541: A Place For The Community

Chef Leah Janzen, program chef at Kitchen 541 Eatery and Exchange in the downtown core of Hamilton, Ontario has made it a life mission to provide a place for anyone in need of food, shelter or warmth within the poverty-stricken community. She sets out to accomplish this by serving first-class food made with love and quality ingredients in the hopes to change the way people view what it means to sit at the table and feel like you belong.

  • Amanda Wright
    Director
  • Gabirel Dinardo
    Director
  • Scott Morris
    Writer
  • Scott Morris
    Producer
  • Gabriel Dinardo
    Director of Photography
  • Winnie Murphy
    1st AC
  • Brennan DeBurger
    Sound Mixer
  • Alex Chung
    Sound Recordist
  • Benton Stringer
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 59 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 3, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    350 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Sheridan College
  • Oakville Film Festival of Film & Arts
    Oakville
    Canada
    June 18, 2020
    World Premiere
  • Vero Beach Wine + Film Festival
    Vero Beach
    United States
  • NorthWestFest International Film Festival
    Edmonton
    Canada
    November 8, 2020
    Alberta Premiere
  • Seoul International Food FIlm Festival
    Seoul
    Korea, Republic of
    October 6, 2020
  • Toronto Food Film Fest
    Toronto
    Canada
    October 16, 2020
    Toronto Premiere
  • Hamilton Film Festival
    Hamilton
    Canada
    November 12, 2020
  • The Taste Awards
    San Francisco
    United States
    April 12, 2021
  • Faces of Hunger International Film Festival
    Bronxville
    United States
    October 15, 2022
Director Biography - Amanda Wright, Gabirel Dinardo

Amanda Wright is a third-year BFTV student at Sheridan College specializing in Directing and Cinematography. Food has always been important to her as it was a staple in her relationship with her late father. She is excited to co-direct this doc about 541 as she thinks their story, and Leah’s story needs to be shared with the people not only of 541 but with whoever will watch.

Gabriel Dinardo is a third-year BFTV student at Sheridan College specializing in Cinematography and Directing. Food has always played an important role in his life, through working in the kitchen as a line cook to producing videos for clients in the industry.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Amanda Wright: When Scott approached me to direct a story about 541 I don’t think he realized telling a story about food was on my bucket list of things to do. Secretly I was so excited even though I went into this knowing nothing about the restaurant or what they do. It was after visiting the location did I know with certainty this story needed to be told. I feel like we did it in a bit of an unconventional way too. Because although this is a story about food and how it brings people together, it’s about so much more. The people of Hamilton have a certain pride about this place and it’s electric. That's what fueled me in making sure we did the story justice. This wasn’t just another class project. Likewise in saying it’s not just another breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it’s about the importance of those meals, and the people we enjoy them with. My late father was that for me, and although he’s gone, I found that passion he had for food here, and that's what made me feel at home.

Gabriel Dinardo: Assisting to Direct this project was dream come true. Food has always played an important role in my life, and the projects I love to shoot. I believe food to be an incredible storytelling tool, and being apart of this project and seeing the lives changed by the bread we break was an experience like no other.