Speakers
Now in her third year at Reelworld Screen Institute, Safia Abdigir is a Toronto-based arts culture worker specifically interested in the facilitation of diverse perspectives in the Canadian film/visual arts industry. As Programming Manager at Reelworld, she oversees the screenings and industry panels for the film festival and two year-round...show more
Speaking on: Topic Tables; Topic Tables
Kate Adler serves as Executive Vice President, Comedy Development, CBS Studios, a title she has held since 2013 after joining the studio in 2005.
In her position, Adler oversees the development of all comedy series for broadcast, cable and streaming. Titles she has helped develop include Ghosts for CBS, the new...show more
Speaking on: Session: to be announced
Tayo Amos is a Nigerian-American filmmaker from the Bay Area, now currently living in Los Angeles. She graduated from Stanford University with a double major BA in Science, Technology, & Society and Spanish Literature in 2014 and is a recent grad at USC's School of Cinematic Arts in the MFA...show more
Speaking on: Moving the dial forward for underrepresented communities in entertainment – successes and continued growth
Kerry Appleyard is Senior Vice President, Creative Affairs and responsible for scripted development and production at Boat Rocker Studios, Scripted, in Canada. She recently Executive Produced new dramas Robyn Hood created by Director X for Corus and the spinoff series Orphan Black: Echoes for AMC. Appleyard serves as Executive Producer...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners; Master Class: Robyn Hood
Pat Atkins is a digital media & entertainment leader, with over a decade of experience at the intersection of content & technology. Pat joined YouTube in 2013, and currently oversees AVOD partnerships with many of the largest partners in the TV & Film industry. He focuses on providing effective content...show more
Speaking on: YouTube Presents: A Masterclass in Monetization (Ivor Petrak)
For three decades, World of Wonder has introduced audiences to new worlds, talent and ideas; reshaping international pop culture, while earning 30 Emmys and inspiring Oscar®-winning performances. Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato first met as film students at NYU film school in the mid-80s before becoming creative and business partners...show more
Speaking on: In Conversation With: Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, Co-Founders, World of Wonder; Rockies Gala (Van Horne Ballroom)
As a Toronto-based filmmaker and alumni of both the Canadian Film Centre and Toronto Metropolitan University's Image Arts program, Courtenay has actively worked in the film industry for 20 + years in various roles on productions such as Spotlight, Pacific Rim, Robocop, and Being Erica. She produced a number of...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent
Pahull Bains is the Outreach and Marketing Manager at Reelworld Screen Institute, where she also works on partnerships and festival programming. Pahull is also an experienced magazine writer/editor, with bylines in publications like Vogue India, GQ India, Wired, FASHION and Billboard. Born and raised in India, she now resides in...show more
Speaking on: Topic Tables; Topic Tables
Kerry Ball is a Literary Agent and Head of Development at Meridian Artists. Kerry joined the Meridian team in 2010 as an Associate where she worked closely with the Agents and roster to facilitate employment opportunities and project sales in both Canada and the USA. She transitioned to the role...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent
Robert Baltazar is NBCU Launch's Vice President, TV Programming DEI, servicing NBC, NBCU's cable networks, streaming platform Peacock, as well as the Universal Studio Group. In this role, he oversees the TV creative talent development Launch programs for both scripted and unscripted, such as the NBC Launch TV Writers Program,...show more
Speaking on: Moving the dial forward for underrepresented communities in entertainment – successes and continued growth
For three decades, World of Wonder has introduced audiences to new worlds, talent and ideas; reshaping international pop culture, while earning 30 Emmys and inspiring Oscar®-winning performances. Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato first met as film students at NYU film school in the mid-80s before becoming creative and business partners...show more
Speaking on: In Conversation With: Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, Co-Founders, World of Wonder; Rockies Gala (Van Horne Ballroom)
Chris Bell
Vice President, Scripted Development–Canada, Television, eOne
Entertainment One Television International
Chris Bell is VP, Scripted Development, Television at Entertainment One. Based in Toronto, Chris oversees eOne’s active development slate out of Canada, with a focus on partnering with top writing talent on the development of original series concepts as well as targeting high value IP.Under his leadership, the team is...show more
Speaking on: Topic Tables
With thirteen 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: Meet a Distributor
Vibika Bianchi is an award-winning content leader known for elevating popular entertainment for global audiences. As a founding Executive Producer at Catalyst, she champions women creators in the unscripted space - from development to greenlight and more. Her background includes spearheading original unscripted content and commissioning at Corus Entertainment and...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners; Home reno-ssance: what’s hot in property
Colin Bohm is Executive Vice President, Content and Corporate Strategy at Corus Entertainment Inc., Canada’s leading media and content company, with responsibility for Corus’ industry leading original content businesses, as well as strategic planning and domestic and international business development. Colin oversees Corus Studios, a global producer and distributor of...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker
Raised in the arresting landscapes of Muskoka, award winning writer/director Annie Bradley is known for her striking cinematic work and strong storytelling. She is a DGA/DGC member, an alumna of the Sundance Film Festival, TIFF, the TIFF Talent Lab, TIFF Pitch This!, the CFC Directors Lab, Film Fatales LA, AWD...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Showrunner + Director
Elliott Brannon is a 7-year veteran of Lionsgate where he currently oversees the company’s international television series slate as Director, Acquisitions & Content Strategy. The slate consists of more than a dozen new and returning series originating from 9 different countries. Past and present projects include the Emmy-winning Hulu series...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners
Visionary media leader. Founder, entrepreneur, and angel investor. Creator and champion of women-led organizations. Her latest venture is dedicated to content creation for the global marketplace by powering women creators and investing in their ideas.
Bristow has been influencing how people watch television for the past 25 years. She has created thousands...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker; Knix and Catalyst want to fund your next project: bringing women's stories to the forefront
Kara Brown is currently a Co-Executive Producer on Boots Riley's I'm A Virgo. She was a writer and producer on Hulu's upcoming adaptation of the New York Times bestseller The Other Black Girl as well as Janine Nabers and Donald Glover's Amazon series, Swarm. Past credits also include Marvel's She-Hulk,...show more
Speaking on: Writer Superpanel: strike edition
Jessica Callahan is Vice President, Development at Hallmark Media. Callahan reports to Elizabeth Yost, Senior Vice President, Programming & Development, and is based in Los Angeles. In this role, Callahan pilots original programs and movies through every step of the development and production process, from conception to scripting to post....show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
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....show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers
Matt Cansick is Senior Director, Creative Licensing – TV North America at BMG Production Music. A native of London, UK, he joined BMG's Los Angeles office in 2019, initially overseeing their extensive work in TV marketing, before moving into his current position covering both promo and in-show music licensing for...show more
Speaking on: The power of music: in conversation with Nora Felder
Vanessa Case is SVP Global Head of Unscripted Production VICE Studios and Pulse Films. In this role she works with the global production offices overseeing physical production and production operations, working in partnership with VICE Studios development and creative teams. A senior executive with a long-standing successful career in media,...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners
Since joining Amazon Studios in 2017, Catherine Casey has spearheaded 30+ unscripted series in Canada, Australia, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa. From true crime to comedy to lifestyle to sports, she has a breadth of experience in both documentary filmmaking and large-scale reality formats. Many of Casey’s projects involve unprecedented...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker; Topic Tables
George Cheeks
President and CEO, CBS and Chief Content Officer, News and Sports, Paramount+
CBS Entertainment
George Cheeks assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS in March 2020.
