Speakers
Fraser Ash is a producer of feature films, television series, and documentaries. In September 2019, he was a joint recipient of the Canadian Media Producers’ Association (CMPA) Kevin Tierney Award for Emerging Producers.
Feature film credits include Blackberry (2023), directed by Matt Johnson; Seven Veils (2023), directed by Atom Egoyan; Possessor (2020), directed by...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Kim joined Super Channel in 2012 and currently serves as the company’s Chief Content & Communications Officer. In this role, Kim leads the programming strategy for three of the company’s four channels (Fuse, Heart & Home, Vault) including pre-licensing of Canadian productions and acquisition of foreign content. Her portfolio also...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Javiera Balmaceda is Amazon Studios’ Head of Originals for Latin America, Canada, and Australia, overseeing the development of all local original content in those territories. Since joining Prime Video in 2017, Javiera has served as the creative lead on a robust slate of series and films, including fan favorites De...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Kevin is Chair and Chief Creative Officer of the Lionsgate Television Group and Chair of the BANFF Board of Directors. He has spearheaded the strategic expansion of Lionsgate’s television production operations into one of the largest independent television businesses in the world.
Kevin has shepherded iconic series including eight seasons of...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
With fourteen years of experience in film and television distribution, broadcasting, and financing, Giuliana Benvenuto has been part of the Cineflix Rights team since February 2018. Giuliana sources and acquires quality third-party programming content for the company’s distribution catalogue. With a focus on North American acquisitions, Giuliana’s current producer clients...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Brad Bernstein is Chief Content Officer at Texas Crew Productions (TCP) – a leading production company under Asylum Entertainment Group’s banner.
Bernstein recently relocated to Vancouver to establish an executive presence and oversee the growth of the Canada office for Asylum.
In his role, Bernstein oversees more than 50 hours of current...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
As President of Content Distribution, Janet Brown is charged with creating a vision and setting strategic direction to drive continued growth across BBC Studios diversified commercial business in North America and Latin America. She oversees all aspects of the content distribution business, as well as leading the company’s global distribution...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Showrunner and executive producer on CityTV’s newest hit series, Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, Tassie Cameron is an award-winning screenwriter and producer and is the co-founder of Toronto-based independent production company Cameron Pictures. She is known for Pretty Hard Cases, Mary Kills People, Rookie Blue, Ten Days in the Valley, Flashpoint, The Eleventh Hour, Degrassi: The Next...show more
Warren Campbell is an entertainment industry executive with a long history in music and television distribution.
Together with Gordon Weiske he founded JOIN TV, (Just One Incredible Network), a Canadian Entertainment Network that provides distribution and revenue generating solutions to OTT (Over-the-Top) platforms worldwide. We are an aggregator of F.A.S.T. (Free...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Vanessa Case is the Vice President of Content for Paramount+ and Pluto TV in Canada. Based in Toronto, Case oversees all of Canada’s content acquisitions and originals for the streaming platforms, with oversight of all content decisions for Paramount+ and Pluto TV in Canada.
Working closely with both local and global teams across...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors: CBC, CW, Paramount+
Sally Catto is the General Manager of Entertainment, Factual and Sports for CBC. She oversees the strategic direction for all Entertainment, Factual and Sports content across all platforms including CBC TV, CBC Gem and CBC Listen. Content includes drama, comedy, factual entertainment, arts, documentary, kids, sports, podcasts, books, radio &...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Bing Chen is Executive Chairman and Founder of AU holdings, CEO and Co-Founder of Gold House and General Partner and Co Founder of Aum Group. Bing’s work focuses on incubating and investing in multicultural creators, companies, and communities to rebalance socioeconomic equity. Previously, he was YouTube's Global Head of Creator Development...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Julie Choi represents the top showrunners in unscripted television hits such as Love is Blind, Selling Sunset, Top Chef, RuPaul’s Drag Race and talent including Ross Mathews, Allison Holker, and Shangela at the well-respected talent agency Buchwald.
