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Festival Speakers
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Mark Montefiore
CEO, New Metric Media
T.O. Webfest is honoured to welcome Mark Montefiore, Founder and CEO of award-winning independent entertainment studio New Metric Media. Since establishing New Metric in 2013, Montefiore has worked to evolve the company from a pure-play content producer to a leading global comedy entertainment studio.
Mark is also an award-winning executive producer, with New Metric’s original half-hour comedies Letterkenny (Crave/Hulu), Bria Mack Gets A Life (Crave) and Children Ruin Everything (CTV/Crave), all taking home the Canadian Screen Award for Best Comedy Series between 2018 and 2025.
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Montefiore has recently been appointed to the board of Destination Ontario and is a Co-Founder of the Montefiore Foundation. Named one of the Most Influential People in Canadian Television in 2023, he has also appeared on The Hollywood Reporter’s Next Generation Under 35 and Playback’s Top Ten to Watch lists. Montefiore is a graduate of the CFC’s Producers Lab, the Berlinale Talent Campus, and the Schulich School of Business.
Keynote Address / Sept 17 10AM
Austen Alexander
Writer, Digital Creator
Keynote Address / Sept 17 10AM
(Moderator)
Austen Alexander has captured the spotlight with his innovative approach to sketch comedy and filmmaking, amassing an astounding 500 million views across his social media platforms. Austen’s journey as a writer began on stage, performing sketch comedy and stand-up as part of a troupe called Dirtbag Cousin, where he produced a
monthly live sketch show for three years. Austen has turned viral success into a springboard for his on-screen career, recently landing roles in the upcoming Jason Biggs feature Getaway and CTV’s Late Bloomer with Jus Reign.
FUNDERS
Speed Introductions / Sept 16 1:30pm
The Funders: A Game of Webseries Strategy Panel / Sept 17 11am
Danielle Hébert
Program Consultant (Interactive Digital Media), Ontario Creates
Danielle Hébert has worked with the Industry Development team at Ontario Creates since 2018, specifically delivering the Interactive Digital Media Fund and the new Intellectual Property Fund with a focus on Digital Series. As a Program Consultant, she co-leads the Linear stream of the IP Fund Development and Production programs, manages the Futures Forward initiatives and works with Film and Interactive organizations through the Industry Development Program.
Julie Venerus
Program Administrator, Canada Media Fund
Julie is a Deputy Director at Telefilm’s Toronto office on the CMF Program Administration team managing the Drama, Children’s and Variety portfolio. Julie has been working on the CMF team for over 10 years. Previously Julie was a Business Affairs Manager at Entertainment One in television production, and has held many business affairs positions throughout her career, including with Barna-Alper Productions and filmmaker Bruce McDonald
The Funders: A Game of Webseries Strategy Panel / Sept 17 11am
Breakfast With...Networking Session / Sept 17 9am (Presented by CMPA)
Speed Introductions / Sept 16 1:30pm
The Funders: A Game of Webseries Strategy Panel / Sept 17 11am
Jon Taylor
CEO, Independent Production Fund
Jon Taylor is CEO of the Independent Production Fund, one of Canada’s oldest funding agencies, providing development and production financing for scripted series in Canada. Prior to joining the IPF, Jon was VP of Digital Content & Strategy at Bell Media where he led the launch of Crave, Canada’s premiere streaming platform. Jon was previously Executive Producer of CTV Network and has worked as a producer for Discovery, ESPN, MTV, the United Nations, the Academy Awards and at the Olympic Games.
Marcia Douglas
Executive Director, Bell Fund
A proud biracial Filipina Canadian, Marcia has more than 25 years of experience in the development and production of Canadian screen-based content for traditional and digital platforms and audiences. Prior to her appointment as Executive Director of the Bell Fund, she held roles at the Canada Media Fund (CMF), the Canadian Media Producers Association, the Bell Fund, the Cogeco Fund, and the Independent Production Fund, where she worked to establish policies and opportunities to foster and promote the Canadian media production sector and led files related to business and industry affairs with a particular focus on advancing opportunities for producers, sustainability, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
Marcia has also served on various Boards and Advisory committees including the Minister of Heritage’s Green Shift Committee the Toronto Film Board, the Ontario Green Screen Initiative, the Screen Industries Research and Training Centre, and Programming Advisory Committees at Centennial College and Sheridan. She has also worked as a producer, production manager, and assistant director.
Speed Introductions / Sept 16 1:30pm
The Funders: A Game of Webseries Strategy Panel / Sept 17 11am
FEStival speakers
Breakfast With...Networking Session Sept 17 / 9 am
(Presented by CMPA)
Stephanie Wilson Chapin
Strategic Partner Lead, News, Sports & TV, YouTube Canada
Stephanie Wilson Chapin leads strategic partnerships in the entertainment, sports and news verticals at YouTube in Canada. She works with Canada’s largest media companies to build YouTube strategies that complement their overall business and position them for success in an increasingly complex streaming environment. Stephanie also routinely represents YouTube at industry events, speaking about the platforms’ evolution, its latest product innovations and best practices for building a thriving YouTube business. Prior to YouTube, Stephanie worked at Bell Media in a number of roles, her last one as Senior Director of digital product for some of Canada’s biggest media brands including CTV News, CTV, TSN and Crave. In addition to YouTube and Bell Media, she enjoyed stints at The Globe and Mail, Harlequin Enterprises and Sympatico/MSN.
Mike Omelus
Executive Director Content & Strategy, APTN
Mike Omelus is the Executive Director of Content and Strategy at APTN, the world’s first national Indigenous broadcaster. In this role, he leads the network’s programming, scheduling, and content creation teams, overseeing the commissioning of dozens of original productions each year in English, French, and up to 17 Indigenous languages for both linear and streaming platforms.
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Before joining APTN, Mike served as Vice President of National News and Newsgathering at Global News, where he was part of the senior leadership teams at Shaw Communications and Corus Entertainment. His career also includes leadership roles as Executive Producer at Canada’s main business channel (now BNN Bloomberg) and senior management positions at The Canadian Press.
Streamer Secrets: How To Get On Their Radar / Sept 17 2pm
(Co-presented by CFF)
Speed Introductions / Sept 16 1:30pm
Kate Vollum
Producer, National Film Board
Kate Vollum is a Toronto-based Producer with the NFB. Kate’s early career with the NFB began in 2007 at the Mediatheque in Toronto, where she gave stop-motion and documentary workshops to school groups. Soon after, she began working as a production coordinator, learning the ropes on many of the Ontario Studio’s most critically acclaimed films, such as Sarah Polley’s Stories We Tell, Charles Officer’s Unarmed Verses, and Chelsea McMullan’s My Prairie Home.
As an Associate Producer with the Ontario Studio, Kate worked on many innovative projects, including Highrise, Souvenir and Otherly. Kate also associate produced This is Not a Movie about journalist Robert Fisk, directed by Yung Chang and the award-winning VR project, Book of Distance by Randall Okita.
