Speakers

You are not currently viewing the most recent Banff World Media Festival. Go to Banff World Media Festival 2024.


2020 SPEAKERS

Chat

Marty Adelstein

CEO

Tomorrow Studios

Marty Adelstein’s career in Hollywood spans over 25 years as agent, manager and feature film and TV producer. As CEO of Tomorrow Studios (a partnership between him and ITV Studios), Adelstein is currently producing SNOWPIERCER, starring Jennifer Connelly and Daveed Diggs for TNT in the U.S. and Netflix internationally; a...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Snowpiercer


Chat

Uzo Aduba

Actor

A formidable talent to be reckoned with, Uzo Aduba is an award-winning actress whose work spans television, film and theatre. 

Aduba stars in FX’s miniseries Mrs. America as Shirley Chisholm. Chisholm not only made history as the first African American Congresswoman, but also became the first African American candidate to run for President from a...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Mrs America


Chat

Susan Alexander

Production Executive, Original Content, Scripted

Corus Entertainment Inc

As a Production Executive with Corus Entertainment for over ten years, Susan has overseen the development and production of numerous dramatic series for Global TV, including Nurses, Mary Kills People, Ransom and Private Eyes

Prior to becoming a broadcaster Susan worked on the production side of the industry, as both a...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - CBC, Corus Entertainment, Jennifer Hollyer Agency



Chat

Lorraine Ali

TV Critic

Los Angeles Times

Lorraine Ali is television critic of the Los Angeles Times. Previously, she was a senior writer for the Calendar section where she covered culture at large, entertainment and American Muslim issues. Ali is an award-winning journalist and Los Angeles native who has written in publications ranging from the New York...show more

Speaking on: Showrunner Superpanel: where do we go from here


Chat

Jeff Alpern

President

The Alpern Group


Chat

Jason Altman

Head of Ubisoft Film & Television

Ubisoft Entertainment

As head of Ubisoft Film & Television, Jason Altman leads the division in the adaptation, development and production of Ubisoft’s award-winning games, as well as original stories set in the world, culture and community of gaming for film and television.

When Altman first joined Ubisoft Film & Television, the division’s mandate...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Jason Altman, Ubisoft


Chat

Tina Apostolopoulos-Moniz

VP Unscripted

Bell Media

Tina Apostolopoulos is a Production Executive, Factual and Reality on Bell Media’s Original Programming team. In this role, Tina works with Canadian production companies and filmmakers on the development and production of various original unscripted series and documentaries for Bell Media’s family of channels and platforms including CTV, Crave and...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Bell Media, BET, Topic; Speed Meetings - Bell Media, CNN, Warner Bros International Television Production


Chat

Charlotte Armstrong

Series Producer (Who Are You Calling Fat?)

Love Productions

Charlotte is a UK based award-winning documentary producer and has worked for Love Productions for nine years. During this time she has worked on programs including The Cruel CutThe Chronicles of Nadiya, The Biggest Little Railway in the World and most recently Who Are You Calling Fat?

Speaking on: Rockie Awards Roundtable: Arts & Entertainment


Chat

Sarah Asante

Commissioner, Comedy

BBC Studios

Sarah Asante joined the BBC Comedy team as Development and Digital Content Editor in 2015. Sarah was promoted to Commissioning Editor in2018 - providing editorial oversight on global shortform content. As Comm Ed, Sarah has been developing a slate of exciting comedy projects from a diverse array of established and...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - BBC Studios, eOne, Jennifer Hollyer Agency; Meet an Expert


Chat

Roy Ashton

Partner, Head of TV Literary

Gersh Agency

Roy Ashton is the Head of the TV Literary & Packaging Dept. at The Gersh Agency, with offices in Los Angeles and New York. Prior to joining Gersh as Partner in November 2011, Ashton spent 13 years at Creative Artists Agency. Starting in the mailroom, Ashton worked is way up...show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... Roy Ashton, Gersh; Speed Meetings - Characters Talent Agency, Gersh, MGM Studios


Chat

Helen Asimakis

Senior Director, Drama

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Helen Asimakis joined CBC Drama in 2001 as an Executive in Charge of Production and was appointed Senior Director, Drama, in October 2013. She leads the team responsible for managing the creative development and production of CBC Television’s slate of dramatic programming including: Lady Dicks, Coroner, Frankie Drake Mysteries; the...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - CBC, Nickelodeon, The Alpern Group


Chat

Cathryn Asip

Associate Director, Content

PBS KIDS


Chat

Christiane Asselin

Senior Director, Multiscreen Content and Programming, Web TV, ICI TOU.TV and Youth

Radio-Canada

Christiane Asselin est une gestionnaire primée dont la vaste expérience couvre de nombreux aspects de l'industrie, y compris la création, la production, la distribution et la stratégie de contenu multi-écrans. Elle supervise actuellement le service de diffusion en continu ICI TOU.TV ainsi que le contenu Jeunesse multiplateforme des services français de...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Christiane Asselin, Radio-Canada & Gave Lindo, CBC


Chat

Danielle Audette

Director of Programming

APTN Aboriginal Peoples Television Network Inc.

Danielle is Métis-Francophone from Manitoba, who has over 18 years of experience in the film and television industry. In 2002, she worked as a freelancer as a line producer, production manager and post-production supervisor on various documentaries and movies of the week for CBC, CTV, Vision TV, Lifetime and Movie...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - CBC, APTN


Chat

Agnes Augustin

President & CEO

Shaw Rocket Fund

Since 2004, Agnes Augustin has been driving the Shaw Rocket Fund’s ongoing commitment to champion Canadian children’s and youth programming through strategic investments in linear and digital content and spearheading industry initiatives such as the much celebrated Shaw Rocket Prize. Her dedication to increase the profile of the Canadian children’s...show more

Speaking on: Quick Draw: animation industry leaders with lessons for the future


Chat

David Baeta

Executive Producer

Machine Gum Productions Inc

Journaliste de formation, David a toujours joué avec les mots, les images et le son. Même dès sa tendre enfance, il enregistrait des émissions de radio sur cassette pour divertir ses frères! Avant de cofonder les Productions Machine Gum, en 2014, David a longtemps œuvré comme producteur au sein du...show more

Speaking on: Un bon départ : modèles pour la reprise des tournages


Chat

Fenton Bailey

Co-Founder & Executive Producer

World of Wonder/RuPaul’s Drag Race, Canada’s Drag Race

Fenton Bailey is co-founder of World of Wonder, the award-winning, multi-platform production company behind RuPaul’s Drag Race, the Million Dollar Listing franchise, Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures, and over 20 years of ground-breaking unscripted, scripted and documentary content. Alongside co-founder Randy Barbato, Bailey became a trailblazer in Hollywood by creating provocative documentaries and series that...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Canada's Drag Race


Chat

Kelsey Balance

SVP, Scripted

NBCU International Studios

Kelsey Balance, SVP, Scripted for NBCU International Studios, oversees the Studio’s Scripted division in LA. She has been with International Studios for two years and has been the key executive in packaging and selling a number of shows, including Clickbait for Netflix, Lady Parts for Peacock, The Capture for Peacock, and Stateless for Netflix, as well as major development deals and creative on premium projects at...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Kelsey Balance, NBCU International Studios


Chat

Philip Barnsdall-Thompson

SVP Acquisitions, UK, Europe & North America - FACTUAL ONLY

Flame Distribution

Flame Media is a content production and distribution company specializing in high end factual entertainment and documentary programming. Flame represents over 3,500 hours of content across all factual genres and works with over 180 independent producers from all over the world.

Flame has offices in London, Sydney, Singapore and the USA,...show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... Phil Barnsdall-Thompson, Flame Distribution


Chat

Joe Barton

Creator (Giri/Haji (Duty/Shame))

Joe Barton is the creator and writer of Giri/Haji (BBC2, Netflix). He’s worked on various television shows including Humans (Channel 4, AMC) and Troy: Fall of a City (BBC1, Netflix) and was BAFTA nominated for Our World War (BBC3). He is also the writer of feature films The Ritual, My...show more

Speaking on: Rockies Awards Roundtable: Scripted


Chat

Willow Bay

Dean, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

A veteran broadcast journalist and new media strategist, Willow Bay is USC Annenberg’s first female dean. She was the first woman to co-anchor CNN’s flagship daily financial news program, Moneyline, a reporter and anchor for ABC News’ Good Morning America/Sunday, and a correspondent for Good Morning America and World News Weekend, among others. As...show more

Speaking on: In Conversation With: The team behind The Last Dance


Chat

Kevin Beggs

Chair and Chief Creative Officer, Television Group

Lionsgate Entertainment

Kevin Beggs is Chairman of the Lionsgate Television Group, overseeing development and production of all scripted and non-scripted programming. A 20-year veteran of the Company and a member of its corporate senior management team, he has spearheaded the strategic expansion of Lionsgate’s television production operations into one of the largest...show more

Speaking on: Media Leaders 2020: the path forward


Chat

Chris Bell

Scripted Content

eOne

Chris Bell is VP, Scripted Development, Television at Entertainment One. Based in Toronto, Chris oversees eOne’s active development slate out of Canada, with a focus on partnering with top writing talent on the development of original series concepts as well as targeting high value IP. Under his leadership, the team...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - CNN, Vice Media, eOne; Speed Meetings - Corus Entertainment, eOne, ZDF


Chat

André Béraud

Premier Directeur, Fictions - Ici Radio-Canada Tele

Radio-Canada

Depuis 11 ans, André occupe le poste de Premier Directeur, dramatiques et longs métrages chez ICI Radio-Canada Télé.  À ce titre, André a piloté l’arrivée à l’antenne et sur le numérique de nombreuses fictions dont District 31, Feux, Nouvelle adresse, Hubert et Fanny, Le clan, 5e rang, Une autre histoire, Trop,...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - CuriosityStream, MGM Television, Radio-Canada; Speed Meetings - Corus Entertainment, Bell Media, Radio-Canada; 30 Minutes With... Andre Beraud, Radio-Canada and Trish Williams, CBC


Chat

Kim Berglund

VP, Development

Disney Junior

Kim Berglund is executive director, Development, Disney Junior. In this role, Berglund oversees series development of original animated television properties for the Disney Junior audience of kids 2-7. She reports to Alyssa Sapire, vice president, Original Programming, Disney Junior.

Prior to joining Disney Junior, Berglund was a key creative executive and...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Diane Ikemiyashiro & Kim Berglund, Disney Junior


Chat

Camille Bernier-Green

Head, Development, A Touch More

Facebook

Camille Bernier-Green is part of the Facebook Watch Originals Team and oversees unscripted shows such as Red Table Talk, Returning the Favor, 9 Months with Courteney Cox, etc. Prior to Watch, Camille helped develop projects for Bravo and HBO Documentary Films. She is currently based in LA.


Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Camille Bernier-Green, Facebook


Chat

Stephanie Betts

Executive Vice President, Content Creation

WildBrain

As Executive Vice President, Content and Current Series, Stephanie Betts applies her many years of experience in kids’ and family content fostering, managing and expanding WildBrain’s content slate. Ms. Betts’ expertise lies in building strong, creatively driven teams, and in developing series that kids around the world love. Drawing on...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Stephanie Betts, WildBrain


Chat

Mike Bickerton

Freelance Director, Creative Producer and Writer

As one of Canada’s top reality television creatives, Mike is a people-watcher first and foremost, who loves telling compelling Canadian stories. From record-breaking reality formats like The Amazing Race Canada for CTV to global breakout hit Blown Away for NETFLIX, which has been praised by Time, The New Yorker, The New...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Canada's Drag Race


Chat

Steve Blackman

Creator, Writer, Executive Producer and Showrunner

WGA Award-winner Steve Blackman is currently the showrunner, creator, writer and executive producer of the critically acclaimed Netflix show, The Umbrella Academy, which is an adaption of Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá’s comic book series of the same name. The show revolves around estranged siblings with extraordinary powers, who reunite following...show more

Speaking on: Showrunner Superpanel: the opportunity zone


Chat

Colin Bohm

CEO

Corus Entertainment Inc

Colin Bohm is Executive Vice President Content and Corporate Strategy at Corus Entertainment Inc.