Cheeks oversees CBS-branded assets within Paramount Global, including the CBS Television Network, which encompasses CBS Entertainment, CBS News and CBS Sports, as well as CBS Studios, CBS Stations, CBS Media Ventures, its first-run...show more
Speaking on: Summit Series: George Cheeks, President and CEO, CBS and CCO, News and Sports, Paramount+
Aubrey is a Commissioning Executive in the 7+ BBC Children’s Content team with a remit that covers Live Action scripted drama and animation. He is the executive producer on popular brands such as The Next Step, Home Sweet Rome, The Deep, Theodosia, Scream Street, Odd Squad, Tee & Mo, My...show more
Speaking on: Get in the sandbox with kids-biz experts; Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
As ITV Factual Controller Jo's commissions include: BAFTA -winning Long Lost Family; Diana Our Mother; Queen's Green Planet; 56 & 63 Up; Crime & Punishment strand; Trevor McDonald's Mafia; Joanna Lumley's Silk Road; landmark singles e.g Kate Garraway Finding Derek; Kevin McDonald’s Story of Us.
At the BBC, Jo...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Charles Cooper is the President of Front Street Pictures (FSP) based in Vancouver, BC. Founded more than twenty years ago, FSP has produced 300+ projects comprising over 500 hours of scripted live action content.
Charles has produced over 100 movies for a number of leading networks, studios and streamers including Hallmark,...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight: Hallmark Media
Simon Cox serves as EVP Content & Acquisitions at Banijay Rights, where he leads the global distributor’s acquisitions team. Simon is responsible for setting the overall acquisition strategy for Banijay Rights, which includes determining the genre and type of programming to be acquired each year, selecting the best content for...show more
Speaking on: Global partnerships: we’re all in this together; Meet a Distributor
Tom Cox has been producing original scripted content for Canadian and world audiences for over thirty years. His credits include award-winning feature films, dramatic series, mini-series and television movies. SEVEN24 Films, specializing in unique scripted content with global appeal, was recently named Playback Magazine’s Production Company of the Year.
Current...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker
Myiea Coy is an EMMY award-winning Executive Producer and writer known for Executive producing Lizzo's Watch Out for The Big GRRRLs for Amazon Prime; she is currently the SVP of Television of Confluential Films covering both scripted and unscripted. She previously served as Vice President of Development at Bunim Murray...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners
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: Meet a Decision Maker; Defining Canadian Content: The future of the industry
Josie Crimi has been the Executive Vice President of Development and Production for Scott Brothers Entertainment (SBE) since 2015. In her time at the company, Josie has experienced significant growth and is proud to have more than 100+ hours of original programming per year under her leadership. Titles include hit...show more
Speaking on: Home reno-ssance: what’s hot in property
Tecca Crosby
Executive Vice President, Scripted Programming–Canada, Television, eOne
eOne Television
As Executive Vice President of Scripted Programming, Tecca Crosby oversees current production for eOne Television in Canada as well as a robust development slate that includes numerous one-hour dramas, limited series and half-hour comedies in development with Canadian broadcasters.
She manages relationships with a variety of Canadian and international co-producing partners,...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker
Since 2016, Brad Danks, J.D, has been the CEO of OUTtv Network Inc. and OUTtv Media Global Inc., (collectively "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...show more
Speaking on: Canada: state of the nation
Jennifer Dettman is an award-winning television executive with 15+ years of experience leading innovative television and digital content creation. She is one of the top female executives in the country and an internationally respected voice in the industry. Jennifer has played a leading role in the industry's ongoing digital transformation...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight: CBC
As Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS, Sara DeWitt is responsible for the strategic direction of the dynamic PBS Kids media service that supports children ages 2-8, their parents, teachers and caregivers, and local communities.
Ms. DeWitt leads a cross-disciplinary team charged with making PBS KIDS –...show more
Speaking on: Get in the sandbox with kids-biz experts
Michela Di Mondo heads up Fremantle’s Canadian office and is responsible for developing and maximizing prospects for Fremantle IP. Michela works across finished tape, formats, brand integrations and co-productions in both English and French Canada, which is key to driving Fremantle’s growth in the market’s evolving media landscape. Prior to...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight: Fremantle
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...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Alexis Durand-Brault is a very famous and highly decorated Canadian director. He first broke out as a highly sought after cinematographer. On the big screen, he has directed notable films including Ma fille, mon ange, La petite reine et C’est le cœur qui meurt en dernier, Everywhere and The Factory....show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Club Illico’s Mégantic; Meet a Showrunner + Director
As Director of Development for CBC Comedy, Greig Dymond is responsible for driving and overseeing the quality and diversity of the network's comedy-development slate. Since 2013, Greig has served as Development Executive and/or Production Executive on a variety of CBC Comedy series, including Schitt's Creek, Baroness von Sketch Show, Son...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker; Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #3: comedy series; 30 minutes with... Lea Marin and Greig Dymond, CBC; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Vicky began her career practising regulatory law at a national law firm in 2000. She joined the federal public service in 2005 and held a number of senior executive positions at the Competition Bureau, Natural Resources Canada, and the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. Vicky has experience across...show more
Speaking on: Keynote speech: Vicky Eatrides, Chairperson and CEO, CRTC
David Eilenberg is the Vice President and Head of Content for Roku Media. 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 vision, creative strategy, go-to-market execution, as well...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight: Roku
John Elmes is the international editor of UK TV trade publication Broadcast. He has been a journalist for 13 years and has worked in the TV trade press for the past six. Before Broadcast, he was a senior reporter at fellow trade publication C21Media. Prior to this, John spent six...show more
Speaking on: Trends in scripted programming
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: Topic Tables; Production Partners
2X Grammy and 4 Time Emmy nominated Emmy Winner Music Supervisor, NORA FELDER’s tenure in music began booking artist events at a New York City lower eastside venue. It was there she met and began working with legendary music producer, Phil Ramone, coordinating and working closely on recording projects with...show more
Speaking on: The power of music: in conversation with Nora Felder; Topic Tables
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 is a writer and producer, with a mission to take his little corner of the Pacific to the world. He...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners; Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #2: drama series; Global partnerships: we’re all in this together
Bart Fisher is Senior Vice President of Development for Hallmark Media, home of three linear networks; Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama and subscription video on demand streaming service, Hallmark Movies Now. He is based in Los Angeles and reports to Randy Pope, Senior Vice President, Programming...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Courtney Fitzpatrick is currently Director of Content Strategy, 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 team at Marble Media/Distribution360. Before that, she worked on a number of productions with a...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor
Sarah Fowlie leads the Production of Original Programming across Bell Media's English Language platforms including CTV, CTV Speciality and Crave. Fowlie began her career at Bell Media in 1997 at The Comedy Network and has developed strong relationships with the Canadian and International content industry. She has held a range...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Spotlight: Bell Media
Lauren Frasca is SVP of Content and Strategy at Magnolia Network, where she has overseen hundreds of hours of content across linear, streaming and OTT, including the Emmy-nominated Fixer Upper: Welcome Home, Fixer Upper: The Castle and Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines. She came to the role from Facebook’s Creative...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker; Speed Meetings with Buyers; Home reno-ssance: what’s hot in property
Antony Fraser is a Managing Director at ACF Investment Bank’s London office. He is one of the UK's most experienced media financiers, having acted as principal on over 20 sector transactions.