Most recently, Kate co-produced In 2022 she wrapped and released Ever Deadly, an experimental documentary collaboration between filmmaker Chelsea McMullan and artist/activist Tanya Tagaq, which premiered at TIFF. Most recently she produced Kings Court, a short documentary by Serve Poblete, which premiered at Hot Docs 2025.
As a producer, Kate’s focus and passion is to champion emerging filmmakers, with an eye on films that push form and amplify underrepresented voices.
Cam Maitland
Film & Content Specialist, Hollywood SUITE
Cam Maitland is the Film and Content Specialist for the Canadian movie channels Hollywood Suite. A producer, writer, and filmmaker originally from Edmonton, Alberta, he received a fine arts degree in filmmaking from Simon Fraser University. Through the years, his work has developed into digging through Canadian film history for projects like The Royal Canadian Movie Podcast and writing and producing original documentary programs about film history like 'A Year In Film' and 'Cinema: A-Z'. His work, on top of spotlighting classic films, also includes consulting alongside the development and acquisitions team on original films and series at Hollywood Suite.
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Breakfast With...Networking Session / Sept 17 9am
(Presented by CMPA)
Streamer Secrets: How To Get On Their Radar Sept 17 / 2pm
1 on 1 Networking Sessions Sept 17 / 1-2pm
Suzanne Marshall
Senior Manager Programming, Hollywood Suite
Suzanne Marshall brings over a decade of experience in the Canadian film and television industry, with past roles at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Canadian Film Centre. As Senior Manager of Programming at Hollywood Suite, she oversees all aspects of programming, acquisitions, scheduling, and production commissioning. She is integral to the curation and acquisition strategy of Hollywood Suite’s branded channels.
A dedicated supporter of emerging voices, Suzanne works closely with the Canadian production community and is known for her ability to find innovative, practical solutions for independent projects—whether they're in development, production, or post. She has a strong understanding of the Canadian funding landscape and frequently advises filmmakers on how to navigate and access key organizations such as Telefilm Canada, the Canada Media Fund, and various regional agencies. Her guidance has helped bring numerous independent projects to life, from pitch to screen.
With her deep industry knowledge and collaborative approach, Suzanne remains an invaluable resource for filmmakers navigating the Canadian media landscape.
Aaron Unrau
Manager of Industrial Relations, Writers Guild of Canada
Aaron Unrau is the Manager of Industrial Relations at the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC), the labour organization representing more than 2,500 professional English language screenwriters. Overseeing the administration and enforcement of the WGC’s collective agreement, Aaron wears both a pocket protector and sheri ’s badge at all times.
A regular speaker at industry panels and post-secondary institutions, Aaron demystifies the WGC’s collective agreement, screenwriting contracts and the Canadian film & TV industry from a union perspective. Drawing on 25 years of experience, he o ers practical insight for producers and writers alike.
Before joining the WGC in 2012, he was Business A airs Manager at Vanguarde Artists Management, and held various roles in casting and production. Aaron is a graduate of York University’s Film and Video Program.
Yes, You Can Afford A Writer
Sept 16 / 4pm
Co-Presented by Firecracker Department
Yes, You Can Afford A Writer:
Working With The DGC On A Budget Sept 16 / 4pm
Keri Ferencz
Writer, Writers Guild of Canda
2025 Writers Guild of Canada Screenwriting Award winner Keri Ferencz hails from Niagara Falls, and has the love of novelty - and mini golf - to prove it. A writer and producer currently serving as Co-Executive Producer on the record-breaking nineteenth season of CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries, Keri also wrote the recent Hallmark film Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder At The Breakers. Previous television credits include Cows Come Home (Bell Fibe TV1), the international hit Hudson & Rex (City TV), Frankie Drake Mysteries (CBC), and Remedy (Global). Holding a Master’s Degree in Popular Culture, Keri’s writing has been seen in The Globe and Mail, Macleans magazine, and on Pop Matters.
A participant in the 2019 Athena Film Festival Los Angeles Television and Screenwriting Lab, Keri has developed projects with Shaftesbury Films, Muse Entertainment, and Front Street Pictures. She is represented by Meridian Artists.
Shannon Hancock
CEO, The Rights Company
Shannon Hancock has been with The Rights Company since 2002. As CEO, she oversees day-to-day communications, research procedures, and client care. She has successfully completed the Certificate in Entertainment Law from York University and Osgoode Hall and is a member of the Association of Clearance and Research Professionals (CLEAR). A fiction writer with a passion for the short story, Shannon is also a two-time scholarship recipient of the Humber School for Writers, a member of the Writers’ Community of Durham Region, and a graduate of the Humber College journalism program. She lives in the Greater Toronto Area with her partner and two sons.
Speed Introductions Sept 16 / 1:30pm
Speed Introductions Sept 16 / 1:30pm
Amy Lennie
President, The Rights Company
As President of The Rights Company, Amy Lennie runs all day to day and creative operations. Amy spent much of the 90's working for public broadcaster TVO and as lead researcher for a documentary producer in Toronto, all before partnering with Ron Proulx in 1998 to form The Rights Company. Amy has been a guest speaker at numerous workshops and lectures for organizations, including the Director’s Guild of Canada, the Ontario Media Development Corporation, the Institute of Communications and Advertising, and the former Canadian Independent Film Caucus. She has successfully completed the Certificate in Entertainment Law from York University and Osgoode Hall. Born in Ontario cottage country, Amy lives north of Toronto with her husband, a Toronto firefighter, and two children. In between everything else, she travels throughout North America several times a year to meet with clients.
Taisa Dekker
Director of Outreach & Industry Development, ACTRA
As the Director of Outreach & Industry Development at ACTRA Toronto, Taisa Dekker promotes the hiring of highly skilled union performers for feature films, commercials, video games, web series, and audiobooks. With years of experience across various production jurisdictions in Canada, she’s been delivering the ACTRA Advantage for producers at every budget level, on all types of content. Taisa is passionate about the screen-based industry and the promotion of Canadian artists.
Speed Introductions Sept 16 / 1:30pm
Podcast To Hallmark CASE STUDY: Headspinner / From Option to Podcast Case Study: GoBoy Sept 17 / 1pm
Michelle Melanson
President, Headspinner Productions Inc.
Emmy and Bafta Nominated, Michelle has over 30 years’ experience in the production business with hundreds of episodes produced and over 50 awards and nominations. In 2018, Michelle launched Headspinner Productions with Showrunner and Husband Ken Cuperus. Together they Produce the Audible Original series Mistletoe Murders (Seasons I-IV) and Middlebrige Mysteries (Just launched) as well as the Hallmark Channel/W Network series of Mistletoe Murders. They also produced Aunty B’s House (CBC), Happy House of Frightenstein (Family Jr.), Denis and Me (Family Channel), Gisele’s Mashup Adventures (CBC Gem) and Gardenkeeper Gus (Spotify).
