Speakers
You are not currently viewing the most recent Banff World Media Festival. Go to Banff World Media Festival 2024.
Prior to joining the CBC this past fall Yasmine Abbasakoor worked within Canada’s independent production sector for 20 years, including work on projects with Blue Ant Media, Saloon Media, Magee TV and 4East and a lead development role with factual prodco Cream Productions. She also served as a content producer...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Adams was appointed to the new role of Director of Current Production, Drama in February 2021. Adams has served as Executive in Charge of Production, Drama since 2012, overseeing the development and production of a number of CBC original dramas including Feudal, Coroner and X Company. Prior to joining CBC, Adams worked in independent...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight on CBC
Shaun Alperin, Senior Content Acquisition Manager, Amazon Prime Video is based in Culver City, California. Prior to joining Amazon Studios, Alperin was Director, Business Development, International Digital Networks at Starz. Previously, Alperin has worked at Hulu, ESPN and Cinedigm. Alperin holds an MBA from Harvard Business School where he graduated...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
As General Manager, FAST Channels, Beth Anderson leads BBC Studios’ global FAST initiative, developing audience and platform relationships and serving a dynamic selection of channel brands across the Americas, EMEA, and beyond. Anderson manages a growing team of business development, scheduling, and account management staff to develop meaningful paths to...show more
Speaking on: The FAST/AVOD market is exploding - what’s in it for you?
Tina Apostolopoulos is Sr. Production Executive 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, feature films and documentaries for Bell Media’s suite of channels and platforms, including the main conventional channel...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors: CBC, Warner Bros. International Television Production, Bell Media
Kelly Lynne Ashton has worked in the Canadian film, television and digital media industries as a business affairs executive in television production companies, as a producer at a children’s web studio, as manager of an online youth research company and in government relations and media policy for a talent union....show more
Speaking on: Shaw Rocket Presents: Being Seen Breakfast – Creating & commissioning more inclusive children's content
Catie Asip serves as assistant director, content for PBS KIDS, where she oversees new series development. She works with series creators from pitch to pilot, helping shape their projects for the PBS KIDS audience. She also serves as production executive for a number of current PBS KIDS series, including Clifford the...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Kids’ content commissioners weigh in; Speed Meetings with Buyers; Pitch Doctors: PBS, Eagle Vision, CBC
Rob Aslett is a Company Director, Artist Manager and Executive Producer at Avalon.
Rob started at Avalon in 1991 as the Head of Live Promotions. He began to take on his own management clients in 1995 and has built a roster of supremely talented and successful comedians and actors which includes...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: BBC Three and HBO Max’s Starstruck
Bela Bajaria was named Head of Global TV in 2020, overseeing English language and local language scripted and unscripted series around the world. Bajaria leads the team for all of television, responsible for hit series including Bridgerton, The Queen’s Gambit and Cobra Kai.
Previously, she oversaw local language originals, original series...show more
Speaking on: Summit Series: Bela Bajaria, Head of Global TV, Netflix
Shannon is an Indigenous creative (Dakelh Dene) who has developed an incredible digital platform. She was one of the first 'Indigenous influencers' to showcase her culture in social media. She has a combined audience of 1.5 million engaged fans across channels like: Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. She's...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Snapchat’s Reclaim(ed)
Rodney Barnes is an award-winning writer, producer, and comic book creator whose vibrant and emphatic creative voice has established him as a Hollywood mainstay.
Barnes is currently an executive producer and writer for HBO’s new series WINNING TIME: THE RISE OF THE LAKERS DYNASTY, which chronicles the professional and personal lives...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
Loren is responsible for the day-to-day management of Off the Fence's Acquisition and Marketing teams. Loren works closely with producers from around the world to secure the best content for Off the Fence's international portfolio of broadcast and digital clients. Loren manages acquisitions across a range of different production milestones...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor
Kevin Beggs is Chair of the Lionsgate Television Group and Lionsgate Chief Content Integration Officer, overseeing development and production of all scripted and non-scripted programming. A 24-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...show more
Speaking on: In Conversation With: Kevin Beggs and Frank Giustra
Shelby Bier is a marketing analyst in the Entertainment & Culture Marketing department at leading global talent, entertainment and sports company UTA. In her role, Bier helps brands craft their entertainment marketing strategies. Using a blend of analytics, consumer research, and market intelligence, she works closely with corporate clients across industries to evaluate cultural...show more
Speaking on: Dissecting the ME-TA-VERSE
Mimi Blanchard has been in the Viacom family for over 15 years, making the leap from Home Entertainment & Acquisitions to Original Programming in 2009. While under the Home Entertainment & Acquisitions umbrella, she was responsible for the successful release of all BET Music Programming DVD tentpole specials including Celebration...show more
Karla Bobadilla has over 20 years of legal experience in film, television and digital media financing, development, production and distribution and is a partner at the entertainment and media law firm, Lewis Birnberg Hanet, LLP. Prior to entering private practice, Karla worked at the Canadian Media Producers Association providing policy,...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Funder + Lawyer; Meet a Funder + Lawyer
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: Spotlight on Corus Entertainment
Trevor Boris has come a long way from the farm he grew up on near Winnipeg, MB to become one of the most sought-after reality, competition, and format TV producers in the industry. Currently, Trevor is the CSA award-winning Showrunner and Executive Producer of Canada’s Drag Race, now going into...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Showrunner + Director; Meet a Showrunner + Director
Diego is a Colombian-Canadian Creative Producer and Media Strategist based in Montréal with over 20 years of experience as a producer, director, and concept developer on social impact documentaries, fiction and digital media. He has a BFA in Cinema (Film Production) and a Graduate Certificate in Digital Technologies and Design...show more
Speaking on: Content Creation from an Anti-Racist Lens
Brad is Founder and President of Boxing Cats Productions, an award-winning producer, director, showrunner and writer.
Prior to launching Boxing Cats, Brad was at CHUM Television in Toronto as Director of Production where he created, produced and oversaw hundreds of hours of television for Canadian and International audiences.
Projects include - Renovation Island...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Showrunner + Director
Melissa Campbell founded Contentum Consulting + Management in 2018 after over a decade in the Reality Television agency business. As an agent, and eventual Head of the Unscripted Television department, Campbell packaged shows for broadcast, cable, and streaming with a varied client list of production companies and showrunners. She started...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent; Meet an Agent
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: Production Partners
Swin Chang is the Executive in Charge of Development and Production for CBC Kids. She works with the independent production community to seek out, create and curate preschool and tween content for CBC TV and CBC Gem. In this role, she focuses on development and acquisitions, and oversees production of...show more
Speaking on: Kids’ content commissioners weigh in; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Adriana Chartrand is the Lead, Indigenous Initiatives & Content Analyst with Telefilm Canada. She is a mixed-race Native woman (Red River Metis (Michif)/settler) from Winnipeg, MB. She previously managed the imagineNATIVE Institute, which develops and delivers professional development programming for Indigenous filmmakers. She has a Master’s in Cinema Studies from...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Funder + Lawyer
Bing Chen is an impact founder, investor, and new world builder, leveraging storytelling and systems to deliver greater socioeconomic equity. He is President and Co-founder of Gold House, the premier collective of multicultural leaders dedicated to systemically unlocking socioeconomic equity for new majority communities (fastest-growing but traditionally underserved) through unity,...show more
Speaking on: Media Leaders 2022: future forward
Aubrey is a Commissioning Executive in the BBC Children’s 7+ team with a remit that covers scripted drama and animation. He is the executive producer on popular brands such as The Next Step, The Deep, Scream Street, Tee & Mo, My Perfect Landing and Mystic.
Editorially across all stages of production...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Kids’ content commissioners weigh in; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Lisa Clarkson
Executive Director, Business & Rights and Production Sustainability
CBC Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Lisa Clarkson leads the Business & Rights team for Canada’s public broadcaster, the
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Lisa is responsible for business deals for all
types of English language content (whether acquired; produced by CBC or licenced) across
all platforms.
