DISCOVER CANADA’S PROGRAMMING AT TIFF 2023
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
9:30 am - 11 am
Canada Pavilion – Industry Centre, Stand 2-3, Hyatt Regency, 370 King Street W.
Welcome Breakfast
Telefilm Canada, in partnership with Ontario Creates, invites you to a casual Welcome Breakfast at the Canada Pavilion to celebrate Canada at TIFF 2023. Enjoy a coffee while meeting or reconnecting with your Canadian peers who are also attending the market.
*Open to Canadian industry badge holders
Joel Fecht
Vice President, Sales and Business Development, Access Canada
Joel Fecht has spent over 20 years in sales and marketing in the advertising and entertainment industries. From scrappy internet start-ups to industry-leading multinational corporations, Joel has excelled in various roles, such as lead writer, webseries producer, general manager, sales rep, sales team lead, and director of sales and business development. Most recently, he is the VP of Sales and Business Development for Access Canada, a white-label services company providing the entertainment industry with PR services, training programs, market access, and custom events, such as Content Canada happening Sept. 13 & 14 at The Drake in Toronto.
As VP of Sales and Business Development at Content Canada, he leads and oversees all sales and strategic partnerships. Under his leadership, Access Canada has quickly grown to be the #1 white-label service provider in Canada, and he is personally responsible for the creation and launch of both the Alberta Producer Accelerator and the Northern Canada Producer Accelerator, the first producer training program offered to northern Canadian residents with the support of every major English-speaking broadcaster in the country.
Some of the companies he is fortunate to count as clients include Telefilm, Netflix, Amazon Studios, Bell Media, Rogers, Corus, CBC, APTN, eOne, BRON, CMPA, C21 Media, Canadian Heritage, The Black Academy, Reelworld Screen Institute, Disability Screen Office, Black Screen Office, Racial Equity Screen Office, Calgary Economic Development, Yukon Media Development, Screen Production Yukon Association, Northwest Territories Film Commission, Northwest Territories Professional Media Association, Bell Fund, Ontario Creates, Quebec Television & Film Council, William F. White, Universal Music, Warner Records, BMG, Paramount+ and many, many others.
Amanda Forbis
Filmmaker
National Film Board Of Canada
Cassidy Dimon
Founder, Film Event Accessibility Working Group (FEAW)
Cassidy Dimon is a filmmaker and event producer with over 15 years of experience producing film events across the US. She has produced over 200 film screenings, numerous award shows and film festivals, as well as two iterations of the esteemed Getting Real Documentary Film Conference. Cassidy is also the founder of the Film Event Accessibility Working Group (FEAW),an initiative that harnesses the collective power of event professionals to help exhibitors across the country develop and execute accessible events and is the creator of the Film Event Accessibility Scorecard launched in July 2022. Currently, she is the Director of Programs, Events & Accessibility for Full Spectrum Features in Chicago, IL.
Wendy Tilby
Filmmaker
National Film Board Of Canada
Prasanna Ranganathan
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Consultant and Accessibility Advisor
Prasanna Ranganathan (he/him) is a human rights lawyer, diversity and inclusion consultant and lead, accessibility advisor, speaker, and social media strategist. Prasanna served as the Head of Diversity and Belonging at Shopify and as an international human rights lawyer. He has over 16 years of experience in diversity, inclusion and accessibility, working in the legal profession, the entertainment industry, and in tech. He is a Consulting Producer on the 2021 docuseries Born for Business about entrepreneurs with disabilities (currently airing on NBC Peacock and Crave Canada) and an Associate Producer on the 2016 documentary film Dream, Girl about women entrepreneurs that premiered at the Obama White House. A social media strategist and red carpet correspondent, Prasanna has covered the red carpets at the 2019 Academy Awards and the 2014 Screen Actors Guild Awards, and designed social media campaigns for Oprah Winfrey and Arianna Huffington. Proudly claiming his identity as an LGBTQ2+ racialized person with a disability (Prasanna is legally blind), Prasanna is a seasoned speaker on diversity, inclusion and accessibility, providing the annual Toronto International Film Festival inclusion and accessibility workshop for all staff members and delivering guest lectures at the University of Southern California Annenberg Inclusion Initiative on inclusive storytelling.
Lori Malépart-Traversy
Filmmaker
National Film Board Of Canada
Michelle Asgarali
Creative Producer
Shehrezade Mian
Producer, Markhor Pictures
Shehrezade Mian is a Pakistani-Canadian producer based in Toronto. In 2021, Mian was selected for the TIFF-Netflix Talent Accelerator Fellowship, as well as the European Audio-Visual Entrepreneurs (EAVE) On Demand Access Program for producers presented by the National Screen Institute and Canada Media Fund. In addition, Mian was also selected for the Women In Film and Television Connect mentorship program with the SVP of VICE Media in 2020.
In 2019, her feature film Concrete Valley was selected for Telefilm Canada’s Talent to Watch program and is slated for its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. Her films have also been awarded funding by the Canada, Ontario, and Toronto Arts Council and have screened at numerous festivals across the globe.