Prior to Headspinner, Michelle was President of Radical Sheep Productions (A Boat Rocker Media Company)-executive producing such shows as the The Next Step, Fangbone!, The Bagel & Becky Show and Stella and Sam. Michelle has won multiple Canadian Screen awards, the Grand Prize of the Youth Media Alliance, Multiple Kidscreen and T.O. Webfest Awards. She also has a Juno Award for producing the Stella and Sam Album. Michelle is the Founder of Women Drawn Together-a free organization that fosters learning, networking, and mentorship for Women in the production community. In 2019, Michelle was inducted into the Toronto Metropolitan University (Formerly Ryerson) Radio and Television Wall of Fame and in 2021 she was named the Outstanding Achievement Award winner at the Youth Media Alliance Awards.
In 2024, Michelle received the Canadian Screen award (Kids Choice award) for Aunty B’s House and in 2025 was inducted to the Alumni Wall of Fame of Mayfield Secondary School.
Rob Lindsay
Producer & Director, Paradox Pictures Inc.
Rob Lindsay is a Canadian Screen Awards nominated director, writer and producer. Rob produced the podcast Go-Boy! based on the Governor General’s Award-winning book. His feature documentaries include the Donald Brittain Award nominated, No Responders Left Behind (CNN, Discovery Plus); The Nature of Design (TVO); Go-Boy! Memories of a Life Behind Bars (documentary Channel); WHY Horror? (Showtime); Relics of the Future and Greenwich Village: Music that Defined a Generation (PBS). Rob was also writer, director and producer on the hit comedy series Air Farce (CBC), where he created Farce Films (over 250 digital comedy shorts). Rob has extensive experience producing and directing digital and branded content and is president of the Canadian production company, Paradox Pictures Inc.
Podcast To Hallmark CASE STUDY: Headspinner / From Option to Podcast Case Study: GoBoy Sept 17 / 1pm
Breakfast With...Networking Session Sept 17 / 9 am
(Presented by CMPA)
Streamer Secrets: How To Get On Their Radar Sept 17 / 2pm
Paul Gardner
Senior Producer, Bell Fibe TV1
Paul Gardner is an award-winning producer with over 25 years experience developing creative content in the media industry. In his current position as Senior Producer for Bell Fibe TV1, Paul has overseen the development and production of an ambitious slate of hundreds of original titles for Fibe TV1’s broadcast Channel, VOD, APP and Mobile content.
Previous to his work with Bell, Paul spent a decade working in Children and Youth programming as a Senior Producer for TVO Kids and Kids CBC, as well as establishing a freelance career on a wide range of projects from doc series to music videos, commercials and animation.
Paul is a graduate of Niagara College’s Broadcasting program where he majored in film studies.
Fibe TV1 is your source for local programming, made right in your backyard, by your community. TV1 is a group of community channels operated by Bell Canada's Fibe TV and Fibre OP TV.
Pasha Patriki
CEO, Founding Partner, PurpleDOG Post Productions
With over 20 years of industry experience behind his belt, Pasha Patriki has worked his way through the industry in many creative positions. He is a member of Canadian Society of Cinematographers, where he received highest awards for his work, and a member of Canadian Media Producers Association. Pasha has founded a boutique post facility - currently branded as PurpleDOG Post in 2009, as an answer to the lack of adequate post facilities that were able to offer affordable processing & colour-grading of the back-then-new 4K raw footage. Now in its’ second decade of steady growth, PurpleDOG Post has withstood the test of time and fluctuating industry economy, and has established itself as a first choice for many renowned and prolific filmmakers in Canada and around the globe.
Speed Introductions Sept 16 / 1:30pm
Speed Introductions Sept 16 / 1:30pm
Colleen Harding
Business Agent, Directors Guild of Canada
Colleen Harding spent 15 years working in the film and television industry as a DGC Ontario 2 nd Assistant Director Member on productions such as 6 seasons of ABC’s Rookie Blue, Saving Hope and the Disney hit Camp Rock starring the Jonas Brothers. Following an 18-month maternity break, she joined the team at the Directors Guild in 2018 as an Assistant Business Agent. Since then, she has steadily advanced within the organization, becoming Lead Assistant Business Agent before being promoted to Business Agent in 2021. Colleen has developed an in-depth knowledge of Labour Relations and collective agreements, which, combined with her extensive experience
working in the trenches of on-set life, gives Colleen a distinct advantage when dealing with Members and Labour Executives alike.
Tom Third
Music for Film & Television
After graduating from the Ontario College of Art, Tom Third signed a recording deal with Nettwerk Productions, releasing three critically acclaimed electronica CD’s before turning full-time to film scoring. Fusing cutting edge electronics with traditional scoring techniques, his recent credits include Coroner (CBC), The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg (Crave), and A Mother Apart (CBC and PBS) He has garnered nine Canadian Screen Award nominations, winning three, and has been nominated six times for the Canadian Screen Music Award. Tom also teaches at The Ontario College of Art and Toronto Metropolitan University, and serves as a mentor and board member for the Screen Composers’s Guild of Canada.
Speed Introductions Sept 16 / 1:30pm
Speed Introductions Sept 16 / 1:30pm
Hoda Ali
Programming Manager, Black Screen Office
Hoda Ali is a Toronto-based impact producer and film programmer with nearly a decade of experience in the screen-based industry. She currently serves as the Programming Manager at the Black Screen Office (BSO), where she leads initiatives that support and amplify Black and racialized creatives across Canada. Deeply committed to equity and representation in film, Hoda’s career has spanned roles as a documentary researcher, producer, programmer, and crew member. Her work is rooted in the belief that storytelling can shift culture and drive meaningful change.
Zeynep Guler-Tuck
Producer, Director, Firecracker Department
Zeynep is a Turkish-Canadian producer and director whose work spans unscripted film & TV, digital media, and branded content with collaborators like NBC, Microsoft, Conde Nast, Rogers Media, Corus Entertainment, and Muse Entertainment. She has directed interviews with icons like Venus Williams and astronaut Chris Hadfield, and produced global campaigns that have raised awareness and over $1M in funds for the issues impacting our world. As founder of Radiate Media, she produces cross-platform content and events for social change, telling the stories of women innovators at the intersection of tech and arts. She is an alumna of the Netflix-Banff Diversity of Voices and Women in the Director’s Chair programs, and recently raised $100k in only three months through a DGC BC Greenlight initiative for a scripted short film exploring a cross-cultural story of love and loss. After leading the Vancouver chapter of the Firecracker Department, she is back in her hometown of Toronto contributing to events and programs that move creative and curious women forward.
Yes, you can afford a WGC Writer
Sept 16 / 4pm
Co-Presented by
Firecracker Department
AI from Pitch to Screen: Lights, Camera, Algorithm! Sept 17 / 4pm
Sponsored by Toronto Film School
Taylor Moyle
Creative Lead, Underknown
Taylor Moyle is the Creative Lead for Web Series at Underknown, the digital media company behind hit YouTube shows What If, How to Survive, and Animalogic. At Underknown, he oversees content strategy, production, and development across YouTube, helping grow the family of channels to over 15 million subscribers and billions of views. Taylor lives at the intersection of storytelling, internet culture, and making content that generates meaningful revenue.