Colin oversees Corus’ original content businesses Nelvana, Corus Studios, Kids Can Press and Toon Boom, and is responsible for the company’s business development and strategic planning activities, including the development of global strategic partnerships and Corus’ mergers...show more

Speaking on: Partner Presentation: Spotlight on Corus – Partnering with Corus to Build Global Franchises


Chat

Nick Borenstein

Head of Scripted

Topic

Nick Borenstein is Head of Scripted for Topic, the new US-based streaming service from First Look Media. In this role, Nick is tasked with the creation, development and production of scripted programming including the Webby Award winning podcast "Missing Richard Simmons”, Emmy-nominated “AKA Wyatt Cenac”, Sharon Horgan’s “Down...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - APTN, Topic, YLE


Chat

Jason Brennan

Producer

Nish Media

Jason Brennan is a proud member of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and the owner of the award winning production company Nish Media. In 15 years, Nish has produced over 200 hours of television for various networks such as APTN, CBC, Radio-Canada, Ici ArtV, Canal D, TV5,RDI and CBC Docs. From their library, Hit The IceMoukiWapikoniSkindigneous and Fosse aux tigres have all been screened in festivals around the world.
 
In 2015, Nish...show more

Speaking on: Rockie Awards Roundtable: Arts & Entertainment


Chat

Todd Brian

Director of Development, Animation

Wildbrain


Chat

Matt Brodlie

SVP, International Content, Disney+

Disney+


Chat

Alison Brower

LA Bureau Chief

Los Angeles Times


Chat

Debbie Brown

Production Executive, Lifestyle, Original Programming

Corus Entertainment Inc


Chat

Tassie Cameron

Showrunner & Executive Producer

Cameron Pictures

Tassie Cameron is a Gemini and Canadian Screen Award-winning screenwriter who has written for television series, MOWs, mini-series, and feature films. 

Tassie was executive producer, showrunner and writer on the critically acclaimed Mary Kills People, produced under her production company Cameron Pictures in partnership with Entertainment One for Global/Lifetime. She was also...show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... Tassie Cameron, Cameron Pictures; Diversity of Voices: what I learned taking my show from concept to greenlight


Chat

Steven Canals

Co-Creator and Executive Producer, Pose (FX)

STEVEN CANALS is the Emmy®-nominated and Peabody Award-winning co-creator, executive producer, director and writer of FX’s groundbreaking drama series, POSE, which will return for a third season. For the show's recent second season, Canals made his TV directorial debut with the episode titled "Revelations," which he also wrote. He was recently featured on the cover of The Hollywood...show more

Speaking on: Showrunner Superpanel: where do we go from here


Chat

Stacey Carr

Sr. Director, Unscripted Development

Nickelodeon

Stacey Carr currently serves as the Senior Director of Unscripted Development at Nickelodeon. Alongside her team, she develops and oversees a variety of development projects, including specials and series like Top Elf and Kid of the Year. Prior to Nickelodeon, Ms. Carr served as Director of Original Unscripted Development at...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Stacey Carr & Brittany Cope, Nickelodeon


Chat

Lynne Carter

Manager Original Programming

Corus Entertainment Inc

In her role as Manager, Original Content, Lifestyle at Corus Entertainment, Lynne oversees the development and production of a slate of series for Food Network Canada, HGTV Canada, and Global, managing a team of Production Executives driving the day to day operation of the Original Content, Lifestyle department.

Chat

Vanessa Case

SVP Global Head of Unscripted Production, Vice Studios & Pulse Films

Vice Canada

Vanessa Case is SVP Studio Canada at VICE Media, the world’s leading youth media company. Vanessa heads all of VICE Studios’ productions in Canada including development, production, financing, sales and licensing, as well as overseeing VICE’s production and post-production facilities in Toronto.

A senior media executive with a career spanning two...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - CNN, Vice Media, eOne; Speed Meetings - CNN, Discovery, VICE Media


Chat

Sally Catto

General Manager, Entertainment, Factual and Sports

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Sally Catto is the General Manager of Entertainment, Factual and Sports for CBC. She oversees the strategic direction for all programming across all platforms including CBC TV and CBC Gem, and all entertainment and factual genres including drama, comedy, factual entertainment, arts, documentary, sports and podcasts. This includes a wide...show more

Speaking on: Trickster: working towards narrative sovereignty


Chat

Lauren Celinski

Development Lead, YouTube Originals

YouTube

Lauren Celinski serves as Development Lead on the Personalities Vertical for YouTube Originals. She is responsible for developing unscripted content for the global platform, which boasts more than two billion logged-in monthly users, as well as overseeing projects through production. Since joining the team in January she has overseen The...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Lauren Celinski, YouTube


Chat

Ryan Chanatry

General Manager

Topic

Ryan Chanatry is the General Manager of Topic, First Look Media’s video streaming service where he oversees business strategy and operations, P&L, as well as original programming, content acquisitions & sales, marketing, and distribution. Previously, Ryan oversaw First Look’s Audience Development efforts, including acquisition strategy, partnerships, newsletter growth, and paid...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Bell Media, BET, Topic


Chat

Thom Chapman

VP Sales & Distribution, Entertainment

Spin Master Ltd.

As Sr. Director, Sales & Distribution at Spin Master, Thom oversees the global distribution and monetization strategy/execution on all of Spin Master’s content properties with a focus on expanding the company’s presence in the SVOD/AVOD market. Prior to Spin Master, he spent 5 years at Wildbrain (formerly DHX Media) managing...show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... Thom Chapman, SpinMaster Entertainment


Chat

Aubrey Clarke

Commissioning Executive | BBC Children’s 7+

BBC Children's

Aubrey has worked for the BBC Children’s Animation and Acquisitions team for 7 years. As Senior Programme Executive, he is editorially across co-productions, pre-buys and Off the Shelf acquisitions for Cbeebies and CBBC.

He is the channel executive on The Next Step, Scream Street, My Perfect Landing, The Zoo & Tee & Mo plus brand manages shows such as Odd Squad, Holly...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - BBC, CBC, Viasat World


Chat

Glenn Cockburn

President

Meridian Artists Inc

Glenn Cockburn is the founder of Meridian Artists.  Along with the rest of the Meridian Artists team, Glenn currently represents a select roster of some of Canada’s most talented writers, directors and producers.  Glenn’s career started in 1996 when he began working as script reader for New Line Cinema and Innovative...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Corus Entertainment, Meridian Artists, Nutopia


Chat

Sean Cohan

President

Nielsen Company

Sean Cohan is Nielsen Global Media’s Chief Growth Officer and President, International. He joined Nielsen in March 2020 and is responsible for overseeing Nielsen’s Growth Strategy, Strategic Partnerships, Corporate and Business Development, and its range of businesses outside the U.S., including Measurement, Outcomes, Sports and Metadata.

Sean comes to Nielsen having...show more

Speaking on: Critical Math: how data is revolutionizing the discovery and experience of content in the 21st century


Chat

Philippa Collie Cousins

Sr Drama Commissioner

UKTV

Philippa is UKTV’s first dedicated drama commissioner. She joined the multi-channel broadcaster in May 2018 and is responsible for overseeing all original drama series.

Philippa’s second commission is We Hunt Together, written by Gaby Hull (Cheat). It’s a six part thriller starring Eve Myles (Keeping Faith) Babou Cessay (Dark Money, Daminola Taylor)...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Philippa Collie-Cousins, UKTV; Speed Meetings - Corus Entertainment, Keshet International, UKTV


Chat

Vince Commisso

President & CEO

9 Story Media Group

Vince Commisso is President & CEO of 9 Story Media Group, one of the industry’s leading creators, producers and distributors of top quality content for young audiences around the world. With facilities in Toronto, New York, Dublin, Manchester and Bali, the 9 Story family of companies has produced over 3,000 episodes...show more

Speaking on: Quick Draw: animation industry leaders with lessons for the future


Chat

Jennifer Connelly

Talent, Snowpiercer (TNT/Netflix)

Academy Award® winner Jennifer Connelly continues to prove her versatility as an actress with each new project she undertakes.
Connelly will next be seen on the big screen starring in Paramount and Skydance’s blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick. The movie is a sequel to the 1986 original and will star Tom...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Snowpiercer


Chat

Kurt Conner

Creative Executive

Ubisoft

A graduate of the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, I’ve been living and working Los Angeles, CA for just over a decade.  Initially got my start in production working for Nickelodeon on iCarly and Victorious before moving into Talent Management.  Eventually I received an opportunity to work at Paramount Pictures in...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - CBC, History, Ubisoft


Chat

Brittany Cope

VP Live Action Development, Scripted

Nickelodeon

Currently VP of Scripted Development at Nickelodeon, Brittany started her entertainment career working at DreamWorks SKG in the casting department covering animated and live action features and television. She then moved into television development at Amblin TV before joining the Comedy Development team at ABC Network. While at ABC working...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Stacey Carr & Brittany Cope, Nickelodeon


Chat

Maria Cortellucci

Top Creator Partnerships Lead, Canada

YouTube

As top creator partnerships lead for YouTube in Canada, Maria oversees Canada's successful and diverse YouTube creator ecosystem. In her day-to-day, she manages a multi-faceted roster of YouTube talent, which includes everything from helping her creators grow their channels and develop new content strategies to finding collaboration opportunities both on and...show more

Speaking on: Partner Presentation: YouTube - new digital opportunities for an industry in flux


Chat

Tom Cox

Executive Producer and Managing Director

SEVEN24 Films

Tom Cox is Managing Director of SEVEN24 Films. His productions span thirty years and include award-winning feature films, dramatic series, mini-series and television movies.

In addition to Fortunate Son, in production this year for the CBC and NBCU International, current productions include Jann, a half-hour comedy for CTV, Dark Cargo, a noir thriller pilot for...show more

Speaking on: Diversity of Voices: what I learned taking my show from concept to greenlight


Chat

Matt Creasey

EVP, Sales, Acquisitions and Co-Productions

Endemol Shine International

Matt Creasey is Executive VP of Distribution at Endemol Shine International, based in Los Angeles.  Well-known and very much respected throughout the industry he currently oversees sales, co-productions and acquisitions in the US, as well as leading the distribution teams in Latin America, Canada, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.  

With over...show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... Matt Creasey, Endemol Shine International


Chat

Valerie Creighton

President & CEO

Canada Media Fund

Valerie Creighton is an industry leader in arts, culture and media, recognized for reenergizing some of the country’s most important organizations in the sector over the last thirty-five years. An expert in organizational change, Valerie has been recognized as a visionary in promoting Canada’s cultural wealth.

