To enter the Chatroom, follow these simple steps:

1. Be on a LAPTOP or a DESKTOP COMPUTER (the lounge platform does not offer all interactive features on a mobile device) 

2. Use GOOGLE CHROME Browser 

3. High Speed Internet connection offers the best experience

4. Click on the Enter button below (this button appears on this page during the posted Chatroom session times)

5. Allow camera and microphone access on your computer  

6. Provide your credentials/register with the Airmeet lounge platform.
   Be sure to use the same email address you used to register for the Banff World Media Festival event, so that the system recognizes you as an approved Marketplace passholder. 

Enter “the venue” (and follow prompts from there)

Diversify our workforce: Explore what you need to put into practice to ensure you are helping to create a more inclusive workforce.

Host: Kadon Douglas

Authentic representation: Representation matters. Here’s what you need to know to get it right from script to screen.

Host: Melanie Hadley

Accessible Content: Explore how to earn podcasting revenue by making your TV shows accessible. 

Host: Andrew Morris

Mental health: Learn how you can better support the mental health and well-being of your staff and yourself, both on and off set.

Host: Naomi Harvey

Meaningful mentorship: How to find that racially diverse talent and commit to creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive industry.

Host: Tonya Williams

Inclusive storytelling: Equity and inclusion start from leadership. Here's how to ensure inclusive storytelling at every level.

Host: Alia J Daniels

Finding funding: Explore how diverse creators find the funding to get their projects made.

Host: Maria Kennedy

Directing for TV: There’s no one path to take, but there are some tips and tricks that can help you better understand how to break into directing for television.

Host: Molly McGlynn

TV writers’ rooms: Get the inside scoop on the anatomy of a TV writers’ room - how it operates and potential pathways to break into one. 

Host: Vera Santamaria

Exec producing: Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning to make the leap from writing or directing to executive producing. 

Host: Sheri Elwood

Crafting characters: Great characters are the key to unlocking a great story. Learn tips and tricks for creating characters that keep audiences tuning in. 

Host: Anthony Farrell

Sustainable creativity: How can we make creative execution and sustainable production more compatible? Let's break it down.

Host: David Hardy

Telling real-life stories: Explore the unique challenges and opportunities that arise when telling stories sourced from real-life.

Host: Allison Berkley & Joseph Freed

Writing for animation: Regardless of format, writing is writing...right? Here's what you should know about the art of writing for animation and how it differs from writing live-action content. 

Host: Holly Huckins 

Commissioning post-COVID: How will commissioning strategies change, post-pandemic? Explore what’s next on the slate after a year of industry disruption and change.

Host: Emily O. Smith

Buyer relationships: A strong network of buyer contacts is key for any producer. Here’s how you can build better buyer relationships.

Host: Rob Swartz 

Development deep-dive: You've entered development with a broadcast partner...now what? Explore what you should know when guiding your project through the development process.

Host: Nataline Rodrigues

Positioning your pitch: You've got a great project and you're ready to get it out there. Here's what a commissioner needs to see in your pitch to maximize its potential for greenlight.

Host: Zach Feldberg

On the drama horizon: With the advent of binge-worthy TV, there’s never been a more exciting time to be making scripted drama content. Now where do we go from here?

Host: Kathleen Meek

The future of factual: From celebrity-driven reality shows to globally formatted competition series, the scope and impact of factual entertainment is rapidly expanding. Explore where this genre will go next to inform and entertain audiences.

Host: Katie Isaacson

Natural history trends: The popularity of natural history content is at an all-time high. Dive into the trends and opportunities emerging in this space. 

Host: Bill Gardner

Up next for kids TV: Explore the content that's capturing kids' attention now. How are these trends driving current and future commissioning strategies? 

Host: Chris Rose