CHARLOTTETOWN FILM FORUM
Speakers
MEAGHAN BRANDER
Film Industry Growth Specialist, Innovation PEI
Meaghan Brander is a cultural programmer and media executive with over 15 years of experience working in the Canadian entertainment industry. She currently works in film sector development with the Government of Prince Edward Island, where she oversees the PEI Film Production Fund and works to promote the Island as a destination for film and television production.
Meaghan's storied background includes roles with the Toronto International Film Festival and Cineplex Entertainment, where she specialized in theatrical distribution, marketing and audience development. Meaghan has collaborated with arts organizations, film festivals and media companies globally and helped connect communities across Canada with exceptional programming and entertainment.
Speaking on:
Spotlight Session | Innovation PEI
Meet the Funders: The Financing Stage
DONNA CAGNOLI
Producer, Bell Fibe TV1
Donna Cagnoli is the newest producer for Bell Fibe TV1 with three years of experience
in the entertainment industry. She oversees the development and production of
original content for Fibe TV1's broadcast channel, video-on-demand platform, and
mobile app. She is passionate about creating innovative and engaging content that resonates with diverse audiences, contributing to the growing landscape of Canadian
entertainment. Donna is a graduate of Concordia University in Montreal; she holds a master's degree in Marketing and a diploma in Screenwriting and Film Producing.
Speaking on:
Spotlight Session | Bell FIBE TV1
LAURA CHURCHILL
CEO, PictureNL
Laura Churchill is the Chief Executive Officer of PictureNL and Film Commissioner of Newfoundland & Labrador. As CEO, Laura is instrumental in further developing and implementing policies and initiatives that benefit the film and television industry in the province. As Film Commissioner, she is responsible for promoting Newfoundland and Labrador as a filming destination both nationally and internationally. With 14 years of experience within the organization and almost two decades in the cultural industries, she has a passion for the film and television industry in Newfoundland and Labrador and a deep understanding of the local creative landscape, having played an integral role in the industry’s growth over the past decade.
Speaking on:
Spotlight Session | PictureNL
Meet the Funders: The Financing Stage
MILLEFIORE CLARKES
Filmmaker, One Thousand Flowers Productions
Millefiore Clarkes is an award-winning filmmaker and editor from Canada’s smallest province,Epekwitk/Prince Edward Island. Through her company One Thousand Flowers Productions she produces a variety of media work: documentaries, music videos, drama, experimental shorts, and video installations. She received the 2019 DOC Institute’s Vanguard Award and WIFT-AT’s Wave Award in 2024. Her films have screened at festivals internationally and been broadcast nationally. She has directed four documentaries for The National Film Board of Canada: THE SONG AND THE SORROW, LOVE IN QUARANTINE, BLUE RODEO - ON THE ROAD,and ISLAND GREEN. She is currently in development on a feature with Club Red Productions.
Speaking on:
Touching Grass: in Conversation with Shalan Joudry & Millefiore Clarkes
AARON COMEAU
Owner, Mainstreet Music Library
Aaron Comeau is a musician, composer, & producer who lives & works in Charlottetown, PEI. His recent credits include acting as composer & music supervisor for the feature film Who's Yer Father (dir. Jeremy Larter) and the Bell FibeTV series Chef On Fire (dir. Adam Perry). Comeau also tours with acclaimed Canadian artists Skydiggers and Hayden, and recently launched the Main St. Music Library, a boutique music company that provides recorded music for a wide variety of situations.
Speaking on:
Unmixed & Unmastered: Music Supervision & Composing
KINLEY
Singer / Songwriter
PEI songwriter Kinley Dowling released her solo debut album Letters Never Sent as KINLEY in October 2016. Since the release of her album, she has enjoyed a multitude of successes including winning two ECMA's and four Music PEI awards. Songs from Letters Never Sent have been placed in films, t.v. and web series. Her music video for ‘Microphone’ has been placed in the Grade 9 health program in the PEI school system since 2018 to help teach students about consent. Her new self-titled sophomore album was released in February 2020. Kinley Dowling has also appeared on violin with the likes of Jenn Grant, Stars, Matt Mays, Rose Cousins as well as Classic Albums Live and Anne and Gilbert: The Musical. She also toured the world with Hey Rosetta! for 10 years.