Recent deals include the securitization of Syco Entertainment’s Intellectual Property in the Got Talent Franchise - a deal raising $125m...show more
Speaking on: Int’l Media Leaders: big bang theories
Chris spent the early part of his career as a first assistant director. After making the move into producing, Chris accrued producer credits on numerous high-profile series including 8, 9 and 10 of Spooks (two of which were BAFTA nominated for best series) and The Smoke written by the award-winning...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker; Trends in scripted programming
Based in New York, Bryan Gabourie is SVP, International Sales & Partnerships. In this role he oversees all sales activities from originals, pre-sales, content licensing, co-productions and strategic partnerships in the U.S. and is focussed on growing the company’s business across all platforms in that market. Bryan has over 15...show more
Speaking on: Topic Tables
Laura Gaines serves as the Director, Development & Programming at Hallmark Media. She works on original RomComs, Mysteries and Drama projects through every stage of production, working across all networks linear and non, including Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Movies Now. She brings diverse new talent, writers...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; 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 Toronto Metropolitan 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...show more
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #1: unscripted/documentary; Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #3: comedy series; Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #2: drama series; Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum: networking breakfast + opening ceremonies
Kelly Garrett is Vice President, Development for Hallmark Media. Garrett is based in Studio City and reports to Senior Vice President, Development Samantha DiPippo. Garrett plays an integral role in the development of Hallmark Media’s iconic holiday programming, sourcing material and spearheading projects from development to production to final delivery....show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Darren Giblin
Vice President, Current Scripted Programming-Canada, Television, eOne
Entertainment One Ltd.
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/The CW), legal drama Burden of Truth (CBC/The CW), medical...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker
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 #1: unscripted/documentary; Spotlight: Bell Media
Celia Rose Gooding stars as the iconic role of 'Uhura' in the Paramount+ series STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS alongside Anson Mount, Ethan Peck and Rebecca Romjin. The series is a prequel to STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES that follows the crew of the USS Enterprise under Captain Christopher Pike....show more
Speaking on: Rockies Gala (Van Horne Ballroom); Master Class: Star Trek
Michael Gordon is a Global Scripted Television Agent at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Gordon is based in the Los Angeles office and has put together and represented many critically acclaimed global shows, including Euphoria (HBO), Tehran (Apple), (Netflix), Fauda (Netflix), War Of The Worlds (Epix),...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent; Meet an Agent
Morgan Greco is senior vice president of Digital Business Development for A+E Networks, a portfolio of global media brands including A&E ® , Lifetime ® , The HISTORY ® Channel and FYI. In this role, she is responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of monetization strategies for the brands’...show more
Speaking on: Maximize the Value of Your IP on YouTube
Käroli Grenman is Head of Operations & Producer at Virtual Production House, a state-of-the-art production company offering traditional and virtual production stages and creative services in Toronto. Käroli leads the company’s business and creative operations and works directly with creators and producers in getting short and long-form narrative and commercial...show more
Speaking on: Topic Tables; Topic Tables
Spencer Griffin is currently the Head of TV Development for Just For Laughs. In his career, he has sold, developed, and/or Executive Produced shows for Amazon, Audible, Bell, CBC, Comedy Central, CW, E!, Freeform, HBO, Hulu, IFC, Meta, MTV, NBC, PopTV, Sony, Starz, TruTV, and more. Spencer has previously held...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners; Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #3: comedy series
Joanna Griffiths is the Founder and President of Knix and Kt by Knix the direct-to-consumer intimate apparel brands reinventing intimates for real life. Since launching the company in 2013, Joanna has built Knix into one of the fastest-growing intimate apparel brands globally. Through a focus on impact work and product...show more
Speaking on: Knix and Catalyst want to fund your next project: bringing women's stories to the forefront
Award-winning Producer/Writer/Creator and President & CEO of The Gurin Company (www.gurinco.com), Phil Gurin creates, acquires, sells and produces entertainment programs all over the world. Gurin has won four Prime Time Emmy Awards as an Executive Producer on ABC’s Shark Tank, and an international Rose d’Or (Golden Rose) for the comedy...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker; Meet a Distributor
Tyler Hagan is a Michif and Canadian filmmaker based on unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations in Vancouver, B.C. His producing credits include the feature debut from Kathleen Hepburn Never Steady, Never Still (2017), The Body Remembers when the World Broke Open (2019) by...show more
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.
Based in Toronto, Tom leads the commissioning strategy for Paramount+ Canadian originals. An industry veteran and former Director of Drama at Bell Media, Tom has extensive and long-standing relationships with Canada’s independent production and literary communities and is especially known for his respected relationships with Canadian writers, producers and agents.
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #2: drama series; 30 minutes with... Tom Hastings, Katrina Kowalski and Stefania Scarfo, Paramount+ Canada; Defining Canadian Content: The future of the industry
Brent began his career lurking around the comedy and variety department at the CBC in Toronto. He then moved to CTV with the launch of The Comedy Network where he eventually oversaw programming, development and production. Brent then landed in New York as SVP of Comedy & Animation for MTV,...show more
Speaking on: 30 minutes with... Brent Haynes, Amazon Studios
Steven He is a Chinese-Irish comedian, actor, Youtuber and TikToker. His renowned sketches and skits encompass his hilarious expression of Asian-American family life – one of his most impressionable characters being “Asian Dad,” not to mention his iconic and meme-worthy token phrase “Emotional Damage.”