Currently serving as President and...show more

Speaking on: CMF Partner Presentation: Back to Business; practical examples on moving forward


Chat

This British actress has not stopped working since making her leap to the US, just a few years ago. She can currently be seen on HBO’s hit comedy AVENUE 5 opposite Hugh Laurie. Before that, Lenora was a series lead on the Warner Brothers produced series DECEPTION, for ABC Network....show more

Speaking on: Master Class: HBO’s Avenue 5


Chat

Adam Cunningham

Chief Strategy Officer

Allied Global Marketing

Starting his entertainment career in talent representation, Adam bootstrapped his own digital agency, 87AM, out of his New York City studio at the peak of the economic crisis. The agency grew rapidly, and in 2011 was acquired by Allied Global Marketing, the leading entertainment, culture and lifestyle marketing agency.  Since...show more

Speaking on: Critical Math: how data is revolutionizing the discovery and experience of content in the 21st century


Chat

Michelle Daly

Senior Director, Comedy

CBC

As Senior Director of Comedy, CBC Scripted Content, Michelle Daly leads the team responsible for managing the creative development and production of CBC’s slate of comedic programming. Michelle joined the CBC as Executive in Charge of Production in 2011, and has contributed to the success of hit CBC shows Kim's...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Beyond Distribution, CBC, PBS


Chat

Jillian Danford

Creator, Auntie Jillian (YouTube, CTV)

Jillian Danford is a YouTube, Television and Social Media personality who creates lifestyle vlogs about her outgoing and hilarious family: The Danfords. She is known by millions as "Auntie Jullian." Her YouTube Channel has more than 100, 000 subscribers and more than 13 million views from a culturally diverse audience....show more

Speaking on: Partner Presentation: YouTube - new digital opportunities for an industry in flux


Chat

Deniese Davis

Founder and CEO

ColorCreative

Deniese Davis is a TV/Film Producer with a prolific and unique background that started in music videos, short films and digital content. In the web-series realm she is best known for producing Issa Rae's award-winning web series The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl, which accumulated over 20 million views with seasons one and two combined.

She...show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... Deniese Davis, ColorCreative


Chat

Sara De Gols

Editor in Chief (Blacklist)

De Mensen

Hello! My name is Sara and, at this moment, I have been working for 12 years for television production company De Mensen.  Even though it is more than a decade, it feels like I started at the company only yesterday. At first, I worked as an editor for (live) talk...show more

Speaking on: Rockie Awards Roundtable: Children & Youth


Chat

Dane DeHaan

Talent, The Stranger

Dane DeHaan is currently shooting Stephen King’s Lisey's Story opposite Juliane Moore, Clive Owen, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Joan Allen. The series is directed by Pablo Larrain for Apple TV+.  He can currently be seen starring in Veena Sud’s Quibi series The Stranger and Amazon Studio’s international cocaine drama Zero Zero Zero

On the silver screen...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Quibi's The Stranger


Chat

Elyse Delmore

VP, Unscripted Development

MGM Studios, Inc

Elyse Delmore is the Executive Director of Unscripted Development at MGM Studios, the studio that produces CBS’s
Survivor, ABC’s Shark Tank, and NBC’s The Voice plus many more. She develops and produces game shows, competition formats, variety shows and everything in between for broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Elyse started her...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Characters Talent Agency, Gersh, MGM Studios


Chat

Austin Denesuk

Agent

Creative Artists Agency

Austin Denesuk is an agent at CAA, working in both the TV Scripted and Books departments. The Dallas native and Lafayette College grad nearly pursued a career in law before joining CAA in 2014 where she was quickly hired by Rob Kenneally, a television packaging agent. Next tapped by television...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Warner Brothers International Television Production, Netflix, CAA


Chat

Craig D'Entrone

Showrunner, Executive Producer

RadicalMedia

As the multi-platform showrunner on PBS American Portrait at RadicalMedia, Craig guides all aspects of the project, from digital content to social media, marketing, community-building and the broadcast documentary series. A graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism, he worked at The Wall Street Journal before turning to TV full-time.

He helped create and produce the Emmy-winning...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: American Portrait


Chat

Jennifer Dettman

Executive Director, Unscripted Content

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation


Chat

Sandra Dewey

Chief Operating Officer

HBO Max

Sandra Dewey serves as President of Business Operations and Productions for WarnerMedia Entertainment’s forthcoming streaming service HBO Max as well as TNT, TBS and truTV. She reports to Kevin Reilly, President of TBS, TNT and truTV and Chief Content Officer, HBO Max. 

In her role, Sandra oversees the business affairs and production teams for HBO Max...show more

Speaking on: Media Leaders 2020: the path forward



Chat

Daveed Diggs

Co-Creator, Executive Producer & Writer

Tony, Grammy and Lucille Lortel Award-winning actor, rapper and producer Daveed Diggs is widely known for originating the dual roles of Thomas Jefferson and Marquis de Lafayette in the Broadway sensation, Hamilton. His independent film, Blindspotting, which he co-wrote, produced and stars in, recently made its critically-acclaimed debut at the 2018...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Snowpiercer


Chat

Ludo Dufour

Vice President, Licensing

Blue Ant Media

Ludo Dufour leads co-productions, co-ventures, pre-sales, new business development and distribution licensing for Blue Ant Media’s distribution company, Blue Ant International. 

Dufour’s previous work includes senior roles within sales, marketing, business affairs and acquisitions. He was previously managing director at Off the Fence. While there, Dufour focused on sales and co-financing...show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... Ludo Dufour, Blue Ant Media


Chat

Nadine Dupont

Head of TFO Productions

Groupe Media TFO

A veteran of 25 years in the media industry, Nadine Dupont is a fearless executive champion of creative process, an innovative risk taker and master producer of digital content. She has witnessed first-hand the amazing transformation of Groupe Média TFO from a single television channel –  with a mandate for...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Nadine Dupont, Groupe Media TFO; Speed Meetings - PBS, TVO, Group Media TFO; Un bon départ : modèles pour la reprise des tournages


Chat

Lucie Duxbury

Head, Programmes

Lucie joined The Garden as Series Producer of Channel 4's flagship fixed-rig series 24 Hours in A&E in January 2016. Over the next two years she helped to oversee the production and delivery of two, thirty-four episode series, most recently as an Executive Producer.

Prior to that, she spent five years as a...show more

Speaking on: Rockie Awards Roundtable: Arts & Entertainment


Chat

Carol Dysinger

Director (Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're A Girl)

Carol Dysinger is a filmmaker, writer, artist and educator, whose contemporary work offers a counter-narrative to traditional stories of conflict. She is in the midst of a trilogy on Afghanistan and America post 9/11.

Alternating between fiction and documentary storytelling practices throughout her career she had made a lifelong inquiry into...show more

Speaking on: Rockie Awards Roundtable: Documentary & Factual


Chat

Kerry Ehrin

Creator, Showrunner, Executive Producer, The Morning Show (Apple)

The first writer with whom Apple signed an overall deal, Kerry Ehrin is the showrunner and executive producer of the Golden Globe-nominated Apple TV+ series The Morning Show, starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, which debuted November 1, 2019, as part of the streaming service's launch. The series is currently...show more

Speaking on: Showrunner Superpanel: where do we go from here


Chat

Lisa Fahrenholt

SVP, Scripted Development

Endemol Shine North America

Lisa Fahrenholt was named Vice President, International Development, Scripted, Endemol Shine North America, in March 2018.

Fahrenholt is charged with identifying, facilitating and packaging programming opportunities with a key focus on adapting Endemol Shine Group-owned global formats for the U.S. market.

Most recently, she helped develop Fox’s new drama series Almost Family,...show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... Lisa Fahrenholt, EndemolShine


Chat

James Farr

EVP, Development

Cream Productions Inc.

James is dedicated to finding and developing unique unscripted projects that connect and resonate with audiences hungry for exciting content. In his time at Cream, James has led the development on specials and series in a broad variety of genres, including history projects Age of Samurai for Netflix, The World Without Canada for History...show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... James Farr, Cream Productions


Chat

Zach Feldberg

Director of Current Production Comedy & Head of Scripted Gem Originals

CBC

With over a decade of experience pioneering the intersection of TV and digital, Zach Feldberg has navigated the content business from many different angles. At CBC, he is in charge of the YA Digital Originals strategy and programming slate, developing and commissioning Gen Z-targeted series for CBC Gem and branded...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - CBC, Corus Entertainment, Jennifer Hollyer Agency


Chat

Danny Feldheim

Senior Vice President, Comedy Development ABC Signature

CBS All Access

Danny Feldheim was one of the first hires for the Original Content division at CBS All Access, when the service
launched original series in 2016. Feldheim is responsible for shepherding such dramas as Star Trek: Picard, Star
Trek: Discovery, The Good Fight, The Stand and Interrogation, as well as a...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Danny Feldheim, CBS All-Access


Chat

Liz Feldman

Creator, Showrunner, Executive Producer, Dead to Me (Netflix)

Over the course of her career, award-winning writer Liz Feldman has carved a space for diverse voices within the entertainment industry.

Feldman is the creator and executive producer of the acclaimed Netflix series, Dead to Me, which was fourth on Netflix’s “Top 10 Most Popular Series of 2019.” Season two premieres...show more

Speaking on: Showrunner Superpanel: where do we go from here


Chat

Erin Finlay

Partner

Stohn Hay Cafazzo Dembroski Richmond LLP

Erin is a partner with Stohn Hay Cafazzo Dembroski Richmond LLP where she practises in the areas of entertainment law, copyright, privacy, broadcast regulatory and cultural policy. She provides a wide range of legal services and strategic direction to producers, artists, musicians, authors, publishers, trade associations, copyright collectives and cultural businesses in the development, production,...show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... Erin Finlay, Stohn Hay Cafazzo Dembroski Richmond LLP


Chat

Edwina Follows

Executive Producer

Bell Media

As General Manager of the six Discovery Networks in Canada (Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Velocity, Science Channel, Investigation Discovery, and Discovery GO, Edwina Follows is responsible for all day-to-day operations, including programming and independent production as well as business and strategic planning.

In her various roles throughout her...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Corus Entertainment, Bell Media, Radio-Canada


Chat

Sarah Fowlie

Head of Production, Original Programming

Bell Media

Sarah Fowlie leads the development of comedic productions to air across Bell Media's family of channels, including CTV, The Comedy Network, SPACE, MUCH, Bravo, TMN and CraveTV.

Fowlie began her career at Bell Media in 1997 at The Comedy Network and has developed strong relationships with the Canadian and International comedy...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Bell Media, Blue Ant Media, M6


Chat

Zara Frankel

Senior Director, Programming & Development

PBS

Zara Frankel works in PBS Programming as the Director of Programming and Development. She collaborates extensively with filmmakers, production companies, and new talent to develop interesting and innovative content across genres for PBS. Prior to her current role, Zara served as the Development Manager for PBS Programming, evaluating submissions and...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - PBS, TVO, Group Media TFO


Chat

Jorge Franzini

VP Content

CuriosityStream

Jorge Franzini has produced and written a wide range of highly acclaimed documentaries for CuriosityStream, including its first original series Destination: Pluto, its first 4K series Underwater Wonders of the National Parks, the award-nominated Jason Silva special Transhumanism, as well as the successful CuriosityStream strand Breakthroughs.

Outside of his early duties...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - CuriosityStream, MGM Television, Radio-Canada


Chat

Kitty Gambel

SVP, Unscripted & Alternative Television

MGM Studios, Inc

Kitty Gambel is Vice President of Unscripted Television at MGM. In her role, she manages a large slate of development projects, serves as point on current series including Beat Shazam and the recently announced ABC series Generation Gap, and oversees a robust slate of podcasts.

Prior to joining MGM, Gambel served as...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - CuriosityStream, MGM Television, Radio-Canada


Chat

Cathy Garland

Producer &Acquisitions, Trcl-Paranormal Only

Discovery, Inc.