On the environmental front, Lisa :
● sits on both...show more
Speaking on: Sustainable production: it pays to go green
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: Meet an Agent; Meet an Agent
Since 2016, Brad Danks, J.D, has been the CEO of OUTtv Media Global Inc., ("OMG") the world's largest producer and aggregator of original LGBTQ+ film and television content. Brad began his career as an entertainment lawyer with a distinguished practice that included working for many US and International Studios, Broadcasters...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers
Colin Davis is Head of Scripted Originals at The Roku Channel, Roku’s free ad-supported streaming service, presiding over a diverse slate of programming across drama, comedy and animation. He is in charge of Roku’s scripted content strategy, including volume, genre, and talent for future original commissions leading a team of...show more
Speaking on: Selling scripted
Ed has more than a decade of broad experience developing and producing factual content in Canada and the US. As an executive producer at History Channel US he developed original series and oversaw legacy shows including Ax Men, Doomsday: 10 Ways The World Will End, Milwaukee Blacksmith, Counting Cars and more. While at...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners
Tracey Deer is a Mohawk writer, director, and showrunner whose two decades of experience spans documentary, television, and film.
Her award-winning documentaries with Indigenous-owned Rezolution Pictures kicked off a collaboration that led to acclaimed dramedy Mohawk Girls, which ran for five seasons on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. As...show more
Speaking on: Banff Advisory Board
Speaking on: Production Partners; Pitch Doctors: WarnerMedia, SEVEN24, Crown Media
Chelsea Dern is a TV Scripted Agent at WME. In her role, she works with writers, directors, talent, and producers with a focus on underrepresented and diverse voices. Dern’s extensive roster includes talent like Tessa Thompson, Mahershala Ali, Amy Chozick, Amanda Idoko, Rick Famiyuwa and many more.
Dern began her career in...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent
Samantha DiPippo is the senior vice president of development at Crown Media Family Networks. Based in the company’s New York office, DiPippo reports to Executive Vice President, Programming, Lisa Hamilton Daly.
DiPippo is responsible for the sourcing and development of original holiday content for the company’s three linear networks, Hallmark Channel,...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Spotlight on Hallmark Channel; Pitch Doctors: Warner Bros. International Television Production, Crown Media, FreshTV
Mary Donahue is Senior Vice President, Development and Programming for History, a position she’s held since 2017. Working with a team of programmers, she’s responsible for managing all production at the network, overseeing a slate that includes events and premium drama documentaries. Recent projects include History’s record-breaking Evel Live, the...show more
Speaking on: What’s hot in docs: trends you need to know; Spotlight on A+E Networks: History Channel and Homemade Nation
Julian Doucet is a bilingual screenwriter, playwright, director and actor.
He is the creator, showrunner and writer of The Lake, Amazon Prime’s first scripted Canadian Original series. The episodic comedy stars Jordan Gavaris, Julia Stiles and Madison Shamoun and launches on Prime Video in June 2022.
Doucet’s limited series St-Nickel (UNIS/Carte Blanche)...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: The Lake
Jadiel's career as an Emmy nominated actor (on Amazon Prime, Nickelodeon, Netflix, PBS Kids) sparked a passion to create genre-driven Film & TV that's irresistible B.A.I.T. (Bold Authentic Illuminating Thrilling). Jadiel's penchant for creating captivating socially aware stories that are rich with culture stems from his Afro Latino heritage, fluency...show more
Speaking on: Shaw Rocket Presents: Being Seen Breakfast – Creating & commissioning more inclusive children's content
Lisa Ducharme has dedicated her career to amplifying Indigenous storytellers through her various roles in the broadcasting industry and particularly at APTN. She is a proud member of Saddle Lake Cree Nation with family rooted in Goodfish Lake, Alberta. A graduate of the University of Alberta’s School of Business, Lisa began...show more
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #3: Scripted Comedy Series; Speed Meetings with Buyers
David Eilenberg is the Vice President and Head of Roku Originals. He is leading the charge to establish Roku’s free ad-supported streaming service The Roku Channel as a destination for both scripted and unscripted original content. He is responsible for overall strategic vision, creative strategy, go-to-market execution, as well as...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight on Roku Originals
John Elmes is the international editor of Broadcast. He has been a journalist for 12 years and has worked in the TV trade press for the past five. Before joining Broadcast, he was a senior reporter at fellow industry publication C21Media. Prior to this, John spent six years at global...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: BBC Three and HBO Max’s Starstruck
Sarah Etherden is a TV communications executive with 15+ years of experience serving broadcasters, producers and distributors with media relations, trade marketing, executive profile development and corporate communications. As Vice-President, Global Communications at Blue Ant Media, she oversees the strategy and management of Blue Ant Media's external and internal communications...show more
Speaking on: Banff Advisory Board
A part of the Cream Productions team since 2010, James has been dedicated to finding and developing unique television projects that connect and resonate with audiences hungry for original content. In his time at Cream, James has led a development department that crafts specials and series in a broad variety of...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners; Sustainable production: it pays to go green
A seasoned sales and acquisitions executive, Farrokh joins Propagate from Electus International where he most recently served as Sr. Vice President, Head of Sales. In this role, he managed content sales and strategy to broadcast, home entertainment and digital media distributors. At Electus, he was responsible for the company’s first...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor; Meet a Distributor; Distributor Deep-Dive: international financing and content trends (Diversity of Voices Programme)
Laurie Ferneau is senior vice president of development at Crown Media Family Networks. Based in the company’s Studio office, she reports to Executive Vice President, Programming, Lisa Hamilton Daly.
Ferneau is responsible for the sourcing and development of original programming, specializing in series, limited series, and specials for the company’s...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Spotlight on Hallmark Channel
Julia is a producer and head of fiction at Trio Orange. Known for her knack for discovering unique and authentic stories, her accomplishments include producing three seasons of M’entends-tu? / Can You Hear Me? (Netflix, TQ, Illico, Tou.tv,) which won Best Comedy at the Séries Mania Festival and Best Drama Series (non-English language) at the...show more
Speaking on: Les contenus francophones sur la scène mondiale
A proud Tongan, born and raised in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Halaifonua Finau, or Nua as he's more commonly known, is at the forefront of bringing Polynesian stories to our screens.
He studied at Whitireia Performing Arts as a dancer but made his name in the industry as an actor and presenter....show more
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #2: Scripted Drama Series; Production Partners; Content Creation from an Anti-Racist Lens
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: Meet a Funder + Lawyer; Meet a Funder + Lawyer
Courtney Fitzpatrick is currently Director, as part of Lionsgate’s Worldwide TV & Distribution Team based in Toronto, which opened in May 2017. Prior to joining Lionsgate, Fitzpatrick was part of the Distribution and Marketing team at Marble Media/Distribution360. Before that, she worked on a number of productions with a focus...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor
Peter Friedlander is Head of Scripted Series, U.S. and Canada. In this role, he is responsible for setting the strategic direction of original scripted series in the United States and Canada. He oversees the creative development and current production of a rich entertainment slate across drama, spectacle and event, four-quad...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight on Netflix
Kelley Gardner is Vice President, Current Series Animation at Nickelodeon. She is the Executive in Charge on SpongeBob SquarePants, Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, The Patrick Star Show, Middlemost Post, and Star Trek: Prodigy.
