Canada’s audiovisual industry is gearing up for the Toronto International Film Festival, which takes over Toronto from September 5 to 15, 2019! From screenings to a special RDV Canada panel series, events, and more, we’ve got a full slate of programming you won’t want to miss, all to help our industry and talent network and stay on top of industry trends and opportunities.
Grab your agenda, and make the most of TIFF’s 44th edition with these exciting events!
1) The Big Screen: Have rumours of my demise been greatly exaggerated?
Our awesome RDV Canada panel series is on this year at TIFF Industry. If you want to learn and engage with experts and peers about some of the most important topics in today’s industry, the RDV Canada panel series has you covered!
It kicks off with this lively discussion moderated by CBC News Entertainment Reporter Eli Glasner. Industry badge holders are invited to join us at the Glenn Gould Studio on September 6, 2019 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. to discover thoughts about the state of the cinematic experience, industry and audience trends, and new marketplace opportunities.
Check out our moderator and three panelists :

(Moderator) Eli Glasner
Entertainment Reporter
CBC News
Eli Glasner has been covering Canadian culture for over a decade with CBC and has interviewed a wide range of personalities throughout the years.

Matthew Ball
Managing Partner
Matthew Ball Ventures & Advisors
With a focus on interactive media, this venture capitalist used to be a digital media exec at Amazon Studios, and The Chernin Group.

Alison Kozberg
Managing Director
Art House Convergence
Before becoming the leader of this North American art-house cinema association, Alison Kozberg used to be Director of the Nickelodeon Theatre.

Anick Poirier
Co-president
WaZabi Films
Before co-founding this new full-service film sales agency (an independent division of Datsit Sphère Inc.) Anick Poirier was a SVP at Seville International.
2) Demystifying Platforms: Getting Shelf Space
In this panel (as part of the RDV Canada panel series at TIFF Industry), we’re all about getting shelf space and audience reach, especially when it comes to streaming platforms and indie filmmakers. This hot topic will include how filmmakers can make the most of streaming platforms, get their attention, optimize audience reach, and more!
On September 8, 2019, industry badge holders can join us at CBC − Conference Room B from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. for a sure-to-be dynamic and thought-provoking hour of insight featuring moderator as well as the following trio of panelists:

(Moderator)
Annelise Larson
Digital strategist and mentor
Annelise Larson helps creatives and storytellers use “the digital opportunity” to build audiences and business models.

Melissa D’Agostino
Co-founder and Director of Development
HighballTV
This co-founder of an international streaming site for festival films is also a Canadian Screen Award-winning actor, as well as a writer, producer, and instructor.

James Finlay
Director, Distribution and Client Services
Juice Worldwide
James Finlay is Director, Distribution and Client Services for Juice Worldwide, which provides encoding and licensing services to platforms including iTunes, Netflix, and Amazon.

Jean-Christophe J. Lamontagne
President
H264
Passionate about making indie films available on digital platforms, Jean-Christophe J. Lamontagne founded the distribution company H264, and distributed, among others, two Oscar nominated shorts in 2019.
3) RDV Canada TIFF Breakfast: Meet Canadian Directors on the Rise
Bring your morning appetite to this great opportunity to rub elbows (and share coffee) with some of Canada’s hottest emerging homegrown directors with films screening at TIFF 2019! Hosted by Telefilm Canada, this invite-only RDV Canada TIFF Breakfast takes place September 7, 2019, and will be moderated by Canadian filmmaker April Mullen.
Guests will include: Elle-Maija Tailfeathers & Kathleen Hepburn (The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open); Joey Klein (Castle in the Ground); Albert Shin (Clifton Hill); Sanja Zivkovic (Easy Land); Heather Young (Murmur); Miryam Charles (Second Generation); and Amy Jo Johnson (Tammy’s Always Dying).
For all the latest news on the Canadian presence at TIFF, keep your eyes on our programming page. See you there!