Steven He was born in China, and...show more
Speaking on: Maximize the Value of Your IP on YouTube
Sasha Leigh Henry is a writer, director, and producer based in Toronto. Recently named one of Variety's 10 to Watch for 2022, Henry is currently in post-production on BRIA MACK GETS A LIFE. The Crave original comedy series about a 25 year old Black woman and her imaginary hype girl...show more
Speaking on: Defining Canadian Content: The future of the industry
Ms. Hill-Tout has done a number of European co-productions and is currently directing, co-writing and co-producing on an Irish Canadian feature. Recently she produced and co-wrote genre werewolf feature Bloodthirsty which received Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and was featured in some of the world’s best genre festivals. It was...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Showrunner + Director
Kim Hobbs
Vice President, Sales English Canada, International Distribution, eOne
Entertainment One Television International
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 more...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor
Meet Brad Holcman, since joining A&E in 2012 as Senior Director of Non-Fiction and Alternative Programming, Brad has been overseeing some edge-of-your-seat shows like 60 Days In, Intervention, and Accused: Guilty or Innocent? But that's not all—Brad also heads up the home shows on A&E's Home.Made Nation block, which features...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers
Jimmy Holcomb is Vice President of Production at Hallmark Media. He is based in Los Angeles and reports to Senior Vice President of Physical Production, Randall Pope. Holcomb oversees the physical production of MOWs, series, and specials for Hallmark Media’s broadcast channels Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight: Hallmark Media
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...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent
Lisa Honig oversees Fremantle's distribution business across North America, leading teams based in New York, Miami and Canada. Lisa drives the sales strategy to secure partners and broadcasters for Fremantle's finished programming
across all genres.
Lisa joined Fremantle in 2003, and previously held roles at EuroArts and Primetime Entertainment.
Speaking on: Spotlight: Fremantle
Sharon Horgan is a dynamic, witty, and talented multihyphenate whose exceptional storytelling skills has brought her international recognition. She is an award-winning creator, writer, producer, and actor who portrays the experiences of strong, female-driven stories.
Sharon is the writer, co-creator, executive producer, and star of the ten-part comedy thriller series...show more
Speaking on: Rockies Gala (Van Horne Ballroom); Summit Series: Sharon Horgan, award-winning actress, writer, producer, director; co-founder, Merman
Beth Iley is the Senior Development Executive for Amazon Studios, Canada. In her role, she sources, develops and oversees the production of original series for Amazon’s streaming service, Prime Video. Upcoming releases from the slate include season two of The Lake starring Jordan Gavaris and Julia Stiles, the revival of...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Judy Iseke
Producer, Indigenous Screen Summit Presenter, Netflix/Banff Diversity of Voices
Turquoise Sky Entertainment
Tiauna Jackson is the founder of The Jackson Agency (TJA), a Hollywood based talent agency that has been breaking barriers in the entertainment industry since 2014. TJA became a household name when Jackson was featured alongside other Black agents in a New York Times feature entitled, “Uphill Battles of Black...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent; Meet an Agent
Richard recently assumed the position of VP of Business Innovation and Executive Producer at Attraction, an industry-leading content production, creation, and distribution company established in 2002. As a key player in North America's entertainment sector, Attraction boasts numerous awards and distinctions. Before joining Attraction, Richard served as the lead production...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners; Topic Tables
Kevin Johnson is a seasoned media professional who brought 25+ years of industry experience across agencies and categories with him when he joined GroupM Canada as Chief Executive Officer at the end of 2021. Previous to that role, he was the CEO of MediaCom Canada bring the agency tremendous success...show more
Speaking on: Int’l Media Leaders: big bang theories
With over 25 years in film and television production, broadcast operations, and research analysis, Kelly-Ann is currently Senior Manager of Audience Research at the Canada Media Fund (CMF). She plays an integral role in the CMF’s annual calculations of production financing and leads several TV & digital media measurement initiatives.
Speaking on: Moving the dial forward for underrepresented communities in entertainment – successes and continued growth
Barry Jossen is President and Head of A+E Studios. In his role, Jossen oversees all programming operations of this in-house scripted production arm of A+E Networks, including creative affairs, production, business operations, and strategy on all programming developed and produced by the studio.
Jossen's vision and execution have been integral to...show more
Speaking on: Trends in scripted programming
Tina Keeper, Norway House Cree Nation, Treaty 5. Tina is best known for her work, as an actor, on the CBC television series North of 60 from 1992-2003. In 2010, Tina partnered with Buffalo Gal pictures to create Kistikan Pictures Inc. for development and production of Indigenous film and television.
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #2: drama series
Andrew Kelly
Director, Scripted Development Canada, Television, eOne
Entertainment One Television Productions Ltd.
As Director, Development – Scripted Programming for Entertainment One, Andrew develops premium scripted content out of Canada for the global marketplace. He has set up and worked on series at ABC, CBC, CTV, CityTV, Global, CTV Sci-Fi, Showcase, Starz, SyFy, and The CW. While developing a dynamic slate of projects...show more
Speaking on: Topic Tables
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
Katrina Kowalski is the Vice-President, Content, Paramount+ and Pluto TV Canada, based in Toronto and the lead executive overseeing all Canada’s content acquisitions and originals. For the past two decades Kowalski has broadened the television landscape in Canada, programming the best from around the world and at home. In her...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker; Speed Meetings with Buyers; 30 minutes with... Tom Hastings, Katrina Kowalski and Stefania Scarfo, Paramount+ Canada
Jennifer Kramer is the Vice President of Development at Hallmark Media. Kramer is based in Los Angeles and reports to Senior Vice President, Development, Samantha DiPippo. Specializing in the production of Hallmark Media’s original holiday movies, Kramer has overseen numerous projects including Hallmark Channel’s Three Wise Men and a Baby,...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Jean La Rose is a First Nations citizen from the Abenaki First Nation of Odanak in Québec. He was honoured with a traditional name by a respected Elder in Manitoba, Fred Kelly. The name Animiki was given to him as representing the spirit that drives him forward. Animiki is Thunderbird...show more
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #2: drama series; Meet a Distributor; Meet a Distributor
Julie Lacey is a Gemini Award-winning writer who brings two decades of experience in writing, production and development to Shaftesbury. In her role as VP, Creative, Lacey manages Shaftesbury’s extensive scripted drama development slate, with an eye to expanding the company’s international partnerships. At Shaftesbury, Lacey has produced 17 seasons...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners
She previously led Stratagem RX, The Stratagem Groups Global Production and Service arm and produced The Desperate Hour (Naomi Watt, Phillip Noyce, Director) and the Canadian shoot for Marvel's Hawkeye and Secret Invasion. Prior to that, she led Business Development and Operations as Vice President at New Metric Media and...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners; Topic Tables
EN
Philippe Lamarre founded his creative studio in 2000 and in 2003, he creates URBANIA, a magazine with an audacious tone and design. The magazine evolved into a multimedia platform brand that produces award-winning audiovisual and interactive projects, for a variety of high-profile clients, such as the NFB, Radio-Canada, TV5,...show more
Speaking on: Defining Canadian Content: The future of the industry
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: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Nick Lee is Head of Acquisitions and International for Channel 4. Leading the broadcaster in licensing on all acquired series and the theatrical film slate for both their linear portfolio and VOD platform. In addition, Lee is responsible for driving wider content partnership deals and prebuying drama from script to...show more
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #3: comedy series; Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Adam Levine is one of the Founding Partners of Verve, a premier full-service agency with offices in Los Angeles and New York. Originally from Montreal, Canada, Levine began his career as a Literary Agent at Endeavor before leaving to found Verve in 2010 alongside Bill Weinstein and Bryan Besser.
