photo by Andrew Dunleavy With her undeniable talent, captivating screen presence, and a work ethic that would make even the most seasoned professionals envious, August Kyss is quickly becoming one of the most exciting actresses to watch. This Canadian bombshell is not just a pretty face; she’s a multi-faceted artist who’s making her mark in the entertainment world as an actress, producer, and director. As her star continues to rise, fans can’t get enough of Kyss’ magnetic performances and the tantalizing projects she has in store.
Kyss’ journey in the entertainment industry has been a testament to her dedication and passion for her craft. She’s had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of talented individuals, from horror icons to WWE legends. “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with so many talented people,” Kyss gushes. “From Felissa Rose and Lynn Lowry to Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart, every project has been a learning experience and a chance to grow as an artist.”
One of Kyss’ most memorable recent roles was in the action-packed thriller “Death Bitch,” where she portrayed Kimberly Wells, a fearless reporter who refuses to be intimidated by anti-establishment thugs. “It was a unique opportunity for me to shoot in my home city and to see my family whom I had not seen since before the pandemic,” Kyss shares. “I really enjoyed spending time with my dad for those four days and I was so happy to be doing an action movie because it was a first-time thing for me.”
Kyss’ role in “Flesh of the Unforgiven” showcased her ability to tackle emotionally complex characters. As Vivenne, a broken-hearted and soon-to-be divorcee, searching for reasons to stay alive, Kyss had to dig deep within herself to bring the character to life. “I had to go to a place where all my efforts were fruitless, and I would never achieve my dreams because I just wasn’t good enough. That brought on the tears and emotion because it came from real vulnerability on my part,” Kyss reveals.
Fans can look forward to seeing Kyss in a variety of exciting upcoming projects that showcase her versatility as an actress. She’ll be filming the drama “Not a Love Story,” based on a true story about a young girl who survived sexual assault, drug addiction, and suicidal thoughts. “I feel like it’s a story that a lot of people can relate to since life literally is ‘not a love story’. The film showcases real-life issues but overall is a female empowerment story,” Kyss explains.
Kyss recently wrapped two features with Toronto director Nigel Hartwell – “Demented Two,” which delves into the horrors of the Dark Web, and “The Massage Parlour Massacre,” in which she played the lead role of an eccentric massage parlour owner. “Massage Parlour Massacre was one of the most enjoyable experiences I have had on set,” Kyss shares. “Demented was a tough role for me to play: I played a victim, and it made me go to shadowy places as an actress, but I am super thankful for the experience.”
This past June, Kyss had a great time shooting in Chilliwack and beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia for Warren Dean Fulton’s first feature film “Daedalus Melon in Rebel Bikers vs. Vampires from Venus.” She was a co-lead in this film and enjoyed the larger-than-life story about vampires, clowns, werewolves, and time travel. “I met some nice people on set, and I keep in touch with them including Tristan Risk (American Mary) and Cynthia Loewen (The Unforgiveable),” Kyss shares.
In July, Kyss played Scarlett Van Helsing, also known as Didi Canuck, in “Sex Crazed Vampire Strippers from Mars,” which is part of the student grindhouse line up in writer/director Mark Cantu’s feature film “Grind.” “The name Scarlet Van Helsing is fitting since I was hunting ‘sex crazed vampires’ lol. This was a unique opportunity for me since I oversaw the second unit production and directed my segment,” Kyss explains. “It was both fun and challenging.”
Kyss has also landed a small role in the horror/comedy “Only Fangs” starring Ginger Lynn Allen and is excited to work once again with A&P Productions from her hit film Murdercise. “The film follows a wannabe monster slayer who creates a new app and helps a team of vampires find their new victims. I will be filming my segment this November,” Kyss shares. “Ginger Lynn is now a frequent collaborator, but I have yet to meet her in person.”
A unique opportunity coming this December for Kyss is a horror hosting show on NYX TV Canada. She will be the host of “Dark Rewind,” a complete throwback to 80’s horror movies. “Corrine Ferguson runs Canada’s Only 24/7 Horror TV channel, which is one hundred percent free. ‘Dark Rewind’ will be filmed in Edmonton, Alberta,” Kyss explains. “This is also really important to me, because I get to direct and write the entire show and have some really cool ideas. I am super stoked for it!”
Kyss is attached to the horror comedy “High Voltage Horror” starring Mitch Markowitz for this fall. The film is produced by SFX geniuses, The Butcher Shop FX Studio and Rabidog Films. “We will be filming in Hamilton, Ontario. The film is a naked gun style film. I play a vivacious character named Pamela Summers,” Kyss shares. “I am just getting through the script now and am excited to work with these awesome Ontario locals.”
One production lined up for Kyss next winter is “A Farewell to Youth” starring Larry Thomas and possibly Matty Cardarople. The film is about a young biracial man named Jack, who was once a promising film student but is now a washed-up addict clinging to his fading youth. “Jack is forced to confront his past mistakes and learn what it truly means to be a father. It is a story of friendship, family ties and second chances. A true coming of age, male positive story,” Kyss explains.