As a session musician, she has performed on over 400 songs, for acts including: Hey Rosetta!, Matt Mays, Jenn Grant, Two Hours Traffic, Buck 65, Classified, Rita McNeil and many more.
Speaking on:
Unmixed & Unmastered: Music Supervision & Composing
CHARLOTTE ENGEL
Producer, Rock Yenta Productions Inc.
Charlotte Engel is a producer and a former broadcaster with over 30 years of experience in film and television. She recently directed an episode of CBC’s “Land and Sea” about square dancing and is in development with CBC’s “The Nature of Things”. While at CBC, she oversaw CBC’s cutting edge documentary strands Firsthand and CBC Docs POV. She specialized in bringing unique voices and unforgettable stories to CBC. Many of these documentaries won multiple awards (“Indictment: The Crimes of Shelley Chartier”,“Nipawistamasowin: We Will Stand Up” and “The Skin We’re In”).
As a producer of documentaries for Rock Yenta Productions, she brought docs to CBC, TVO and the Documentary Channel. She won a Canadian Screen Award for “My Millennial Life”and a Golden Sheaf award for “Mugshot”. Engel currently is on the board of Film PEI and Charlottetown Film Society and is also on the Yorkton Film Festival programming committee. She has previously sat on the boards of Hot Docs, DOC Ontario and imagineNATIVE.
Speaking on:
Pitch-o-Rama
MARK FORWARD
Comedian, actor and writer
Mark Forward has done stand-up on John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show (Comedy Central) The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS) Funny As Hell (HBO) and Just For Laughs: All Access (The Comedy Network). His TV work includes “Coach" on the Crave/Hulu Comedy series Letterkenny, Donny Mashman on Season 3 of Fargo on FX and Wayne Leung on the CBC show Mr. D. Mark also has 2 one hour Comedy Specials titled “Mark Forward presents Mark Forward” or “Mark Forward wins all the awards”
Speaking on:
Character Witnesses: How to Create Memorable Characters
GABRIELLE FREE
Owner, Free Publicity
Gabrielle Free has 25+ years publicity experience in the entertainment industry. She began her career in PR as a volunteer in the Press Office at the Toronto International Film Festival, eventually becoming the head of communications and working 11 festivals. After TIFF, she ran communications for MuchMusic and added etalk, Bravo!, MTV, and other Bell Media entertainment properties to her portfolio. For the last 12 years, she has operated Free Publicity, a PR and marketing agency based in Toronto, specializing in media relations, awards strategies, corporate communications, marketing, strategic planning, and internal communications.
Previous and current employers/clients have included Schitt’s Creek, Anne with an E, Insight Productions, Canada’s Ultimate Challenge, The Black Academy/The Legacy Awards, Northwood Entertainment, the Canadian Academy, Chum Television, Corus, CTV, Halfire Entertainment, Ontario Media Development Corporation, LaineyGossip, TIFF, and many more. Free has a B.A. in Film and English from the University of Western Ontario and a diploma in Corporate Communications from Seneca College.
Speaking on:
Beyond the Algorithm! The Fundamentals of Marketing & PR
SEAN MAHEUX GALWAY
Producer & Film Programmer
Sean Maheux Galway is a queer/trans film programmer & film producer who splits their time between Halifax and Toronto. In addition to their role as Director of Programming at the ChFF, she programs short films at the Atlantic International Film Festival and has worked with the Vancouver Queer Film Festival and the Toronto Irish Film Festival. In 2023 they co-founded Fleapit Cinema in Halifax, a screening series for underground Canadian shorts. They are the lead producer of Enodia Films, the NS prod-co behind the short film "The Year Long Boulder" (2022, Vimeo Staff Picks). Their debut feature film MEAT (dir. Ryan Steel, MB) was awarded funding through Telefilm's Talent to Watch program in 2024.
