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SUMMARY:Canadian Film Fest Masterclass & Industry Series
DESCRIPTION:Canadian Film Fest (CFF)\, the indie-spirited festival dedicated to celebrating Canadian filmmakers\, has announced the 2026 Masterclass and Industry Series. These industry events are an essential part of the festival experience\, uniting cinematic storytellers from industry veterans to eager new filmmakers\, sharing knowledge\, sparking important conversations\, and expanding professional networks. All CFF screenings and industry sessions will take place at Cineplex’s Scotiabank Theatre Toronto from March 24 – 29. Tickets are available at canfilmfest.ca. \nHighlights include a spotlight on Crave’s highly anticipated series Slo Pitch with creators Karen Knox and Gwendolyn Cumyn; the newly-launched CFF Roundtable Indie Access Session featuring top industry experts; a dynamic panel of comedy legends including Robin Duke and Linda Kash for the Comedy Igniter Showcase in partnership with Firecracker Department; a comprehensive masterclass led by CSA-nominated filmmaker Sam Coyle focused on helping directors hone and elevate their unique visual approach; and numerous other sessions\, roundtables and mixers for industry professionals. \nSee below for the complete Masterclass and Industry Series or visit canfilmfest.ca. Participants must register in advance. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMASTERCLASS \nVoice & Vision: A Director’s Masterclass in Craft\nDate: Tuesday\, March 24\nTime: 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.\nInstructor: Sam Coyle \nSam Coyle’s intensive half-day masterclass is designed to help directors define and elevate their unique visual approach. Blending targeted discussion\, curated film analysis\, and practical demonstrations\, the session dives into the core elements of cinematic storytelling – including tone\, style\, leadership\, symbolism\, visual language\, camera movement\, and on-set leadership. \nParticipants will examine how intentional creative choices shape a film’s emotional impact\, while developing the tools to clearly communicate their vision to cast and crew. With equal emphasis on artistry and technical execution\, this workshop bridges inspiration and implementation – equipping directors to move confidently into pre-production with a cohesive\, compelling creative blueprint. \nThis intensive is about sharpening your creative voice\, strengthening your perspective\, and leading with clarity and purpose. \nKey learnings from the Masterclass: \n\nDefine and articulate your signature tone\, theme\, and stylistic touchstones.\nUse symbolism and visual motifs with intention and integrate them into a cohesive lookbook.\nDevelop purposeful blocking strategies\, composition choices\, shot lists\, and a simple floor plan.\nPractice clear\, confident director-to-cast/crew communication and leadership techniques.\nLeave with a focused action plan to carry your vision in pre-production.\n\nMasterclass registration includes a CFF Festival Pass.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCHEERS & CHATS \nCheers & Chats #1 – Producers Therapy: 20 years of Holding it All Together\nDate: Wednesday\, March 25\nTime: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. \nBringing together leading producers from across CFF’s 20-year history\, this candid conversation explores what it really takes to build films – and careers – year after year. \nFrom scrappy early financing and grassroots distribution to today’s complex landscape of international co-productions\, streamers\, shifting tax credits\, distribution models\, and constant disruption – how has the producer’s role changed? What hasn’t? \nBeyond budgets and deal structures\, this group of seasoned producers will speak honestly about resilience\, reinvention\, burnout\, risk\, and the invisible labour of keeping projects – and teams – moving forward. As CFF marks two decades of Canadian filmmaking\, this panel asks: what does sustainable producing look like now – and what will it take to shape the next 20 years? \nConsider this a group session for anyone who’s carried a project – and wants to keep building. \nModerator:\nLauren Grant\, Clique Pictures \nFeaturing:\nCoral Aiken\, Aiken Heart Films\nKaren Harnisch\, Film Forge\nStephanie