David Lerech
Director of Artificial Intelligence, Toronto Film School
With nearly a decade producing professional content with artificial intelligence, David Lerech has gained a unique expertise at the intersection of AI and the creative industries. Initially starting his career in traditional film and television, David spent two decades as an Executive Producer and senior leader at some of Canada's leading production companies including Boat Rocker Media, where he became a trailblazer of AI-driven content for major studios and broadcasters. Today, David has developed, produced and consulted on Artificial Intelligence-driven production for Warner Brothers Discovery, Disney+, Netflix, A&E Networks and many others.
David's AI leadership also includes directing the Canadian division of Quickture a leading AI company which provides cutting-edge AI editing systems to global film studios and broadcasters. David also advises leading international production companies on effectively and ethically integrating AI into creative, commercial projects and workflows. And as the Director of Artificial Intelligence at the Toronto Film School, David is committed to bringing critical AI knowledge and skills to the next generation of creative industry professionals.
Today David's focus is on what AI truly mean for jobs and the future of Canadian and global content creation. If you have questions about Artificial Intelligence, David is uniquely positioned to give you the concrete answers you need to successfully navigate the next evolution of the creative industries.
AI from Pitch to Screen: Lights, Camera, Algorithm! Sept 17 / 4pm
Sponsored by Toronto Film School
AI from Pitch to Screen: Lights, Camera, Algorithm! Sept 17 / 4pm
Sponsored by Toronto Film School
AI from Pitch to Screen: Lights, Camera, Algorithm! Sept 17 / 4pm
Sponsored by Toronto Film School
Susan Nation
Producer, Director, Writer
Susan Nation is an award-winning producer, writer, director and community builder. She started her international career branding consumer products internationally, then developing content and events for clients like The Economist Group, DG Medios, Wal-Mart and Disney. She honed her distribution and TV producing skills with Lenz Entertainment on projects like kids’ series Nanalan’ and Weird Years. She founded her company, Hop To It Productions, in 2006 and has actively supported innovation, strong female roles and diversity in front of and behind the camera.
Susan created and produced notable factual multi-platform projects like Hip Hop In the T-Dot, Pop It! and Suck It Up Princess. With over 100 festival selections, nominations and wins, she has worked with local and international broadcasters including Nickelodeon, TVO, CBC, Corus, Sony, Disney, OUTtv, Bell Media, ECG, and Rogers plus sponsors, licensing agents, publishers and music labels.
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Susan’s recent successes include award-winning digital slasher comedy series Sloppy Jones, the Talent Hounds dog doc series and various social, branded, digital and live initiatives. She is in post on a doc series Hope Unleashed for Bell Media with Brain Power Studio, production on Podcast Dog Walk Diaries and preproduction on a digital first holiday romcom series Romeo to the Rescue with funding from Ontario Creates. She has several factual and scripted projects in development including Shark and Animal Rescue docs, comedy series Le Balcon, Season 2 of Sloppy Jones and an animated preschool series with Colombia.
Suzanne Chapman
CEO and co-founder of Formula Dot AI and the Formula Media Community
With over 35 years at the forefront of international television, Suzanne Chapman is a leader in scripted, unscripted, and animated content. She is the CEO and co-founder of Formula Dot AI and the Formula Media Community—a curated app driving AI literacy for traditional media and creator economy professionals.
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As former CEO of Champlain Media Inc., the production arm of Reel One Entertainment, Suzanne oversaw the production and delivery of more than 350 TV movies in 5 years for A&E and TF1. Her career includes Executive Producer and Production Executive roles on over 500 primetime and kids’ titles including Mayday Air Crash Investigators; Property Brothers; Cold Squad; William Shatner’s Weird or What; The Famous Jett Jackson; Delilah & Julius; and Rock Camp for Disney, Discovery US, Corus, CBC, PBS, HGTV, National Geographic, and more.
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Known for building elite creative and technical teams through strategic vision and production expertise Suzanne is committed to uniting traditional media makers and the creator economy worldwide, to connect the dots by discovering how to use AI software as a tool in their existing workflows to deliver standout content that meets both creative and commercial goals.
Jason Pomerantz
Co-Founder and COO of Formula Dot AI.
Jason brings 25 years of expertise in the film and media industries, spanning advertising, live broadcast news, animation, feature film visual effects, and post-production. Throughout his career, Jason has been a part of well over 500 productions, including some of Hollywood’s most successful franchises, such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, James Bond and many more. He specializes in designing and implementing innovative technical workflows that drive efficiency, foster growth, and reduce costs. Jason has helped design technology-driven pipelines and workflows for IMAX Corporation, Company 3 / Deluxe, and Reel One Entertainment. Jason’s passion for AI technology and its practical applications was the driving force behind the creation of this venture. Jason is completing his Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) with a specialty in Artificial Intelligence Leadership. Jason is the co-founder and COO of Formula Dot AI.
AI from Pitch to Screen: Lights, Camera, Algorithm! Sept 17 / 4pm
Sponsored by Toronto Film School
Podcast To Hallmark CASE STUDY: Headspinner / From Option to Podcast Case Study: GoBoy Sept 17 / 1pm
Brigitte Sachse
Founder & Producer, Bee Video Production
Brigitte has almost 25 years experience in the TV and Film production industry.
Prior to founding Bee Video, a digital media production company specializing in corporate video, whose branded projects include the CBC, PWC, Kids Help Phone, CAMH, Sobeys, Cooperators and various ad agencies, Brigitte was the Director of Business Affairs at RTR Media, where she oversaw all aspects of Business Affairs for TV projects such as Income Property and Lost and Sold. She is an experienced media business analyst, having worked at various funding agencies including the CMF and NFB as well as Aver Media (now BMO), a boutique film and TV financing company.
Her long term goals include producing short form commissioned content and she recently achieved a milestone in that goal by selling Bee Video’s first series to TVO. Season 1 of The Nature of Design premiered Oct 2024 on the main channel and on digital. They are currently in development on a number of similar web series including season 2 of Nature of Design. Brigitte’s volunteer work revolves around poverty alleviation and at-risk youth, especially in the media sector.
Jen Pogue
Host, Creator, Producer, Canadian Film Fest
JEN POGUE (she/her) is a Canadian Screen Award-winning host, creator, and producer with a background in acting and a passion for telling grounded, human stories across genres. Her recent on-screen credits include Ghostwriter (Apple TV), I Woke Up a Vampire (Netflix), and Hudson & Rex (CTV).
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As founder of JPO & Co Entertainment and a key member of the acclaimed collective Filmcoop Inc., Jen has helped develop and produce projects that have screened internationally at TIFF, Palm Springs, Raindance, Whistler, and many more, with broadcast and streaming partners including CBC, Crave, Highball TV, Prime Video, and Super Channel.