Moderating:
Touching Grass: in Conversation with Shalan Joudry & Millefiore Clarkes
PAUL GARDNER
Senior Producer, Bell Fibe TV1
Paul Gardner is an award-winning producer with over 25 years experience developing creative content in the media industry. In his current position as Senior Producer for Bell Fibe TV1, Paul has overseen the development and production of an ambitious slate of hundreds of original titles for Fibe TV1’s broadcast Channel, VOD, APP and Mobile content. Previous to his work with Bell, Paul spent a decade working in Children and Youth programming as a Senior Producer for TVO Kids and KidsCBC, as well as establishing a freelance career on a wide range of projects from doc series to music videos, commercials and animation. Paul is a graduate of Niagara College’s Broadcasting program where he majored in film studies. Fibe TV1 is your source for local programming, made right in your backyard, by your community. TV1 is a group of community channels operated by Bell Canada's Fibe TV and Fibre OP TV.
Speaking on:
Spotlight Session | Bell FIBE TV1
TERI HART
Entertainment Reporter & Producer
With over 25 years broadcasting experience Teri Hart is one of Canada’s most recognized and sought-after media personalities, a multi-talented host, interviewer, critic and producer. Currently appearing as the face of Super Channel with Teri Hart’s Super Channel Superpicks, Teri also hosts engaging IG Lives for Super Channel and Super Channel Heart and Home. Teri is also a frequent contributor to CBC’s national radio show “Commotion with Elamin Adbelmahmoud”. Teri was the face of The Movie Network for 19 years, the entertainment reporter for CITY News and Breakfast Television for 5 years and has also appeared on The Morning Show (Global), E-Talk and The Social (CTV).
In addition to her media work, Teri is a respected public speaking and presentation skills coach. Having counselled and honed the presentations of many business executives, Teri created the 5-step B.R.I.E.F. public speaking and presentation skills program to teach people of any experience level how to be more effective and successful public speakers.
Moderating:
Beyond the Algorithm! The Fundamentals of Marketing & PR
Finding Your Audience: The Distribution Stage
HILARY HART
Co-President, Game Theory Films
Hilary studied political science and film studies at Dalhousie University, and went on to work in short film distribution at Ouat Media in Toronto. From Ouat she moved onto the Canadian Film Centre, working first in development and later in administration and distribution. In 2015 she accepted a position at Meridian Artists, where she worked for three years in talent management. Hilary co-founded Game Theory Films in 2018, acting as the Director of Acquisitions and Distribution. In 2021 she was selected for Berlinale Talents. She is an active member of WIFT and the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.
Speaking on:
Finding Your Audience: The Distribution Stage
KARA HAFLIDSON
Executive Producer, New Metric Media
Kara Haflidson is an Executive Producer at award-winning comedy entertainment studio, New Metric Media. Haflidson has produced 9 seasons of the revered cultural phenomenon hit Crave/Hulu series Letterkenny. She is also the Executive Producer of the popular spinoff series Shoresy, which just finished production on its fourth season. In addition to producing television, Haflidson also oversees Letterkenny’s touring properties, including the recent Letterkenny Live! sold out North American tour, and the Letterkenny Presents stand up tour and the upcoming Shoresy Fall Classic.
Prior to Joining New Metric Media, Haflidson was Manager at DHX Television LTD and a Production Executive at Bell Media where she oversaw development and production of original comedic and factual series across their conventional and specialty channels.
Speaking on:
No Laughing Matter: the State of Comedy TV in Canada
Meet the Producers
Moderating:
Character Witnesses: How to Create Memorable Characters
Shalan Joudry
Filmmaker
Shalan Joudry is an award-winning multi-disciplinary artist. She began her career in film and video years ago with the one-minute film program at AFCOOP, the Sundance Institute’s Native American Screenwriting Lab, as well as location sound and video editing on documentaries. Shalan has been working as a writer, oral storyteller, podcast producer, theatre director, and ecologist. Shalan lives in L’sitkuk (Bear River First Nation) where she is reclaiming her Indigenous Mi’kmaw language. "welima'q" (ChFF 2024) is her first film.