Prior to her career as a talent agent, Julie was an executive...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
It has been a terrific experience working in Kids content for the past 25 years. At CBC Kids, I am lucky enough to work on some classic award winning series both in live action and animation. Most recently, as Executive in Charge of Production on Macy Murdoch (you read that right, William Murdoch...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Appointed President of Bell Media, Canada’s leading content creation company, in November 2023, Cohan is responsible for Bell Media’s portfolio of premier assets in television, streaming, radio, digital and, out-of-home media.
Cohan has spent decades in the media and consumer businesses, including a 15-year tenure at A+E Networks ultimately in the...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Emmy Award Winning producer and executive, Christine Connor oversees development, production, investment, and go-to-market strategy for Topic Studios’ nonfiction series and documentaries. Projects include 100 Foot Wave and Nuclear Family on HBO, Bring Your Own Brigade (Dir. Lucy Walker), Turn Every Page: The Adventures of Robert Caro & Robert Gottlieb (Dir. Lizzie Gottlieb) and the forthcoming Buckley (dir. Amy Berg).
Prior...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Tom Cox has been producing original scripted content for Canadian and world audiences for more than thirty years. SEVEN24 Films, specializing in unique scripted content with global appeal, was recently named Playback Magazine’s Production Company of the Year.
Current productions include; Family Law for Corus and CW, JANN for CTV,...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
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 a period spanning close to four decades. An expert in organizational change, Valerie has been recognized as a visionary in promoting Canada’s cultural wealth.
Currently serving...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
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: Banff World Media Festival
In her role as VP Scripted, Jessalyn serves as a creative producer for SEVEN24 Films as well as managing the company’s extensive development slate. Select projects that have gone to production under her purview include the one-hour series Family Law for Global (Corus) and airing on the CW, now filming its fourth season, four...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Natasha Duprey is an award-winning music supervisor based in Vancouver who has supervised thousands of hours of episodic television including the series The L Word (Showtime), The Terror (AMC), Continuum (SyFy), The Order (Netflix) and Tiny Pretty Things (Netflix). She has worked on feature films such as Frankie & Alice...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Simon Faber has over 15 years of experience in the entertainment industry, across the Film, Television, Music, Fashion and Gaming verticals. Prior to founding Taiga Pictures, he was a partner at the WME Agency where he worked with a number of artists including Martin Scorsese, Adam Sandler, Pharrell Williams, Andre...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Anthony Q. Farrell (he/him) is a BAFTA-winning, Emmy-nominated writer/producer who has worked in Canada, the US, and the UK for over 20 years. He is the creator, showrunner and executive producer of CTV's half-hour comedy Shelved for which he is a 2024 Canadian Screen Awards nominee for Best Comedy Series as well as...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Two time Grammy and five time Emmy nominated Emmy Winner Music Supervisor, Nora Felder’s tenure in music began
booking artist and music events at a New York City lower eastside venue. Shortly there after Nora began working with legendary music producer, Phil Ramone, spearheading recording projects as Vice President of Phil Ramone Inc. with...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Dan Fill is the President of Dark Slope, leading the team to make the impossible possible through engaging storytelling paired with virtual production and spatial technologies. He oversees the Immersive Games, Television and Dark Slope Studios divisions, including the company’s new state-of-the-art multi-stage 32,000 square foot virtual production...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
In 2021, Nua Finau co-founded the production company Tavake with business partner Tom Hern. Their debut drama series, The Panthers, which they both wrote, created, and executive produced, made history as the first New Zealand TV series to premiere at the esteemed Toronto International Film Festival and also clinched a...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
As President, Television Distribution for global film and television studio FIFTH SEASON, Prentiss Fraser oversees strategy, operations, and partnerships across scripted and non-scripted content for the studio’s distribution team. In this role she is also responsible for Marketing and Scripted Television Strategy (previously International Television Productions) – including having P&L...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
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 Nickelodeon, she...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors Virtual Panel: Perfecting your presentation
One of Playback’s 10 to Watch for 2022, Mitch Geddes is the Senior Director of Development & Current Productions for Neshama Entertainment, responsible for overseeing the production and development of original series and feature film projects for the studio. He currently manages a portfolio of projects including the second season of...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors: NESHAMA, Bell Media, Universal International Studios
Brenda Gilbert is the Co-Founder of BRON Media Corp, a company she had led with her husband, Aaron L. Gilbert. BRON Media Corp. (“BRON”). BRON has been the prolific and award-winning studio behind some of the most high-profile films of the last decade, in both the independent and studio worlds....show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Georgina currently serves as Director, Global Scripted Series at Universal International Studios in the Los Angeles office, as well as a board member on New Filmmakers LA (NFMLA). Prior to that, she was Director of International Originals at HBO Max. Before that, she served as Director of Development in the SPLATAM team at...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors: NESHAMA, Bell Media, Universal International Studios
Danelle Granger
Development, Scripted Production Executive
APTN Aboriginal Peoples Television Network Inc.