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Jen is the Director of Industry at Canadian Film Fest, co-creator of the Women on Screen Out Loud podcast, and alumni of the 2024 TIFF Television Accelerator Lab. She is the creator, showrunner, and host of County Blooms, a lifestyle docuseries about the joy of flowers for Bell Canada, that earned her the 2024 CSA for Best Host of a Web Program, and the WSC Honorable Mention at TO webfest, alongside multiple nominations. The second season, County Blooms: A Flower Powered Adventure, has recently launched and is available to stream now on Bell Fibe TV1.
Streamer Secrets: How To Get On Their Radar Sept 17 / 2pm
Moderated by Jen
Charlie David
President, Border2Border Entertainment
Border2Border Entertainment produces and distributes web series, narrative and documentary feature films, scripted, documentary and lifestyle TV series as well as audiobooks, voice recordings and branded video. Our ongoing relationships with TV networks, film festivals and digital platforms around the world keep our Canadian content in demand and viewed by millions.
Border2Border Entertainment’s series include Canadian Screen Award nominees Avocado Toast and Drag Heals, as well as reality dating series Dating Unlocked and the comedies Settle Down and Womb Envy.
Border2Border Entertainment’s YouTube channel, We Make Love Stories is in the top 2000 channels globally by subscribers and is home to a strong community and constellation of our content.
Our shows have homes on CBC Gem, AMI, Canal+, Peacock, Filmin, Hollywood Suite, Amazon Prime, OUTtv, PlutoTV, SBS, Sky Italia, Starz, Vice, Discovery and more.
1 on 1 Speed Networking Sept 17
Tim Ziegler
Financial Advisor, Tim Ziegler Wealth Management
Tim Ziegler runs a financial advisory practice that specializes in creatives. He had a twelve year career as an actor, his father was an actor, his wife was an actor, his mother still is. His friends, his family friends are mostly artists. This background gives Tim a unique position as one of the leading voices in finance for artists, and their institutions.
Making Ends Meet: Creative Strategies For Creators
Co-Presented by WIFT Toronto
Sept 16 / 2pm
Carolyn Mauricette
Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, film writer, and Director of Canadian Programming for the Fantasia International Film Festival.
Carolyn Mauricette is a Toronto-based Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, film writer, and Director of Canadian Programming for the Fantasia International Film Festival.
Looking to find more representation in genre, she ran the Blood in the Snow Horror Development Lab from 2021-2024, where jury-selected underrepresented BIPOC, LGBTQ2SIA+, women, and creators with Disabilities are paired with industry professionals to make their TV/Web series and feature projects a reality. She was also a programmer at the festival for almost 9 years.
Continuing her advocacy work, she co-founded Access Threshold in 2024 with Keda Edwards Pierre. This creative agency helps POGMI (People of the Global Majority and Intersectionality) creators navigate the film industry. You can find her writing on Hollywood Suite, online, and in print editions of Rue Morgue Magazine, Fangoria Magazine, and Grim Magazine. Carolyn has also produced lectures for Toronto’s Black Museum in 2019, the Fantasia Film Festival in 2020 and 2021, and The Miskatonic Institute for Horror Studies in 2022. You can also find her in the 2020 documentary Clapboard Jungle: Surviving the Independent Film Business, directed by Justin McConnell, Boutique: To Preserve and Collect, by Ryan Bruce Levey, and the documentary TV series A Year In Film and Cinema A to Z on Hollywood Suite.
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Speed Introductions Sept 16 / 1:30pm
1 on 1 Networking Sept 17
Adam Rumanek
CEO, Aux Mode
Entrepreneur. Author. Internet programmer. Since selling his first Internet company in the year 2000, Adam has created industry-lauded programs and companies in web, content, big data and next-generation technology. For over a decade, Adam has collaborated globally with corporations, governments, and NGOs, helping enable them to maximize the business potential of digital media platforms. In 2012, the eruption of YouTube – and the exponential population explosion of YouTubers – alerted Adam to the need for a Multi Channel Network (MCN) to help manage and protect users. His solution, and his next start-up venture, he named Aux Mode. Adam is Google and YouTube Certified, 5 degrees, and is also the author of ‘How to Make Money on YouTube’ that can be found on iTunes. Adam is a regular speaker worldwide on digital rights management and content strategies online.
Speed Introductions Sept 16 / 1:30pm
Speed Introductions Sept 16 / 1:30pm
Jessie Behan
President/ COO , Aux Mode
Jessie joined Aux Mode September 2015. Her responsibilities have helped solidify the foundation for the business, doubling the client base and aligning strategic partnerships in the entertainment community. Behan is also an Actress, Voice Talent, and former Viral Video YouTube Sensation (Bridezilla) so she is no stranger to the entertainment industry. Prior to joining Aux Mode, she was a leader in the financial services industry working with Investment Advisors for 8 years. She is a sales leader at Aux Mode and continues to provide business development solutions. Jessie’s qualifications include: YouTube certification (2015), CSC & CIM designation (2015), Graduate of The Second City Conservatory (2010), Master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from York University (2008), & Bachelor of Arts from McGill University
Colin McRae
Executive Producer, Viral Nation
Colin McRae builds scalable content formats that merge storytelling, creators, and commerce. From Emmy-winning documentaries to sports-commerce activations, he helps brands entertain, sell, and connect through culture. He currently serves as Executive Producer for all of Viral Nation’s Studio content, working with some of the world’s biggest creators and brands including Apple, MGM, Amazon, e.l.f., Walmart, A24, and more.
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Colin has collaborated with National Geographic, Disney+, YouTube, NBCUniversal, Discovery, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MTV, Sony, Red Bull, and Shopify—transforming ideas into award-winning, high-performing content. Notable projects include executive producing the definitive BlackBerry documentary with Mark Wahlberg’s Unrealistic Ideas (directed by Eddie Schmidt) and Own The Room for Shopify in collaboration with National Geographic & Disney+. Previously at Vice Media, he worked under Spike Jonze developing and executive producing documentaries and series that helped shape ViceTV’s early success.
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Beyond traditional media, Colin has been a key player in creator-driven commerce, helping brands design and execute high-performing strategies across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitch—specializing in live commerce, short-form viral content, and brand-integrated storytelling. His recent work has shaped the digital presence of icons like Mookie Betts, Amber Rose, and Mike Tyson, and led campaigns behind the Drake x 21 Savage collaboration and the Netflix Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight.
Lauren Corber
International Emmy-nominated executive producer &
Founder/President of LoCo Motion Pictures
Lauren Corber is an International Emmy-nominated executive producer and the founder/president of LoCo Motion Pictures. The company produces audience-driven content with exceptional production value for all platforms, pushing boundaries by fostering creators with unique and innovative points of view.
