Francis Damberger

Francis Damberger is a Canadian actor, director, writer and producer who played Rich Wannstedt on the CBC series Heartland.

Biography
Francis Damberger is an award winning filmmaker who hangs his hat on a ranch in Tofield, Alberta, where he is the president of The Damberger Film and Cattle Co. Francis is a graduate of the BFA Acting program at the University of Alberta. He has worked as an actor, writer, director and producer in film, television and on stage. He turned his talents to film making in 1985. His first film On the Edge, a drama about teenage suicide, won awards around the world. His first feature film Solitaire, swept the Alberta Film Awards and then received four Genie nominations and a Genie award for "Best Supporting Actor". Francis was nominated for "Best Original Screenply". Solitaire was also invited to several film festivals, including the prestigious Cannes TV Festival. Louis B. Hobson of the Calgary Herald said, "Solitaire is an exquisite film, so rich in detail and bursting with raw energy, it will stay with you long after the final credits." Francis' second feature film Road to Saddle River was well received and the Toronto Star called it "perhaps the best Canadian film of the year!" His third feature film, Heart of the Sun, used the beautiful South Saskatchewan River valley as a backdrop for a story that dealt with the eugenics movement in Alberta. The film earned much critical praise and several awards. The Edmonton Journal, called the film "an ugly story, told with skill and beauty". Among his many other credits, Francis has directed episodes of Heartland, Due South, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Caution May Contain Nuts, Tiny Plastic Men, Tom Stone, Jake and the Kid , Mixed Blessings, So Weird, Mentors, AD 2030, and Caitlin's Way. He also directed the CBC TV Movie, Trial By Fire, a North of 60 mystery. Francis acted as Producer, Associate Director and 2nd Unit Director on the epic WW 1 feature film Passchendaele. Passchendaele won five Genie Awards, including Best Picture, at the 2009 Canadian Film Awards. As well, the film won the Golden Reel Award, presented to the top box office film of the year. Passchendaele has become the top English Canadian box office success of the past twenty-five years. Passchendaele also won several Rosie Awards at the Alberta Film and Television Awards. Francis wrote, directed, produced and starred in the Olympic documentary drama The Great Tournament, the story of a Father and his son on a road trip to the 2010 Olympic hockey tournament. The film is filled with hockey passion, humour and real emotion. The Great Tournament won the hearts of Canadians everywhere. A fun but heartfelt journey that explored this country's obsession with hockey, the film played to an estimated audience of over fourteen million viewers. The film was so inspirational that Team Canada management had the film sent to the Team Canada players before the games. Throughout the film, the Father and Son repeat the mantra "We come from a long line of explorers, pioneers and hockey players. We can do anything!" Indeed Team Canada did when they won the gold medal on home ice! Most recently Francis directed his 24th episode of the two time, CSA nominated comedy series, Tiny Plastic Men. He also wrote and directed the critically acclaimed bio-doc, Scout's Honor, about legendary 87 year old baseball scout, Mel Didier. Francis is developing several new film projects that he will write, produce and direct. Having worked with a number of production companies over the years, The Damberger Film and Cattle Company is now moving more towards its roots by developing and producing more of its own uniquely styled feature film dramas, docs and comedies.

Directing

 * Road to Yorkton (1987)
 * Age Is No Barrier (1989)
 * Solitaire (1991)
 * Road to Saddle River (1994)
 * Heart of the Sun (1998)
 * Beyond the Barbed Wire (1998)
 * Due South (1997 - 1999)
 * Perfect Strangers (1997)
 * Hunting Season (1999)
 * Jake and the Kid (1995 - 1999)
 * Trial by Fire (2000)
 * Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show (1998 - 2000)
 * So Weird (1999 - 2000)
 * Mentors (1998 - 2002)
 * Tom Stone (2002)
 * Water
 * Little Bitty
 * 2030 CE (2002)
 * The Whole Truth
 * Do You Know Who Your Friends Are?
 * Caitlin (2000 - 2002)
 * Shoebox Zoo (2005)
 * The Great Tournament (2010)
 * Mixed Blessings (2008 - 2010)
 * Heartland (2011)
 * The Quon Dynasty (2011 - 2012)
 * Caution: May Contain Nuts (2012)
 * Carl's Way (2013)
 * Tiny Plastic Men (2012 - 2015)

Acting

 * Running Brave (1983) - Wilson
 * Stricker's Mountain (1985) - Bill
 * Road to Yorkton (1987) - Director
 * The Gunfighters (1987) - Sam Martin
 * A Mouse, a Mystery and Me (1987) - Jerry Cole
 * Cowboys Don't Cry (1988) - Young Cowboy
 * Bye Bye Blues (1989) - Ivan
 * Sylvan Lake Summers (1990) - Constable Leach
 * Ordeal in the Arctic (1993) - Jimmy Brown
 * Road to Saddle River (1994)
 * North of 60 (1994) - Sandy Carlisle
 * Paris or Somewhere (1994) - Mike
 * Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years (1995)
 * Julia's Last Tape (1995)
 * Beyond the Barbed Wire (1998)
 * Trial by Fire (2000) - Frank
 * Edge of Madness (2002) - Mr. Treece
 * The Investigation (2002) - Mosca
 * Passchendaele (2008) - Mayor Costello
 * Fubar II (2010) - Welder 2
 * The Great Tournament (2010) - Dad
 * Caution: May Contain Nuts (2012)
 * Christmas Rescue (2012) - Stranger
 * Tiny Plastic Men (2015) - 30's Fran
 * Business Gayest
 * Heartland (2013 - 2016) - Rich Wannstedt
 * Born to Buck (2013)
 * New Kid in Town (2016)

Writing

 * Rat Tales (1986)
 * Road to Yorkton (1987)
 * Solitaire (1991)
 * Road to Saddle River (1994)
 * Seeds of Change: The ECO Story (2008)
 * The Great Tournament (2010)
 * Root of the Problem (2019)

Producing

 * Road to Yorkton (1987)
 * Solitaire (1991)
 * Road to Saddle River (1994)
 * Born Hutterite (1996)
 * Passchendaele (2008)
 * The Road to Passchendaele (2008)
 * The Great Tournament (2010)

Directed Episodes
Season 4
 * Family Business
 * Lost Song