GIFF GLOBAL INDUSTRY SUMMIT
A series of informative sessions for emerging and established filmmakers alike! Our Industry Sessions are FREE to the public. Come learn more about the film industry and bring your questions for our speakers and panelists in these in-depth discussions.
All Industry Sessions are held in Johnson Hall – Waterfront Centre
Note: These sessions are free, but we encourage all patrons to reserve a spot through our online Box Office
Introduction to Interim Production Financing
Join us for an insightful session on interim production financing with RBC, tailored to support emerging producers in financing their projects. Discover how financial institutions can provide crucial financial support during the production phase, as well as how to navigate key risks such as budget overruns and production delays. Learn about the key information required to support your project, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the financing process and how to effectively manage financial needs throughout production.
1:00 PM • Wednesday, July 24
Adam Shalaby, Relationship Manager at RBC who specializes in supporting clients within the film and media industry. Adam brings over 16 years of financial services experience and is passionate about supporting emerging and established producers. Adam thrives on expanding his expertise to support his client’s success.
Art of Adaptation: Exploring Intellectual Copyright Law
11:00 AM • Thursday, July 25
An introduction to copyright law in Canada, covering the basics and digging into some specifics to keep in mind when turning a book into a screen adaptation. Learn about some key issues that arise during the adaptation process, such as the necessary rights to reserve, agreements needed, and licensing.
Kendall Dyck is a Métis person from the Red River Settlement. She is an associate at TDS with a practice focused primarily in the areas of Privacy and Data Protection law, Intellectual Property, and technology law. She also practices in Wills and Estate Planning and Administration, and has a particular interest in the unique issues that Indigenous peoples face when navigating these areas of the law.
DGC x ICG 669 - In Conversation…
What does the relationship between a director and a cinematographer look like? How can this collaboration be successful and what challenges may arise? Join us for a discussion between a director and a cinematographer on their experiences working together on set.
2:00 PM • Thursday, July 25
Guy Maddin is a Canadian screenwriter, director, author, cinematographer, and film editor of both features and short films from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Since completing his first film in 1985, Maddin has become one of Canada's most well-known and celebrated filmmakers.
Masterclass: Wilfred Buck
11:00 AM • Friday, July 26
Over a 20 year career, renowned Anishinaabe filmmaker Lisa Jackson has made work ranging from documentary to drama, animation to IMAX, as well as VR and installation. Listen to Lisa’s approach to storytelling, with a focus on her new hybrid film about Cree author and star stories expert Wilfred Buck. Introduction by Alicia Smith.
Lisa Jackson is one of Canada’s most celebrated artists whose work bridges genres and was recognized by the DOC Institute Vanguard Award and a Chicken & Egg Award. She’s screened at Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW, London BFI, and Hot Docs, garnered two Canadian Screen Awards and been nominated for a Webby. Her new film Wilfred Buck had its world premiere at CPH:DOX, where it was selected as one of 12 films in the DOX:AWARD competition, and was one of the top five audience picks at Hot Docs Festival. She is Anishinaabe from Aamjiwnaang First Nation, runs Door Number 3 Productions, and sits on the Indigenous Screen Office’s Membership Circle.
Working with the National Film Board of Canada
2:00 PM • Friday, July 26
The National Film Board of Canada makes artful and impactful documentaries and animations with deep social, cultural, and historical relevance for Canadians. Join the producing team from the NFB’s Central Documentary Unit to learn more about the kinds of documentaries we hope to make and how we collaborate with directors and producers based in Manitoba, Nunavut, and Ontario.
Chanda Chevannes is the Executive Producer of the NFB’s Central Documentary Unit, serving Nunavut, Manitoba, and Ontario. Prior to joining the NFB in 2022, Chanda worked for two decades as an independent filmmaker, writer, and educator. She is passionate about creating more joy and justice in our world through documentary.
Niki Little is a Producer at the National Film Board where she has been since November 2021. She is of Anishininew (Oji-Cree)/British descent from Kistiganwacheeng (Garden Hill FN, MB), and is currently based in Winnipeg. As a Producer, Niki aims to amplify voices, push boundaries in both form and narrative, and engage in socially driven projects. Her practices are rooted in Indigenous epistemologies and community-based strategies. From 2019 to 2021, she was the Artistic Director at imagineNATIVE in Toronto, the world’s largest presenter of Indigenous screen content.
Alicia Smith is a Producer for the National Film Board of Canada, where she works with filmmakers, artists, and communities in the creation of documentaries with strong social-issue aspects. She has produced a range of projects that push boundaries in form, content, and expression, including the feature length hybrid documentary Wilfred Buck, which had its world premiere in competition at CPH:DOX in spring 2024; the short film, Modern Goose, which premiered at TIFF in 2023; and the short animated documentary, Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying, which had its world premiere at DOXA in May 2024.