One of Canada’s leading digital content producers, Lauren has executive produced several comedy series for CBC including two seasons of Canadian Screen Award-winning How to Buy a Baby, which also garnered an International Emmy nomination. In partnership with Warner Bros, it has been formatted into a French series called À Tout Prix and a Swedish half-hour series called Alla Utom Vi, available on HBO Max. She also produced two seasons of My 90Year-Old Roommate starring Paul Soles (Peter Parker/Spider-Man) that garnered over one million views, is a Webby Awards Honoree and received two Canadian Screen Award nominations, winning one. LoCo’s comedy series, The Communist’s Daughter won the 2021 Web Series World Cup, was nominated for six Canadian Screen Awards and won the Just for Laugh’s ComedyPro Stand Up ‘N Pitch competition in 2018, bringing home the hattrick as LoCo’s third win in as many years. Lauren’s series I Hate People, People Hate Me premiered at Tribeca in 2023, was nominated for four Canadian Screen Awards (winning one), is World of Wonder’s first-ever scripted acquisition and premiered on World of Wonder Presents Plus in January 2025.
Lauren’s latest comedy series, My Dead Mom, premiered on Crave in late 2024. Created by Wendy Litner, the series is about complicated adult mother-daughter relationships and stars Lauren Collins (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Slip) and Megan Follows (Anne of Green Gables, Reign). The series was nominated for eight Canadian Screen Awards, winning three, and won a prestigious Rockie Award at the 2025 Banff World Media Festival.
LoCo expanded into the youth market with three seasons of Kidscreen Award-winning tween action/adventure series Detention Adventure (CBC Gem). The series has over 85,000 TikTok followers and has been licensed in more than 125 territories including the US (HBO Max), the UK (ITV) and Australia (ABC). Detention Adventure won Best Youth Series at the 2023 Canadian Screen Awards and received 15 nominations.
A recovering entertainment lawyer, Lauren is Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Media Producers Association and has served in various capacities on industry-advisory and collective bargaining committees for negotiations with the WGC, ACTRA and the DGC. Lauren is an alumnus of the CFC Producers’ Lab, National Screen Institute and Bell Media Executive Producer Accelerator Lab. She has been a panelist at events including Prime Time, All Access, Transmedia Zone’s Web Series Power Up and the Toronto Screenwriting Conference, lending her unique expertise on producing for television and digital media. Lauren was also a juror for the International Emmy Awards.
AI from Pitch to Screen: Lights, Camera, Algorithm! Sept 17 / 4pm
Sponsored by Toronto Film School
1 on 1 Speed Networking Sept 17
Breakfast With...Networking Session Sept 17 / 9 am
(Presented by CMPA)
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Grow Your Audience And Your Revenues Across Platforms
(Featuring Shaftesbury’s Success Stories And CBC)
Sept 17 / 11am
Mia Rodak
Director of Digital Strategy, CBC Kids
Mia is an award-winning Director of digital strategy, content and product development and has spent 20+ years working with top Canadian media providers on several premium brands such as CBC Kids, CBC Kids News, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, Slice, National Geographic Channel and others.
Since joining CBC in 2016 her focus has been on building audience-first content and product strategies specifically for children (ages 2 - 13 years) and their caregivers across multiple platforms including various in-house websites and third-party channels including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Roblox, Pinterest, and TikTok. Her top priority is inclusive leadership for a large, creative digital team in pursuit of providing compelling and engaging content, through beautiful and intuitive user-experiences.
Perrie Voss (she/her) is an actor, writer, editor and showrunner with a focus on diverse, underrepresented narratives, especially female-led and LGBTQ2IA+ projects, often with a slant of comedy. She is a 2025 Canadian Screen Awards Winner for “Best Digital Series” for Stories from my Gay Grandparents, which she co-created, co-showran/wrote, edited and starred in. Perrie also served as showrunner and co-writer for Avocado Toast the series, seasons 1 & 2, which she also co-produced, co-starred in, co-edited and post-production supervised (receiving a total of 9 CSA nominations over both seasons). She edited and production managed the feature film, Really Happy Someday, which had its World Premiere at TIFF 2024 and won “Best Canadian Feature” at the Inside Out Festival, 2025. Perrie has 4 writing projects in development including 1/2 hour series and a feature film.
Yes, you can afford a WGC Writer
Sept 16 / 4pm
Co-Presented by
Firecracker Department
Perrie Voss
Actor, Writer, Editor, Showrunner
Grow Your Audiences and Your Revenue Across Platforms
(Featuring Shaftesbury’s Success Stories And CBC)
Sept 17 / 11am
Jay Bennett
Emmy Award-winning Producer, Creative Director, Senior Media Strategy Executive, Shaftesbury
Jay Bennett is an Emmy Award-winning producer, creative director, and senior media strategy executive with more than 20 years of experience building global entertainment franchises. Specializing in the development, production, and distribution of cross-platform content, he has partnered with leading broadcasters and brands including Netflix, Disney, CBC, BBC, The CW, Kimberly-Clark, and Walmart to extend IP across television, film, digital, games, and live experiences.
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Recognized for his ability to merge story, technology, and audience engagement, he has spearheaded initiatives as diverse as digital shorts, Roblox, brand financing, social storytelling, motion-capture animation, and AI to innovate how content is financed, produced, and distributed. His leadership is marked by creativity, collaboration, and an entrepreneurial approach to building audiences and transforming IP into scalable, revenue-generating, long-tail ecosystems.
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Career highlights include writing, producing, and directing the first digital project to win a Primetime Interactive Emmy (The Fallen: ARG); creating the first digital series to transition to primetime television with Backpackers (CW); developing the first interactive scripted series inside an app (Totally Amp’d); producing the branded content global breakout hit Carmilla; and showrunning the genre-defining Roblox scripted series Twilight Daycare: The Series.
A frequent speaker and lecturer for organizations including AdWeek, MIP, UCLA, and NYU, he continues to shape conversations around innovation and the future of entertainment.
Georgina & Rennata López
Co-CEO's & Executive Producers, Lopii Productions
Georgina Lopez Co-CEO and Executive Producer As Supervising Producer, Georgina is the steady hand behind the scenes—overseeing business and financial operations, keeping productions on budget and on schedule (a role that often means keeping Rennata in line!), while also shaping the creative vision. Originally from Tucson, Arizona, Georgina moved to Canada with her Mexican family as a child. Her love of storytelling began when she “borrowed” her father’s camcorder as a teenager and taught herself to edit using two VCRs. With over a decade in the industry, she has produced and managed a wide range of programming—from lifestyle and scripted series to animation—always with a passion for children’s television. Her work has earned her three Daytime Emmy nominations and two Canadian Screen Awards, cementing her reputation as a powerhouse in kids’ media.
Rennata Lopez Co-CEO and Executive Producer At Lopii, she leads all creative operations—directing, writing, casting, and shaping stories—bringing unscripted children’s moments to life. Rennata has a passion for telling real stories. She graduated with honours in Broadcast Journalism from Seneca College. With over a decade in unscripted television, producing, casting and writing, she has earned multiple Canadian Screen Award nominations, an Emmy award and a Canadian Screen Award. A proud mother, Rennata thrives on coffee, puns, naps, and empowering kids to tell their own stories.