Cathy Garland is a producer at TRVL, having re-joined the network in 2018, where she also worked from 2000- 2010, primarily as director of development. From 2011 -2018, she was a producer at Destination America where she also oversaw acquisitions. Her executive producing credits include: Mountain Monsters, Famously Afraid, Paranormal...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Bell Media, Super Channel, TRVL


Chat

Athena Georgaklis

Executive Producer, Creative & Business Strategy

Nelvana Enterprises

Athena Georgaklis is the Head of Development for Nelvana.  A highly respected animation executive, Athena leads the acquisition of rights and the development of all original content for Nelvana. Athena is committed to develop creator-driven content, working with the studio’s producers, creators, and talent around the world that will resonate...show more

Speaking on: Rockie Awards Roundtable: Children & Youth; Nelvana Partner Presentation: redefining the new animated partnership model - how Nelvana partners with global broadcasters


Chat

Tommy Gillespie

Senior Director, Content Production

PBS

As Director of Children’s Programming, Tommy leads the strategic rollout of video content for PBS KIDS, including scheduling and content planning for the U.S. public broadcaster’s national children’s service and the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel and livestream. He is also the production executive on several PBS KIDS series, including the...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Corus Entertainment, PBS, Rogers Sports & Media


Chat

Lisa Godfrey

SVP Original Content and Corus Studios

Corus Entertainment Inc


Chat

Marni Goldman

Production Executive, Lifestyle Content

Corus Entertainment Inc

In her role as Production Executive of Original Lifestyle Content at Corus Entertainment, Marni oversees the development and production of top-rated HGTV Canada and Food Network Canada television series. 

Her slate of hit shows includes Home To Win, Island of Bryan, Top Chef Canada and $ave My Reno. Prior to joining...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Corus Entertainment, Keshet International, UKTV


Chat

Isabel Gomez-Moriana

Director, Development, Scripted Programming

eOne

Isabel has been a part of the team at Entertainment One since June 2017. As Director of Development her focus is to help eOne build a strong slate of scripted television projects for both the domestic and international marketplace. Isabel is extremely passionate about storytelling and is committed to supporting...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Blue Ant Media, eOne, OWN


Chat

Amy Gravitt

EVP of Programming

HBO

Amy Gravitt is executive vice president, HBO Programming, for Home Box Office, responsible for developing and overseeing the production of original comedy series.  She was named to this position in May 2016. 

She currently oversees Avenue 5 with Armando Iannucci and Hugh Laurie, The Righteous Gemstones with Danny McBride and John...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: HBO’s Avenue 5


Chat

Greg Greenwald

Manager, CNN Original Series

CNN

Greg Greenwald is Manager of Program Development for CNN Original Series and is based out of CNN’s New York office. He is responsible for developing original programming across a variety of CNN platforms as well as cultivating relationships within the entertainment industry. Prior to joining CNN, Greg worked as a development...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Bell Media, CNN, Warner Bros International Television Production


Chat

Andrea Griffith

VP, Content & Development, Kids & Family

Corus Entertainment

Andrea Griffith is a Production Executive of Lifestyle Content for Corus’ Original Programming team. In this capacity, she oversees the development and production of original series for HGTV Canada and Food Network Canada. She has shepherded top-rated series such as Canada’s Handyman Challenge,Holmes and Holmes, as well as the Corus Studios...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Corus Entertainment, PBS, Rogers Sports & Media


Chat

Melanie Grisanti

Executive/Creative Producer

Sesame Workshop

Melanie Grisanti is Senior Vice President of Production Management at Sesame Workshop, the media and education nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street. 

She is a production executive with over 25 years’ experience in children’s media production across platforms. She currently oversees production of Sesame’s award-winning creative content – leading teams managing multiple...show more

Speaking on: Nelvana Partner Presentation: redefining the new animated partnership model - how Nelvana partners with global broadcasters


Chat

Steven Guilbeault

Minister of Canadian Heritage

Government of Canada


Chat

Melanie Nepinak Hadley

Executive in Charge of Production, Drama

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Melanie Nepinak Hadley is Executive in Charge of Production, Drama for CBC. In her role at CBC, she oversees titles including Trickster, Heartland, Pure, The Secret Path and Frankie Drake Mysteries. Prior to her role at CBC, she was the Manager of Programming for Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). She...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - CBC, APTN


Chat

Nina Hahn

Founder

Nickelodeon UK

As Senior Vice President, International Production & Development, Nina Hahn oversees international content development and co-production partnerships for Nickelodeon outside of the US. 

Based in London, Hahn coordinates and drives the development process, spearheading new production models, managing productions from pilot through to series, and working in direct partnership with Nickelodeon’s...show more

Speaking on: Quick Draw: animation industry leaders with lessons for the future



Chat

Lisa Hamilton Daly

EVP, Programming

Netflix

Lisa Hamilton Daly joined Netflix as Director, Original Series in January 2018, and currently oversees the development and production of the upcoming drama series Spinning Out, Firefly Lane, Sweet Magnolias and Tiny Pretty Things, among others.  Previously she worked for A+E's Lifetime channel, developing movies, miniseries, and backdoor pilots, including the 8-hour Flowers in the...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Lisa Hamilton-Daly, Netflix


Chat

Sarah Hammond

Chief Creative Officer

Two Brothers Pictures

Sarah is an award winning television producer who produced Phoebe Waller Bridge’s global smash hit Fleabag and the critically acclaimed comedy Back To Life, written by and starring Daisy Haggard for the BBC and Showtime. She is an Executive Producer at Harry & Jack Williams’ indie Two Brothers Pictures working alongside them on their drama...show more

Speaking on: Rockies Awards Roundtable: Scripted


Chat

Jennifer Harkness

SVP, Factual Entertainment and Production

Blue Ant Media

Jennifer Harkness’ key focus is developing, selling and producing unscripted series for Blue Ant Studios within the US and international markets. Previously, Harkness served as SVP of Sales'& Development USA for Cream Productions, most recently as Executive Producer on The Story of Late Night for CNN. In her role, she...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Bell Media, Blue Ant Media, M6; Coffee With... Jennifer Harkness, Blue Ant Media


Chat

Tom Hastings

Head of Original Programming in Canada, Paramount+

Bell Media

As the Director of Drama in Bell Media’s Original Programming Unit, Tom Hastings supervises the development and production of original Canadian dramatic series across Bell Media’s family of channels, including CTV, CTV Sci-Fi, CTV Drama, and Crave.

Hastings has extensive relationships with Canada’s independent production community, and is especially known for...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - ZDF, Bell Media, ITV


Chat

Karin Heijink

SVP Content, Marketing & Products

Viasat World

Karin Heijink was appointed Vice President of Channels and Products at Viasat World in 2015. Previously, she worked at MTG AB between 2011 and 2015 as Vice President of Pay TV Channels East. Prior to that she worked for MTV Networks International as Senior Director of Music Content in the...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - BBC, CBC, Viasat World


Chat

Jérôme Hellio

Directeur des Contenus

TV5 Quebec Canada

Jérôme Hellio œuvre dans le domaine du numérique et dans le milieu télévisuel depuis plus de 20 ans. Il a eu la responsabilité de l’offre de Radio-Canada.ca et de ICI TOU.TV ainsi que de leur déploiement sur les plateformes mobiles. Pendant plus de 10 ans, il...show more

Speaking on: Un bon départ : modèles pour la reprise des tournages


Chat

Jeff Hersh

COO

Bell Media

Jeff Hersh is responsible for formulating and executing the strategy and business development for Bell Media. In addition, he is responsible for Crave and STARZ and the strategy and expansion of Bell Media’s OTT and direct-to-consumer opportunities. Most recently, Jeff was instrumental in driving Bell’s exclusive Canadian partnership with Quibi, the highly...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Jeff Hersh, Bell Media



Chat

Mioshi Hill

President

Lifetime

Mioshi Hill currently serves as Vice President of Non-Fiction Development & Programming for Lifetime and is responsible for developing and overseeing production of non-fiction projects for the network.

Hill, who joined Lifetime in 2015, is responsible for overseeing the development and production of multiple docu-series and non-fiction events on the network’s...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Mioshi Hill, Lifetime


Chat

Kate Hoenigsberg

Senior Content Executive

Quibi

Kate Hoenigsberg is currently a senior content executive at Quibi where she oversees development and production of scripted series, including Veena Sud's The Stranger. Before joining Quibi, she was vice president of scripted programming at NBCUniversal cable and oversaw hit series including Dirty John and The Sinner, which was nominated...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Quibi's The Stranger


Chat

Daniel Holloway

Executive Editor, Television

Variety


Chat

Jennifer Hollyer

Agent

The Jennifer Hollyer Agency

Combining her life-long love of narrative, her honours BA in literature and classics, and being a natural people person, Jennifer is living her dream job as co-owner and agent of the Jennifer Hollyer Agency. Many of Jennifer’s clients have been with her since she established the agency in 1991, and...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - BBC Studios, eOne, Jennifer Hollyer Agency


Chat

Meghan Hooper

Executive Vice President, Head of Original Movies and Limited Series, Entertainment and Youth Group

ViacomCBS Inc.

Meghan Hooper White is Senior Vice President, Original Movies, Co-Productions and Acquisitions, for Lifetime and Lifetime Movies (formerly LMN). Based in New York, Hooper White oversees the development and production on both original films and original co-production film commissions, international co-productions and all program acquisitions for Lifetime and Lifetime Movies....show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... Meghan Hooper, ViacomCBS


Chat

Sharon Horgan

Co-Founder

Merman

BAFTA award-winning Irish actress, writer, producer and director, Sharon Horgan is best known for her multiple award-winning sitcom Catastrophe, which she co-wrote and starred in with Rob Delaney.

Sharon has received many accolades for her work including the BAFTA TV Craft Award for Best Writing in a Comedy Series (2016), Outstanding Achievement Award for her debut short-film THE Week...show more

Speaking on: Rockies Awards Roundtable: Scripted


Chat

Matt Hornburg

Co-President

marblemedia

Matt Hornburg is Co-CEO/ Partner and Executive Producer at marblemedia. In addition to strategic direction across the company, Matt leads creative development and production for the company’s original TV and Interactive divisions, including its most recent push into primetime with the launch of new scripted and unscripted divisions.

Together with business...show more

Speaking on: Rockie Awards Roundtable: Arts & Entertainment


Chat

Rose Hughes

Vice President, Sales, UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand

Keshet International

Rose is an international media and sales executive with a strong track record across formats and tape in scripted and non-scripted content through development, co-productions, pre-buys and international distribution. 

At Keshet International, Rose is responsible for the sales of all formats and finished series across North America, Western Europe plus Global and Regional SVODs....show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Corus Entertainment, Keshet International, UKTV


Chat

Kirsten Hurd

Commissioning Editor

TVOntario

Working in Acquisitions for TVO, the technological extension of Ontario’s public education system, Kirsten is responsible for sourcing a wide range of kids programming. She is also the Production Executive for TVO on 5 co-productions each year. In her previous positions she spent 15 years in international sales and acquisitions...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Channel 5, Quebecor, TVO; Speed Meetings - PBS, TVO, Group Media TFO


Chat

Brooke Lynn Hytes

Resident Judge, Canada's Drag Race

Never fear, the Queen of the North is here! Equal parts ballerina, showgirl, and 90s supermodel, Brooke Lynn Hytes is drag perfection personified. After training at the National Ballet School of Canada, this extraordinarily talented queen danced her way into hearts across the world in 2008 as a principal ballerina...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Canada's Drag Race


Chat

Armando Iannucci

Creator, Writer, Director and Executive Producer

Armando Iannucci is a writer and broadcaster, who has written, directed and produced numerous critically acclaimed television and radio comedy shows. His screenplay for the film In The Loop was nominated for an Oscar at the Academy Awards, and his iconic series for BBC – The Thick of It – was...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: HBO’s Avenue 5


Chat

Diane Ikemiyashiro

VP, Current Series

Disney Junior

Diane Ikemiyashiro is vice president, Current Series, Disney Junior, a role she was promoted to in March 2020. She is responsible for guiding the creative supervision and production of multiple series geared toward preschoolers and their parents/caregivers, including Mira, Royal Detective, a mystery-adventure series inspired by the cultures and customs...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Diane Ikemiyashiro & Kim Berglund, Disney Junior


Chat

Mandel Ilagan

Vice President, Current & Development, Game Shows

Nickelodeon

Mandel Ilagan is the VP of unscripted development at Nickelodeon, where he’s helped launch shows such as The Crystal Maze, The Substitute, Top Elf, Paradise Run and the recent reboots of the Emmy® Award-nominated Double Dare and Emmy® Award-nominated Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader.  