Sonny Hooker\, Hometeam Films\nSonya Di Rienzo\, Hawkeye Pictures\nPaul Devonshire\, Devonshire Productions \n\nCheers & Chats #2 – Indie Pathways: From (Slo) Pitch to Series\nDate: Wednesday\, March 25\nTime: 2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. \nOne of the most anticipated Canadian comedy television premieres of 2026\, the Crave Original Series Slo Pitch (produced by Shaftesbury in association with Boss & Co and PAGEBOY Productions) is already generating buzz. \nFeaturing CFF alumni and Slo Pitch creators Karen Knox and Gwendolyn Cumyn\, alongside Bell Media Executives and prod co Shaftesbury\, this conversation explores how an indie comedy idea evolves into a television series. \nUsing Slo Pitch as a real-world case study\, the panel traces the leap from concept to series – developing the idea\, building relationships with broadcasters\, navigating financing\, and stepping into the responsibilities of showrunning. Through both creator and broadcaster perspectives\, this conversation offers a candid\, insider look on how projects move through development\, what networks are looking for\, and how filmmakers can position their work for long-form television. \nA conversation about playing the long game – and what it really takes to go from (Slo) Pitch to series. \nModerated by:\nAisha Evelyna\, Actor/Filmmaker \nFeaturing:\nKaren Knox\, Actor/Writer/Director/ Slo Pitch Co-Creator\nGwendolyn Cumyn\, Actor/Writer/Producer/ Slo Pitch Co-Creator\nPaige Haight\, Director of Television\, Shaftesbury\nLauren MacKinlay\, Development Executive\, Scripted\, Original Programming\, Bell Media \nCheers & Chats #3 – CFF Legacy Spotlight: 20 Years in Motion\nDate: Wednesday\, March 25\nTime: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. \nA special anniversary conversation with celebrated CFF alumni whose careers have grown from early festival screenings into influential roles across film and television. \nWhat did they wish they knew 20 years ago? What has the journey actually taught them? \nIn this candid and forward-looking discussion\, our alumni reflect on the realities behind the milestones – the regrets\, the reinventions\, the pivots\, and the breakthroughs. As CFF marks two decades of following Canadian careers in film\, this conversation honours the craft\, momentum\, and community that carry careers forward – and looks ahead to the next 20 with clarity\, resilience\, and eyes up. \nModerator:\nWarren P. Sonoda\, Director\, The Trades\, Resident Alien\, Odd Squad\, Things I Do For Money \nPanelists:\nGloria Ui Young Kim\, Writer/Director\, Queen of the Morning Calm\, Murdoch Mysteries\, Heartland\nJeremy Lalonde\, Writer/Director/Editor\, James vs His Future Self\, Ashgrove\, Daniel’s Gotta Die\, How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town \nMore to be announced.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWORKSHOP \nLook Up & Laugh: Writing Bold Comedy that Demands Attention\nSponsored by Toronto Film School\nDate: Thursday\, March 26\nTime: 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.\nInstructor: Michelle Daly \nJump into our comedy writing workshop – a creative playground where we’ll crack the code on what truly makes modern audiences tick. Through discussion\, exercises (not the sweaty kind!) and ending in a Q&A\, we’ll dive into the mechanics of humor and reveal the secrets to writing standout comedy. \nThis session is open exclusively to 2026 Comedy Igniters and Festival Passholders on a first-come-first-served sign-up basis.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSHOWCASES \nCFF & Firecracker Department Present: The 2026 Comedy Igniter Showcase\nSponsored by Toronto Film School\nDate: Thursday\, March 26\nTime: 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. \nA special presentation featuring the top-selected comedic shorts from The Comedy Igniter – a four-week film challenge created by Canadian Film Fest and Firecracker Department. \nFemale and gender-divers filmmakers sign up\, receive a creative prompt\, and have just four weeks to write\, shoot\, and deliver an original short comedy. Each selected Igniter will screen their film live\, followed by feedback and insight from a panel of comedy and filmmaking professionals. It’s bold\, fast\, funny – and a celebration of what can