Speaking on:
Touching Grass: in Conversation with Shalan Joudry & Millefiore Clarkes
Chris Kelley
Counterfeit Pictures
Hailing from Carleton County, New Brunswick, Chris Kelley has worked in many facets of Canadian entertainment. From being a video store clerk to playing a video store clerk on TV, he’s done some of it. In his previous role as production executive for Bell Media, Chris was involved in the development and production of original comedies including Children Ruin Everything, Letterkenny, Shoresy, Late Bloomer, New Eden, Acting Good, Corner Gas Animated, The Indian Detective, Bria Mack Gets a Life, Shelved, Roast Battle Canada, Jann, Don’t Even, Super Team Canada and The Office Movers. He also oversaw comedy specials by Mark Forward, Aisha Brown, Robby Hoffman, Tom Henry, DJ Demers, Chris Locke, Sophie Buddle, Graham Kay, Chris Robinson, DeAnne Smith, Paul Rabliauskas, Kyle Brownrigg and Dave Merheje. I hear he also created the HBO series ‘The Sopranos.’
Speaking on:
Finding the Story: The Development Stage
No Laughing Matter: the State of Comedy TV in Canada
Jeremy Larter
Director, Rear Gear Productions
Jeremy Larter is a filmmaker born and raised in Prince Edward Island. His credits include two seasons of the Canadian Comedy award-winning comedy series Just Passing Through, and the 2019 Canadian Comedy Award winner for Best Feature film Pogey Beach. His sophomore feature is the theatrical hit Who’s Yer Father? The audience favorite was also nominated for three Canadian Screen Awards, the first Prince Edward Island feature to ever be nominated. The film is available to stream on Paramount Plus in Canada. His projects have received funding from The Harold Greenberg Fund, The Bell Slate Fund, The Independent Production Fund & Telefilm Canada. He lives in Prince Edward County with his family.
Speaking on:
Scaling Up and Down: a Discussion on Shorts and Features
Moderating:
Meet the Producers
Jason Levangie
Producer, Director and co-owner of Shut Up & Colour Pictures
Jason Levangie is an independent Producer, Director and co-owner of Shut Up & Colour Pictures, a boutique feature film production company from Nova Scotia. S&C’s has produced and completed 8 feature films to date, including Stephanie Joline’s Night Blooms, starring Nick Stahl, sci-fi horror feature Kids vs. Aliens, directed by Jason Eisener, and LGBTQ+ Drama Comedy The Queen of My Dreams by Fawzia Mirza, which premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, 2023 BFI’s London Film Festival and in the US at SXSW’24. S&C most recently world premiered Jason Buxton’s Sharp Corner at TIFF 2024, which stars Ben Foster and won “Best Feature” and “Best Director” at AIFF this month. The film will screen at festivals across Canada this fall, including CIFF 2024. Jason has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production from NSCAD University and is a lifetime member of the Atlantic Film Co-operative.
Speaking on:
Finding the Story: The Development Stage
Case Study | Shut Up & Colour
Bill Lundy
SVP, Comedy New Metric Media
As SVP Comedy for New Metric Media (Shoresy, Children Ruin Everything) 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, serving as Executive Producer on CBC/CW comedy Run the Burbs and developing Crave series Late Bloomer, Don’t Even and CBC’s Wild Cards. Prior to joining Pier 21 in 2018, Lundy was Production Executive, Comedy at Bell Media, developing and producing shows such as Letterkenny, The Beaverton, and Just For Laughs: All Access. Bill was named in The Hollywood Reporter’s Next Gen Canada: 15 Hottest Talents Under 35 in 2014.
Speaking on:
Finding the Story: The Development Stage
No Laughing Matter: the State of Comedy TV in Canada
Moderating:
Case Study | Shut Up & Colour
LAURA MACKENZIE
Executive Director, Screen Nova Scotia
Laura MacKenzie is the Executive Director of Screen Nova Scotia, a film commission and membership-driven industry association. In her role as film commissioner, Laura plays a pivotal role in attracting production to the province and shaping the landscape of the local industry. With a passion for supporting the growth and success of filmmakers, Laura is dedicated to fostering a thriving creative environment in Nova Scotia.