Prior to Nickelodeon, Ilagan served...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - CBC, Nickelodeon, The Alpern Group


Chat

Beth Iley

Senior Development Executive

New Metric Media


Chat

Katie Isaacson

Senior Director CNN Original Series

CNN

Katie Isaacson is Senior Manager of Development for CNN Original Series at CNN, based in New York City. In this position, she is responsible for cultivating relationships within the creative community and developing original programming across a variety of CNN platforms. She is responsible for the development of show concepts...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - CNN, Vice Media, eOne; 30 Minutes With... Katie Isaacson, CNN


Chat

Maria Ishak

SVP, Sales North America

all3media International

Maria Ishak is Senior Vice President North America Sales at all3media International and manages the licensing of rights of over 11,000 hours of programming including Midsomer Murders, Undercover Boss and the award-winning Fleabag. Moreover, Ishak is charged with growing the North American business by managing factual co-production between the UK and US, working...show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... Maria Ishak, All3Media


Chat

Christina Jennings

Chairman & President

Shaftesbury

A visionary producer with a track record for delivering award-winning scripted content for audiences around the world, Christina Jennings is founder, chairman and CEO of Shaftesbury, a content company known for innovative storytelling and building successful brands. Spanning the production of TV, feature film and digital content, Shaftesbury titles are sold...show more

Speaking on: CMF Partner Presentation: Back to Business; practical examples on moving forward


Chat

Andrew Johnson

Executive In Charge of Production

Corus Entertainment Inc


Chat

Elle Johnson

Co-Showrunner, Executive Producer and Writer, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker (Netflix)

Elle Johnson is a writer, producer and showrunner. Most recently, she served as a co-showrunner on Netflix’s limited series SELF MADE: INSPIRED BY THE LIFE OF MADAM CJ WALKER starring/ produced by Octavia Spencer. The four-part limited series, which follows the legendary entrepreneur’s unprecedented success story, debuted in March 2020.

In...show more

Speaking on: Showrunner Superpanel: the opportunity zone


Chat

Falen Johnson

Host of CBC's Secret Life of Canada and Unreserved

CBC Podcasts


Chat

Robin Johnston

Director, Original Programming, Factual & Reality

Bell Media

As Director, Original Programming - Factual & Reality at Bell Media, Robin Johnston develops and oversees the production of unscripted projects for all of Bell Media’s services including, CTV, CRAVE, and Discovery Canada.

Robin and her team of production executives are part of Bell Media’s national Original Programming team, working with...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Bell Media, Super Channel, TRVL


Chat

Jon Kamen

Chairman & CEO

RadicalMedia

Founding Chairman and CEO Jon Kamen’s artistic vision has solidified RadicalMedia’s position as one of the world’s leading generators of premium content in nearly every medium possible, including television, film, graphic, and interactive design.

RadicalMedia is an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Peabody Award-winning producer whose work includes the Academy Award®-winning The Fog...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: American Portrait


Chat

Floyd Kane

President

Floyd Kane started his career as an entertainment lawyer working on productions such as the long- running satirical news program This Hour Has 22 Minutes and the Oscar winning documentary, Bowling For Columbine. He transitioned into writing with his creation of the half hour CBC drama
North/South.  Since that time,...show more

Speaking on: Showrunner Superpanel: the opportunity zone


Chat

Anja Karadeglija

Editor, The Wire Report

Anja Karadeglija is the editor of The Wire Report, a daily online news outlet that focuses on the Canadian media and telecom industries. She heads a team of journalists on Parliament Hill who report on key political, tech, regulatory and business developments in the industry. The Wire Report also specializes...show more

Speaking on: In Conversation With: Minister of Canadian Heritage, Steven Guilbeault


Chat

Sari Katz

Head of Business Development, Public Figures

YouTube

Sari leads the YouTube Partnerships team overseeing relationships with top talent like Will Smith, Jason Momoa, Jennifer Lopez, and Brie Larson. Sari helped develop YouTube’s talent acquisition strategy and team, and provides talent with the knowledge and skills to succeed on the YouTube platform. Before leading business development, Sari managed...show more

Speaking on: Partner Presentation: YouTube - new digital opportunities for an industry in flux


Chat

Jennifer Kawaja

President of English Scripted

Sienna Films

Jennifer Kawaja, with business partner Julia Sereny, helms Sienna Films, one of Canada’s preeminent scripted content companies.

Their Sienna produced serialized crime series Cardinal, starring Billy Campbell and Karine Vanasse, recently aired on CTV, is entering its fourth season in 2020 on global platforms internationally including Hulu, BBC4, Canal+.   Ransom,...show more

Speaking on: Trickster: working towards narrative sovereignty


Chat

Jonny Keeling

Head of Natural History Unit

BBC Studios' Natural History Unit

Jonny Keeling is the executive producer of Seven Worlds - One Planet. He's worked at the BBC natural history unit for 23 years where he produced and directed various wildlife and adventure documentaries including Planet Earth, Planet Earth II, The Life of Mammals, Mountain gorilla, The Natural World, Wildlife on...show more

Speaking on: Rockie Awards Roundtable: Documentary & Factual


Chat

Andrew Kelly

Vice President, Scripted Development, Television

eOne

As Director, Development – Scripted Programming for Entertainment One, Andrew develops scripted, prime-time content out of Canada for the global marketplace. He has set up and worked on series at ABC, CBC, CTV, CityTV, Global, CTV Sci-Fi, Showcase, Starz, SyFy, and The CW. While developing a dynamic slate of projects...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - BBC Studios, eOne, Jennifer Hollyer Agency


Chat

Lynne Kirby

Executive Producer

Nutopia

Lynne Kirby is an Emmy and BAFTA-nominated, Peabody-winning producer working with premium documentary company Nutopia. She plays a key role in developing and selling programs for such networks as HBO Max, Netflix, Amazon, National Geographic and Disney+.  Since 2015 Kirby has also developed and produced shows with Jigsaw, Radical and Beyond....show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Corus Entertainment, Meridian Artists, Nutopia


Chat

Jenn Kuzmyk

Executive Director - BANFF, Publisher - Playback

Brunico Communications Ltd.

As Executive Director of the Banff World Media Festival and Playback, Jenn Kuzmyk oversees all aspects of the renowned international event and commercial stewardship of Canada’s screen industry publication of record. She has created, developed and co-executive produced television series for top channels worldwide, including Emmy nominated series Wild Things with Dominic...show more

Speaking on: Rockies Awards Roundtable: Scripted


Chat

Pippa Lambert

Founder

Hellcat

Pippa Lambert is a TV and Film executive with 20 years experience in development, packaging, sales and finance at global companies including Endeavor Content, WME, ICM Partners, All3Media International and BRON Studios.

Lambert  has worked across many genres and formats including premium TV documentaries, reality TV, premium scripted...show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... Pippa Lambert, Hellcat



Chat

Jarmo Lampela

Head of Drama

YLE Finnish Broadcasting Company

Jarmo Lampela is currently the Head of Drama at YLE and has been since 2015, with the aim to increase the international co-productions before 2020. At current, YLE has over 11 different series that have been produced or in production with 9 different countries.

He has worked as scriptwriter and directed...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - APTN, Topic, YLE; 30 Minutes With... Jarmo Lampela, YLE


Chat

Michelle Latimer

Executive Producer, Director, Trickster

Michelle Latimer is an award-winning filmmaker, producer, writer and activist. Her films have screened internationally, including such festivals as Cannes, Berlin, Toronto International, Sundance, Oberhausen and Rotterdam. Her video work has been acquired by numerous art galleries, including the National Gallery of Canada. She is currently showrunning and directing the...show more

Speaking on: Trickster: working towards narrative sovereignty


Chat

Robyn Lattaker-Johnson

Agent, Media Consultant

OWN Oprah Winfrey Network

Robyn Lattaker-Johnson is Head of OWN Unscripted Development, Programming & Specials. She reports to OWN president, Tina Perry, in this role and focuses on developing a variety of unscripted programs for the network’s core African-American female audience.

Prior to OWN, Lattaker-Johnson was at REVOLT Media & TV, where she was Head...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Blue Ant Media, eOne, OWN


Chat

Hugh Laurie

Actor

Hugh Laurie is a two-time SAG Award and three-time Golden Globe Award-winning actor, comedian, and musician whose incredible talent on and off the screen continues to captive audiences worldwide.  

Laurie stars in HBO’s Avenue 5 as the lead character Ryan Clark, the charming American Captain of Avenue 5. Created and executive...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: HBO’s Avenue 5


Chat

Nathalie Lethbridge

Founder and Managing Director

Atonik Digital

Nathalie Lethbridge is the Founder and Managing Director of Atonik Digital, an international streamed entertainment and content strategy consultancy based in London. An expert in Pay TV, streamed entertainment services, content, mobile and converged digital media, Nathalie has extensive experience in business and content strategy, as well commercial negotiations across...show more

Speaking on: Critical Math: how data is revolutionizing the discovery and experience of content in the 21st century



Chat

Gave Lindo

Head of Content Programming, North America

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Gave Lindo is the Executive Director of OTT Programming for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation where he leads the content strategy for the public broadcaster’s over-the-top streaming service, CBC GEM, and oversees its slate of original digital content for all platforms. Prior to his appointment, he served as Senior Director and...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Christiane Asselin, Radio-Canada & Gave Lindo, CBC


Chat

Sam Linton

VP, Production and Development, Global Media

Blue Ant Media

Sam Linton brings over 30 years of production expertise to her role as Head of Original Content for Blue Ant Media’s Canadian specialty television channels including Cottage Life, T+E, Smithsonian Channel Canada and Makeful. In her role, Sam oversees commissioning and production of original series such as Blown Away, Hotel...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Blue Ant Media, eOne, OWN; 30 Minutes With... Sam Linton, Blue Ant Media



Chat

Felicia Litovitz

VP, Acquisitions, North America

Cineflix Productions Inc.

Felicia Litovitz is a seasoned acquisitions executive, with more than 15 years of experience in various roles across the TV and film industry. As VP, Acquisitions, North America, Felicia is responsible for building Cineflix Rights’ catalogue of factual and scripted content from US and Canadian producer partners. She also focuses...show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... Felicia Litovitz, Cineflix Rights; Meet an Expert


Chat

Kevin Loader

Executive Producer

Kevin Loader is one of the UK’s most established film and television producers.

His current work includes his most recent collaborations with Armando Iannucci: The HBO/Sky Atlantic comedy series Avenue 5, starring Hugh Laurie, Josh Gad, Zach Woods and Rebecca Front, and award-winning feature film The Personal History of David Copperfield,...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: HBO’s Avenue 5


Chat

Chris Loveall

VP, International Content, Disney+

The Walt Disney Company

Chris Loveall currently serves as Vice President, International Content for Disney+, working closely with Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer & International regional teams on the development and production of local language original scripted and unscripted series, as well as acquisitions, for all non-US markets. With the successful rollout of Disney+ in multiple markets, the International Content team is developing a robust slate of new...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Matt Brodlie & Chris Loveall, Disney+


Chat

Shelley MacDougall

Manager of Programming - Central Region

APTN Aboriginal Peoples Television Network Inc.