Based out of Treaty 1 territory, Danelle Granger is proud to be reclaiming and reconnecting to her Métis roots. She began her career in the broadcasting industry upon graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in
Winnipeg, Man. There, she majored in journalism while focusing on developing her production skills....show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
After a successful and long standing career at the BBC, producing high-end, award-winning dramas such as Keeping Faith (Un Bore Mercher); Gwenllian Gravelle is Head of Scripted at the Welsh-language broadcaster S4C. Building on the recent renaissance of Welsh drama and the S4C led invention of Celtic noir, Gwenllian is focused...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
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 independent feature film space. Currently, he and his team manage a slate of more than three dozen projects in various stages of development and production across...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Erin Haskett, President of Lark Productions, has over 25 years experience developing and producing exceptional content. Most recently, Erin serves as Executive Producer of the Canadian adaptation of Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent for Rogers and Universal Television. Law & Order Toronto became the #1 prime-time scripted premiere ever...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Andrea is the Founder and Lead Music Supervisor at AHA Sound & Vision, a Full-Service Music Supervision company based in Toronto, Canada that specializes in original music, licensing and creative strategy.
With over two decades of award-winning experience, Andrea has established herself as...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
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 JHA’s clients are considered to be the best in the business. Jennifer has helped many writers pursue...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Sonia Hosko is the VP of Current at Cineflix Studios where she oversees production, most recently season four of Coroner. She also served as producer and co-executive producer on all five seasons of the hit television series Saving Hope (CTV, Ion) and Rookie Blue (ABC, Global). She worked with Ilana...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Aneka Hylton-Donelson serves as a Director of Development for National Geographic Channel, where she does creative development for factual and general entertainment concepts, limited series, formats, specials and assesses talent and cultivates production partnerships for National Geographic linear and the Disney+ platforms.
Most recently she developed the new series, Never Say...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors Virtual Panel: Perfecting your presentation
Jennifer Irons is a writer turned talent agent, who founded META Talent Agency, the first Black-owned film & TV literary talent agency in Canada, with a mission to help increase access and opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) writers and directors.
In 2021 Jennifer was named one of...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Richard is the VP of Business Innovation and Executive Producer at Attraction, specializing in exploring innovative business and financial strategies within the Branded Entertainment and FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) ecosystem. His expertise includes developing partnerships across brands, networks, and advertising agencies to drive industry growth.
Before joining Attraction, Richard had...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Cynthia Kennedy is the former Vice President, Distribution at Québecor Media, where she oversaw all international distribution activities of the group and brings Canadian content to audiences around the world. Producers and distributors within the group include Incendo, TVA Films, Québecor Content and TVA Distribution.
A native Montrealer with a 25-year track...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Formerly the Senior Vice President, International Originals for HBO Max, Jeniffer Kim was responsible for commissioning original series and co-productions for the platform in international markets targeted for U.S. and global audiences.