A relentless...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent; Meet an Agent
Vicki Liao is the Director, Content Acquisition for The Roku Channel. She manages content licensing for The Roku Channel globally, including AVOD, linear and acquired Roku Originals. Prior to joining Roku, she was at Sony Pictures Television and Disney Media Networks doing content distribution with a focus on AVOD, SVOD...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker
For over twenty-five years, Richard Life has worked in the international television production, finance and distribution business with some of the leading creators of scripted and non-scripted content in the UK, North America, Australia and many other countries.
He joined Cineflix Rights as Head of Acquisitions in January 2019, managing the...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor
Adele is a Writer-Producer and Director whose screenwriting credits include Crazy Rich Asians (Warner Bros) and Oscar-nominated Raya and the Last Dragon (Disney Animation Studios). She made her feature directorial debut with Joyride for Lionsgate Studios (opening July 2023).
Adele came up in the entertainment industry as a TV writer-producer, then...show more
Speaking on: Writer Superpanel: strike edition; Meet a Showrunner + Director
Mark Linsey is Managing Director, Scripted overseeing BBC Studios' teams in Drama Productions, Daytime, Continuing Drama Series and Comedy Productions, alongside its scripted labels (Lookout Point, Sid Gentle, Clerkenwell Films, Baby Cow Productions, House Productions), and the Scripted indie minority shareholdings and distribution relationships.
He took up the role...show more
Sam Linton, VP, Production and Development, Global Media, Blue Ant Media brings over 30 years of production expertise to the media company’s channel brands. Based in Canada, Sam leads commissioning for Blue Ant Media’s suite of specialty television channels and global FAST (free, ad-supported streaming TV) channels, including: Cottage Life,...show more
Speaking on: 30 minutes with... Samantha Linton, Blue Ant Media; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Sophie Lorain started out in the performing arts while studying at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. Since then, she has taken the stage several times, working with the biggest names in Quebec theater. In cinema, she has worked with many directors and has made a name...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Club Illico’s Mégantic; Meet a Showrunner + Director
Elaine Low is a staff writer at The Ankler, covering the evolution of Hollywood’s business model and work culture in the streaming age.
She was previously a senior entertainment reporter for Insider (fka Business Insider), where she uncovered the dramatic shift in Netflix's corporate culture leading up to its surprising...show more
Speaking on: Int’l Media Leaders: big bang theories
Ryan is President of Domestic Television and Digital Distribution for Lionsgate. He is responsible for overseeing the distribution and licensing of Lionsgate’s 17,000-title film and TV library, its slate of feature films and line-up of first-run television series to clients in the SVOD, AVOD, basic cable, FAST and free TV...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor
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: Production Partners
As Senior Vice President of Comedy, 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 for Pier 21 Films leading...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners; Topic Tables
As Director of Content Sales & Co-Productions, Canada, Jodi Mackie is responsible for the distribution of Scripted and Unscripted catalogue and front list content to linear, digital, and emerging platforms and exploring coproduction and partnership opportunities in the Canadian market. She is also the BBC Studios lead on sales &...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Michael co-founded and is CEO of Blue Ant Media. Started in 2011, the global media company owns and operates numerous production companies in North America and Asia-Pacific, creating content for broadcasters and streaming platforms in multiple genres including factual entertainment, natural history, documentary and adult animation. Further, the company's distribution...show more
Working closely with the senior executive team at Paramount Streaming, Susan is responsible for the content rights strategy and long-range business planning for the development and commissioning of Canadian content. She leads the financing strategies for commissioned programs and manages the business relationships with external partners and industry stakeholders. Specialized...show more
Speaking on: Topic Tables
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: Meet a Decision Maker; 30 minutes with... Lea Marin and Greig Dymond, CBC; Speed Meetings with Buyers
In 2021, Elan was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work as a writer and co-executive producer of the hit series This Is Us. He won the Canadian Screen Award and Writers Guild of Canada Award for writing The F Word—released internationally as What If—starring Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan,...show more
Speaking on: Writer Superpanel: strike edition
Scott McGillivray’s passion lies in educating people to make smart investment and renovation decisions and how to succeed in the uber-competitive world of real estate. Scott has been a top rated HGTV star in the US and Canada for over 15 years, starring in over 300 episodes of television, and...show more
Speaking on: Home reno-ssance: what’s hot in property
As a Development Executive, Alexis McLaren works with industry writers and partners on the development of new projects for Bell Media's Original Programming Slate. Alexis' development portfolio covers both scripted and unscripted titles for national channels, including, Crave, CTV and CTV specialty channels. Announced titles include Bria Mack Gets A...show more
Speaking on: Moving the dial forward for underrepresented communities in entertainment – successes and continued growth
Lisa Meeches is one of the most dynamic and respected producers in the film industry. Lisa is Anishinaabe from Long Plain First Nation. After studying broadcasting in North Dakota, Lisa began her career in 1986 with the Native Media Network. She later began news reporting for Craig Broadcasting Systems in...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker
Kathleen Meek is Manager, Original Content, Scripted and Factual for Corus Entertainment. In this capacity, she is responsible for a portfolio of original scripted and factual series for Global Television, History® Canada, Showcase, Adult Swim and W. She is Production Executive on Global’s highly-rated event drama Departure and upcoming original...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Robyn Hood; Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Sohrab Merchant has been a literary agent at The Characters Talent Agency since 2016 where he represents a diverse group of writers, directors, and key creative department heads in Canada, the United States, and around the world. He currently lives in Toronto with his wife and two cats.
Speaking on: Meet an Agent; Meet an Agent
Laura Michalchyshyn
Chief Creative Officer, Blue Ant Media, Co-President Content, Blue Ant Studios
Blue Ant Media
Laura Michalchyshyn is Chief Creative Officer and Co-President of Global Production at Blue Ant Media. Based in the global media company’s New York office, sheoversees content creation and development across the business’ numerous production companies in North America and Asia-Pacific, with a focus on expanding content slates globally. Further, Michalchyshyn...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight: Blue Ant Media
Born and raised in suburbia Toronto, Ilana graduated with a BA Honours in Film and Drama from Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. In 2008, after seven years working in production, Ilana settled into the comfort and success of the Jennifer Hollyer Agency, one of Canada’s top literary agencies, becoming a...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent
Hayden Mindell is responsible for driving the strategy as well as overseeing the management and programming of Rogers Sports & Media's local and national news & entertainment television brands and platforms, including Citytv, Citytv+, FX/FXX, CityNews, CityNews 24/7 and CityNews 24/7 West, OLN, OMNI Television, and Rogers tv. As Senior...show more
Speaking on: Canada: state of the nation
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 Cable Network Fund, a $6 million equity...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker
John Morayniss is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Blink49 Studios, overseeing all aspects of the company’s activities, which encompass the development, production, licensing, financing and monetization of all forms of television content.
