Justis Price-Brown: From Coast Guard to Visionary Filmmaker

 

Canadian filmmaker Justis Price-Brown’s story begins in the halls of the Canadian Coast Guard College, a center of excellence for training the nation’s officers. Over four intense years on Cape Breton Island, he immersed himself in a rigorous program of seamanship, navigation, and leadership. 

This Officer Training Program graduates earn a Coast Guard College Diploma and a Bachelor of Technology in Nautical Sciences, reflecting both technical mastery and command skills. In this challenging environment described as training future officers “for some of the most challenging conditions on earth,” Justis Price-Brown honed discipline, resilience, and teamwork. 

The Coast Guard’s mission to save lives and protect the environment instilled in him values of courage and service that would shape his entire career. 

Simushir Rescue: Courage Under Pressure 

These Coast Guard virtues were put to the ultimate test in October 2014 during the dramatic Simushir rescue. The Russian container ship Simushir had lost power 40 kilometres off Haida Gwaii, loaded with hundreds of tonnes of bunker fuel and perilously close to the jagged shore. For over 13 hours, the Canadian Coast Guard ship CCGS Gordon Reid battled gale-force seas to attach tow lines and pull the stricken freighter to safety. 

Price-Brown, then a young Coast Guard officer, was part of the crew that faced snapping tow cables, freezing spray, and constant danger as the Simushir lurched in the storm. The heroism of that mission, leading the crew under life-threatening conditions, exemplified the leadership and composure forged at Coast Guard College. 

National Honor and Leadership 

The successful high-risk rescue of the Simushir did more than avert an environmental disaster – it earned Price-Brown and his teammates national recognition. Their daring effort was celebrated with top honors (such as the prestigious Prix d’excellence) for outstanding service. This award underscored Price-Brown’s leadership and devotion to duty, qualities deeply valued by the Canadian Coast Guard. 

Today, he carries forward the spirit of that mission: in his filmmaking work, he invokes the same sense of purpose, teamwork, and steadfast courage that guided him at sea. His Coast Guard background is often cited in profiles, he is described as a “former Coast Guard officer” who creates “cinematic, emotionally resonant content for outdoor, adventure…brands”. These descriptions highlight how his sea-going past informs his vision behind the camera. 

From Sea to Screen 

Justis Price-Brown’s journey from officer to filmmaker is defined by the values of the Coast Guard discipline, resolve, and vision. The challenges he overcame in the Canadian Coast Guard, from intense officer training to the harrowing Simushir mission, have become the bedrock of his approach to storytelling. 

Now an established Canadian filmmaker and adventure cinematographer, he brings a leadership mindset and fearless spirit to every project. Brands and audiences admire how he translates maritime courage into inspiring visuals: whether navigating a helicopter to film remote peaks or organizing a rugged wilderness shoot, Price-Brown leads with the same professionalism he learned at sea. His story reminds us that a heroic past can fuel a visionary future – one where the lessons of the Canadian Coast Guard continue to shape powerful storytelling and cinematic adventure.