Gardner first joined Nickelodeon as an assistant in the Current Series Department in 2006. During her time at...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers
Adam Garnet Jones
Director of TV Content and Special Events
APTN - Aboriginal Peoples Television Network
Adam Garnet Jones is Cree-Métis and Danish from Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton, AB.) With a degree in film production from Ryerson University, Adam worked as a writer/director/producer for 14 years (Fire Song, Great Great Great, Amplify, Mohawk Girls, Cashing In.) Throughout these years, Adam was involved in a number of committees and initiatives to amplify the voices and...show more
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #1: Scripted Feature Films; Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #3: Scripted Comedy Series; Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #2: Scripted Drama Series; Being Counted: Canada's first race-based audience survey signals market opportunities and data collection gaps
ANA GASTEYER is perhaps best known for her incomparable work on Saturday Night Live. During her six-year stint, she created some of the most iconic SNL characters, including middle school music teacher Bobbie Moughan-Culp, NPR radio host Margaret Jo, Lilith Fair poetess Cinder Calhoun, as well as spot-on impressions of...show more
Speaking on: In Conversation With: Ana Gasteyer and Justin Spitzer
Jordan Gavaris is best known for his starring role in BBC America's critically acclaimed series Orphan Black opposite Tatiana Maslany. His breakout portrayal of 'Felix Dawkins,' Maslany's dry-witted foster brother, earned him high praise from critics and fans alike, as well as two consecutive Canadian Screen Award nominations and one win for Best Supporting...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: The Lake
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 with...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers; 30 Minutes With Ed Horasz, Netflix Kids and Family; Spotlight on Corus Entertainment
As Vice President of Current Scripted Programming for Entertainment One, Darren Giblin oversees all creative across the studio’s wide-ranging slate of on air and in-production scripted programs. Past and present series under Darren’s supervision include Sheri Elwood’s CSA Nominated dramedy Moonshine (CBC), legal drama Burden of Truth (CBC/The CW), medical...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners; Meet a Decision Maker
As a writer, director, producer, series creator, story editor and actor, Rebecca’s work in documentary, drama, and comedy has played in festivals, in theatres, and on TV screens around the world. Following graduation from the New York Film Academy, a CFTPA International Internship took Rebecca to Los Angeles at the...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners; Master Class: Snapchat’s Reclaim(ed); Pitch Doctors: PBS, Eagle Vision, CBC
Brenda Gilbert is the President of BRON Media Corp, a company she co-founded and leads with her husband, Aaron L. Gilbert. BRON Media Corp. is the parent company to operating units BRON Studios, BRON Releasing, BRON Digital, and BRON Ventures (holds an interest in a portfolio of 10 content companies)....show more
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #1: Scripted Feature Films; Summit Series: David Linde, CEO, Participant
Chrystine Girard holds the position of Head of international distribution of Encore Television-Distribution, part of Encore, an integrated entertainment group, one of the most prolific production companies in scripted series (comedy and drama), live comedy specials, theater plays and artist management. She handles distribution of Encore’s full content library for...show more
Speaking on: Les contenus francophones sur la scène mondiale
Mr. Giustra is President and CEO of the Fiore Group, a private firm managing a broad portfolio of private investments and companies, focussing on natural resources, entertainment, art, food and lifestyle.
Frank Giustra shares the love of film. In 1987, he co-founded the International Movie Group and was executive producer of...show more
Speaking on: In Conversation With: Kevin Beggs and Frank Giustra
Max joined Deadline in 2021 and covers the European TV industry, particularly the UK. He spent the previous four years at UK TV trade Broadcast, rising from reporter to chief reporter and focusing on public service broadcasting, the BBC and BBC Studios. He also reported on the British TV sector's...show more
Speaking on: The Future of Indies
As Head of Development, Rachel Goldstein-Couto oversees the scripted and unscripted program development for CTV, Crave and the Entertainment Specialty channels of Bell Media. Rachel and her team work closely with independent production partners, writers and creatives to develop a slate of factual and scripted projects that are diverse, culturally relevant...show more
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #3: Scripted Comedy Series; Speed Meetings with Buyers; Spotlight on Bell Media
Brandon Gonez is the CEO/Founder of Gonez Media Inc, Canada's fastest-growing online news & entertainment company. Brandon currently hosts the #1 online and news and entertainment show in Canada, The Brandon Gonez Show - where the biggest names come for sit down interviews.
As one of the...show more
Speaking on: Globalizing CanCon: The Opportunity for Canadian Creativity
Michael Gordon is a TV Global Scripted Agent at the Creative Artists Agency (CAA). At CAA he has put together and represented many critically acclaimed global shows including Fauda (Netflix), Tehran (Apple), Euphoria (HBO), How to Sell Drugs Online (FAST) (Netflix), Feel Good (Netflix), War of the Worlds (Epix), On the Spectrum (Amazon) and Uninhabitable Earth (HBO Max). Before becoming an agent, Michael began his...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent; Meet an Agent
As Head of Prime Video Canada, Magda Grace is responsible for the company's development and expansion efforts into Canada. She previously held positions at Starz and ICM Partners. Magda has a Master of Laws from UCLA School of Law and a Juris Doctor degree from McGill Law.
Speaking on: Banff Advisory Board
Larry Grimaldi is Senior Vice President of Development & Production at MarVista Entertainment, where he helps create, develop, and produce entertainment programming in the television movie, scripted and unscripted series and indie film space. Before joining MarVista, Larry spent considerable time as an independent producer. His career includes work for...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker
Melanie is an Ojibway Woman and member of Pine Creek First Nation. Growing up in an underrepresented community, she has the unique life experience to give her the drive, ambition, and perseverance to explore the power of change through storytelling.
In her 15+ years working in the entertainment industry in Canada she...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors: WarnerMedia, SEVEN24, Crown Media
Nina Hahn is Senior Vice President of International Production & Development for the Global Kids and Family Group at ViacomCBS.
Based in London, Hahn oversees international content development and co-production partnerships for all ViacomCBS kids' content outside of the United States. Hahn coordinates and drives the development process, spearheads new production...show more
Speaking on: Banff Advisory Board
Lisa Hamilton Daly is Executive Vice President, Programming for Crown Media Family Networks. Daly is based in the company’s Studio City offices and reports to President & CEO, Wonya Lucas.
Daly is charged with identifying, developing, and creating impactful, top-quality, brand-building content across the company’s three linear networks, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight on Hallmark Channel
Colonel Hansen was one of two recruits selected by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in May 2009 through the third Canadian Astronaut Recruitment Campaign. He is one of 14 members of the 20th National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut class. In 2011, Colonel Hansen graduated from Astronaut Candidate Training, which included scientific and technical...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Disney and Fulwell 73’s Among the Stars
David Hardy is the Vice President, Sustainability & Stakeholder Affairs at William F. White International. There, in conjunction with parent company Sunbelt Rentals, he works to embed sustainable best practices into the fabric of the company and ensure that there is a clear line of sight to the carbon reductions...show more
Speaking on: Sustainable production: it pays to go green
Cathy Hare is the North American Director of Acquisitions for eOne. Responsible for third-party scripted and unscripted acquisitions out of Canada and the US, Cathy acquires content for eOne’s international television distribution group. She joined eOne in 2010.
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor
Tom Hastings, who joined Muse Entertainment in October 2021, is the former Director of Drama at Bell Media’s Original Programming Unit. Tom’s successes include the International Emmy award nominated series, 19-2 and the ground-breaking series, Cardinal. Winner of back-to-back Canadian Screen Awards, Cardinal sold into 110 territories around the world and recently aired on BBC2....show more
Speaking on: Production Partners
Brent recently joined the Amazon Studios team as Head of Scripted Series for Canada. He began his career with the CBC in Toronto before helping launch The Comedy Network, where he eventually oversaw programming, development and production. In 2008 Brent landed in New York as the SVP of Comedy &...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: The Lake; 30 minutes with... Brent Haynes, Amazon Studios
Hern has produced six feature films and has another in post-production. He recently co-created and co-directed his first drama series, The Panthers; a nominee for Best Limited Series at the 2022 Banff Rockie Awards.
After starting out as an actor and starring in numerous series as a teenager; Hern broke onto the...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Showrunner + Director; Meet a Showrunner + Director
Jeff Hersh is Chief Operating Officer at New Metric Media where he is focused on driving growth for the company. Prior to joining New Metric Media, Jeff was Vice President & Head of a number of business units over his time at Bell Media including Crave, STARZ, Strategy &...show more
Speaking on: The Future of Indies
As Vice President of Sales for English Canada, Kim oversees English sales into the Canadian market for eOne, based in their Toronto office. Kim joined eOne in 2014 and has handled sales for such titles as Designated Survivor, The Rookie and The Death and Life of John F. Donovan. With...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor
Brad Holcman joined A&E in 2012 as Senior Director, Non-Fiction and Alternative Programming. In this role, Holcman oversees the development and production of many of A&E’s unscripted critically acclaimed projects including “60 Days In," “Intervention (4-time Emmy Nominee),” “Accused: Guilty or Innocent?,” A&E’s Home.Made Nation block (“Rachel Ray’s Renovation Rescue”, “Triple Digit Flip”, “Zombie...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker; Spotlight on A+E Networks: History Channel and Homemade Nation
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; 30 Minutes With Ed Horasz, Netflix Kids and Family
SOLOMON HUGHES currently stars in HBO’s hit series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty where he plays Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The series follows the players, coaches, and owners of the LA Lakers Dynasty from the 1980's and boasts an all-star cast including John C. Reilly, Sally Field, Jason Segel,...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
Pearlena Igbokwe is Chairman, Universal Studio Group (USG), where she leads four powerhouse studios: Universal Television, Universal Content Productions (UCP), Universal Television Alternative Studios and Universal International Studios that produce over 3,000 hours of programming currently airing or streaming around the globe. Igbokwe reports directly to Jeff Shell, CEO NBCUniversal.