Chat

Christine Maestracci

Vice President Acquisitions & International Distribution

Quebecor Content

Christine Maestracci is Vice President Acquisitions & International Distribution at Quebecor Content. In this role, she is responsible for devising content acquisition strategy for all the platforms of the group, developing partnerships with studios and distributors, and growing the distribution of original productions abroad. She leads a team that scouts...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Christine Maestracci, Quebecor; Speed Meetings - Channel 5, Quebecor, TVO


Chat

Marika Makaroff

Founder and CCO

Gutsy Animations

Marika Makaroff is an award-winning content creator, producer and creative director hailing from Finland. Currently the CEO and founder of Gutsy Animations, Makaroff has worked in media for over 20 years with past roles including creative director at Fremantle Media and Filmlance International and additionally, CEO at Fremantle Media Finland...show more

Speaking on: Rockie Awards Roundtable: Children & Youth


Chat

Graeme Manson

Showrunner, Snowpiercer (TNT, Netflix)

Graeme Manson is a Canadian writer-producer with a career spanning everything from sitcoms to feature films, who’s stock-in-trade is grounded, real-world sci-fi. He co-wrote the cult hit Cube, and co-created and showran BBC America’s Orphan Black. Over five seasons, the fiercely original clone drama garnered dozens of awards, including a...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Snowpiercer


Chat

Bill Margol

Executive Producer

PBS

Bill Margol has spent over 30 years working in the media industry, covering the ground of writer, producer, editor, developer and executive. A graduate of Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, and Loyola University’s Masters in Emerging Media program, Bill was Executive Producer of Special Projects at Sci-Fi...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Bill Margol, PBS; Master Class: American Portrait


Chat

Three-time Emmy winner Margo Martindale is one of the world’s busiest and most acclaimed character actresses.

Currently, Margo can be seen starring opposite Cate Blanchett in FX on Hulu’s critically-acclaim Mrs. America. Recent credits include Hulu’s The Act alongside Patricia Arquette, and up against Tiffany Haddish, Melissa McCarthy, & Elizabeth Moss in the New...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Mrs America


Chat

Lori Mather

Co-Creator, Writer, Executive Producer (Find Me in Paris)

Lori Mather is one part of the dynamic duo with Jill Girling.  The pair have worked together for over a decade. They got their start by optioning a feature script to Julia Roberts Production Company Red Om Films and writing a MOW for Hallmark/Muse Entertainment.  Since then, they have taken...show more

Speaking on: Rockie Awards Roundtable: Children & Youth


Chat

Nicole Matiation

Senior Lead AV Production

On Screen Manitoba


Chat

Joe Mazzeo

Coordinator, Documentaries and Specials

Discovery

Based in Los Angeles, Joe Mazzeo is the Coordinator for the Documentaries and Specials team at Discovery Channel where he plays an integral role in ideation and development of original premium content for the network. In addition to development, Mazzeo works as Associate Producer on all of his teams projects...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - CNN, Discovery, VICE Media


Chat

Marie McCann

Senior Director, Children's Content

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Marie McCann is the Senior Director of Children's Content for CBC Kids.  Marie oversees development, production, acquisition as well as in-house production of our-award winning content for Canadian children 2 - 13.  

CBC Kids creates and curates content for children and youth that entertains, informs and inspires.  We reach kids from...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Marie McCann, CBC Kids


Chat

Sarah McCormack

EVP, Acquisitions & Co-Productions

Beyond Distribution

Sarah has amassed around 20 years experience in the TV industry, working in various roles at the BBC and as Head of Digital Media at the Open University. She then moved to Flame Distribution before joining Beyond Distribution in 2017.  As Senior VP in the acquisitions team, Sarah leads the...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Beyond Distribution, CBC, PBS


Chat

Michelle McCree

Executive in Charge of Production, CBC Docs

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation


Chat

Tim McKeon

Executive Producer & Co-Creator, Odd Squad

Sinking Ship Entertainment

Tim is a five-time Emmy winning writer and producer. He is co-creator and executive producer of the PBS Kid’s show Odd Squad. He is also creator and executive producer for the Sesame Workshop show Helpsters, which premiered on Apple TV+ in 2019. Other writing credits include PBS Kids’ Molly of Denali, Netflix’s Hilda, Disney’s Gravity...show more

Speaking on: Rockie Awards Roundtable: Children & Youth


Chat

Mary McNamara

Culture Columnist

Los Angeles Times

Mary McNamara is a Pulitzer Prize winning culture columnist for the Los Angeles Times.

Speaking on: Master Class: Mrs America


Chat

Lisa Meeches

Founder and Executive Producer

Eagle Vision

Lisa Meeches is one of the most dynamic and respected producers in the film industry and is Anishinaabe from Long Plain First Nation. After studying broadcasting in North Dakota, Lisa began her career in 1986 with the Native Media Network. She later began news reporting for Craig Broadcasting Systems in...show more

Speaking on: CMF Partner Presentation: Back to Business; practical examples on moving forward


Chat

Kathleen Meek

Manager, Original Content, Scripted & Factual

Corus Entertainment Inc


Chat

Traci Melchor

Senior Correspondent, ETALK

Bell Media

Beloved for her outgoing and lively personality, Traci Melchor (@stayfabulous) has been an icon on the Toronto entertainment scene for more than a decade. Vibrant, witty and fab, this Pickering, Ontario native is a Senior Correspondent for Canada’s most-watched entertainment program, ETALK.

Traci has years of experience interviewing hundreds of stars,...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Canada's Drag Race


Chat

Dany Meloul

Executive Vice President

CBC Radio-Canada

Dany Meloul est directrice générale de la Télévision de Radio-Canada depuis octobre 2019. Elle assume la responsabilité des chaînes ICI Télé, ICI ARTV et ICI Explora ainsi que de la de plateforme ICI TOU.TV. Possédant une longue feuille de route dans le secteur des médias au Québec, elle a une connaissance...show more

Speaking on: Un bon départ : modèles pour la reprise des tournages


Chat

Jocelyn Mercer

Co-CEO and CMO, How to Cake it (YouTube)

Jocelyn is a content and community strategist, and co-founder of How To Cake It - one of the fastest-growing digital brands in the food space.  Named as a Top Food Influencer by Forbes and ‘YouTube Icon’ in Entrepreneur Magazine, over the last 5 years How To Cake It has evolved...show more

Speaking on: Partner Presentation: YouTube - new digital opportunities for an industry in flux


Chat

Max Micallef

VP, Head of West Coast Development

History

Max Micallef is Vice President, Nonfiction Programming for HISTORY.  In this role, Micallef spearheads the development and production of some of HISTORY’s main nonfiction programming.  He joined the network in December 2018, and is based in Los Angeles.  

Micallef is the EP on The Final Hunt for DB Cooper and Hunting...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - CBC, History, Ubisoft; 30 Minutes With... Max Micallef, History


Chat

Laura Michalchyshyn

Executive Producer

Blue Ant Media

Laura Michalchyshyn is Chief Creative Officer, Blue Ant Media & Co-President, Content Production, Blue Ant Studios. In this role, she oversees creative content across multiple Blue Ant Media businesses while co-managing and growing Blue Ant Studios with a focus on the production slate in the U.S. She has run channels...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Canada's Drag Race


Chat

Ilana Miller

Literary Agent, Co-owner

The Jennifer Hollyer Agency

Born and raised in suburbia Toronto, Ilana graduated with a BA Honours in Film and Drama from Queens University in Kingston, Ontario.  After completing her degree, Ilana toiled between her love of the theatre and her passion for film before deciding that it was the film and television industry that...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - CBC, Corus Entertainment, Jennifer Hollyer Agency


Chat

Alex Montalvo

Head of Series Development & Programming

Quibi


Chat

Carrie Mudd

President

Peacock Alley Entertainment


Chat

Darren Nartey

Senior Acquisitions Manager, Films & Kids

ITV

Darren is responsible for leading negotiations on a range of Acquired Series, Films and Kids deals across the ITV portfolio (ITV1, ITV2, ITVBe, ITV3, ITV4, CITV and littleBe).

Darren has acquired a range of live action and animated programs such as The Big Bake, Masters of Flip. Sooty, Mr. Bean and Mr. Magoo.

His previous...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - ZDF, Bell Media, ITV


Chat

Rachel Nelson

Vice President, Original Programming and Head of Corus Studios

Corus Entertainment Inc

Rachel Nelson is Director, Original Content, Scripted and Factual, at Corus Entertainment.  In this role, Rachel leads the strategy of the company’s drama, comedy and factual programming in both production and development. Rachel manages a team overseeing hundreds of hours of content for several of the company’s national specialty channels...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Rachel Nelson, Corus Entertainment


Chat

Julie Nolke

Actor, Writer, Filmmaker and YouTube Creator

Julie Nolke is an actor, writer and the creator of her self titled comedy YouTube channel (~500K subscribers). She is also an award-winning filmmaker and writer. Her short film, Are We Bad Feminists, screened at Buffer Festival (2019) where she won overall “Excellence in Writing”. Other relevant festival screenings are:...show more

Speaking on: Partner Presentation: YouTube - new digital opportunities for an industry in flux


Chat

Arif Noorani

Executive Producer and Director of CBC Podcasts

CBC

Arif Noorani is the Executive Producer and co-founder of CBC Podcasts, the top podcast publisher in Canada with significant audiences around the world. He has led the development of over two dozen premium quality podcast series including Uncover (Escaping NXIVM, The Village etc), Someone Knows Something, Hunting Warhead,  Party...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - BBC, CBC, Viasat World


Chat

Deborah Osborne

Media Production Executive

APTN Aboriginal People's Television Network

For over 25 years, Deborah Osborne has worked with creators, performers, crews, professional organizations, theatre and opera companies, government institutions, equipment manufacturers, broadcasters and students.  Her career began in theatre and opera stage management, evolving to production of films, TV series, documentaries and live-to-air programming. Deborah brings to the APTN...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Deborah Osborne, APTN



Chat

Gregory Pang

Lawyer

RedFrame Law

Gregory is an Alberta-based lawyer who has been practising since 2009 in the areas of business, trademark and entertainment law. He was also a sessional instructor at MacEwan University. Before his law career, Gregory worked in film and television for five years in various roles from being a locations PA to...show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... Gregory Pang, RedFrame Law


Chat

Jackie Pardy

Chief Content Officer

Super Channel

As Super Channel’s Chief Content Officer, Jackie leads the company’s domestic and foreign program acquisitions for the network’s four channels (Fuse, Heart & Home, Vault and Ginx) and oversees development and production of Super Channel’s Canadian productions.

Jackie joined Super Channel in April, 2019. Previously she has worked at Women in...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Bell Media, Super Channel, TRVL


Chat

Sangita Patel

Host, ET Canada Weekend & Entertainment Reporter, ET Canada

Corus Entertainment Inc

Born and raised in Toronto, Sangita Patel is an engineer turned television personality, who worked her way up in the Canadian news landscape reporting on local lifestyle and entertainment news.

