the lives, relationships, and underground hustle of Toronto's music scene. Won Best Director awards at the Vancouver Web Series Festival and New York Television Festival.
The D Cut (2020) — Director | A 6-episode short-form series inspired by real-life LGBTQ+ safe spaces, following a young hairstylist fighting to protect community togetherness.
Music Videos & Commercials — Director | Waterson has directed visuals for artists like Caveboy, Featurette, and For Esmé, as well as second-unit work on international television series (Turn Up Charlie).
Backspot (2023) — Director & Producer | Their feature directorial debut starring Devery Jacobs, Kudakwashe Rutendo, and Evan Rachel Wood (executive produced by Elliot Page). The intense cheerleading sports drama premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to high critical praise.
💡 Why Their Vision Matters to Arthouse Audiences
D.W. Waterson brings a vibrant, contemporary voice to Canadian indie cinema. By combining the kinetic energy of music videos with grounded emotional realism and non-binary perspectives, Waterson represents a new wave of auteurs defining modern queer visual storytelling.
"Because I come from a music background, I see every scene as a score. It’s all about tempo, builds, drops, and how the audience feels the beat of the narrative." — D.W. Waterson remains one of Canada's most dynamic emerging directorial talents.