Among her HBO Max titles include the critically acclaimed original It’s a Sin from screenwriter Russell T. Davies, Spanish...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
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 platforms.
Klebuc joined...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors: NESHAMA, Bell Media, Universal International Studios
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Barbie moved to Los Angeles in 1996 to pursue a career in TV writing. Starting as an assistant on ER, she soon moved up to become a researcher for John Wells Productions and then a staff writer on Law & Order: SVU. After that, she wrote...show more
Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin (Attawapiskat) is an award-winning filmmaker, mother, writer, performance artist and academic. With her background in community work, social justice themes emerge in her films, alongside bravery, healing, connection and humour. Jules honours her Cree-speaking grandparents who raised her, and her mother, a residential school Survivor/warrior.
Relying...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Lisa Kramer is President of International Content Licensing for Paramount Global Content Distribution, where she leads international licensing and marketing teams for the division. With her oversight spanning 20 offices around the world, she leads the team distributing an extensive portfolio of film and television content outside the U.S. to...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Kevin Krikst is an award-winning producer of feature films and television at Rhombus Media, one of Canada’s leading production companies. Since joining the company in 2007, Kevin has had been involved in a number of prominent films and series, and has worked with some of the world’s most celebrated filmmakers, including Denis Villeneuve,...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Jean La Rose is a First Nations citizen from the Abenakis First Nation of Odanak. He is the President/CEO of Dadan Sivunivut, an Indigenous owned, operated and managed company that oversees subsidiary companies in the digital media production and distribution sectors as well as radio, music rights and talent management...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
With many years of experience in television production and content creation, Marianne is an expert at creating content for kids that is fun and inviting. Fully bilingual, she has worked in many areas in kids tv: first as a host, then writer, director, producer, executive producer and broadcaster. In her...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Felicia Litovitz is a seasoned acquisitions executive, with 20 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 on securing...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Saleena Lockett is a Network Executive with over 20 years of diverse industry experience. Saleena is a DGA Training Program Alum and an active member of the Directors Guild Association. Saleena currently works at THE CW NETWORK as the Executive Director of Scripted programming where she is involved in both...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors: CBC, CW, Paramount+
Graham has been working with Incendo since January 2021. He has already been involved in the production of nine films for Incendo, as well as a limited series. 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: Banff World Media Festival
As SVP Comedy for New Metric Media, Bill Lundy is focused on broadening and strengthening the company’s slate of comedy brands and roster of comedy talent across scripted, sketch and stand up for multiple platforms including television, live entertainment, merchandise and licensing.
Previously, Lundy was SVP Development for Pier 21 Films,...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Michelle Mama is an award-winning, five-time Canadian Screen Award nominee who has been producing and directing in the factual and doc space for over two decades. Her most recent credits include executive producing doc feature Summer Qamp (TIFF ’23) Canada’s Drag Race Season 3 and Canada vs. The World (Crave), directing...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
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 including the recently launched productions, Wild Cards and Allegiance.
A graduate of the Canadian Film Centre’s Producers’ Lab, prior to joining the CBC, Lea...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors: Universal International Studios, CBC, STARZ
Anishinaabe filmmaker Lisa Meeches is one of the most respected producers in the film industry, and is a Member of the Order of Canada and Order of Manitoba. Originally from Long Plain First Nation, Sandy Bay First Nation, and Ebb and Flow First Nation, Lisa studied broadcasting in North Dakota,...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Robin Mirsky is Executive Director of the Rogers Group of Funds. Robin joined Rogers Communications in 1989. She is responsible for the Rogers Group of Funds, which includes the Rogers Telefund, a $32 million interim financing fund for Canadian independent productions, the Rogers Series Fund, a $6 million equity investment...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
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, the Hulu/Crave Letterkenny spinoff series Shoresy, CTV’s half-hour comedy series Children Ruin Everything, and the all-new half-hour Crave comedy series Bria Mack Gets A Life....show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Drew Mullin is an international award-winning writer, director and producer who joined CBC Kids team as an Executive in Charge of Production in 2016. At CBC, Drew has overseen several broadcast and digital series including Dot, Kingdom Force,Big Blue, Dino Ranch, Mitten & Pants, Addison, Napkin Man, Game Savers, Let's...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors: CBC, CW, Paramount+
Driven by her love of storytelling and passion for working closely with creators of all disciplines, Nafisa brings over ten years of experience within the Canadian screen industry to her role as Director of Development. Before joining Pier 21 Films, Nafisa was the director of talent development programs at the...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Sandra Murphy
Vice President of Content Sales & Co-Productions, Canada and Latin America
BBC Studios Canada Limited
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Ava Mustos is Associate Director of Acquisitions at global film and TV studio FIFTH SEASON. She is focused on seeking out and securing best-in-category unscripted and scripted content for FIFTH SEASON’s global TV Distribution slate and financing projects at all stages of production.