Sangita joined ET Canada in 2014 to cover the hottest red carpets and interview the biggest stars on the planet including...show more

Speaking on: Nelvana Partner Presentation: redefining the new animated partnership model - how Nelvana partners with global broadcasters


Chat

Tracey Pearce

Executive

Bell Media

With a career spanning more than 25 years, Tracey Pearce is an accomplished, award-winning media executive whose experience covers many facets of the industry, including creative development, programming, digital, strategy, legal and business affairs, as well as content distribution. Pearce oversees the subscription portfolio and revenue derived from the distribution...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Canada's Drag Race


Chat

Faith Penhale

CEO

Lookout Point

Faith began her career in drama production over 20 years ago and has worked on a broad range of shows; from a BAFTA-winning era of EastEnders and the multi award winning espionage series Spooks, to Andrew Davies’ critically acclaimed adaptation of War & Peace. Faith worked for ten years at...show more

Speaking on: Rockies Awards Roundtable: Scripted


Chat

Carol Ann Pilon

Executive Director

Alliance des Producteurs Francophones du Canada (APFC)

Carol Ann Pilon a été nommée Directrice Générale de l’Alliance des producteurs francophones du Canada (AFPC) en Novembre 2016. L’Alliance des producteurs francophones du Canada se consacre au développement de l’industrie francophone du film, de la télévision et des médias numériques aux quatre coins du Canada. L’APFC est le porte...show more

Speaking on: Un bon départ : modèles pour la reprise des tournages



Chat

Yi Qiao

Director Drama

ZDF Enterprises

Yi Qiao is Director for Drama at ZDF Enterprises, the commerical arm of German public broadcaster ZDF. There, she is responsible for sales and acquisitions of scripted projects across Scandinavia and the English-speaking territories. Prior to joining ZDFE, Yi Qiao has worked as a senior sales manager for Red Arrow...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - ZDF, Bell Media, ITV; Speed Meetings - Corus Entertainment, eOne, ZDF



Chat

Robert Randall

Founder and Director, YAP (YouTube)

Robert Randall is a Leo Award winning filmmaker and founder and director of the YAP YouTube channel which features Robert's original short films and web series, and boasts over 1.7 million subscribers and 425 million views.  Robert is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the UCLA...show more

Speaking on: Partner Presentation: YouTube - new digital opportunities for an industry in flux


Chat

Manori Ravindran

London Correspondent

Variety

Manori Ravindran is International Editor of Variety, based out of London, where she manages the global team of correspondents, in addition to reporting on the international film and TV markets. She was previously Editor of Television Business International magazine, and prior to that, International Editor of U.K. trade weekly Broadcast....show more

Speaking on: Media Leaders 2020: the path forward


Chat

Chris Regina

Chief Content Officer

Netflix

In his role at Netflix as Director, Scripted Co-License and Original TV, Chris Regina oversees upcoming global original sci-fi genre series like Another Life, Wu Assassins, The Order, October Faction and Black Summer. 

Previously he was Senior Vice President, Original Co-Productions, Syfy, USA & Chiller, focusing on original Syfy movies like the...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Warner Brothers International Television Production, Netflix, CAA


Chat

Shabnam Rezaei

Co-Founder

Big Bad Boo

Shabnam started Big Bad Boo to make quality cartoons. Shows include ’16 Hudson’ (TVO Kids), ‘Bravest Knight’ (Hulu), ‘Mixed Nutz’, ‘Lili & Lola’ and ‘1001 Nights’ (Teletoon), which airs in 80 countries. Based in NYC and Vancouver, the company has an SVOD channel Oznoz that...show more

Speaking on: CMF Partner Presentation: Back to Business; practical examples on moving forward


Chat

Jenelle Riley

Deputy Awards and Features Editor

Variety

Jenelle Riley is the Deputy Awards and Features Editor at Variety. She has received three Emmy Awards for her work on Variety/PBS’ “Actors on Actors” series. She penned the award-winning plays “A Kind of Love Story” and “Jane Austen’s Emma Frankenstein” and the short films “Crazy Love” and “Warning Labels,”...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Quibi's The Stranger


Chat

Eden Robinson

Author, Son of a Trickster

Eden Robinson is the author of the bestselling Son of a Trickster, a 2017 finalist for the Scotiabank Giller Prize; the sequel Trickster Drift (October 2018), which won the Ethel Wilson BC Book Prize for Fiction; Blood Sports (2006), Traplines(1996), and Speaking on: Trickster: working towards narrative sovereignty; BANFF Watch Party: CBC’s Trickster


Chat

Ryan Robinson

Director of Development CNN Originals

CNN

Ryan Robinson is Manager of Development for CNN Original Series and Films. Robinson joined CNN in 2016 and works in development and current across both series and films content. During her CNN tenure, she’s worked on a variety of new and returning original series including United Shades of America with W....show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - CNN, Discovery, VICE Media


Chat

Nataline Rodrigues

SVP of Development

Rogers Media

Nataline Rodrigues is a strategic and creative thinker with extensive experience in content creation at all stages and in all genres, for broadcast television and digital media platforms. In her current role as Director of Original Programming, Nataline Rodrigues oversees the submission, development and production, of original Canadian programming for non-sports...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Corus Entertainment, PBS, Rogers Sports & Media


Chat

Chris Rose

Independent

Nickelodeon International

As VP of Animation Production and Development, Chris Rose heads up animation development and production for Nickelodeon International. In addition to identifying and developing new IP for Nick Toons, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr, Rose works across Nick International’s original animated content production slate and manages the international component of the...show more

Speaking on: Nelvana Partner Presentation: redefining the new animated partnership model - how Nelvana partners with global broadcasters


Chat

Warren Ross

Counsel, Labour Relations

Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA)

Warren oversees legal and risk management across the CMPA, providing broad-based strategic legal advice on matters affecting the organization’s internal and external operations including those relating to commercial agreements, employment-related issues, litigation and internal regulatory compliance. Also serving as head of the CMPA’s National Industrial Relations department, Warren is the...show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... Warren Ross, Canadian Media Producers Association


Chat

Tanya Saracho

Creator, Showrunner, Executive Producer, Vida (Starz)

Tanya Saracho is a playwright and television writer who serves as creator, showrunner, and executive producer of the critically-acclaimed series Vida on Starz, which earned 100% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes for both its first and second seasons. The show, which returned for a third and final season April 26th...show more

Speaking on: Showrunner Superpanel: where do we go from here


Chat

Liza Sardi

Editor-in-Chief

Brunico Communications Ltd.


Chat

Adriano Schmid

VP & Head of Content

Discovery Kids Latin America

s Senior Director of Production, Adriano Schmid oversees the team responsible for program development and original productions for Discovery Kids Latin America.

Among some of the most recent Discovery Kids projects completed under his supervision is Mini Beat Power Rockers, the International Emmy nominated CG-animated series about a group of babies...show more

Speaking on: Nelvana Partner Presentation: redefining the new animated partnership model - how Nelvana partners with global broadcasters


Chat

Jessica Schmiedchen

Director of Development, Unscripted Content

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Jessica oversees development of original content and formats in the genres of factual entertainment and doc series at CBC - on both linear television and on the broadcaster's streaming service, CBC Gem. She is responsible for sourcing the best new formats from around the world, and working with the independent...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - CBC, APTN


Chat

Michael Schneider

TV Editor

Variety


Chat

Micah Schraft

Co-Executive Producer, Mrs. America (FX on Hulu)

Micah Schraft has written, produced and directed several television shows including Jane the Virgin (CW), Jessica Jones (Netflix, Peabody Award), and Hung (HBO). He has co-written two television movies and two features, Sunny and Share Love You (Outfest Audience Award, Vanguard releasing) and The Quiet (developed at the Sundance Lab,...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Mrs America


Chat

Adam Scorgie

Producer, Creative Hustler

Score G Productions

Adam Scorgie’s plan A has always been to work hard, be humble and take chances; and it has worked tremendously to date.  A father of 3, a loving husband and an acclaimed documentarian, Adam has an astonishing ability to balance his relentless work schedule and his invaluable family time. To date, Adam...show more

Speaking on: Rockie Awards Roundtable: Documentary & Factual


Chat

Brent Jordan Sherman

Literary Agent

The Characters Talent Agency


Chat

Matthew Shewchuk

President/Executive Producer

Big Time Decent Productions & Mayhem Entertainment


Chat

Henry Singer

Director (The Trial of Ratko Mladic)

Henry Singer is one of Britain's most critically acclaimed documentary directors.  He has won or been nominated for every major British documentary award, including the BAFTA, Royal Television Society, Grierson, Broadcast and Broadcasting Press Guild as well as an international Emmy, and his films have been screened at festivals around...show more

Speaking on: Rockie Awards Roundtable: Documentary & Factual


Chat

Martin Soudan

Director of Development, Fiction

M6

Martin Soudan is in charge of the development and production of TV scripted content at SND (Groupe M6). He is working with agents, writers and producing partners to source, develop and oversee the scripted projects, for Groupe M6 TV channels as well as third-party broadcasters.

Prior to joining SND, he had...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Bell Media, Blue Ant Media, M6


Chat

Esta Spalding

Showrunner, Executive Producer, On Becoming a God in Central Florida (Showtime)

Spalding is an award-winning showrunner, screenwriter, children's author and poet. She's currently the Executive Producer/showrunner of Showtime’s On Becoming a God in Central Florida (starring Kirsten Dunst). She has worked on many prestigious television series including Showtime's Masters of Sex, FX's The Bridge, and the recent reboot of Party of Five. Spalding hails from Canada, where...show more

Speaking on: Showrunner Superpanel: the opportunity zone


Chat

Jessie Springer

Manager of Development, Nat Geo WILD

National Geographic Channel

Jessie Springer is the Associate Manager of Development for the WILD creative team. She manages the development of wildlife and animal content for national geographic channels with an emphasis on Sharkfest and character-led series for Nat Geo WILD. Previously, Jessie worked in Development and Production for Red Rock Films and...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - National Geographic


Chat

Carlyn Staudt

EVP Global Channels & Streaming

Love Nature

Carlyn Staudt is responsible for leading the global programming strategy of Love Nature’s linear and streaming video platforms internationally, with the exception of North America. Her role also includes commissioning original content to grow the brand’s extensive library of 4K natural history programming. Working out of Washington, D.C., Staudt is...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Carlyn Staudt, Love Nature


Chat

Adam Steinman

Production and Development

Warner Bros. International Television Production

Adam Steinman served as Vice President, Non-Scripted International Development & Sales from October 2010 until October 2016 and in November 2016 was promoted to Vice President, Creative, Format, Development & Sales at Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP), where scripted formats have been added to his remit.

In this position, Steinman...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Warner Brothers International Television Production, Netflix, CAA; Speed Meetings - Bell Media, CNN, Warner Bros International Television Production


Chat

Michele Stephenson

Series Producer, Co-Founder

Rada Film Group

As co-founder of the Rada Film Group, Michèle Stephenson pulls from her Panamanian and Haitian roots and experience as a human rights attorney to tell provocative stories that speak to personal and systemic liberation. Her films have been nominated for three Emmys. Her collaborative series with NYT Op-Docs, A Conversation on...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: American Portrait


Chat

Danna Stern

Managing Director

Yes Studios

As head of yes Studios Stern oversees sales, distribution and development of premium Israeli content for international platforms.

Among yes Studios' recent successes is the third season of Fauda; the adaptation of the Israeli series Your Honor (Kvodo) in the US for Showtime Networks, starring the Oscar and Emmy winner Bryan...show more

Speaking on: Media Leaders 2020: the path forward


Chat

Justin Stockman

VP Content Development and Programming

Bell Media

As Vice-President, Brand Partnerships and Client Strategy on the Bell Media Sales team, Justin Stockman lead the Sales team in leveraging Bell Media’s competitive advantage in content, production, data and platforms with clients, agencies, and internal stakeholders while driving new revenue opportunities through strategic brand integrations and data-driven client strategies.

