Dr. Martha Hart, Ph.D., is Canadian born and has forever had a love of film. She is also a well-trained researcher at the University of Calgary and Alberta Children’s Hospital and past board member of International Association for the Study of Attachment (IASA). Present research includes co-creating and pilot testing the Attachment and Child Health (ATTACH) Intervention, which explores links between parental reflective function (RF) and parent/child attachment led by Dr. Nicole Letourneau (ATTACH Program Website). Hart completed two degrees at the University of Calgary before moving to England to join the Centre for Family Research at the prestigious University of Cambridge where she completed her Masters and PhD degrees in Social & Developmental Psychology under supervisor Dr. Claire Hughes. She has published various peer-reviewed papers, a national bestselling book, and has co-edited Development and Adaptation: Seminal Papers on the Dynamic-Maturational Model of Attachment and Adaptation, published by Waterside Press with another book in publication. Hart is trained in the AAI by Drs. Howard and Mariam Steele at the New School University as well as Erik Hesse and Mary Main at Berkeley University. Hart was also trained by Dr. Steele in RF (PDI) and Dr. Alan Sroufe and Dr. Elizabeth Carlson in the ABCD model of attachment at the University of Minnesota as well as Marinus van IJendoorm at Cambridge University. In addition, Hart trained with William Whelan in the MAC attachment measure at the University of Virginia, and Dr. Patricia Crittenden in the DMM; she is a certified reliable coder in various attachment measures, RF measures, as well as a number of other parent/child interaction measures. Hart is also a past recipient of the University of Calgary’s exalted Eyes High Post-Doctoral Award and is trained in Suicide Prevention.

Dr. Hart is currently working with UK’s Breakneck Films and affiliate BBC on a feature documentary entitled O W E N, which is based in part on the good work of The Owen Hart Foundation. Dr. Hart also just completed filming with Vice Media for their final episode of their highly acclaimed Dark Side Of The Ring due to be released this spring.

Additionally, Dr. Hart recently started a fun and informative Movie Blog that explores the meaning of life through the movies we watch; moviemeaningsmainmessages.com.

As part of her work as MIFF’s Vice President Dr. Hart attended the Positive Peace Conference at Stanford University in California this past October on behalf of the festival founders /director/ producer Rosana Golden and Dean Bentley to promote and support the phenomenal message of peace and non-violence.

Philanthropy is a big part of Dr. Hart’s life, she is the founder and director of The Owen Hart Foundation (OHF), which she established in memory of her late husband Owen Hart shortly after his death in May 1999. Education is the mandate of the OHF and is personally very important to Martha. In 2011 Martha was awarded Calgary’s Champion of Learning, and as a result of the vast charitable contributions achieved through the good works of the OHF Martha was named Individual Philanthropist of the Year in 2004 by the AFP. Martha is also a national best-selling author, with her book entitled Broken Harts: The Life and Death of Owen Hart, now published in several countries including the United States and the United Kingdom, with all of her proceeds allocated to charity.

The Owen Hart Foundation hosts a high-profile fundraising event every year as a tribute to Owen Hart, which proudly attracts some of the biggest names in the entertainment community. The 2000-2003 charity events were in support of YouVille Women's Residence, a shelter for abused women. Starting in 2004, the charity events have included guest stars, Bob Newhart, Howie Mandel, Jerry Seinfeld (10th Anniversary), Ringo Starr, Russell Brand, Robin Williams (with special guest David Steinberg), Steve Martin and Martin Short, Dane Cook, Seth Meyers, Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka, Sarah McLachlan, Elvis Costello, and Alec Baldwin to name a few. This past year the OHF hosted Jerry Seinfeld again for the OHF’s 20th Anniversary. Funds raised support hard working individuals and families with limited resources but unlimited potential nationally and internationally through education, scholarships, housing, and basic needs. Dr. Hart just appeared on the cover of Spur Magazine to mark the 20th Anniversary of the OHF and to celebrate their accomplishments over the last two decades.

Owen Hart Foundation Event Highlights

The OHF’s 20th Anniversary with Jerry Seinfeld

Ringo Starr with Martha, son Oje and daughter Athena

Robin Williams with Martha Hart and her daughter Athena.

Steve Martin & Martin Short with Martha Hart and her daughter Athena and son Oje.

Despite these accolades Martha says that her greatest accomplishment in life is raising her two beautiful children, Oje and Athena, into fine young people she can be proud of.

You can find out more about Martha and The Owen Hart Foundation on
http://www.owenhartfoundation.org/