Speaking on:
Spotlight Session | Telefilm Meet the Funders: The Financing Stage
JENNA MACMILLAN
Producer & Director, Club Red Productions
Jenna MacMillan is an award-winning filmmaker and owner of Club Red Productions, the leading independent film and television company on Prince Edward Island. Previously, she was the Director of Production and Development for Northwood Entertainment (ANNE WITH AN E, THE GRIZZLIES). Jenna recently produced the PEI feature thriller, A SMALL FORTUNE (levelFILM) which has been sold around the world and her latest feature film, WHO’S YER FATHER? released theatrically in Canada in 2023, continues to screen across the country and is available on Paramount+ in Canada and was the second most successful Canadian comedy feature of 2023. Her projects have been nominated for multiple Canadian Screen Awards and have won two Canadian Comedy Awards, and two Nova Scotia Screen Awards for best scripted series.
Speaking on:
Meet the Producers
BRIAN MASON
Producer, Drive Back Home
Brian Mason is a Toronto-based producer with a focus on feature films. Brian started working in features in 2021 as an associate producer on North of Normal with JoBro Productions. In 2022, he returned to his hometown of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, as the line producer on Who's Yer Father? Most recently Brian produced Drive Back Home (ChFF 2024), starring Alan Cumming. Brian has an extensive history of working in television finance. He is a CPA, CA trained in the technology, media & telecommunications group at KPMG Toronto. Brian began his career in television at Epitome Pictures and DHX Studios Toronto (now Wildbrain) as the production controller, working on Degrassi and a variety of live action youth programming. Brian moved on to be the executive in charge of finance at Architect Films (now Nikki Ray Media Agency), running the television production finance function until his switch to producing feature films.
Speaking on:
Meet the Producers
KATIE MCCULLOCH
Filmmaker, Hey Old Friend
Katelyn McCulloch is an award-winning director, writer, actor and producer who takes being silly very seriously. Katelyn is dedicated to funny, feel-good & female driven content and founded her company Hey Old Friend Productions Inc. to support her evolving slate and passion for creation while also offering mentorship opportunities and accountability workshops to budding filmmakers. After producing, directing and writing 4 award winning short films Katelyn went on to write, show-run & direct the TV series Everybody’s Meg for BellFibe TV1 based on her award winning short film "Meg Writes a Reference Letter" which was a finalist for CBC Short Film Face-Off. The show was renewed for a second season and goes to camera January 2025.
As an actor her recent credits include; Law and Order Toronto (City TV), Meet the Killer Parents (Tubi), Hudson & Rex (CityTV), Avocado Toast (OutTV), Pretty Hard Cases (CBC). Katelyn was mentored by Karen Wentzell in producing through WIFT-AT, is an alumnae of Women in the Director's chair, is a former Stratford Theatre Festival member, Second City Conservatory member, Gold Winner for Best Filmmaker by The Coast and holds a Dora and Broadway World Award for her work as an actor. She is repped by Meridian Artists (Canada) and 3 Arts Entertainment (US).
@hey.old.friend // heyoldfriend.com
Moderating:
Finding the Story: The Development Stage
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NIC MELONEY
Executive in Charge of Production with CBC Unscripted
Nic Meloney is a mixed Wolastoqi/Canadian Journalist and Executive in Charge of Production with CBC Unscripted. Working closely with independent creators from Inuit, Métis and First Nations communities (as well as non-Indigenous) in documentary and factual productions, he's also a member of the CBC/Radio-Canada Indigenous Advisory Council and is part of the Indigenous team leading the work on CBC/Radio-Canada's National Indigenous Strategy. A member of Woodstock First Nation in Wolastokuk (New Brunswick) and a proud Cape Bretoner, he currently lives and works in Kjipuktuk (Halifax, Nova Scotia).
Nic previously worked as a reporter and video producer with CBC Nova Scotia and CBC Indigenous, covering the Atlantic region. His work has taken him to Indigenous communities across the country for the production and development of digital video features and television documentaries, both long and short form, as well as syndicated, local and national news content.