Before launching Blink49 Studios, John served for a decade as the CEO of Entertainment One Television (eOne). Under...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight: Hallmark Media
An award-winning Writer, Director and Producer, Nimisha Mukerji's films have premiered at Tribeca and the Toronto International Film Festival. Her breakout feature, 65_RedRoses, was selected by Oprah Winfrey for her Documentary Club on OWN before being acquired by Netflix and Hulu. Subsequent features include Blood Relative and Tempest Storm, which...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Showrunner + Director
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: Get in the sandbox with kids-biz experts; Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
As CEO of Fremantle (part of the RTL Group), one of the biggest production companies in the world, Mullin oversees a business that achieved revenues of €2.3 billion ($2.44 billion) in 2022.
Under her leadership as Fremantle’s first American head, the creative powerhouse behind iconic entertainment franchises such as Idol, Got...show more
Speaking on: Summit Series: Jennifer Mullin, CEO, Fremantle
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: In Conversation With: Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, Co-Founders, World of Wonder; Summit Series: Sharon Horgan, award-winning actress, writer, producer, director; co-founder, Merman
Paige Murray has worked at the CBC for over twelve years and is currently Executive in Charge of Development, Drama on the Scripted Content team. In this role, Paige oversees the development of one-hour drama series and actively looks for creators and stories that reflect the spectrum of the Canadian...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Megan Nelles is the Manager of Sales for Fremantle Canada. Currently responsible for expanding Fremantle’s FAST and AVOD footprint in Canada and contributing to licensing Fremantle’s slate across Canada. Megan joined Fremantle in 2016. Prior to Fremantle, she worked at eOne in the TV and Digital Distribution Team and began...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor
Kathleen Newman-Bremang is a Toronto-based editor, writer, producer, and the co-recipient of the inaugural Changemaker Canadian Screen Award. As the Deputy Editor - Global of Refinery29 Unbothered, Kathleen oversees the brand's UK and US editions, writes about pop culture, race, feminism and the intersection of all three, and champions other...show more
Speaking on: Moving the dial forward for underrepresented communities in entertainment – successes and continued growth; Master Class: Robyn Hood
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),...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent; Meet an Agent
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: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Alanis Obomsawin
Cultural Attaché, First Nations, and Producer-Writer-Director
NFB The National Film Board of Canada
A member of the Abenaki Nation and one of Canada’s most distinguished filmmakers, Alanis Obomsawin is a director and producer at the National Film Board of Canada, where she has worked since 1967.
Her upcoming films are Wabano: The Light of the Day and The Green Horse (working title). These will...show more
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #1: unscripted/documentary; Rockies Gala (Van Horne Ballroom)
Sean O’Neill is a producer, director, writer, and the founder of Visitor Media, where he leads the company’s strategy and creative development. Since founding Visitor in 2020, Sean has produced the feature film Crystal Pite: Angels’ Atlas (2022), which premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival and won the festival’s...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Showrunner + Director
Gregory is an Alberta-based entertainment lawyer who has been practising since 2009. Before his law career, Gregory worked in film and television for five years in various roles from being a locations PA to a business coordinator in marketing/distribution. While Gregory takes his clients' matters seriously, he believes in having...show more
Speaking on: Topic Tables; Topic Tables
Nadia Paulos is the Senior Director, Distribution Operations at Fremantle and a founding team member of the Fremantle Canada office. Nadia’s 20+ years of program distribution business experience spans across post-sales servicing, simulcasts, marketing, PR, French dubbing, sponsorships, budgeting, social strategies , tape and formats in English and French Canada’s...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor
Ethan Peck is an American actor who has been steadily making a name for himself in the entertainment industry.
Peck stars in the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Strange New World after becoming the 3rd actor ever to portray the iconic character of ‘Spock’ on Paramount+’s Star Trek: Discovery. Strange New Worlds is a...show more
Speaking on: Rockies Gala (Van Horne Ballroom); Master Class: Star Trek
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. In addition to innovating domestic and global sales strategies, Brook is also credited as an Executive Producer where he contributes to the production of Incendo’s slate of...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor; Meet a Distributor
Andrew Peterson is the Head of YouTube Canada, where he oversees the content, creator and viewer ecosystems for the country.
In his role, Andrew works with the next generation of independent content creators through to the largest media, entertainment and news publishers in the country. His team focuses on growing the...show more
Speaking on: Canada: state of the nation
Stan Pham serves as SVP, Current Programming at CBS Studios, first joining the company in 2017 as Director, Current Programming for CBS Network. In his various roles within CBS, Pham currently helps oversee the Star Trek franchise for the studio, as well as helped shepherd Ghosts from its first episode through its...show more
Speaking on: Session: to be announced
Quan Phung is SVP of Original Series for Topic Studios, where he further builds the studio’s presence in the television marketplace by sourcing, developing, and packaging premium ongoing and event series for the broadcast, cable, and streaming community. Before joining Topic Studios, he was a senior consultant for STXtv, the...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners
Lido Pimienta is an award-winning musician, artist, and mother. She has performed and exhibited her work internationally for more than a decade, exploring the politics of gender, race, motherhood, identity and colonization through her visionary music, videos and artworks. Born in Colombia and based in Canada, Lido’s work questions the...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Showrunner + Director
Jordan Pinto, based out of Toronto, is the North American editor for C21 Media, reporting on all aspects of the US and Canadian television sector. Prior to joining C21, he spent more than six years with Canadian trade publication Playback, most recently as associate editor, covering Canada's film and television industry.
Speaking on: Spotlight: Roku
Angie Polk is the Vice President of Dvelopment at Hallmark Media. Polk is based in Los Angeles and reports to Senior Vice President, Development, Samantha DiPippo. Polk oversees the creation of original premiere movies and specials, managing all aspects of pre-production, development, production, and post-production. With a focus on increased...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Juan Ponce serves as Senior Vice President & General Manager of Telemundo Streaming Studios for NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. Launched in 2021, Telemundo Streaming Studios is 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...show more
Speaking on: Int’l Media Leaders: big bang theories; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Randy Pope is the Senior Vice President, Physical Production for Hallmark Media, home of three linear networks, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama; and subscription video on demand streaming service, Hallmark Movies Now.
Based in Los Angeles, Pope reports to Lisa Hamilton-Daly, Executive Vice President, Programming. In this...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight: Hallmark Media
Manori Ravindran is Executive Editor of International and Senior Writer at Variety magazine. Based out of London, she manages the global team of correspondents, in addition to reporting on the international film and TV markets. She is a frequent presence at major film festivals such as Cannes, Venice, Berlin and...show more
Speaking on: Writer Superpanel: strike edition
Justin was formerly at Entertainment One overseeing television and digital distribution for English Canada since 2014 where he had great success with placing content in Canada and globally until the end of 2019. He spent fifteen plus years in programming at various broadcasters including HBO Canada, Super Channel, EPIX (US)...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor
As Executive Vice President, Broadcast Networks, Troy Reeb oversees programming and operations for Global Television and its 15 local stations; 33 specialty television services including HGTV, Food, W Network, YTV and History; 39 radio stations; and all online and streaming platforms, including STACKTV.