Speed Introductions Sept 16 / 1:30pm
1 on 1 Networking Sept 17 / 1pm
Speed Introductions Sept 16 / 1:30pm
1 on 1 Networking Sept 17 / 1pm
Yotam Shazar
Development Producer, Story Editor
Yotam Shazar is an award-winning development producer and story editor with over 9 years of experience shepherding film and television projects. Currently working as a freelance story editor with international talent, Yotam specializes in combining creative guidance with strategic development to help filmmakers realize their visions.
Previously, as Head of Development at 2-Team Productions, Yotam managed a slate of over 30 projects while securing development funding for more than 20 films. His development expertise contributed to multiple critically acclaimed features, including Come Closer (2024), which won the Tribeca Viewpoints Award. He also oversaw development of Pink Lady (2024), which earned the Best Director Award at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, and is currently working on Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner Elite Zexer's sophomore feature film, Two Peas in a Pod.
A magna cum laude graduate of the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School, Yotam's graduation project Portrait of My Family in My 13th Year screened at over 20 international festivals after premiering at San Sebastián, winning multiple awards. His commitment to professional development led to his selection for the Reykjavík International Film Festival Talent Lab and personal invitation to the inaugural TorinoFilmLab Screens of Tomorrow Story Editing Program.
With expertise in scouting emerging multicultural talent, securing international funding, and navigating complex co-productions, Yotam brings a unique blend of creative insight and production acumen to every project. He excels at threading the needle between creative ambitions and production realities in today's global film landscape.
Anya Vagabova
Founder and CEO of ConneKt Film, Filmmaker
Anya Vagabova is a Ukrainian filmmaker based in Toronto and the Founder and CEO of ConneKt Film. Dedicated to empowering filmmakers, she connects emerging and mid-career talent with opportunities, resources, and networks. Anya’s experience spans virtual production, development program management, and producing, with contributions to organizations like Sunbelt Rentals Film & TV (William F. White), Frantic Films, the Canadian Film Centre and xoTO Schools at NABET 700-M UNIFOR. Passionate about inclusivity and innovation, she champions diverse voices and global storytelling.
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Screening Block 5 Moderator
Screening Block 8 Moderator
Sherley Joseph
Founder, Black Canadian Creators
Sherley Joseph is a storyteller, digital strategist, and community builder passionate about amplifying Black Canadian voices in content creation. Beginning her career in radio broadcasting, her love for digital media led her to podcasting, social media, and event curation. Today, she helps creators grow, connect, and transform their creative hustle into sustainable careers. She is the Co-founder of The Chonilla Network, a podcast collective and production house dedicated to diverse and impactful storytelling. Sherley also founded Black Canadian Creators (@BlackCanadianCreators), a thriving community, directory, and resource hub, and hosts the Black Canadian Creators Podcast (BCANC), spotlighting the realities of life as a Black Canadian creator.
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In addition, she is the Co-founder and Host of The Soundwave Summit, a Toronto-based podcasting event, and serves as Community Manager for Barrel Hunter Club, a premium wine and spirits membership community. As an event host, speaker, and strategist, Sherley partners with creators and brands to build strong communities, develop digital strategies, and design meaningful events.
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Driven by lived experience, Sherley is committed to empowering Black Canadian creators—helping them break barriers, expand networks, and take up space in digital media, podcasting, and beyond.
Joey Hodgson
Marketing Coordinator, OUTtv
Joey Hodgson is a marketing specialist at OUTtv with a passion for amplifying queer stories and creator-driven work. With several years of experience in LGBTQ+ media, Joey understands what queer audiences are looking for and works to ensure they feel represented on screen. Outside of work, he engages with the Toronto queer community through events and initiatives that celebrate diverse voices and stories.
Breakfast With... Sept 17 / 9am
Sponsored by CMPA
1 on 1 Networking Sept 17 / 2pm
Presented by Bell Fund
John Leschinski
Founder and Executive Director - Canadian Podcast Awards
In Conversation with CBC Podcasts: Building a Strategy from the Beginning and Optimizing your Growth
Sept 17 / 11am
Moderated by John
Jane Churchill Smith
Creative Development Producer, Just for Laughs
Jane Churchill-Smith is a Creative Development Producer at Just For Laughs. Before joining JFL, she served as the Director of Development at Cream Productions, where she worked in various development roles for five years, developing and selling unscripted series across Canada and the US. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with a diverse range of talent, including comedians, home renovators, authors, historians, medical professionals, and more. Prior to her development work, she contributed to notable projects like History of the Sitcom for CNN and the innovative JFL-produced scripted/unscripted hybrid Humour Resources with Jon Dore, where she served as Creative Coordinator. In addition to her production work, Jane has contributed writing to satirical sites like Reductress and The Beaverton. After ten years in Toronto, she is now based in Calgary.
Breakfast With...Sept 17 / 9am
Sponsored by CMPA
Natalie Semotiuk
Social Media Manager, Filmmaker, Producer, Highball TV
Natalie Semotiuk is a Toronto-based filmmaker, producer, and marketing strategist specializing in independent film and digital distribution. A true champion of indie cinema, she is the Social Media Manager for HighballTV, the Festival and Artist Liaison for the Toronto Ukrainian Film Festival, a former producer of TIFF’s Rising Stars programme, and has a background in casting. Her short film Festival was runner-up in the Canadian Film Festival’s Firecracker Department Comedy Igniter competition, and she is currently directing her debut feature documentary. She believes that when the right story speaks and the right audience answers, film has the power to change lives.
Breakfast With...Sept 17 / 9am
Sponsored by CMPA
Matthew Campagna
Filmmaker, Producer, Highball TV
I’ve been making movies ever since I was 10 years old, and hooked up two VCRs to re-edit Star Wars.
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After graduating from Ryerson’s Radio and Television Arts program, I made my first feature documentary, which was accepted into some Oscar-Qualifying festivals. With the profit from that doc, I built a film production studio to make my first feature film, an indie western that sold in a quarter-million dollar bidding war.
From there, I went down to Hollywood, where my indie film sensibilities were put to work for companies like Universal, NBC, and Sony. But as much fun as LA can be, I love Canada and I love indie film, so I set my next several features and a comedy series in Ontario, and ever since I’ve been making film, TV, and digital originals in Canada and bringing them to the whole world by co-founding the streaming platform HighballTV.com in 2017.
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Since then, HighballTV has gotten dozens of original series and feature films produced, distributed, and generating revenue to allow Canadian filmmakers to reach sustainability, and continue creating their art.