Speaking on:
Spotlight Session | CBC
WHITNEY ROSE
Singer / Songwriter
With her unmistakable, passionate vocals and detailed songwriting rich with sly wisdom, Whitney Rose has remained a casual, assured Americana tour de force throughout the past decade. Born on Canada’s East Coast province Prince Edward Island, Rose, always a troubadour, ended up in Austin, TX for a while, falling in love with and fully embracing the independent spirit of Austin’s bygone era paved way by the likes of renowned artists Nanci Griffith, Lucinda Williams, and Jerry Jeff Walker. She is a prolific songwriter, single- handedly penning all but a select few numbers on her six studio recordings. With critically acclaimed work and worldwide plaudits she has cemented herself as one of the most captivating roots-focused musicians of her generation.
Moderating:
Unmixed & Unmastered: Music Supervision & Composing
AMY SAUNDERS
Owner, AlphaPR
Known for her innovative storytelling abilities and trusted relationships across North American film and media, Amy Saunders began her work in film and entertainment publicity at Warner Bros. Canada in 2015. Working her way from an intern to theatrical marketing assistant, she assisted with A-lister red carpets, PA tours, junkets and guerilla marketing ideation and execution. Amy then moved on to Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, then worked with AMC for the launch of their SVOD’s Shudder and Sundance Now. In 2017, she founded the now well-known PR agency, AlphaPR, specializing in film, television, entertainment and creative arts which quickly gained international clients. Since then she has worked with international legacy brands, politicians and celebrities.
Speaking on:
Beyond the Algorithm! The Fundamentals of Marketing & PR
MARC TETRAULT
Producer & Co-owner, Shut Up & Color Pictures
Marc Tetreault is an independent producer and co-owner of Shut Up & Colour Pictures, a boutique production company in Halifax, NS, Canada. With over a decade of experience, he has produced several acclaimed films and TV shows that have gained international recognition. In 2014, Marc's career gained momentum with his participation in the Canadian Film Centre's prestigious Producer's Lab, leading to the creation of Suck It Up by Jordan Canning, which premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival. In 2016, he co-produced the critically acclaimed Weirdos, directed by Bruce McDonald, which premiered at TIFF and Berlin and won multiple Canadian Screen Awards. Other selected credits include Spinster, starring Chelsea Peretti, the noir-western A Fire in the Cold Season by Justin Oakey, Night Blooms starring Nick Stahl and Jessica Clement, genre film Kids vs Aliens, which had a formidable festival run, including screenings at Fantastic Fest and Sitges, and Fawzia Mirza’s feature debut, The Queen of My Dreams, which premiered at TIFF and SXSW. The film was released theatrically in over 30 cinemas across Canada in March 2024. Marc completed Sharp Corner, starring Ben Foster and Cobie Smulders. The film was the first Telefilm Big Budget project to be produced in Nova Scotia in over 10 years, and it will have its world premiere at TIFF 2024. Currently, he is producing Skite'kmujuekati'k (Place of Ghosts), by Bretten Hannam, a project with VVS in Canada and Magnify handling international sales.
Speaking on:
Meet the Producers
Case Study: Shut Up & Colour
Moderating:
Meet the Funders: The Financing Stage
SARAH TIMLICK
Head of Theatrical Sales Distribution, Elevation Pictures
Sarah Timlick is the Head of Theatrical Sales Distribution for Elevation Pictures, the largest independent distributor in Canada. Her career spans over a decade, having begun her career at Alliance Films and eOne after completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Toronto. Elevation has been behind titles such as, The Imitation Game both Paw Patrol films and most recently the Canadian release of Civil War and Longlegs. Sarah has been named consecutively in Celluloid Junkie's top women in Global distribution list for the past two years. She also serves as BOD for Canadian Association of Film Distributors and Exporters (CAFDE), the Canadian Picture Pioneers and holds the distinction of being the youngest executive to be elected as the Chair of the OFA Board of Directors and was featured on this year's State of the Industry at ShowCanada.