Troy was previously Senior VP of News, Radio...show more
Speaking on: Canada: state of the nation
Tyler Reynolds joined Verve in 2021 as part of Verve’s acquisition of New Deal Mfg. Co. where he had worked for seven years alongside Founder Paul Alan Smith as they built one of the most successful television director businesses in town, a business he has continued to service and grow...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent; Meet an Agent
Jens Richter is Chief Executive Officer, International, Fremantle.
Richter oversees the global distribution of Fremantle’s finished programme catalogue and the company’s international content and acquisitions strategy. He also oversees Fremantle’s growing FAST channel D2C business and leads the international team who are based in ten local sales offices around the world.
Since...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight: Fremantle
Andrew Robinson, Principal, Sustainability Strategy and Engagement, Green Spark Group - Andrew accelerates the implementation of sustainable production practices in the motion picture industry through company-wide strategy development and training. Recent clients include WB Discovery, CBC/Radio-Canada, Disney, Telefilm Canada, William F. Whites, Vancouver Film Studios, CreativeBC and Independent Production Fund....show more
Speaking on: Topic Tables; Partner Presentation: Telefilm - The Climate Cost of Production: Charting the Sustainability Path for the Screen Industry
Beginning as a stand-up comedian, Craig Robinson first made his mark on the comedy circuit at the 1998 Montreal “Just For Laughs” Festival. Now headlining venues and festivals across the country, he does both solo acts, as well as full-band sets with his band, “The Nasty Delicious.” Before deciding to...show more
Speaking on: Rockies Gala (Van Horne Ballroom)
Nataline Rodrigues is a strategic, results driven, entertainment executive with a proven track record in production and programming. With a solid foundation in independent production and seasoned experience as a broadcast executive, Nataline is known for her commitment to creative excellence and delivering compelling cross platform content in all genres...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners
Jessye Romeo is an actress and writer born and raised in London. She gained attention by winning Best Actress at the 2020 British Independent Film Festival for her lead role in Lucky Break (BAFTA nominated for Best British Short 2021). Jessye has just wrapped the titular role in Robyn Hood...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Robyn Hood
Sarah Rose is Paramount’s Chief Operating & Commercial Officer for Broadcast UK & International Studios. Based in London, she reports into Maria Kyriacou, Paramount’s President of Broadcast & Studios for International Markets.
Rose also serves as the Regional Lead for the UK, Canada and Israel, reporting into Katherine Liu, Executive VP...show more
Speaking on: Int’l Media Leaders: big bang theories
Rubidge started his career at CIBC in commercial banking as an analyst and after two years he migrated in to entertainment, getting his start at the Canadian Film Centre. In 1995 he started an online games and interactive agency and sold it to a US venture firm in 2000.
In 2004...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor; Meet a Distributor
Rutsky joined Netflix from Hulu in 2018 and manages the streamer's Nonfiction co-production strategy, where he collaborates with networks and producers around the globe. He has reinvented the co-production business into a hybrid model that combines business savvy, great relationships with producers, and strong creative involvement. In shaping and guiding...show more
Speaking on: 30 minutes with... Justin Rutsky, Netflix
Jacqueline Sacerio
Executive Vice President & Co-Head, Development, Scripted Television, U.S.
Entertainment One Television
As EVP & Co-Head of Scripted Development for eOne, Sacerio oversees priority projects in development at networks and streamers, as well as the company’s extensive roster of first-look and pod deals, including partnerships with Viola Davis and Julius Tennon's JuVee Productions, Alexi Hawley's Perfectman Pictures, Constance Wu's Rubatope Pictures, Niecy...show more
Speaking on: Trends in scripted programming
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: Get in the sandbox with kids-biz experts; Meet a Distributor
Kulbinder Saran Caldwell is a creative entrepreneur and global storyteller. She is an award-winning producer/literary agent, certified professional coach, an active community builder and dedicated diversity advocate. She believes there is a profound lack of diverse stories and points-of-view making it onto television and cinema screens.
In 2017, she created...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent; Meet an Agent
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 entertainment...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker; Speed Meetings with Buyers; 30 minutes with... Tom Hastings, Katrina Kowalski and Stefania Scarfo, Paramount+ Canada
Based in London, Polly leads on non-scripted presales and acquisitions for both the linear portfolio (C4, M4, E4 & E4 Extra) and VOD platform. Polly has been instrumental in developing C4’s unscripted pre-buy strategy, delivering successes such as, Chernobyl: The New Evidence, Griff’s Canadian Adventure and Grierson Award winner The...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Jessica Schmiedchen oversees development of original content and formats in the genres of factual, entertainment and documentary series at CBC - on both linear television and on the public broadcaster's streaming service, CBC Gem. She is responsible for sourcing the best new formats from around the world, and working with...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker; Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #1: unscripted/documentary; Speed Meetings with Buyers; 30 minutes with... Jessica Schmiedchen, CBC Factual Entertainment
Jamie Schouela serves as President, Global Channels and Media at Blue Ant Media, where he leads the strategic direction and operations of the company’s free streaming and pay-TV television networks around the world. In this role, he manages content development and acquisitions, scheduling, marketing and communications for all international channels...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight: Blue Ant Media
In his position as EVP, Drama Development, Seabury oversees the development and creation of all drama series for broadcast, cable and streaming on behalf of CBS Studios. Seabury has developed dozens of successful series, including this season's most watched new drama, Fire Country for CBS, Your Honor for Showtime, Rabbit...show more
Speaking on: Trends in scripted programming
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...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Agent; Meet an Agent
Olivia Snyder-Spak is an Emmy Award-nominated producer with experience in film, television and development. She has developed programming with every major US buyer. Recent credits include Glitch: The Rise and Fall of HQ Trivia (CNN Films), Power Trip (Hulu), and The Circus (Showtime). As Director of Development for Soledad O'Brien...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners
Nick Solowski is Senior Director, International Sales & Acquisitions at Blue Ant Media. In this role he is responsible for strategically placing Blue Ant International’s portfolio of premium programming into both the domestic and international marketplace as well as developing and acquiring content with production partners. He is focussed on...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Distributor; Meet a Distributor
David Stapf was named President, CBS Studios in September 2004. In his position, Stapf is responsible for overseeing all of the Studio’s program development and production.
CBS Studios is one of the industry’s leading suppliers of programming with more than 70 series currently in production around the world or airing across...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Star Trek
Kale has worked in film and television for over a decade and is the Head of Original
Programming for Rogers Sports & Media.