Streamer Secrets: How To Get On Their Radar Sept 17 / 2pm
Making Ends Meet: Creative Strategies For Creators
Co-Presented by WIFT Toronto
Sept 16 / 2pm
Sunny Widerman
Tax Preparer & Advisor, Personal Tax Advisors
Sunny Widerman has been a tax preparer and advisor since 2002, with a growing clientele of freelancers, business owners and professionals. Through her firm Personal Tax Advisors, Sunny specializes in helping clients take control of their tax planning by explaining the tax issues that affect them. She focuses on a gentle, non-threatening approach to financial issues and clear, jargon free language.
Karen Bruce
Executive Director at Women in Film & Television - Toronto WIFT+
Executive Director at Women in Film & Television - Toronto (WIFT+ Toronto), Karen leads the team dedicated to being a leader creating a community that is equitable, inclusive and accessible in the screen based industry.
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Prior to joining WIFT Toronto, Karen was the Director of Membership & Fan Engagement at the Canadian Academy, where she was responsible for membership, year-round programming and developing the national Directors Program for Women.
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Karen also served as Director, Canadian Initiatives at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where she was instrumental in supporting the Canadian film industry and nurturing emerging talent through programs like Talent Lab and TIFF Rising Stars.
Making Ends Meet: Creative Strategies For Creators
Co-Presented by WIFT Toronto
Sept 16 / 2pm
Moderated by Karen
Grow Your Audiences and Your Revenue Across Platforms
(Featuring Shaftesbury’s Success Stories And CBC)
Sept 17 / 11am
Paige Haight
Director of Television, Production - Shaftesbury
Paige Haight is an accomplished producer with experience spanning digital and linear platforms, recognized for her collaborations with award-winning writers, directors, and actors. Her credits include the AMC+ series Slasher S4-6 (2024 CSA nominee for Best Drama), IFC/OutTV’s Slo Pitch (2021 Content Innovation Award Winner), Topline (2023 CSA nominee for Best Web Series), Hudson & Rex (CityTV), Irish Blood & SisterS S2 and more.
Currently, Haight is the Director of Television Production at Shaftesbury, one of Canada’s premier production companies, renowned for hits like Murdoch Mysteries, Departure, and Hudson & Rex. Over the past decade, she has held various roles within the company, ranging from Business & Legal Affairs to Development to Physical Production. Her current position allows her to seamlessly integrate creative, business, and production expertise to bring projects to camera.
Haight holds a degree in Film & Media from Queen’s University.
Kevin Wright
Speaker, Pitch Coach, The Optimal Pitch
Kevin Wright is a dynamic speaker with thirty years’ experience in screen-based media. He has commissioned over sixty television series and heard thousands of pitches. Presenter,
workshop leader, pitch coach: Kevin helps people convey their ideas in a concise and persuasive manner by providing tips and secrets from the Decision Maker’s Perspective.
Kevin worked previously as SVP, Programming for Astral Television Networks where he was responsible for the acquisition and commissioning of content for HBO Canada, The Movie Network, TMN Encore, Family Channel, Disney Junior Canada and Disney XD Canada. Kevin joined Astral in 1995 as VP, Programming for Family Channel. He simultaneously served as VP, Programming for Teletoon where he participated in the licensing and launch of the network. Prior to Astral, Kevin held positions at YTV Canada, Paragon International and Telefilm Canada.
Kevin graduated from McGill University with a B.A. in Psychology and holds a B.A.A. in Motion Picture Production from Ryerson.
Next Up! Pitch Competition Judge Sept 17 / 2pm
In Conversation with CBC Podcasts: Building a Strategy from the Beginning and Optimizing your Growth
Sept 17 / 11am
Ellen Chlöe Bateman
Vice President of Production at Obie & Ax
Ellen Chloë Bateman is an award-winning media producer whose work spans high-stakes storytelling at the intersection of technology, national security, and social change. She has led the production of podcast series with astronaut and author Chris Hadfield, and crafted episodes featuring former CIA directors, cybersecurity experts working with the U.S. Department of Defense, and mission teams supporting NASA’s Artemis program through deep space communications with ground control. She has also worked with companies delivering frontline defense tech in the war in Ukraine.
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She was the series creator of the CBC Podcasts series Boys Like Me, which reached #2 on Apple Podcasts and was named one of the top 10 podcasts of the year by Cosmopolitan in 2022. The series was recommended by The New York Times, became a finalist at the New York Festivals Radio Awards, and is now taught in university curricula exploring online radicalization. It also earned a 2023 Webby Award in the Crime and Justice category, one of the industry’s most respected honors.
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She is currently Vice President of Production at Obie & Ax, where she leads the creation of standout podcast series for global brands, government agencies, and mission-driven organizations.
1 on 1 Networking Sept 17 / 11am
Presented by Bell Fund
Jenn Kuzmyk
Executive Director, Banff World Media Festival Publisher, Playback
As Executive Director of the Banff World Media Festival and Publisher of Playback, Jenn
oversees all aspects of the renowned international event as well as Canada’s leading film and TV industry business publication. Together with an amazing team, Jenn originated and leads the world’s largest inclusion and diversity programs serving the media sector: The Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices Initiative , the BANFF Spark Accelerator for Women in the Business of Media and the Indigenous Screen Summit. To date, these programs have provided professional development, industry access, and mentorship for over 1000 professionals, focusing on under-represented groups including Black and Indigenous individuals, people of colour, women, LGBTQ2S++ communities and those with accessibility challenges. Jenn served as Chair the Women in Film and Television Toronto Foundation (WIFT+) Board of Directors from 2020-2024 and is a founding member of the Future of Film Showcase Advisory Board, a festival that champions emerging film talent. She taught for 5 years as an adjunct professor within the Film Studies department at Toronto’s York University.
Earlier in her career, Jenn was Director of International Distribution at Proper Television, leading program sales in Canada, Scandinavia, Germany and MENA territories. She also acquired content for distribution and worked with independent producers, getting their projects to greenlight by consulting on presales, coproductions, financing and creative development. As VP, Development at Cream Productions, Jenn co-created and co executive produced television series for top channels worldwide, including Emmy nominated series Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan, and hit international TV format Know-It-All, among many other titles. Prior to joining Cream, Jenn spent a decade as Canadian Bureau Chief and an Editor at C21Media, a leading UK-based trade publisher focused on the global business of television and digital media content.
Jenn lives in Toronto with her partner Joe who is a professor, their 3 awesome kids, and a wee dog named Ferris Bueller.
Mark Shapland
Program Manager and Climate Lens Facilitator at the Independent Production Fund (IPF).
Mark completed his Bachelors of Arts in Film Studies at Carleton University. With a passion of studying film theory and a desire to share the film-going experience with others, he went on to complete a graduate degree in Television & Film – Business at Centennial College. Upon graduation Mark interned in the distribution department at a production company, then started his career working for two national funding organizations, the Bell Fund and the Independent Production Fund. Since 2018, Mark has evaluated over 500 series applications, manages the Industry Development program that supports media organizations and events across Canada and leads all climate and sustainability initiatives at the IPF. Currently, Mark is the Program Manager and Climate Lens Facilitator at the Independent Production Fund (IPF).
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