Jo Vannicola
Author. Actor. Advocate.
In these pages you will learn a lot about Jo’s history, work, writing, press, advocacy, and more. Underneath all the posts, images, blurbs, and information— lies their passion for expression, humanity, authentic representation, and advocacy from an intersectional space.
In solidarity with Black Lives Matter, Indigenous people, Me Too, Times Up, and with the 2SLGBTQ+ organizations and communities across the globe.
About
Jo Vannicola is an Emmy Award–winning actor, writer, advocate, and a Canadian Screen Award, ACTRA, Genie, and Gemini Award nominee. Their work spans film, television, voice, and stage.
Jo is the author of the memoir All We Knew but Couldn’t Say, shortlisted for the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize, and featured at major literary festivals including the Toronto International Festival of Authors. Their work has been highlighted by CBC and The Next Chapter, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Lambda Literary, and Bustle.
A recipient of the Margaret Trudeau Advocacy Award, the Blaze Award, and the Leslie Yeo Award for their advocacy work. They founded Youth Out Loud, a nonprofit supporting youth rights, and was the founding chair of outACTRAto. Jo is dedicated to 2SLGBTQ+ representation, to storytelling, and anti-oppression work.
They have written and produced two short films in collaboration with other artists, Pink Elephant, and, Trashed. They are working on a documentary about lesbian, nonbinary, butch, and transmasc people, and pitching their second book.
Fingers crossed!
The Story
Finalist for the 2020 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize in Nonfiction.
Vannicola grew up in a violent home with a physically abusive father and a mother who had no sexual boundaries.
After being pressured to leave home at fourteen, and after fifteen years of estrangement, Jo learns that their mother is dying. Compelled to reconnect, they visits with her, unearthing a trove of devastating secrets.
Jo relates their journey from child performer to Emmy Award–winning actor, from hiding in the closet to embracing their own sexuality, from conflicted daughter and sibling to independent woman. All We Knew But Couldn’t Say is a testament to survival, love, and the belief that it is possible to love the broken, and to love fully, even with a broken heart.
All We Knew But Couldn’t Say, a finalist for the non-fiction KOBO Emerging Writer Prize, 2020.
Advocacy
Vannicola has a long history steeped in social justice work and advocacy.
They have worked in community, run workshops, hosted and organized conferences, marches and events, founded and was executive director of Youth Out Loud, and is committed to speaking out against child abuse, violence against women, homophobia, and systemic oppression.
Press/Media
For more information and access to interviews, articles, television interviews, podcasts, and other print articles related to their writing, acting, and advocacy:
Actor
Vannicola’s career spans decades with over 70 credits in film, television, animation, and theatre. Vannicola is an Emmy Award Winner, and has been nominated for a Genie, Gemini (Canadian Screen Awards), and an ACTRA award.