In addition...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Canada's Drag Race



Chat

Veena Sud

Creator/Showrunner

Veena Sud created The Killing (AMC/Netflix) which was nominated for six Emmys, including for Sud’s writing, as well a WGA nomination for Best New Series. She was featured in The Hollywood Reporter’s 2011 Power Showrunners List and Variety’s Women’s Impact Report. Her recent Emmy Award winning TV series, Seven Seconds...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Quibi's The Stranger


Chat

Kerry Sugiyama

Senior Manager, International Market Development

APTN Aboriginal People's Television Network

Kerry Moraes-Sugiyama has, over the course of a varied and exciting career, developed a diversity of skills in production and management in both television and film. She currently serves as the Associate Manager of Programming-West for Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). In this role, she assists the network in identifying,...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Kerry Moraes-Sugiyama, APTN


Chat

Igal Svet

Executive Vice President

Discovery

gal Svet is Vice President of Production and Development, for documentaries and specials. In this role, Svet is part of  the team that oversees  development and production strategies for event programming, documentaries, and specials. He also is responsible for the ideation and creation of a range of projects and oversee...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Igal Svet, Discovery


Chat

Russell T Davies

Creator, Executive Producer and Showrunner (It's a Sin)

RED Production Company

Born in Swansea, South Wales.  Started work at Children’s BBC, then become a Script Editor and Storyliner at Granada in Manchester.  Created the original Queer As Folk in 1999.  Working with Red Productions, wrote The Second Coming, Bob & Rose, Mine All Mine and Casanova. Resurrected Doctor Who in 2005...show more

Speaking on: Rockies Awards Roundtable: Scripted


Chat

Catherine Tait

President & CEO

CBC/Radio-Canada

Catherine Tait was appointed President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada on April 3, 2018, for a five-year term. She began her mandate on July 3, 2018. Catherine is also the Chair of the Global Task Force for Public Media, an initiative of the Public Media Alliance launched in September 2019.

As President...show more

Speaking on: Media Leaders 2020: the path forward


Chat

Larry Tanz

Head, EMEA

Netflix

Larry Tanz is Vice President of Original Series for Europe, Middle East and Africa for Netflix, based out of Amsterdam. Since joining Netflix in 2014, he has also worked across commissions, co-productions, and acquisitions, from US, Latin America, and APAC, including shows such as The Stranger, Bodyguard, El Chapo, Fauda,...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Snowpiercer


Chat

Mary-Anne Taylor

Head of Content Distribution, Canada

Roku Inc.

As Head of Content Distribution Canada for Roku, Mary-Anne is responsible for building and nurturing content distribution partnerships with Canadian publishers. Mary-Anne is a seasoned entertainment executive with over 20-years of experience starting as a production technician and project manager, moving into content acquisitions for Shaw Direct, chairing cross-functional teams...show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... Mary-Anne Taylor, Roku


Chat

Courtney Thomasma

Executive Vice President of Streaming

AMC Networks Inc.

Courtney Thomasma is the Executive Director of BBC AMERICA, a hub of innovative, culturally contagious programming including the wildly acclaimed series Killing Eve; top-rated phenomenon Doctor Who; Emmy® and IDA-winning Planet Earth II and the producers’ next epic story of our planet, Seven Worlds, One Planet; Emmy-winning Blue Planet II; acclaimed drama Luther; ground-breaking unscripted series Top Gear; and...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Courtney Thomasma, BBC America


Chat

Andrew Thompson

Vice President, Content Production

NBA National Basketball Association

Andrew has been a producer for NBA Entertainment for a quarter of a century. He was a field producer during the Last Dance and it was his original idea to go to Michael Jordan with the idea of filming the entire season, which became the narrative centerpiece of the documentary....show more

Speaking on: In Conversation With: The team behind The Last Dance


Chat

Liz Tigelaar

Creator, Showrunner, Executive Producer, Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)

Liz Tigelaar is showrunner and executive producer of the Hulu limited series Little Fires Everywhere, starring and executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington, which is based on the bestselling novel
by Celeste Ng, and debuted March 18, 2020. Tigelaar most recently served as showrunner and executive producer of...show more

Speaking on: Showrunner Superpanel: where do we go from here


Chat

Mike Tollin

Co-Chairman

Mandalay Sports Media

Mike Tollin is co-chairman of MSM and Tollin Productions, which he co-founded with Peter Guber in 2012. He has produced and directed more than a dozen feature films, several award-winning documentaries, and hundreds of hours of television. His TV series include Smallville, One Tree Hill, Birds of Prey, Black Sash, Arli$$,...show more

Speaking on: In Conversation With: The team behind The Last Dance


Chat

Brooke Townsend

Sr. Director, Non-Fiction Programming & Development

History

Brooke Townsend is a Director of Nonfiction Programming and Development for HISTORY. In this role, Townsend oversees multiple hit programs, including Pawn Stars, Lost Gold of World War II and Swamp People: Serpent Invasion, as well as maintaining a robust development slate.

A 6 year veteran of A+E Networks, Townsend began her tenure at...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Corus Entertainment, History, Starz


Chat

Jennifer McCarron

CEO

Atomic Cartoons/Thunderbird

Jennifer Twiner-McCarron is the CEO of Thunderbird Entertainment Group, and its Kids and Family Division, Atomic Cartoons. The Vancouver-based global multiplatform entertainment company creates award-winning scripted, unscripted and animated programming for the world’s leading digital platforms, as well as Canadian and International broadcasters. 

Jennifer Twiner-McCarron joined Atomic Cartoons, Thunderbird Entertainment’s kids and family...show more

Speaking on: Quick Draw: animation industry leaders with lessons for the future


Chat

Kathryn Tyus-Adair

SVP Original Programming

Starz Media

As a STARZ Senior Vice President of Original Programming, Kathryn Tyus-Adair, has worked on a wide range of programming for the premium cable audience, including PowerOutlanderVidaThe Spanish Princess, upcoming series The Continental (from the hugely popular John Wick franchise), decadent period piece Dangerous Liaisons, Harlem-based girlfriends dramedy Run the World and music/dance-infused dramedy Blindspotting.

Before STARZ, Kathryn was...show more

Speaking on: 30 Minutes With... Kathryn Tyus-Adair, Starz; Meet an Expert; Speed Meetings - Corus Entertainment, History, Starz


Chat

Kristofer Updike

Senior Vice President, Creative

Peacock


Chat

Josee Vallee

Vice President, Production and Operations, Executive Producer

Sphere Media International Inc.

An experienced and respected producer, Josée Vallée is renowned for her significant contribution to Quebec television. Apart from heading Cirrus Communications, where she worked for 20 years, she also served as president of Attraction images. During this period, she was credited with nearly sixty productions. Among the...show more

Speaking on: CMF Partner Presentation: Back to Business; practical examples on moving forward


Chat

Amanda Vaughan

Production Executive, Corus Kids

Corus Entertainment Inc

Amanda is a Production Executive at Corus Kids, where she uses her passion for children's programming
to assist in the production and development of live action and animated series for Corus’s YTV,
Teletoon, and Treehouse networks. Previously, she has held other roles at Corus Entertainment on the
Kids Original Content...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Corus Entertainment, eOne, ZDF


Chat

Natalie Vinet

SVP, Global Distribution

Boat Rocker Studios

Speaking on: Meet an Expert


Chat

Dahvi Waller

Creator, Showrunner and Executive Producer, Mrs America (FX on Hulu)

An Emmy and WGA Award-winning TV writer and producer, Dahvi Waller is the creator, showrunner, and executive producer of the upcoming limited series Mrs. America on FX, starring Cate Blanchett, which debuts April 15th on FX on Hulu.

Waller previously served as a writer and producer for AMC’s critically acclaimed Mad Men, and most recently...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Mrs America


Chat

Barry Walsh

Editor-in-Chief & Content Director

Realscreen Magazine

Barry Walsh is editor and content director for Realscreen, and has served as editor of the publication since 2009. With a career in entertainment media that spans two decades, prior to Realscreen, he held the associate editor post for now defunct sister publication Boards, which focused on the advertising and commercial production industries....show more

Speaking on: Rockie Awards Roundtable: Documentary & Factual


Chat

Jesse Wente

Outgoing Co-Executive Director Indigenous Screen Office

Indigenous Screen Office

Jesse Wente is an Ojibwe writer, broadcaster, producer, and speaker. Born and raised in Toronto, his family hails from Chicago and the Serpent River First Nation. He has been a culture critic on CBC Radio’s Metro Morning for over twenty years. In 2018, Jesse became the first Director of the Indigenous Screen Office. Jesse is currently...show more

Speaking on: Trickster: working towards narrative sovereignty


Chat

Emma Westcott

Commissioning Editor, Factual & Features

Channel 5

Emma has been part of a small but dedicated multi genre commissioning team since 2013. She commissions across current affairs and specialist factual to broad in appeal returning series to ground-breaking documentaries to deliver hits to help Channel 5 and its portfolio of channels consistently punch above
their weight.

Recent successful...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Channel 5, Quebecor, TVO


Chat

Pamela Westman

President

Nelvana Ltd

As President of Nelvana, Pam oversees both the animation studio and business arms of Nelvana. Prior to this position, Pam was Head of Nelvana Enterprises where she was instrumental in establishing and expanding Nelvana’s brand development and monetization of the Nelvana portfolio, including licensing, marketing, content sales, and digital on...show more

Speaking on: Quick Draw: animation industry leaders with lessons for the future; Partner Presentation: Spotlight on Corus – Partnering with Corus to Build Global Franchises; Nelvana Partner Presentation: redefining the new animated partnership model - how Nelvana partners with global broadcasters


Chat

Lauren Whitelaw

Head of Programming

OUTtv Network Inc

Lauren is the Head of Programming for OUTtv, currently with services in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Servicing multiple territories, she has successfully negotiated contracts with companies worldwide. Lauren recently joined the development team at the network and continues to work closely with producers globally to find the best LGBTQ+...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Corus Entertainment, OutTV, WildBrain


Chat

James Whitlam

Executive Producer

Framestore

James Whitlam is Executive Producer at Framestore. As a highly regarded producer, James has vast experience covering a full range of roles across a broad spectrum of screen industries, having worked across a range of prestigious feature films, television and commercials. James started his career in VFX in 1991 as...show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... James Whitlam, Framestore


Chat

Trish Williams

Executive Director, Scripted Content

CBC


Chat

Anna Winger

Creator, Writer, Showrunner, Executive Producer: Unorthodox (Netflix), Deutschland83/86/89 (Amazon)

Studio Airlift

Anna Winger is a British-American writer, executive producer and creator of the television shows Unorthodox and Deutschland 83. In 2016, she founded Studio Airlift, a production company in Berlin. Winger was raised in Kenya, Massachusetts and Mexico. She studied at Columbia University in New York. She has received Emmy, Peabody...show more

Speaking on: Showrunner Superpanel: where do we go from here


Chat

Justina Wójtowicz

EVP, Acquisitions Co-Productions & Sales

Beyond Distribution

Justina Hemperek is Head of Acquisitions at Beyond Distribution and leads the company’s acquisition and pre-sales activity. She has extensive experience in factual programming and was previously Director of Acquisitions - UK, Europe and Australia, International Distribution at entertainment One (eOne). 

Prior to eOne, Hemperek held a similar role at ITV...show more

Speaking on: Coffee With... Justina Hemperek, Beyond Distribution


Chat

Keith Wooten

Director, Creative Development

BET Networks

Keith Wooten is a Los Angeles native, but he left the city for 15 years to attend college and get his start in the entertainment business. While a freshman in college at Clark Atlanta University he began interning in the music business and eventually landed an assistant position in the...show more

Speaking on: Speed Meetings - Bell Media, BET, Topic


Chat

Alison Wright

Talent, Snowpiercer (TNT/Netflix)

Alison Wright is best known for her Emmy-nominated performance (Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series) as FBI secretary “Martha Hanson” on FX’s critically acclaimed series The Americans. Wright played double duty on FX last year, also starring in the networks Emmy- nominated anthology FEUD: Bette and Joan from Ryan...show more

Speaking on: Master Class: Snowpiercer


Chat

Paul Yanover

President

Fandango

Paul Yanover was named Fandango President in 2012, and since then has grown the company from a popular U.S. movie ticketing utility into an international digital network for all things movies. Serving more than 67 million unique visitors per month globally, Fandango provides best-in-class movie information, ticketing to more than...show more

Speaking on: Critical Math: how data is revolutionizing the discovery and experience of content in the 21st century

“Life changing. What I learned and who I met in such a short period of time was Amazing.”
- Joy Haskell, Writer/Director/Producer

Search

Event Menu

Brand Menu