Ava is focused on identifying breakthrough content and...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Natasha Negrea is Head of Programming with TVO where she is responsible for the overall direction and evolution of documentaries and children’s programming. This includes oversight of TVO’s slate of award-winning commissions and acquisitions and shaping the strategy for scheduling and distribution on broadcast, OTT and digital platforms.
Natasha has had...show more
Rachel Nelson
Vice President, Original Programming and Head of Corus Studios
Corus Entertainment Inc
With over 25 years of experience across the industry, Rachel Nelson spearheads a diverse portfolio of Scripted and Unscripted content as Vice President of Original Programming and Head of Corus Studios at Corus Entertainment. In this role, Rachel leads strategies for commissioning, developing, and producing first class series for Corus’...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
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: Banff World Media Festival
Dan Norton is an agent in the Television Scripted department at Creative Artists Agency, a talent and literary agency based in Los Angeles, California. Dan specializes in representing writers and directors in all areas of television. His top clients include Eric Guggenheim (creator/showrunner Magnum P.I.), Sian Heder (Coda, Little America), Kevin...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Since joining AMI-tv in 2012, Cara has moved from overseeing the channel’s internal productions to her current role as Director of Content Development and Production. She is now responsible for all of AMI’s current original content including Mind Your Own Business, Dish With Mary and returning series’ By Hook or...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Mike Omelus is executive director of content and strategy for APTN, the world’s first national Indigenous broadcaster. This role has Mike overseeing the network’s programming, scheduling and content creation departments as well as the commissioning of original programming in English, French and up to 17 Indigenous languages annually.
Prior to APTN, Mike was vice-president of...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Michael has placed thousands of songs in TV shows, films and documentaries, seen and heard around the world.
Michael has been working in the music/film/TV industries for 20+ years.
He is honoured to have been awarded Music Supervisor awards at the GMS Awards in the U.S. and Sync Awards in Canada, honouring...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
As SVP Sales and Business Development for Neshama Entertainment and Fox Entertainment Global, Brook Peters is the sales lead for the entirety of the Fox Entertainment, MarVista, and Neshama content libraries for the Canadian market. With over 20 years of experience in various aspects of the film and television industry,...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Julie Plec is a creator, showrunner, executive producer and director, most notably responsible for the complete Vampire Diaries Universe, which spanned 13 years and more than 300-episodes of television.
She co-created and executive produced The Girls on the Bus which recently premiered and is currently airing on Max. The series, inspired by...show more
With 25+ years in the media industry and a passion for innovative deal-making and partnership, Diane works across development and distribution to marry creative and commercial strategy to meet market demand and create long-term value.