happen when creators bet on themselves. \nHost:\nNaomi Snieckus\, Firecracker Department \nShowcase Judges:\nRobin Duke\, Actress/Comedian\, Saturday Night Live\, SCTV\nLinda Kash\, Actor/Writer/Director\, Best In Show\, Waiting for Guffman\nNelu Handa\, Writer/Actor/Producer\, Baroness Von Sketch\, Run the Burbs\nMichelle Daly\, TFS Screenwriting Program Director\, Former CBC Senior Director of Comedy\nJessica Liadsky\, Development Manager\, Scripted Development\, Lionsgate Canada\nSusan Alexander\, Senior Director\, Creative\, Shaftesbury \n\nYou-CAN-Pitch Competition\nSponsored by OYA Black Arts Coalition and SESLER\nDate: Friday\, March 27\nTime: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. \nStep inside the excitement as Canada’s rising Black filmmakers take the stage to pitch their feature projects to a panel of top industry experts. With a $50\,000+ in-kind prize package on the line\, each team delivers their pitch live\, getting candid\, real-time feedback from the decision-makers shaping the future of film and TV. \nPart masterclass\, part talent showcase\, You-CAN-Pitch offers a rare\, behind-the-scenes look at the pitching process while spotlighting the next wave of Canadian cinema. \nShowcase Judges:\nR.T. Thorne\, Filmmaker\, 40 Acres\, The Porter\nFloyd Kane\, Producer\, Village Keeper\, Across the Line\, Diggstown\, Freddie Films Inc.\nCarolyn Mauricette\, Section Director\, Fantasia International Film Festival & Co-Founder of Access Threshold\nVanessa Magic\, Filmmaker\, Near or Far\, I Am Pleased\, 2025 You-CAN-Pitch Winner \nSelected Pitchers:\nAdrian Bobb\, The Sublime\nChristine Rodriguez\, Fuego\nRomaine Waite\, Redeemer\nFitch Jean\, Crescendo\nSossina Shenkute & Ambika Vas\, Past Curfew\nJessyca Reeves\, The Fraying\nWill Niava\, Gold Dust.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nROUNDTABLES \nCFF Roundtables: Indie Access Sessions\nDate: Friday\, March 27\nTime: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. \nA curated series of 20-minute small-group conversations designed to move projects forward. These intimate sessions offer direct access to leading industry professionals – creating space for strategic questions\, meaningful dialogue\, and high-level insight – all in a focused\, conversational setting. \n*Open exclusively to CFF Festival Pass holders by application only. Space is limited \nIndustry Participants:\nAvi Federgreen\, Filmmaker/Producer/Distributor\, Federgreen Entertainment/IndieCan Entertainment\nSohrab Merchant\, Literary & Production Agent | Manager\, The Characters Talent Agency\nRyan Goldhar\, Vice-President Agent | Manger\, The Characters Talent Agency\nKim Ball\, Executive Vice President Content & Communications\, Super Channel\nSuzanne Marshall\, Senior Manager Programming\, Hollywood Suite\nColleen Rush\, Casting Director\, Larissa Mair Casting\nMelissa Amer\, Regional Feature Film Executive\, Ontario\, Telefilm\nPeter Kingstone\, Program Manager\, Visual & Media Arts\, Toronto Arts Council\nPaul Gratton\, Film Consultant & Former Director of Programming\, Whistler Film Festival\nJessica Jennings\, Media Producer & Production Consultant\, Environmental Services\, Ontario Film Commission / Ontario Creates \nMore to be announced.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMIXER EVENT \nDGC-Ontario Filmmakers Lounge\nWGC Ingenuity Fair: Creative insights from the front lines of Film & TV\nDate: Friday\, March 27\nTime: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. \nIn classic science fair set-up\, Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) and Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) members will be stationed at displays to present case studies of problems they’ve encountered and solutions they’ve employed in development\, prep\, production\, and post on feature film and television projects. Attendees will be able to visit and interact with the presenter at each display to gain a creative craftsperson’s view of what can go right when you’re in the trenches.
URL:https://broadcastdialogue.com/event/canadian-film-fest-masterclass-industry-series/
LOCATION:Cineplex Scotiabank Theatre Toronto\, 259 Richmond Street West\, Toronto\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Events & Presentations
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