In...show more
Speaking on: Summit Series: Pearlena Igbokwe,Chairman, Universal Studio Group
Quincy Isaiah (age 26) was born in Muskegon, Michigan. He played football at Muskegon High School, and continued to play football throughout his college career at Kalamazoo. During Isaiah’s senior year of college, he starred in two plays on the main stage. Since moving to Los Angeles, he has worked...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
Greg Jeffs
Client Services Coordinator, Emerging Filmmakers/Digital Content Creators
William F. White International Inc.
Greg Jeffs has spent the past decade producing award-winning short and web content, for which he has been awarded multiple filmmaking grants. His productions have received several award nominations and are available on platforms across the globe. He is an NSI, Frontières and TIFF TALENT Alumni and most recently he won the...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker
Kelly joined BMO Media Finance in 2017 serving as the Senior Director, Media Finance. He has worked in various sectors of the media industry in progressively senior roles for over 20 years, predominantly focussing on business affairs. Most recently, Kelly served as Vice-President, Business Affairs & Production Financing at Boat...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Funder + Lawyer; Meet a Funder + Lawyer
As the Director of Content, Crave, Tory leads the English-language content team responsible for programming Canada’s premium SVOD and Pay services Crave and STARZ with Bell Media.
In this role, Tory oversees English content strategy including but not limited to acquisitions, commissioning decisions, budget management, scheduling and SVOD merchandizing for Crave.
Tory...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight on Bell Media
Ashish K. Jha, M.D., M.P.H., is recognized globally as an expert on pandemic preparedness and response as well as on health policy research and practice. He has led groundbreaking research around Ebola and is now on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response, leading national and international analysis of key issues...show more
Tilane Jones is the President of ARRAY, the multi-platform arts and social impact collective dedicated to narrative change founded by filmmaker Ava DuVernay in 2011. Jones leads ARRAY Alliance, the non-profit group, as well as programming and production hub ARRAY Creative Campus. She continues to oversee ARRAY Releasing, the company’s...show more
Speaking on: Banff Advisory Board
Toni Judkins is Senior Vice President, Programming Development for Crown Media Family Networks and is based in Los Angeles.
Judkins spearheads the sourcing, conception, development, and production of original content that explores diverse, character-driven stories to entertain and engage existing viewers and reach new audiences for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ Mahogany.
Since...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Spotlight on Hallmark Channel
The only female department head of television at any of the major talent agencies, Erin Junkin has been with the company for 19 years. She started her career as an intern at Endeavor and continued through the WME merger.
Junkin represents a variety of writers, directors, actors and producers including Nicole...show more
Speaking on: Media Leaders 2022: future forward
Rob Kenneally is an agent in the Television Scripted department at Creative Artists Agency, a talent and literary agency based in Los Angeles, California. In addition to representing clients in all areas of television, he is instrumental in helping clients, studios, production companies, and networks explore new business models. His...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent; Meet an Agent
Maria Kennedy is owner of Little Engine Moving Pictures, an award-winning, creator-driven media production company specializing in live-action CGI hybrid, animated series and companion interactive content for an international audience. She and the Little Engine team produce and distribute original, progressive kids and family series that travel the world, like...show more
Speaking on: Shaw Rocket Presents: Being Seen Breakfast – Creating & commissioning more inclusive children's content
In her role as Senior Vice President of Global Television for Participant, Miura Kite oversees Participant’s narrative and documentary television slate by identifying, developing, packaging and executive producing high-end properties for premium cable, digital and emerging platforms. At Participant, she developed Ava DuVernay’s limited drama series When They See Us...show more
Speaking on: What’s hot in docs: trends you need to know; Meet a Decision Maker
As General Manager, Carlyn Klebuc oversees development and production of all of Bell Media’s award-winning English-language independent programming and original digital content. Klebuc and her team work closely on productions commissioned from independent producers, as well as original digital production for Bell Media’s multiple English-language linear and digital properties and...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight on Bell Media; Selling scripted
As a Development Executive, Alison Korogyi works with industry writers and partners on the development of new projects for Bell Media’s Original Programming Slate. Alison’s development portfolio spans both scripted and unscripted titles for national channels, including Crave, CTV and CTV Specialty channels, Discovery and TSN.
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Katrina Kowalski
Senior Vice President, International Content Programming & Acquisitions, Pluto TV
Paramount+
Based in Toronto, Katrina Kowalski comes to Paramount+ with a mountain of experience! For the past two decades she has broadened the Television landscape in Canada, programming the best from around the world and at home. In her role as Senior Director, Content and Programming Strategy, Katrina is responsible for all content decisions for Paramount+...show more
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #1: Scripted Feature Films; Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Amanda Krentzman is the Head of International Original Series at Snap overseeing series development, content strategy, global slates and leading international teams. Amanda is also a senior scripted and unscripted exec in the US, with a focus on series produced by or starring A-List talent. In just over a year...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Snapchat’s Reclaim(ed)
Motorcyclist. Black Belt Martial Artist. Captain of the Rugby Team. These are just a few other titles one can ascribe to writer, creator, actor and producer Miranda Kwok. Always ready to tackle any challenge that presents itself – from jumping out of an airplane to crisis counseling at a women’s...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Showrunner + Director; Meet a Showrunner + Director; Showrunner Superpanel: breaking the script
Falguni Lakhani Adams is an Emmy Award-winning producer, writer and Executive Producer with ViceTV, living in Venice, California.
Born in Bombay, India and proudly representing Jackson Heights, Queens, Falguni has a law degree from St. John’s University and more than 20 years' experience producing creative nonfiction stories for broadcast TV, digital...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers
Jarmo Lampela’s is the Head of Drama in YLE, Finland’s public broadcasting company. Jarmo’s background includes working as the Professor of Film Directing and Head of the Department of Film, Television and Scenography at Aalto University, Helsinki.
Since 1992 Jarmo has worked as director, scriptwriter and producer with numerous productions for cinema,...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
À titre de vice-présidente, développement de contenu, programmation et information de Bell Média, Suzane est responsable de la direction stratégique de l’ensemble de la programmation, du développement des contenus originaux et de la planification des acquisitions pour l’ensemble des plateformes francophones de Bell Média. Celles-ci comprennent les sept chaînes de...show more
Speaking on: Les contenus francophones sur la scène mondiale
Taietsarón:sere 'Tai' Leclaire is a Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) and Mi'kmaq Actor, Comedian, and Writer. He's from the Mohawk reservation of Kahnawà:ke. He's a writer and actor on the television show “Rutherford Falls” - the Peacock comedy by Sierra Teller Ornelas, Mike Schur, and Ed Helms. He's a former house performer at...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Rutherford Falls
Manda started out at BBC Drama, script editing Cutting It by Debbie Horsfield and the BAFTA-winning Charles II before producing Billy Ivory’s A Thing Called Love. She joined Kudos as Head of Development for Film where she worked on David Cronenberg’s Eastern Promises, Simon Beaufoy’s Miss Pettigrew Lives for a...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Meet a Decision Maker
Margaret Lewis
Relationship Manager, Media & Entertainment-Commercial Financial Services
Royal Bank Financial Group
Margaret has a diversified portfolio of experience, starting with roles at film and television organizations such as TIFF, NBCUniversal, and Conquering Lion Pictures. She moved into retail management for some time working at Target Canada and FedEx Office and then to Corus Entertainment's Content & International Distribution teams. Currently, Margaret is...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Funder + Lawyer; Meet a Funder + Lawyer
Richard Life spearheads acquisitions for Cineflix Rights and the expansion of the company’s catalogue of factual and scripted programming through producer partnerships, development and first-look deals, and co-productions.