One-on-One Meetings with NFB Producers
3:15 PM • Friday, July 26
After attending Working with the NFB earlier in the day, please join us for informal 1-1 meetings with the producing team from the Central Documentary Unit: Chanda Chevannes, Niki Little, and Alicia Smith. Documentary directors and producers of all experience levels are welcome to bring specific projects to discuss, questions to ask, or to just stop by to say hello! Meeting space is limited, we encourage you to pre-book your meeting spot through On Screen Manitoba.
Filmmaker in Conversation: Karsten Wall
11:00 AM • Saturday, July 27
Karsten Wall is a Winnipeg-based editor who began filming his own nature documentaries only a few years ago. The first project he directed, The Seven Wonders of Manitoba, won a Golden Sheaf Award at the 2020 Yorkton Film Festival. His second self-directed production, Modern Goose opened at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and won the award for “Best Animal Behaviour Program” at the 2024 International Wildlife Film Festival. Karsten is currently working on a film about Winnipeg's iconic Arlington Street Bridge.
An in-depth discussion with Karsten Wall, director of the NFB film Modern Goose. Exploring issues related to nature and wildlife filmmaking including cinematography, writing, editing and sound mixing. Moderated by veteran natural history documentary producer Merit Jensen Carr, creator of Great Lakes, Kingdom of the Polar Bears, and Call of the Forest.
For over 30 years, Merit Jensen Carr, with her company Merit Motion Pictures, has produced award-winning doc films and series, including Great Lakes Untamed, Kingdom of the Polar Bears and Call of the Forest: The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees - stories that reflect humanity’s struggle to live creatively in the 21st century and our experience and relationship to the beauty of the natural world. Merit has received some of the industry’s top honours including the inaugural HotDocs Don Haig Award for Special Achievement in Producing and is the former co-chair of DOC Manitoba and On Screen Manitoba.
FTM’s SWIFT Presents: Paths to Success!
10:30 AM • Sunday, July 28
During this in-depth panel discussion, four women-identifying film professionals will discuss their experience in the film and media trades and how they got their start and developed their careers.
Angela Wells graduated from the International Academy of Design in Montreal with an AEC in Clothing Design. In 2004, she was an FTM costume trainee on the feature film Population 436, and the made-for-TV movie Category 7. She has been a proud member of IATSE 856 in the Costume Department since 2005. Angela has had the opportunity to hold many positions throughout the department, including Costume Design. What she loves most about working in film is not just the creative collaboration but that each show presents itself with different challenges, rewards and continued learning.
Joanne Roberts is a Filipina-Canadian filmmaker and Citytv journalist. She enjoys reporting on the arts & culture scene in Winnipeg but is also a sought-after journalist for human-interest stories. Joanne is currently working on the development of additional CityNews Connect episodes and a show for Kultivation Festival.
Nathalie Massaroni is a Winnipeg-based editor and post production supervisor. After graduating from the University of Winnipeg’s film program, she gained experience in various roles on projects including Night Hunter, Siberia, How It Ends, and GONE: My Daughter. Nathalie got the opportunity to pursue her dream career — a professional film editor — when she joined Farpoint Films. Since then, she has edited features and series including Wintertide, Alter Boys, and Seeking Fire. In addition to her work as an editor, she is also a post production supervisor of more than 400 hours of television. Nathalie has also edited other short form series and films such as D Dot H, Tailor Made, and I Hurt Myself. If she’s not working on a computer, you can find Nathalie at the dance studio or sipping coffee with a cat on her lap.
Allison Bile graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Art’s degree in Theatre and French. Allison gained an interest in filmmaking through her involvement with the Winnipeg Film Group by attending workshops on experimental filmmaking and volunteering on short films in the costume department. In 2009, Allison served as a board member and Secretary on the Winnipeg Film Group. She has also volunteered for Cancer Care Manitoba. In 2003, she completed an internship with FTM in the costume department and was a Permittee with IATSE 856 in costumes. Allison joined FTM in 2006 and has been promoted to various positions within the organization. She has completed courses on Arts and Culture Management through the University of Winnipeg and is the process of obtaining a certificate on Human Resource Management through Red River College.
Sydney Sabiston is the Training and Partnerships Manager at FTM. Sydney has a distinguished film and television career and is both an actress and filmmaker. She started developing her career in the film industry after having received her Bachelor of Arts in Acting in Theatre and Film from The University of Winnipeg’s Theatre & Film program by working on set as an Assistant Director. With a special interest in acting in and producing horror films, she then made her way on screen and has notable acting credits, including: All Fun and Games, Time Cut, Psycho Killer, Acting Good, Levels, Under the Christmas Sky, Etc. While Sydney continues to pursue her passion and growing career as an actress and filmmaker, she works at FTM as their Training and Partnerships Manager. Sydney is passionate about building strong relationships with Manitoba’s local crew and talent here in the province’s growing film industry and tries to support and champion those around her who share her same love for cinema.
ACTRA x WGC Live Read
1:30 PM • Sunday, July 28
A special Live Read brought to you by ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) followed by a writers Q&A brought to you by WGC (Writers Guild of Canada).