In her role as EVP Commercial Strategy & Content Financing, Diane works with Blue Ant’s development,...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Originally from Southampton, England, Sanj dreamt of working in film since he was a boy. After graduating a three-year course in Digital Film Production & Screenwriting in England, he moved across the pond to Toronto to travel and explore. Little did he know he’d fall in love with Canada and...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
After graduating with an Honours Degree in Drama & Film from Queen’s University, David pursued his love of acting & writing. Unfortunately, he knew no one in the business and was unable to get an agent to return his calls, let alone meet with him. He soon found himself in...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Roma Roth is the Showrunner and Executive Producer of the CW/CTV/Fremantle Canadian series Sullivan's Crossing starring Morgan Kohan, Chad Michael Murray and Scott Patterson. Based on the Robyn Carr novel, the show became the #1 Canadian drama when it premiered, drawing higher numbers than any Canadian drama in the last three years. Following...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Tara Roy is a Director of Original Programming at STARZ/ Lionsgate, where she oversees the acquisition and creative development of original scripted television series. Prior to STARZ, she worked at Endeavor Content, overseeing series (Normal People, Nine Perfect Strangers) and scripted podcasts (Blackout, Ghostwriter), and at AGBO, Joe and Anthony...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors: Universal International Studios, CBC, STARZ
Asif is the Chief Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Warner Bros. Discovery. He was previously the Global Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Social Impact at adidas and has a long and rich career in the diversity and inclusion space with senior executive roles at The Telegraph Media Group,...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Kate Sanagan is the Head of Sales and Distribution at Sinking Ship Entertainment, a multiple Emmy® Award winning production, distribution and interactive company specializing in kids’ and family content. Since its launch in 2004, Sinking Ship has rapidly earned a reputation for high quality, ground-breaking original series. Kate oversees the...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Sid Santiago Zanforlin is a LatinX Canadian director and writer originally hailing from Montreal, now in Toronto. He draws heavily from his Chilean and Québécois heritage and is committed to fostering diversity in the television industry.
Sid is currently seeking producing partners for his projects, which include a teen horror tv...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Stefania Scarfo is the Head of Content Strategy for Paramount+, Canada’s newest streaming service. As lead of the content team, she oversees the programming strategy. Scarfo is tasked with making strategic content acquisitions and commissioning decisions in alignment with the streaming services strategy to ensure Paramount+ offers a mountain of...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors Virtual Panel: Perfecting your presentation
Jessica oversees development of original content and formats in the genres of factual, entertainment and documentary series at CBC and CBC Gem. She is responsible for sourcing the best new formats from around the world, and working with the independent production community in Canada to bring their ideas to life....show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
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...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors: CBC, PBS, LaRue Entertainment
Currently a Producer and Co-General Manager, Desiree joined Animiki See Digital Production in October 2010 as a Producer and the Manager of Production. She has produced several live music specials, events and series, including: Indigenous Day Live and National Day for Truth & Reconciliation; numerous documentaries and factual series, including the CSA-nominated First Contact, 1491: The Untold...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Richard Speer, a leader in the content and entertainment industries, founded Attraction in 2002. Today he heads a company whose renowned expertise affords him a leading role in Canadian television and film. Since its founding, Attraction has produced more than 8,000 hours of television, many feature films, and has received...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Adam Steinman is President and founder of newly formed Mount Royal Films LLC, a global film and television "format lab" based in Los Angeles.
In 2023, Adam Steinman signed a development and production deal with Walt Disney Television Alternative.
Under this new deal, Steinman will work in collaboration with the team at...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors Virtual Panel: Perfecting your presentation
An industry leader, mentor, and advocate for creators, Sharon Stevens has more than 20 years of experience in the film and TV industry. As Vice President, Programming at Hollywood Suite, her specialized knowledge of negotiations, acquisitions, scheduling, and programming have contributed to the growth and success of the company.
In...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
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 ground-breaking new content.