Richard is one of the UK’s most experienced TV distribution executives, and previously held the roles of Head of Acquisitions and Co-productions at...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor; Meet a Distributor
David Linde is CEO of Participant, the leading global media company dedicated to entertainment that inspires and compels social change. Linde is responsible for leading the Company’s overall strategy, content creation, advocacy, operations, strategic investments and acquisitions. Participant’s content and social impact mandate speaks directly to the rise of today’s...show more
Speaking on: Summit Series: David Linde, CEO, Participant
Sam Linton, VP, Head of Original Content, Canadian Media, Blue Ant Media, brings over 30 years of production expertise to the media company’s specialty television channels including Cottage Life, T+E, Makeful, Smithsonian Channel in Canada, BBC First and BBC Earth in Canada. In her role, Sam oversees commissioning and production...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Spotlight on Blue Ant Media
Once a lawyer in New York City, Jonathan Lisco began his television career writing for the Emmy Award- winning series NYPD Blue. He went on to write and produce numerous episodes of The District, Jack & Bobby, and K-Ville, which he created. Lisco won a Peabody Award for writing and...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Showrunner + Director; In Conversation With: Entertainment One and the showrunners of Yellowjackets; Showrunner Superpanel: breaking the script
Krista Look is the Vice President of Original Lifestyle Content for Corus Entertainment. In this role, she is responsible for steering the original lifestyle content strategy for Corus Studios and the slates for networks including HGTV Canada and Food Network Canada, as well as reality series like Big Brother Canada....show more
Speaking on: Spotlight on Corus Entertainment
Laura Luckenbaugh
Former Director, International Programming and Development, AMC Networks
AMC Networks
As Director of International Programming at AMC Networks, Laura oversees development and co-productions for AMC, SundanceTV, BBC America, and AMC+, including Gangs of London, Kin, Quiz and the upcoming series Mood, This Is Going to Hurt and Interview With the Vampire.
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #2: Scripted Drama Series; Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Graham has been working with Incendo since January 2021 as a production supervisor and development executive. He has already been involved in the production of nine films for Incendo. Prior to joining Incendo, he served as an executive producer and production supervisor on numerous Canadian series and films, including the hit...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners
Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson are the sensational creators, showrunners, and executive producers of the breakout hit Showtime drama series, Yellowjackets.
Yellowjackets was nominated for “Best Drama Series” by the Critics Choice Association and “Best Drama” & “Best New Series” by the Writers Guild of America. The critically-acclaimed...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Showrunner + Director; In Conversation With: Entertainment One and the showrunners of Yellowjackets; Showrunner Superpanel: breaking the script
Lauren MacKinlay is an award-winning producer who recently joined Neshama Entertainment as their new Creative Producer. Previously, she served as the Supervising Producer for two seasons of the medical drama Transplant (CTV/NBC) with notable television production company Sphere Media. Other credits include Associate Producer for Bad Blood (Netflix), This Life...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker
Michael MacMillan is co-founder and CEO of international producer, distributor and channel operator, Blue Ant Media. Launched in 2011, the media company owns and operates numerous production companies in North America and Asia-Pacific, creating content for broadcasters and streaming platforms across multiple genres. Blue Ant Media also operates linear and...show more
Speaking on: Media Leaders 2022: future forward
A versatile broadcaster who has hosted traffic and weather segments, news reports, fashion, and entertainment stories, Vancouver native Sonia Mangat is bringing experience, charisma, and her love for entertainment to her new role as ETALK reporter.
Following completion of the journalism program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, Mangat began...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
Lea Marin is the Director of Development, Drama, for the CBC, and is responsible for driving and overseeing the quality and diversity of the drama development slate. A graduate of the Canadian Film Centre’s Producers’ Lab, prior to joining the CBC, Lea was a Senior Producer with the National Film...show more
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #2: Scripted Drama Series; Being Counted: Canada's first race-based audience survey signals market opportunities and data collection gaps; Speed Meetings with Buyers; Spotlight on CBC; Pitch Doctors: PBS, Eagle Vision, CBC
Ari Mark is Co-Founder of AMPLE Entertainment, a production company dedicated to hands-on, handcrafted and filmmaker led premium content.
Among the company’s many credits include The Invisible Pilot (HBO) with Adam McKay, Queen of Versailles Reigns Again (discovery+), Murder in the Heartland (discovery+), 9 Months with Courteney Cox (Facebook), The Lost Women of NXIVM (ID), Cooper’s Treasure with Amblin Entertainment (Discovery), Cold Case Files with Blumhouse Television (A&E), The Night...show more
Speaking on: What’s hot in docs: trends you need to know
Reynolds Mastin works on behalf of our members to ensure the continued success of Canada’s independent production sector and a vibrant future for Canadian content. Reynolds leads the execution of the CMPA’s strategic priorities and oversees the organization’s operations in its Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver offices. Central to his...show more
Speaking on: CBC/Radio-Canada Breakfast: The Future of Entertainment
Rose Matafeo is a comedian, writer and actor from New Zealand.
Rose's critically acclaimed show Horndog won the award (formerly the Perrier) for Best Show at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and was nominated for Best Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. She has since recorded the show as a special for...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: BBC Three and HBO Max’s Starstruck
An Emmy® Award-winning executive producer, series creator and writer of YA entertainment, McGillis is the co-creator of such international hits as the Total Drama franchise, My Babysitter’s a Vampire and 6teen.
Early 2018 saw Fresh TV acquire the rights to YouTube sensation Lucas The Spider. Production is underway on a new Lucas the Spider series for WarnerMedia’s Cartoon Network...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors: Warner Bros. International Television Production, Crown Media, FreshTV
Darren Melameth is Senior Vice President, Programming & Content Strategy for Crown Media Family Networks, home of three linear networks, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama; subscription video on demand streaming service, Hallmark Movies Now; and publishing division, Hallmark Publishing. He is based in Los Angeles...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight on Hallmark Channel
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...show more
Speaking on: Les contenus francophones sur la scène mondiale
Casey Meurer is a Vice President of Nonfiction Original Programming at HBO Max. Based in Los Angeles, Meurer is responsible for developing and managing production of the streamer’s documentaries and docuseries including recent title such as What Happened, Brittany Murphy?; The Way Down: God, Greed and the Cult of Gwen...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers
Richard Middleton has worked in the content industry for more than a decade and heads up all aspects of TBI's editorial business. He was previously editor of Channel 21 International and has also worked for the BBC, The Independent and Fairfax Media, among numerous others.
Speaking on: What’s hot in docs: trends you need to know; The FAST/AVOD market is exploding - what’s in it for you?
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: Meet an Agent
As President of Cineflix Productions, J.C. leads innovative content strategies and the expansion of the group’s community of talented creatives. As Commercial Director, he’s part of the Cineflix Media executive team, driving new business opportunities across the company.
Previously, J.C. was President and General Manager of Glass Entertainment Group, increasing its...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners
Mike Miner is an award-winning television and digital executive, with experience leading innovative television and digital content creation. Miner has had a leading role in digital transformation at CBC Docs, CBC Unscripted, CBC Music and TVO, and built teams and strategies that thrive in a constantly changing media landscape. In...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Founder and CEO of award-winning production company New Metric Media, Mark Montefiore executive produces the multiple Canadian Screen Award winning Hulu/Crave original comedy series Letterkenny and CTV’s new half-hour comedy series Children Ruin Everything, as well as the upcoming Letterkenny spinoff series Shoresy for Crave. Montefiore also produced the Hulu/Crave...show more
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #3: Scripted Comedy Series
Recently awarded with an Innovation and Inclusion Award by the Digital Diversity Network, Mauricio Mota is the founder and co-president of Wise Entertainment. He served as executive producer of East Los High, an award-winning drama series that earned 6 Emmy nominations during its run on Hulu for its realistic portrayal...show more
Speaking on: The Future of Indies; Meet a Decision Maker; Distributor Deep-Dive: international financing and content trends (Diversity of Voices Programme)
Nekesa Mumbi Moody is the editorial director of The Hollywood Reporter, leading a dynamic team of journalists expertly covering the business of Hollywood, its personalities and its culture across platforms, from its print magazine to its website and video products. She joined in 2020 and is proud to continue its...show more
Speaking on: Summit Series: Bela Bajaria, Head of Global TV, Netflix
Sarah Nathanson
Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
Thunderbird Entertainment Group
As Chief Operating Officer, Sarah Nathanson works to support all divisions of Thunderbird Entertainment (Atomic Cartoons, Great Pacific Media and Scripted) in their growth trajectories. She also serves as the company’s General Counsel, helping to guide teams across Thunderbird Entertainment from IP development and production, through to licensing and merchandise...show more
Speaking on: The Future of Indies
Zarqa created the series Little Mosque on the Prairie, the world’s first sitcom about Muslims living in the west. The show premiered in 2007 to record ratings on CBC television. In 2005, Zarqa made the ground-breaking NFB documentary Me and the Mosque, which ultimately inspired the television series.