Kyss’ accomplishments in such a short time have not gone unnoticed. “I hear it from my manager all the time, ‘You’ve accomplished so much in such a short time.’ I do realize it and am very thankful. It is such a tough industry and being in Canada makes it even tougher,” Kyss shares. “When I got the phone call from Keith ‘Tattness’ McCleary (former heavyweight MMA fighter) that he was going to induct me into his hall of fame I was super happy, and a bit paused over with surprise. Me? Kind of surreal to say the least.”
Kyss credits her agent, Samantha Rose, and her manager for helping her navigate the industry. “I have been working hard with the help of my agent, Samantha Rose (The Casting Solution). She has been helping a lot by getting me auditions, and my manager also helps a lot by referring me to other filmmakers – and by telling me all the industry dos and don’ts,” Kyss explains. “I also must give praise to my mentor David Bond (Dark Elegy Films) who encouraged me to get into this industry in the first place.”
Despite her success, Kyss recognizes that she still has a long way to go in her career. “I still have a long way to go and so many more mountains to climb, I’m sure,” she shares. To unwind from her extroverted work, Kyss becomes introverted in her personal life. “Because my work is so extroverted I unwind by becoming introverted. I really need that alone time at home doing nothing to refresh my brain,” she explains.
Kyss learned the importance of taking breaks and self-care the hard way. “There was a period in May/June where I was really working myself sick. I had to learn that it is okay to take breaks, and a tired brain will not perform as well as a rested brain,” she shares. “I am also still practicing not engaging with networking or anything work-related after 5pm. It is super hard to stick to.”
For Kyss, self-improvement is all about learning. “Although I love the entertainment industry, there is so much more to me than being an actor. I am an avid animal lover and enjoy spending time in nature,” she shares. “I am also very interested in spiritualism, and I enjoy listening to podcasts about life after death and near-death experiences. I also enjoy reading and educating myself on social issues.”
Kyss follows a pescetarian diet, which includes eggs and some dairy, for health reasons. “I don’t buy dairy to keep at home and I rarely buy eggs, but it does help me with nutrients. There was a time when I was a vegan, but that diet really didn’t work for me since I am a bit of a scatterbrain and forget to take supplements often,” she explains. “The whole veganism thing started when I educated myself about how animals are slaughtered. Being such a huge animal lover it was impossible for me to continue eating meat. I still feel guilty about eating fish. It can be a struggle.”
Writing and storytelling are Kyss’ first loves. “I would say without a doubt that writing and storytelling is my first love,” she shares. “I wrote my first novel in 2022, and it got published with Harper Collins Canada. The title of the novel is, ‘InnerCity Girl Like Me’.”
“InnerCity Girl Like Me” follows a group of young girls who grow up in the inner city of Winnipeg, surrounded by gang members and petty crimes. “The novel was not based on my own experiences, but rather from a mixture of stories I heard while growing up and my own vivid imagination. Winnipeg, which can be a rough city, harbours a lot of darkness,” Kyss explains. “When I wrote it, I was trying to show the world a side of it but in a fictional sort of way.”
The female characters in “InnerCity Girl Like Me” served as a fantasy world for Kyss during her own rough times in high school. “I also created the female characters as a fantasy world for myself to be protected in as a teen. There were some rough times in high school for me for sure. It would have been nice to have friends like Maria, Jessica, Gina and Violet to protect me back then,” she shares.
“InnerCity Girl Like Me” has been optioned with Original Pictures and is currently in development. “I am so excited to tell my own stories on the big screen. It’s ultimately what I have always wanted too to do but was not confident enough; but I am not letting fears paralyze me this time,” Kyss shares.
Kyss recognizes the importance of having support and mentors in the film industry. “Film-making and even acting is not something you can really do alone. You really do need back up and mentors, because there are certainly some bad seeds out there that will waste your time or even worse,” she explains. “I am lucky that I have a solid group of film makers in my circle now who have my back and vice-versa.”
Kyss’ dream is to have an Alfred Hitchcock style show one day with all creations written and directed by herself. In terms of film genre, she doesn’t have a preference. “Yes, I love horror but that is not a make-or-break deal for me when it comes to signing on to a project. As much as I like slashers, I would love to be cast in an aesthetically beautiful horror film. Think, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, directed by Francis Ford Coppola,” she shares. “I am also very interested in doing more comedy and drama. Comedy because I love to laugh and usually at my own jokes – yes, I am one of those people – and drama because I love a good solid story.”
Kyss’ Portuguese heritage has influenced her a lot. “It was something I use to shy away from as a kid because I wanted to be more like the little Ukrainian and Polish girls in school with the pretty blonde hair and blue eyes; but I have slowly and surely come to love my heritage. It is so culturally diverse in cuisine and has a lot of fascinating history,” she shares. “I am very interested in making films in Portugal using Portuguese actors and crew and submitting them to tier one festivals alongside my mentor, David Bond.”
Kyss has some advice for anyone starting out in the entertainment industry: “Don’t Give Up.” She explains, “There are a lot of people who will tell you its impossible. It’s true, it’s very hard but if you work at it every day you will build results. Even if that day your biggest accomplishment is being an extra on a student film or sending out your actor’s resume and headshots to agencies you know most likely won’t take you, it’s something. Those little somethings will add up eventually and will blossom into achievements.”