Speaking on:
Finding Your Audience: The Distribution Stage
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JONATHAN TORRENS
Director, Canadian Content Studios / Rolling Production Rentals
Jonathan Torrens has worked in comedy for 30 years and has been nominated for multiple Canadian Screen Awards as a director, producer, writer, actor and host. In addition to playing J-Roc on the beloved Netflix original series Trailer Park Boys, he has directed 10 episodes and written 20. He has written 6 episodes of Crave’s Letterkenny and 8 episodes of CBC’s Mr. D. He has written and performed on multiple live shows including The Winnipeg Comedy Fest, The Juno Awards and The East Coast Music Awards. His podcast Taggart & Torrens has been downloaded more than 4 million times and has won the Canadian Comedy Award for Best Audio Show. TnT also spawned a best- selling book Canadianity (Harper Collins), which Jonathan co-wrote with Jeremy Taggart.
Speaking on:
Character Witnesses: How to Create Memorable Characters
Moderating:
No Laughing Matter: the State of Comedy TV in Canada
CHARLES WAHL
Filmmaker
Charles Wahl is a writer and director whose projects have shown at SXSW, Melbourne International, Hamptons International, Seattle International, VIFF, Aspen Shortsfest, Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, as Vimeo Staff Picks, and many more.
His award-winning short film "The Mohel" (2021) won Best Live Action Short, Under 15mins, at Palm Springs International ShortFest (Academy Award Qualifying), and was added to the Best Of Vimeo Staff Picks Channel. Charles has been working professionally as a commercial director for over ten years and has directed content Internationally for such clients as BMW/MINI, KIA, TD, Mazda, McDonald's, Nissan, Toyota, Quaker, Captain Morgan, Campbell's, BMO, Nestle, Bell, Blue Cross, New Brunswick Tourism, and Nova Scotia Tourism. His commercial work has been featured in Shots, Fubiz, Ad Age, Ad Stasher, Strategy, Marketing Magazine, and Ads Of The World.
Speaking on:
Scaling Up and Down: a Discussion on Shorts and Features
MELANI WOOD
Filmmaker
Melani is an award-winning filmmaker and producer of documentary and narrative film projects. Originally hailing from British Columbia, Melani calls Nova Scotia home and has been making films on the East Coast of Canada since 2012. She worked as the Production Manager on The Curse of Oak Island (History Channel), and feature film Murmur (winner of TIFF FIPRESCI Discovery Prize). She produced the Feature Drama BONE CAGE (levelFILM) which was nominated for two Canadian Screen Awards. Her short documentary "Twenty Eight Feet" was featured in National Geographic, received a Vimeo Staff Pick, and played at international film festivals including Hot Docs and Doc NYC. Melani’s most recent project Everybody's Meg (Bell FibeTV) had its premiere in May, 2024 and has been renewed for a second season. She is currently in pre-production on Jenna MacMillan’s directorial debut feature The Snake (written by Susan Kent) set to go to camera early 2025. Melani is an alum of the Hot Docs Documentary Accelerator Program, an active board member of the Directors Guild of Canada Maritimes and Screen Nova Scotia.
Moderating:
Scaling Up and Down: a Discussion on Shorts and Features
HEATHER YOUNG
Filmmaker
Heather Young is a filmmaker based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She made the short films "Howard and Jean" (2014), "Fish" (2016) and "Milk" (2017). Her first feature Murmur (2019) premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival where it won the FIPRESCI Prize for the Discovery Programme and went on to win the Grand Jury Prize at the Slamdance Film Festival. There, There (ChFF 2024) is her second feature.
Speaking on:
Scaling Up and Down: a Discussion on Shorts and Features
ALISON ZIMMER
Regional Lead, National Promotion – Atlantic and Ontario
Alison is an accomplished film and media professional who has worked with leading funders, distributors, film festivals, production companies and broadcasters. She is the regional lead for Atlantic Canada and Ontario on Telefilm Canada’s national promotion team, based in her hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia. She first joined Telefilm as a content analyst in 2022, evaluating and supporting feature films in development and production programs. She began her career at the Toronto International Film Festival working on the national outreach program Film Circuit, as well as festival programming. At Mongrel Media, she served as manager of theatrical releasing, and has worked as a consultant for Hollywood Suite and independent production companies. She holds an MBA in strategic management from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.
Speaking on:
Spotlight Session | Telefilm
Meet the Funders: The Financing Stage