She’s sold pilots...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Showrunner + Director; Meet a Showrunner + Director
With over 20 years of experience across the industry, Rachel Nelson spearheads a diverse portfolio of Scripted, Factual, and Kids content as Vice President of Original Content at Corus Entertainment. In this role, Rachel leads strategies for commissioning and developing highly rated series, and continuously demonstrates a devotion to empower...show more
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #2: Scripted Drama Series; Spotlight on Corus Entertainment
Carolyn Newman is the Executive Vice President of Global Scripted for Blink49 Studios. Previously, she served as Head of Scripted Television and Production at Will Packer Media where she sold more than five shows into development to both streamers and broadcasters in just under a year. Prior to that, Newman...show more
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #2: Scripted Drama Series; The Future of Indies; Meet a Decision Maker
Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson are the sensational creators, showrunners, and executive producers of the breakout hit Showtime drama series, Yellowjackets.
Yellowjackets was nominated for “Best Drama Series” by the Critics Choice Association and “Best Drama” & “Best New Series” by the Writers Guild of America. The critically-acclaimed...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Showrunner + Director; In Conversation With: Entertainment One and the showrunners of Yellowjackets; Showrunner Superpanel: breaking the script
Julie Nolke is an award-winning Actor, Writer, Filmmaker and the creator of her self-titled comedy YouTube channel (~1 million subscribers). In 2021 Julie won three Webby Awards for Best Individual Performance, Audience Choice for Best Viral Video, and Best Writing for her video “Explaining the Pandemic to my Past
Self”...show more
Speaking on: Globalizing CanCon: The Opportunity for Canadian Creativity
Erin O’Connor is the Business Development and Programming Manager at the Calgary Film Centre. Primary responsibilities include marketing and sales of the Calgary Film Centre as well as business and industry development for film and television in alignment with creative industries sector growth strategies in Alberta. Erin oversees talent acceleration...show more
Speaking on: Sustainable production: it pays to go green
As executive director of content and strategy, Mike oversees the programming, scheduling and content creation departments for the world’s first national Indigenous broadcaster and leads the global content and scheduling strategies for APTN’s broadcasting and online services.
Mike has spent more than half his career in senior leadership roles, most recently...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
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 a business...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Funder + Lawyer; Meet a Funder + Lawyer
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 the pre-licensing of Super Channel’s Canadian productions as well as overall strategic direction of the channels.
Jackie joined Super Channel in April,...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Brook Peters oversees sales and Ontario production operations out of Incendo’s Toronto office, with a specific focus on expanding Canadian English-language production opportunities, as well as innovating domestic and global sales strategies. With 20 years working in various aspects of the film and television industry, Brook’s content sales, acquisitions, and...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor; Meet a Distributor
Tug Phipps
Client Services Coordinator, Emerging Filmmakers/Digital Content Creators
William F. White International Inc.
Leaning on 15+ years in the motion picture industries, wearing many technical and creative hats: Tug Phipps has written, produced, directed and edited more than 100hrs of internationally broadcast content.
Never one to go by the book or say no to an adventure - he has produced content for major corporate clients such...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker
Picheca was appointed to the new role of Director of Current Production, Comedy in February 2021. Picheca has served as Executive in Charge of Production, Comedy since 2012, overseeing the development and production of such acclaimed and award-winning CBC original comedies as Kim's Convenience, Workin' Moms, Sort Of, Mr. D and This Hour Has 22 Minutes. Prior...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight on CBC
Karla Pita Loor
Chief Strategy Officer, Hyphenate Media Group and Executive Consultant, Banijay Americas
Banijay Americas
As Executive Vice President, Enterprise Inclusion & Social Responsibility, Karla Pita Loor leads a multi-tiered strategy to increase access, awareness, and authentic representation for historically excluded groups across Banijay-owned studios Endemol Shine North America, Bunim/Murray Productions, Truly Original, 51 Minds Entertainment, Authentic Entertainment, Stephen David Entertainment, Mexico City-based Endemol Shine...show more
Speaking on: Media Leaders 2022: future forward
Juan Ponce serves as Senior Vice President & General Manager for Telemundo Streaming Studios, an integral part of Telemundo Global Studios and the first-ever studio in Hispanic media exclusively dedicated to serving the growing Latino streaming audiences in the US and around the world.
Ponce’s responsibilities include leading Telemundo Streaming Studios...show more
Randy Pope is the Senior Vice President, Physical Production for Crown Media Family Networks, home of three linear networks, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama; subscription video on demand streaming service, Hallmark Movies Now; and publishing division, Hallmark Publishing. Based in Los Angeles, Pope reports to Lisa...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight on Hallmark Channel
Irene Pothecary Huse is an experienced Acquisitions Executive/Project Manager for the Norwegian Public Broadcasting Corporation (NRK)
Initially, Irene joined NRK as part of the creative team behind the development and launch of NRK’s second channel, NRK2. She has since served as an executive buyer as well as co-producing and developing content for NRK1, NRK2...show more
Speaking on: Kids’ content commissioners weigh in; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Kairyn Potts (he/him) is a proud Two-Spirit winkte man from the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation. Originally from amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton) he now makes his home in Dish With One Spoon Treaty territory in Tkaronto (Toronto) where he works as an Indigenous youth advocate, motivational speaker, resource developer, content creator, fashion model,...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Snapchat’s Reclaim(ed)
Yi Qiao joined the drama team of ZDF Enterprises, the commercial arm of German public broadcaster ZDF, as Director ZDFE.drama in early 2020. There, she is responsible for series acquisitions for international distribution and sales activities across Scandinavia and the English-speaking territories. Her remit covers identifying scripted projects at early...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners
From working initially as a writer at Coscient Productions, Melanie moved to Zone3 in 2000 where she has been involved in content development since day one, being successively appointed Director of development in 2009, and Manager, Creation & Business Development in 2017. She demonstrated her creativity and outstanding ability for...show more
Speaking on: Les contenus francophones sur la scène mondiale
Troy Reeb is Executive Vice President, Broadcast Networks at Corus Entertainment Inc., overseeing Corus’ 34 specialty television services, 39 radio stations, and 15 conventional stations and online platforms, a portfolio which includes Global Television, networks such as HGTV, W Network and History, Global News, and Corus Radio.
Troy was previously SVP,...show more
Speaking on: State of the Nation: Canada in focus
Shabnam founded Big Bad Boo Studios to produce and distribute quality family programming. Shabnam has produced and directed Hulu Original Series The Bravest Knight, winner of 2020 GLAAD Award. She has also created and directed original shows such as 16 Hudson (Amazon Prime/TVOKids), mini-series Lili & Lola (Oznoz/ICI TV), and...show more
Speaking on: Banff Advisory Board
Dinae Robinson is a proud Anishinaabekwe (Ojibway) writer, director, and producer who holds a degree in Indigenous Studies. True to her ancestral roots, storytelling has always been a part of Dinae; all of her work is influenced by the spiritual traditional ways of Ojibway teachings and the social and political...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Snapchat’s Reclaim(ed)
The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Honoré-Mercier in 2004, and was re-elected in 2006, 2008, 2015, 2019, and 2021. He has previously served as Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism.
Minister Rodriguez is known...show more
Jacqueline Sacerio
Executive Vice President & Co-Head, Development, Scripted Television, U.S.