Christine Noël
Executive Producer of the French Animation Program
National Film Board Of Canada
Check out the projects being presented:
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Studio A, 250 Front Street W.
CONNECTIONS
Beyond Co-pros: Cross-border Collaborations & Funds for Canadians
Interested in producing with international partners? Explore newly opened funds, or funds recently opened to Canadians, that support a diversity of perspectives and avenues to collaborate internationally on film projects. Join representatives from Telefilm Canada, New Dawn, Eurimages, and the International Sámi Film Institute to learn how to apply to funding programs, including:
- New Dawn Fund
- Arctic Indigenous Film Fund
- EURIMAGES – European Cinema Support Fund
Live Open Captions and ASL interpretation available
*Open to badge holders
Moderator
Adriana Chartrand
Lead, Indigenous Initiatives and Content Analyst, Telefilm Canada
Steve Couture
Founder Partner, Epic Storyworlds
Steve Couture is a successful entrepreneur in the entertainment business. More than ten years CEO of Frima, a videogame company he has cofounded, Steve acted as Producer and creator on numerous projects. More than 100 Million of kids played with Frima’s games over the years. Whether on tablets, web games, console or any screen with pixels, Frima was, under Steve’s leadership, constantly innovating in gaming as well as youth content.
Frima’s electronic lab contributed to creating connected toys and innovating game experiences for major toy players like Lego, Mattel and Hasbro.
Frima FX, the animation and special effects branch was hired to work on major IMAX productions as well as Hollywood productions. It also did service work for several movie features films (The Rooster of Saint-Victor, Mission Yeti, Dofus) and animated series (The W, Lego Bionicle).
Tech savvy, driven by content and ambitious, in 2017, after contributing to the creation of one of the largest youth entertainment company in Canada, Steve leaves Frima to tackle new challenges. He now concentrates on the creation of youth animated series with huge branding potential. Many times, Award winner in the videogame industry, the youth content and the business world, Steve, bachelors in computer science and MIT graduate, enjoys passing on his passion through teaching in college and university. He has been invited many times to speak in the local business community and to give conferences in the international gaming industry events.
Guy A. Lepage
Producer, writer and comedian
For more than 40 years, Guy A. Lepage has been a success story. Over the course of his career, he has received more than 140 awards, including the Sir Peter Ustinov Comedy Award at the Banff International Television Festival in 2006 and the Grand Prix de l’Académie Canadienne du Cinéma et de la Télévision to celebrate his entire career in 2003. To date, he has also been awarded 16 Artis by the public; a prize for the most beloved Quebec personalities.
He is the creator of the comedy Un gars Une fille
Creator, author, script-editor and director, he also plays the lead role in the original Quebec version. For 6 years, this series has won 34 television awards and has become the best-selling scripted format in the world (30 countries). At MIPTV 2014, The Wit crowned Un gars Une fille Best fiction format in the history of international television.
Host, writer and producer of Tout le Monde en parle’s Quebec adaptation since 2004, the show quickly became the most popular media platform in Quebec. Since the first broadcast year, the show and the host have been awarded 40 times (Gemini, Rockie, Artis, Gemini Immortal).
With the comedy group Rock et Belles Oreilles, which he founded in 1981, Guy A. Lepage has had success with TV series, stage shows, music albums and radio shows. He received 48 awards with his group.
He is the producer, author and actor of the animated series Bébéatrice, which recently received the Gémeaux award for best texts in its category.
Guy A. Lepage
Producer, writer and comedian
For more than 40 years, Guy A. Lepage has been a success story. Over the course of his career, he has received more than 140 awards, including the Sir Peter Ustinov Comedy Award at the Banff International Television Festival in 2006 and the Grand Prix de l’Académie Canadienne du Cinéma et de la Télévision to celebrate his entire career in 2003. To date, he has also been awarded 16 Artis by the public; a prize for the most beloved Quebec personalities.
He is the creator of the comedy Un gars Une fille
Creator, author, script-editor and director, he also plays the lead role in the original Quebec version. For 6 years, this series has won 34 television awards and has become the best-selling scripted format in the world (30 countries). At MIPTV 2014, The Wit crowned Un gars Une fille Best fiction format in the history of international television.
Host, writer and producer of Tout le Monde en parle’s Quebec adaptation since 2004, the show quickly became the most popular media platform in Quebec. Since the first broadcast year, the show and the host have been awarded 40 times (Gemini, Rockie, Artis, Gemini Immortal).
With the comedy group Rock et Belles Oreilles, which he founded in 1981, Guy A. Lepage has had success with TV series, stage shows, music albums and radio shows. He received 48 awards with his group.
He is the producer, author and actor of the animated series Bébéatrice, which recently received the Gémeaux award for best texts in its category.