Stockman also leads Bell Media's diversity and inclusion initiatives, both internally as a member...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Mary-Anne Taylor is the Head of Content Distribution Canada for Roku, responsible for building and nurturing content distribution partnerships with Canadian publishers and securing the launch of tier one local channel applications. A seasoned entertainment executive with 15+ years of industry experience in sales, distribution and product management, Mary-Anne’s work...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Grace is currently Director of Global Scripted Programming at Universal International Studios. As part of the LA Scripted team, her job encompasses both scripted development and current. She works closely with Universal International Studios’ production partners to help identify talent and global IP, provide creative feedback throughout the creative process...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors: Universal International Studios, CBC, STARZ
John Turner is SVP & Head of Documentaries and Original Content for IMAX Entertainment where he oversees the development of documentary and non-fiction for the IMAX global network.
Prior to IMAX, John developed documentary features for Netflix. He co-created the series, Dirty Money, and was also an Oscar and Emmy...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Adaora is an award-winning journalist turned award-winning media executive, producer, and board member with deep expertise in media, digital content/software, emerging tech, and torytelling. She is Vice President of Programming and Operations for PBS General Audiences. She leads operations, production management, business operations, editorial, and strategic teams that oversee hundreds...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors: CBC, PBS, LaRue Entertainment
Victoria Valius is the Vice President of Marketing and Co-Country Manager of Sony Pictures Television and Home Entertainment Canada. Victoria manages the operations of the Canadian office of Sony Pictures and shares in the responsibility of meeting the division’s digital transactional, physical home entertainment, and television distribution goals and objectives.
Since...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Jeff oversees the development and production of scripted projects for Cineflix Productions. He’s helped make numerous award-winning films including Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey and I Was Lorena Bobbitt. He’s produced gripping crime thrillers like Stolen by Their Father and Abducted: The Carlesha Gaither Story, as well as the music-based holiday hit Miracle in Motor City, starring...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Patrick Vien is Group Managing Director, International at A+E Networks, a global media and entertainment company with a collection of culture brands that includes A&E, HISTORY, HISTORY2, BLAZE, Crime & Investigation, Lifetime, Lifetime Movies, FYI, VICELAND and BIOGRAPHY. Patrick, in collaboration with his teams and A+E's various partners around the...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Rob Wade was named CEO of FOX Entertainment in October 2022. He is responsible for the company’s growing portfolio of businesses, including FOX Network; in-house unscripted studio FOX Alternative Entertainment (FAE); scripted content creator FOX Entertainment Studios (FES); Studio Ramsay Global in partnership with Gordon Ramsay; Emmy Award winning animation...show more
Wadooah Wali is Co-founder, Chief Strategy Officer & Executive Producer at New Canvas. A true media influencer, her 20+ career expertise spans across traditional and disruptive media platforms, including Demand Media (now Leaf Group), Livestrong.com, Meta, Twitter, WarnerMedia (now Warner Bros. Discovery), Fullscreen and podcast leader Midroll Media/EarWolf (acquired by...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
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
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Melanie Windle (BFA, MFA) is an award-winning producer, mentor, and media entrepreneur. She is the Executive Director of the Sustainable Entertainment Society, and Executive Producer of the Sustainable Production Forum, an annual world leading event that accelerates decarbonization and sustainability in arts and entertainment.
Prior to this, she served as Director...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Justina Wójtowicz joined Rive Gauche in August 2020 and is EVP Acquisitions Co-productions & Sales. She oversees Global Acquisitions, Co-productions, development as well as working daily with international producers & broadcasters to secure production finance and partnerships.
Prior to Rive Gauche she was the Head of Acquisitions at Beyond Distribution charged with overseeing all global acquisitions...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Passionate about music and what it brings to the moving picture, Lindsay has been working in Music Supervision for over 20 years. She is known for her work on One Tree Hill, where she featured over 1700 songs from breaking artists to iconic names like Led Zeppelin and U2, and more recently for...show more
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
Jay Carolyn Wu (they/them) is a creative producer and writer/director. They were a development executive for scripted original comedy & drama at Bell Media from 2021 to 2023. During that time, they covered a slate of 15+ projects for Crave and CTV, including Sullivan's Crossing and The Spencer Sisters, both of which premiered...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctors: CBC, PBS, LaRue Entertainment
Speaking on: Banff World Media Festival
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