Entertainment One Television
Jacqueline Sacerio, Executive Vice President, Scripted Television joined eOne in 2018. During her time with the company, Sacerio developed Freeform’s Cruel Summer, which became the network’s most-watched overall series debut ever, as well as the critically acclaimed survival drama Yellowjackets, which was among the most streamed series in Showtime’s network...show more
Speaking on: In Conversation With: Entertainment One and the showrunners of Yellowjackets
Nav Saini, Head of Content, Prime Video Canada is based in Toronto, Canada and has over 20 years of content and media experience. In his role, Nav is accountable for content strategy, planning and acquisitions. Previous to joining Prime Video, Nav was Head of Content at Bell where he led...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Reemah Sakaan is the CEO of BritBox International, responsible for the overall strategy and operations of BritBox globally. Prior to this, she served as Chief Creative Officer for BritBox Global and ITV’s SVOD Group Director, launching BritBox in the UK. A seasoned marketing and media executive with a passion for...show more
Speaking on: Banff Advisory Board
Jill brings 20 years of Film and Television Industry experience to her role as Deputy Director – Portfolio Management for the CMF fund at Telefilm Canada.
Jill joined Telefilm in 2008 and leads a national team of business analysts and jury members for several highly competitive funding initiatives including Indigenous, POV...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Funder + Lawyer
Shaleen Sangha has been a part of the Boat Rocker team since 2017. As a Vice President of Boat Rocker Studios, Kids and Family, Shaleen oversees the day-to-day operations of its Toronto division with a focus on creative development and production. Shaleen has a passion for content and focuses on...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners; Shaw Rocket Presents: Being Seen Breakfast – Creating & commissioning more inclusive children's content
Kulbinder Saran Caldwell is passionate about diversity and community-building. She is the founder/CEO and principal agent of REALLIFE Pictures Inc. The company brings a new concept to the film and television industry across Canada and around the globe by not only representing writers but offering in-house professional development with a...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent; Meet an Agent
Stefania Scarfo comes to Paramount+ with a keen eye for content that has proven to be successful on all platforms. Scarfo was an integral part of the original programming team launching Bell Media’s Crave. She has a strong focus on content and strategy in linear and digital.
In her role as Manager, Programming,...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Jamie Schouela serves as President, Global Channels and Media at Blue Ant Media. He is charged with leading the strategic direction and operations of the company’s streaming and linear television networks, digital, print and consumer event properties around the world. The company’s linear and streaming networks include Love Nature, BBC...show more
Speaking on: State of the Nation: Canada in focus; The FAST/AVOD market is exploding - what’s in it for you?
Saskia Schuster is Head of Scripted at Fulwell 73. She joined the company in early 2020 to develop and produce drama and comedy. As well, Saskia runs Comedy 50:50 which is an initiative she set up to address gender imbalance in the industry.
Before joining Fulwell 73, Saskia was Head of...show more
Speaking on: Banff Advisory Board
As Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Ian Scott supervises and directs the work and staff of the Commission. He also chairs Commission meetings and participates in public hearings and consultations.
Ian has over 25 years of policy and regulatory experience in broadcasting and telecommunications both in the public and private sectors.
After...show more
Speaking on: In Conversation With: CRTC Chairperson and CEO Ian Scott
Noah Segal is the co-president of Elevation Pictures. Since its launch in 2014, Elevation has established itself as a leading independent distributor in Canada with Academy Award winning titles such as THE IMITATION GAME, MOONLIGHT, ROOM and THE FATHER alongside box office hits LADY BIRD, PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE and...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight on Bell Media
Based in New York, Tejas Shah is SVP of Commercial Strategy & Analytics for FilmRise. In this role, he manages FilmRise’s Direct-to-Consumer offering. Tejas also manages their Analytics infrastructure; driving FilmRise’s data-driven approach to content acquisition, curation, and programming. Prior to joining FilmRise in 2019, Tejas held various Strategy & Finance...show more
Speaking on: The FAST/AVOD market is exploding - what’s in it for you?
Divya Shahani is a partner at Miller Thomson LLP. She specializes in transactional, corporate and intellectual property matters in the entertainment industry. Divya represents clients ranging from film, television and commercial producers, institutional lenders, private financiers, distributors, new media start-ups, influencers, content creators, talent, music artists and producers, and artist...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Funder + Lawyer
Brent Jordan Sherman is a Literary Agent at Canada's preeminent agency The Characters Talent Agency. With strategic focus on both domestic and international markets, Sherman represents a compelling roster of artists and companies and has engaged Artists in both film and television productions across the globe including at Netflix, Apple, Amazon,...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent; Meet an Agent
Jennifer Shin joined CBC as Director of Development, Comedy. A film and television producer with over 15 years of experience in the industry including such acclaimed films as Rebecca Addelman's Paper Year and Patricia Rozema's Mouthpiece, Jennifer joins us from the Peabody Award-winning production company Banger Films, where she served as Head...show more
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #3: Scripted Comedy Series; Speed Meetings with Buyers; Spotlight on CBC; Pitch Doctors: CBC, Warner Bros. International Television Production, Bell Media
Larry Shuman is founder of The Shuman Company, an entertainment management/production firm specializing in the development of television & film writers since 1991. His many long-time clients have gone on to become some of the highest-level writers in the industry, including Shawn Ryan, Creator of The Shield, S.W.A.T and the upcoming Night Agent for Netflix; David...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent; Meet an Agent
Ben Silverman is the managing director of the Canadian management company, Integral Artists. In 2016 he acquired a controlling interest in The Kirk Talent Agency. He serves as president of the Vancouver based production company, Timeless Pictures, and is CEO of the private media investment firm Various Things Entertainment, which...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent
Emily Smith is the vice president of International Originals at HBO Max. Smith works with writers, producers, and directors to deliver a range of series, including such recent projects as The Tourist, The Girl Before, Sort Of and Starstruck.
Prior to joining HBO Max, Smith was an Executive Director at Epix,...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Seventeen years experience in the Canadian entertainment industry specializing in film and television. Currently at Blue Ant Media, a globally placed channel operator, producer and distributor. In the position of Director, International Sales & Acquisitions, responsible for strategically placing Blue Ant International's 4000+ hours into both the domestic and international...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor; Meet a Distributor; Spotlight on Blue Ant Media
Co-Presidents and Executive Producers of AMAZE, Michael Souther and Teza Lawrence have been business partners for more than two decades. They met while attending Queens University and in 2001 founded AMAZE (formerly known as Amaze Film + Television) to create compelling and authentic programming. Souther and Lawrence are currently executive...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: The Lake
Justin Spitzer is the creator and executive producer of the NBC comedy series American Auto. Prior to that, he created and executive produced Superstore, which ran on NBC for six seasons, wrapping in March of 2021.
His other credits include seven seasons writing for and producing the NBC comedy The Office,...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Showrunner + Director; In Conversation With: Ana Gasteyer and Justin Spitzer; Showrunner Superpanel: breaking the script
Esther has a wealth of production and development experience in scripted television under her belt. Starting her career in film editing, she moved into television, working at Carlton/ITV Studios on a range of high profile dramas including series, limited series and adaptions; and then at BBC Drama and BBC Studios...show more
Speaking on: The Future of Indies
National Director CMF Program Administrator at CMF since January 2020, Jeremy has always been an active and passionate supporter of the Canadian entertainment industry.
He was briefly a commercial attorney for a national law firm but has since been working exclusively in the entertainment industry in various capacities. He mostly worked on the production side...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Funder + Lawyer
Michael has worked with both private and public companies in the film and television sector across genres, partnering with production, co-production, distribution and broadcast partners around the globe. Holding degrees in law and business, he has helped manage the development, financing, production and sale of hundreds of hours of award-winning programming....show more
Speaking on: Meet a Funder + Lawyer; Meet a Funder + Lawyer
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: Pitch Doctors: Warner Bros. International Television Production, Crown Media, FreshTV
As VP, Content Development & Programming, Justin Stockman is responsible for English TV programming including CTV, Crave, and Bell Media’s English-language specialty channels Discovery, MTV, E!, Much, CTV Drama, CTV Life, CTV Comedy, CTV Sci-Fi with a focus on developing groundbreaking new content.