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers
Hannah Sung is a co-founder of the award-winning Media Girlfriends, a production company led by journalists of colour who prioritize inclusion, diversity and perspectives in media. She is also founder of At The End Of the Day newsletter and podcast, an Apple Podcasts Best of 2022. Previously, she worked at...show more
Speaking on: Knix and Catalyst want to fund your next project: bringing women's stories to the forefront
Brian Tannenbaum is Head of Originals, Roku Media, where he leads all aspects of original programming for The Roku Channel, including scripted series, unscripted series, and feature films. A key member of the team behind the launch of the Roku Originals banner, he manages Roku’s content strategy across all original...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight: Roku
Benjamin Tappan is President of Production for Walden Media where he leads all television and film development and production. Tappan has spent more than 20 years as a senior executive in programming development, production and talent management. Tappan was hired by EPIX (now MGM+) in 2015 as the premium cable...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker; Production Partners
Mary-Anne Taylor is the Head of Content Distribution Canada for Roku, responsible for building and nurturing content distribution partnerships with Canadian publishers and launching local channels diversifying content on the Roku platform. A seasoned entertainment executive with 20+ years of industry experience in studio content licensing, broadcast affiliate sales and...show more
Speaking on: Topic Tables; Meet a Distributor
Benjamin Thornton is a Development Executive for the North American branch at Warner Bros International Television Production. During his tenure he has helped establish quality programming in the scripted, and non-scripted format space along with developing premium documentaries. WBITVP’s production operations are responsible for both original programming as well as...show more
Speaking on: Topic Tables; Speed Meetings with Buyers
As SVP of Creative Affairs at Pier 21 Films, Karen Tsang works with some of Canada’s most exciting talent to develop comedy and drama series for the Canadian and international marketplace. She’s passionate about creator-driven stories and fostering shows that explore characters and themes that have been underrepresented on screen....show more
Speaking on: Production Partners; Spotlight: Bell Media
Kathryn Tyus-Adair is Senior Vice President of Original Programming at Starz where she has recently championed, developed and overseen the production of series: BMF, Blindspotting, Run The World, The Serpent Queen, Step Up and Vida. She has also developed and served as a production executive on Outlander, Power and The...show more
Speaking on: Speed Meetings with Buyers
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: Spotlight: Roku; Meet a Decision Maker
The Head of Drama Series for Amazon Studios, Odetta Watkins is a veteran of the Television Industry. In her role at Amazon, she currently oversees shows such as Reacher, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Jack Ryan, and With Love, to name a few.
Through jobs at Fox and CBS Productions, Odetta decided to...show more
Speaking on: Int’l Media Leaders: big bang theories
Peter joined Deadline in 2017, initially as International TV Editor based in London, before moving to LA to become Television Editor. He covers all aspects of TV programming, development and executive moves, as well as the business of late-night television, podcasting and music documentaries. He was previously News Editor of...show more
Speaking on: Summit Series: George Cheeks, President and CEO, CBS and CCO, News and Sports, Paramount+
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: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #1: unscripted/documentary; Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Ashley Williams is a versatile actress in film, television and theatre. She has amassed a long list of credits including 200+ episodes of television, a dozen pilots and numerous feature films but Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday and its companion movie Sister Swap: Christmas in the City mark the first...show more
Speaking on: Topic Tables; Meet a Showrunner + Director
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, the documentary Channel, as...show more
Speaking on: Canada: state of the nation
As Executive Director, Scripted Content at CBC, Trish Williams has creative oversight of the public broadcaster’s drama, comedy, film, radio comedy and YA digital originals teams across all original long-form programming. Current airing and streaming programming highlights on CBC, GEM and Radio One include Schitt’s Creek, Kim’s Convenience, Workin’Moms, Coroner,...show more
Speaking on: Spotlight: CBC
Stephanie Wilson Chapin is a dynamic and passionate leader who has been immersed in the media industry for over two decades. With an extensive background in digital strategy, product management, marketing, consumer research, and editorial strategy, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise in transforming ideas into tangible, data-driven solutions that...show more
Speaking on: Maximize the Value of Your IP on YouTube; YouTube Presents: A Masterclass in Monetization (Ivor Petrak)
Melanie Windle (BFA, MFA) is an award-winning producer, mentor, and media entrepreneur. She was recently appointed the Executive Director of The Sustainable Production Forum (SPF), a global event that accelerates decarbonization in content creation. Most recently, she served as Director of Industry Programming at Whistler Film Festival. Her favourite pieces...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Decision Maker; Topic Tables
Tara was tapped as the first content executive for Netflix Canada, where she develops and commissions English and French-language scripted series with Canadian talent. She previously served as an Executive Producer & VP of Development for Montreal-based production company Sphere Media Plus. She was an Executive Producer on the smash...show more
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #3: comedy series; Speed Meetings with Buyers
Danielle Woodrow is Director of UCAN Scripted Series, focusing on drama development. Since joining Netflix in 2018, she built the “Soap, Thriller and Romance” strategy, championed the acquisition of dramedy Emily In Paris and has overseen development and production on a number of launched and upcoming series including Behind Her Eyes, Pieces of Her and Lincon...show more
Jay (Carolyn) Wu –they/them– is a development executive with a focus on scripted original series as part of Bell Media's Original Programming team. They take pitches and develop projects for CTV, Crave, and the Entertainment Specialty channels of Bell Media across both comedy and drama. They collaborate with everyone from...show more
Speaking on: Topic Tables; Topic Tables
Llinos Wynne joined S4C in 2017 as Factual Commissioner and is currently Head of Documentaries and Specialist Factual. Before joining the Channel she spent 20 years with the BBC and then became a freelance PD. She has produced both factual and fact ent content, winning the BAFTA Cymru for best...show more
Speaking on: Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #1: unscripted/documentary; Meet a Decision Maker; Speed Meetings with Buyers
An inductee of Canada’s Walk of Fame, the country’s crowning jewel of excellence and achievement, Julien is one of the most iconic music video directors of our time, known for his work with Drake, Rihanna, Rosalia, Kendrick Lamar, and Kanye West, to name a few.
As a filmmaker, Julien debuted his...show more
Speaking on: Master Class: Robyn Hood
Since joining Amazon Studios in 2017, CJ Yu has spearheaded some of the first unscripted originals in Amazon’s international territories, building from the ground up a slate of local original content across Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific. Many of Yu’s projects involve unprecedented partnerships with top celebrity talent, athletes,...show more
Speaking on: Home reno-ssance: what’s hot in property
Cyle Zezo is an executive producer and former Head of Alternative Programming at The CW Network, where he oversaw series such as Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Whose Line Is It Anyway, Mysteries Decoded and Recipe for Disaster, specials including the Critics Choice Awards, iHeartRadio Music Festival and iHeartRadio Jingle...show more
Speaking on: Production Partners; Topic Tables; Partner Presentation: Telefilm - The Climate Cost of Production: Charting the Sustainability Path for the Screen Industry
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