Panelists
Marielle Poupelin
Canadian representative for Eurimages and New Dawn Fund, Telefilm Canada
Liisa Holmberg
CEO, Arctic Indigenous Film Fund (AIFF)
Enrico Vannucci
Deputy Executive Director, Eurimages Fund
Shamira Raphaëla
Committee Chair for New Dawn (via Zoom)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Studio B, 250 Front Street W.
MICROSESSIONS
Informed Choices: New Insights for Environmentally Sustainable Filmmaking
From development to post-production, making the shift to greener methods could save you time and resources, while helping the planet! In this session we will share practical and actionable tips for reducing the carbon footprint on film productions. Producers and environmental experts share new information on current challenges, best practices, and how to make productions less wasteful. Learn from the latest findings and gather insights that you can implement with your teams and content partners to create greener solutions.
Live Open Captions and ASL interpretation available
*Open to badge holders
Moderator
Elisa Suppa
Senior Advisor, Corporate Projects and Research, Telefilm Canada
Steve Couture
Founder Partner, Epic Storyworlds
Steve Couture is a successful entrepreneur in the entertainment business. More than ten years CEO of Frima, a videogame company he has cofounded, Steve acted as Producer and creator on numerous projects. More than 100 Million of kids played with Frima’s games over the years. Whether on tablets, web games, console or any screen with pixels, Frima was, under Steve’s leadership, constantly innovating in gaming as well as youth content.
Frima’s electronic lab contributed to creating connected toys and innovating game experiences for major toy players like Lego, Mattel and Hasbro.
Frima FX, the animation and special effects branch was hired to work on major IMAX productions as well as Hollywood productions. It also did service work for several movie features films (The Rooster of Saint-Victor, Mission Yeti, Dofus) and animated series (The W, Lego Bionicle).
Tech savvy, driven by content and ambitious, in 2017, after contributing to the creation of one of the largest youth entertainment company in Canada, Steve leaves Frima to tackle new challenges. He now concentrates on the creation of youth animated series with huge branding potential. Many times, Award winner in the videogame industry, the youth content and the business world, Steve, bachelors in computer science and MIT graduate, enjoys passing on his passion through teaching in college and university. He has been invited many times to speak in the local business community and to give conferences in the international gaming industry events.
Guy A. Lepage
Producer, writer and comedian
For more than 40 years, Guy A. Lepage has been a success story. Over the course of his career, he has received more than 140 awards, including the Sir Peter Ustinov Comedy Award at the Banff International Television Festival in 2006 and the Grand Prix de l’Académie Canadienne du Cinéma et de la Télévision to celebrate his entire career in 2003. To date, he has also been awarded 16 Artis by the public; a prize for the most beloved Quebec personalities.
He is the creator of the comedy Un gars Une fille
Creator, author, script-editor and director, he also plays the lead role in the original Quebec version. For 6 years, this series has won 34 television awards and has become the best-selling scripted format in the world (30 countries). At MIPTV 2014, The Wit crowned Un gars Une fille Best fiction format in the history of international television.
Host, writer and producer of Tout le Monde en parle’s Quebec adaptation since 2004, the show quickly became the most popular media platform in Quebec. Since the first broadcast year, the show and the host have been awarded 40 times (Gemini, Rockie, Artis, Gemini Immortal).
With the comedy group Rock et Belles Oreilles, which he founded in 1981, Guy A. Lepage has had success with TV series, stage shows, music albums and radio shows. He received 48 awards with his group.
He is the producer, author and actor of the animated series Bébéatrice, which recently received the Gémeaux award for best texts in its category.
Guy A. Lepage
Producer, writer and comedian
For more than 40 years, Guy A. Lepage has been a success story. Over the course of his career, he has received more than 140 awards, including the Sir Peter Ustinov Comedy Award at the Banff International Television Festival in 2006 and the Grand Prix de l’Académie Canadienne du Cinéma et de la Télévision to celebrate his entire career in 2003. To date, he has also been awarded 16 Artis by the public; a prize for the most beloved Quebec personalities.
He is the creator of the comedy Un gars Une fille
Creator, author, script-editor and director, he also plays the lead role in the original Quebec version. For 6 years, this series has won 34 television awards and has become the best-selling scripted format in the world (30 countries). At MIPTV 2014, The Wit crowned Un gars Une fille Best fiction format in the history of international television.
Host, writer and producer of Tout le Monde en parle’s Quebec adaptation since 2004, the show quickly became the most popular media platform in Quebec. Since the first broadcast year, the show and the host have been awarded 40 times (Gemini, Rockie, Artis, Gemini Immortal).
With the comedy group Rock et Belles Oreilles, which he founded in 1981, Guy A. Lepage has had success with TV series, stage shows, music albums and radio shows. He received 48 awards with his group.
He is the producer, author and actor of the animated series Bébéatrice, which recently received the Gémeaux award for best texts in its category.
Panelists
Daniel Bekerman
Producer, Close To You
Tyler Hagan
Producer, Seagrass
Félize Frappier
Producer, Azimut Films
Andrew Robinson
Senior Sustainability and Social Performance Expert, Green Spark Group