Stockman’s role includes the ongoing negotiation and development...show more
Speaking on: State of the Nation: Canada in focus
Anke is one of the few TV executives who has worked across all genres of television in numerous areas, including production, sales, acquisitions, development and co-productions, giving her a unique view of the global market.
Anke joined Keshet International in 2016, working on acquisitions, development and co-productions across both factual and...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers; Distributor Deep-Dive: international financing and content trends (Diversity of Voices Programme)
Alec Strum was named Vice President, Scripted Original Programming for EPIX in 2020 and is on the programming team responsible for the development and production of original scripted series including Godfather of Harlem, Pennyworth, Chapelwaite, Bridge and Tunnel and upcoming From and Billy the Kid. Before joining EPIX, Strum was Director,...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; 30 minutes with... Alec Strum, EPIX
Howard Swartz is Senior Vice President Docs and Specials, Factual Networks & Streaming, Discovery. In his current role, Swartz is responsible for developing and executing production strategies for documentaries, specials and event programming for both Discovery Channel and discovery+.
During his current tenure at Discovery, Swartz has overseen 80+ hours of
...show moreSpeaking on: What’s hot in docs: trends you need to know; Meet a Decision Maker; Banff Advisory Board
Mary-Anne Taylor is the Head of Content Distribution Canada for Roku, responsible for building and nurturing content distribution partnerships with Canadian publishers. A seasoned entertainment executive with 20+ years of industry experience in content licensing, affiliate sales and product management, Mary-Anne’s work has spanned broadcast, subscription, video on demand, and...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor
Sierra Teller Ornelas has previously staffed on: Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Superstore, Happy Endings, Splitting Up Together, Surviving Jack and Selfie. She is the co-creator and showrunner of the Peacock show Rutherford Falls, starring Ed Helms, Jana Schmieding and Michael Greyeyes. Sierra’s work has been featured on This American Life, the New...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Rutherford Falls
Benjamin Thornton is the Non-Scripted Development Associate for the North American branch at Warner Bros International Television Production. During his tenure he has helped establish quality programming in the non-scripted format space along with developing premium documentaries as well as branching out into the narrative format space. WBITVP’s production operations are responsible...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors: CBC, Warner Bros. International Television Production, Bell Media
Nicole Tossou is the Head of TV at Project X Entertainment – a global entertainment company based in Los Angeles, CA that is focused on taking a creative-driven approach to discovering, producing and financing original stories for all mediums.
In her role, Nicole is responsible for finding unique IP to adapt,...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners; Content Creation from an Anti-Racist Lens; Meet a Decision Maker; Selling scripted
Kelly Townsend is a senior reporter and special reports editor at Playback, with previous experience in B2B and entertainment journalism. Before joining the Playback team in 2018, she worked in the editorial, marketing and communication departments at B2B publisher Dovetail Communications. She has a bachelor's degree in English from York...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight on Blue Ant Media; Spotlight on Roku Originals
Ben is a writer-director specialising in comedy, sport and music. He started in the industry as an editor at TVC, before his first short ‘Letting Go’ played at film festivals around the world and was featured on the South Bank Show. He came to public attention after directing ‘In The...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Disney and Fulwell 73’s Among the Stars; Meet a Showrunner + Director
Erin Underhill is President of Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group. She reports to Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman, Universal Studio Group, and oversees creative affairs, casting and production for one of the country’s largest and most successful studios.
With Underhill at the helm, Universal Television currently produces more than 50...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Rutherford Falls
Jennifer Vaux oversees content strategy, acquisition, programming and scheduling for the ad-supported component of Roku’s owned and operated channel, The Roku Channel. She is responsible for sourcing and executing innovative programming acquisition deals across a range of content and business models. She works to license content for The Roku Channel...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker; The FAST/AVOD market is exploding - what’s in it for you?; Banff Advisory Board
Patrick Vien is Group Managing Director, International at A+E Networks. A+E Networks is a global media and entertainment brand portfolio that finds, cultivates, illuminates and markets entertainment content to worldwide audiences with a collection of culture brands that includes A&E, HISTORY, HISTORY2, BLAZE, Crime & Investigation, Lifetime, Lifetime Movies, FYI,™, VICELAND and BIOGRAPHY....show more
Speaking on: Media Leaders 2022: future forward
As President of Rogers Sports & Media, Colette Watson is responsible for the company’s $2 billion business and approximately 3,500 employees across Canada from a variety of sports and media properties, consisting of 23 conventional and specialty TV channels including Sportsnet, 29 local TV stations, 54 radio stations, 3 OTT...show more
Speaking on: State of the Nation: Canada in focus
Lauren is the Head of Programming for OUTtv, currently with services in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. With servicing multiple territories, she has successfully negotiated contracts with companies worldwide. Lauren is part of the development team at the network and continues to work closely with...show more
Barbara Williams became CBC’s Executive Vice-President English Services, on May 1, 2019.
In this role, Barbara oversees all of the public broadcaster’s English language programming services, including CBC News and CBC Newsworld, CBC Television, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, CBC Sports, CBC Kids, CBC Gem, CBC Listen, thedocumentary Channel, as well...show more
Speaking on: CBC/Radio-Canada Breakfast: The Future of Entertainment; State of the Nation: Canada in focus
Tonya Williams is an award winning actress, producer and activist who has worked in the entertainment industry for the last forty-five years in Canada and the USA. She is best known for her nineteen years starring on the daytime drama The Young & The Restless as Dr. Olivia Winters. ...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker
Melissa Williamson joined Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Media company, in early 2020 to establish the scripted division in Toronto. At Saloon, she develops and produces premium half-hour comedies and one-hour dramas for Canada and the International marketplace.
Melissa has 15 years of experience creating, developing, financing and producing scripted and...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners
Justina Hemperek joined Rive Gauche in August 2020 and is SVP Acquisitions & Sales. She oversees Global Acquisitions & Co-productions, working with international producers & broadcasters. In addition, she handles sales into Eastern Europe and Asia, reporting to Marine Ksadzhikyan, Chief Operating Officer and executive VP of sales at Rive...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners; Distributor Deep-Dive: international financing and content trends (Diversity of Voices Programme)
Edwin Wong is Senior Vice President, Insights & Innovation at Vox Media, the leading independent modern media company known for building the best media brands and the technology that enables them. He leads research to identify key trends in consumer behavior and help advertisers capitalize on these trends to effectively connect with their core...show more
Speaking on: Dissecting the ME-TA-VERSE
Ika Wong is a content creator & influencer from Toronto, Ontario. She is known for being on two seasons of North America’s hit reality TV show, Big Brother Canada.
Her fun and vibrant personality paired with her ability to create engaging content has built her a loyal audience on all social...show more
Speaking on: Globalizing CanCon: The Opportunity for Canadian Creativity
A prolific global entertainment executive, Hud Woodle was brought on to GRB Studios in early 2020 to head up the company’s international distribution and production division. In his role, Woodle oversees all sales, co-production, marketing, acquisitions, servicing, and operations; as well as manages the global sales team.
Prior to his...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor
Janelle Wookey is a Red River Métis and the Co-founder and Producer at Wookey Films. Since launching the company in 2013, she and her producing partner / brother Jérémie have produced over 55 hours of broadcast and digital content in French, English and Indigenous languages for Radio-Canada, CBC, APTN, TV5, Unis, AMI...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners
Elizabeth Yost is the senior vice president of original programming for Crown Media Family Networks, home of three linear networks, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama; subscription video on demand streaming service, Hallmark Movies Now; and publishing division, Hallmark Publishing. Yost is based in Los Angeles and...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors: WarnerMedia, SEVEN24, Crown Media
TV writer and director, Nathalie Younglai founded BIPOC TV & Film, a not-for-profit organization advocating meaningful representation of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour in front and behind the camera. Nathalie has mentored many BIPOC creatives and spoken on panels and juries across Canada. In 2019, Nathalie hauled her Asian...show more
Speaking on: Content Creation from an Anti-Racist Lens
A Co-Founder of CCI Entertainment and Neshama Entertainment, Arnie Zipursky is a leading entrepreneur in both the Canadian and international independent production industry, having Executive-Produced over 50 feature-length films, co creator and director of award-winning children’s series and feature documentaries.
Notable credits include the critically acclaimed Faith Heist, Midnight at the...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners
.png)
