Cheryl-Lee Fast

Cheryl-Lee Fast (aka C.L.F.) is a multi-hyphenate artist, strategist, and creative systems architect with over two decades of experience in film and television production, talent development, and arts education. Her career is defined by a deep commitment to transforming under utilized spaces and underserved voices into thriving, inclusive storytelling hubs. As a performer, Fast's recent credits include a featured role on Superman & Lois, a lead in The Catering Queen at Vancouver's Metro Theatre, and her critically engaged solo show Hypnotic Love, which premiered at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Trained in Meisner, clown, and improv (Colin Mochrie Scholarship recipient), her work on stage and screen explores the intersection of comedy, theatrical intimacy, and mental health awareness. Prior to returning to the spotlight as a performer, Fast built a career as an award-winning producer. Her credits include projects recognized with a Leo Award, the Philip Borsos Award, and a Gemini nomination. She has collaborated with an impressive roster of talent including Sandra Oh, Peter O'Toole, Ewen Bremner, Graham Greene, and Brett Dier, and was mentored by respected Canadian industry leaders such as Stanley Fox (CBC/VIFF), Shelley Gillen (Corus), and John Dippong (Telefilm Canada). Fast is the founder of Fast Productions Ltd., through which she leads the development of narrative infrastructure, trauma-informed programming, and educational initiatives across Canada, China, the UAE, and Denmark. Her background includes leading the film department at Vancouver Film School, designing and launching a full-scale applied arts program at Shanghai University, and delivering international masterclasses at institutions such as Nottingham University (China) and M.U.S.T. (Macau). A respected mentor and story consultant, Fast regularly works with emerging writers and performers through platforms like The Masters Review (U.S.), the UBC Dionysus Festival, and PTC Vancouver. She has also consulted on career development for rising talent, including her daughter, actor Alexia Fast (Jack Reacher). Deeply invested in mental wellness and creative safety, Fast is trained in Dr. Gabor Maté's Compassionate Inquiry for suicide-focused care, Zee Zee Theatre's LGBTQ+ Active Listening model, and Creative BC's Inclusive Leadership framework. Her approach blends cultural accountability with creative rigor-supporting artists through emotionally intelligent, outcome-driven systems. She is currently financing her next feature film, developing a graphic novel, and continuing her performance and dramaturgy work. In her off hours, she remains committed to initiatives supporting youth in acute crisis, using storytelling as a bridge to healing and agency.