After being named as one of Hollywood Reporter’s “Top 15 Canadian Talents to Watch,” Ally Pankiw made her TV directing debut with Netflix’s Feel Good, created by comic Mae Martin. She directed and executive produced the show’s first season, which was critically acclaimed as one of the best series of 2020 and boasts a "100% Fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Pankiw has since directed on Hulu’s Shrill, starring Aidy Bryant, on Tony McNamara’s Emmy-nominated comedy, The Great, with Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult, and helmed the much lauded “Joan Is Awful” episode of Netflix’s Black Mirror, starring Annie Murphy, Salma Hayek, Michael Cera, Ben Barnes, Ayo Edebiri, and Rob Delaney. Her latest Black Mirror episode, “Common People,” with Rashida Jones, Chris O’Dowd, and Tracee Ellis Ross, was nominated for two Emmys.
In 2024, Pankiw wrote, directed, and served as EP on her first film, Utopia’s I Used To Be Funny, starring Rachel Sennott. It premiered at SXSW, and was honored as a Critics Pick by both The New York Times and Globe & Mail on release. Her latest feature, Hulu's Lilith Fair: Building A Mystery, just made its world premiere at TIFF to rave reviews.
In addition to her work in film and TV, Pankiw has built an impressive career in music videos and branded content. She has helmed ad campaigns for top brands and publications like Amazon, adidas, Chanel, and NYLON, and spearheaded a series of Women in #STEM shorts for MTV and The Ad Council. She has also directed and produced videos with artists such as Ariana Grande, Phoebe Bridgers, and Sabrina Carpenter.