2026 INDUSTRY GUESTS
Richelle Charkot
Game Theory Films -
Distribution Manager
Richelle Charkot has worked in various facets of the film industry; including production, programming, journalism and public relations. They were the Programming Director of The Royal Cinema, where their experience with film exhibition led to an interest in distribution. They completed their Canadian Media Producers Association mentorship with the producers of the Canadian Screen Award winning film Wildhood, and studied screenwriting at the Toronto Film School where they graduated with distinction.
Richelle has provided script coverage for Sundance Labs, Raven Banner Entertainment, Rebel Road Films and Younger Daughter Films, and loves working with writers on story development.
Chris Kelley
Counterfeit Pictures -
Director of Scripted Television
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. He also created the HBO series ‘The Sopranos.’
Evan Dubinsky
Producer / Music Supervisor -
The Stunt Driver, Crash Land, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, Mile End Kicks
Evan Dubinsky is a film and live events producer based in Montreal. He started producing music & comedy shows in 2004 in Toronto, Montreal and Los Angeles. As a music supervisor, his credits include Black Conflux, Goon, The F Word and Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie.
Tracey Doyle
CAVCO -
Manager, Policy
Tracey has been the policy manager at the Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office (CAVCO) since 2008. CAVCO co-administers two federal tax credit programs with the Canada Revenue Agency: the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit program and the Film or Video Production Services Tax Credit program. Prior to joining CAVCO she spent five years working in the Canadian Culture Online program (also at the Department of Canadian Heritage) and four years with the Canadian Media Producers Association.
Sasha Leigh Henry
Indie Forever -
Director/Writer
Named one to watch by Variety (2022) and The Hollywood Reporter (2024), Sasha Leigh Henry is a writer, director, and producer. Her work includes the award-winning comedy Bria Mack Gets A Life and Vimeo Staff Pick Sinking Ship. A five-time TIFF alum, she is currently independently releasing her debut feature, Dinner With Friends. She also co-hosts Indie Forever, a podcast of rants, raves, and real talk about making things independently.
Catherine Moreau
IPF -
Deputy Director
Catherine Moreau has over 15 years of experience in the audiovisual and media sector, working across both production and content development. In 2021, she joined the Independent Production Fund (IPF) as Deputy Director of the Montreal office, where she oversees French-language programs and leverages her expertise in financing as well as creative and business analysis to empower creators. Driven by a commitment to fostering a more inclusive and diverse industry, she works closely with creative and production teams to help them bring to life projects that reflect their unique visions and distinct voices.
Ira Levy
Spike & Sadie -
President, Executive Producer
Executive Producer Ira Levy recently set up the Toronto-based SPIKE & SADIE MEDIA, a film and television production company. The newly formed venture focuses on developing and producing both scripted and unscripted projects in collaboration with Canadian and international creatives who bring a distinct and clear voice to their storytelling. Levy is a veteran of the Canadian screen industry, having founded Breakthrough Entertainment in 1985 and produced a slew of award-winning television series and films over the past four decades.
Under Levy’s stewardship, Breakthrough became an award-winning producer and distributor of original, premium content for audiences around the world. Breakthrough’s library boasted 50-plus feature films and 3,000 television episodes which aired on major networks and digital channels worldwide. It was recognized with multiple international awards including numerous Geminis, Canadian Screen Awards and Canadian Comedy Awards.
As an Executive Producer, Levy’s work includes the innovative hit crime drama Blood and Water, the HBO Canada comedy Less Than Kind, and the Showcase soap Paradise Falls; unscripted series Kenny vs. Spenny and History channel’s Greatest Tank Battles; animated Teletoon and MTV series Crash Canyon and Rocket Monkeys; children’s series The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon, Nickelodeon’s Max and Shred and TVOKids’ Science Max: Experiments at Large; and films L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables for PBS and Corus, The Oak Room and Vicious Fun.
Levy has partnered on co-productions with companies in countries around the world including the U.K., France, Brazil, the Philippines and New Zealand and has worked with renowned networks, broadcasters and distributors including NBC Universal, Nickelodeon, Discovery, Disney, Hallmark, National Geographic, Lifetime, Comedy Central, the BBC, TF1 and Arte, among others. In Canada, Levy has collaborated with the CBC, Bell Media, Rogers Media, Corus Entertainment and TVOntario.
Levy was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for his producing work on Universal Kids’ The Big Fun Crafty Show and has won several Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Children’s or Youth Non-Fiction Program or Series for Science Max: Experiments at Large between 2017 and 2019 and Best Comedy Program or Series in 2013 for Less Than Kind.
Vanessa Amodeo
Wango Films -
Producer
Vanessa Amodeo is an Ontario-based filmmaker and development executive with a background in Broadcast News (Humber College) and Communication Studies (Concordia University). A key member of Wango Films, she plays an integral role in project development and production, guiding films from concept through delivery.
Her credits include Relax, I’m From the Future, Simulant, and Little Lorraine. She is currently executive producing Grace Period, directed by Peter Facinelli and starring Seth Green, Ashley Greene, and Beverly D’Angelo.
Amodeo is also expanding Wango Films’ presence in the documentary space, applying her development expertise to a slate of non fiction projects in various stages of production.
Andrew Neville
NOWADAYS/Cool Shows Inc. -
Music Programmer/Promoter
Andrew Neville is a Montreal-based producer, programmer, writer, and artist working across music, comedy, and television. He is the Artistic Director and talent booker for NOWADAYS Music Festival and has worked as a researcher for This Hour Has 22 Minutes, as well as with festivals and arts organizations across Canada. One time he saved a mural from a condemned McDonald's.
Sam Langille
Absolute Losers -
Artist
Absolute Losers is a post-punk trio formed in 2019, featuring drummer Daniel Hartinger, guitarist Josh Langille, and bassist and vocalist Sam Langille. The band's sound is a creative blend of pop songs layered with wiry guitar work, intricate bass and drum arrangements, and effortlessly cool vocals.
In August of 2023, they released their anticipated debut album, “At The Mall,” a danceable 12-track offering that confronts hardships without taking itself too seriously. In this work, the band camouflages their pop sensibilities with wiry guitar work, intertwining bass and drum parts, and hook-laden, laid-back vocals. In their latest efforts, Absolute Losers shed the camouflage and proudly bear their knack for catchy melodies, soaring harmonies, and straight-to-point pop songwriting.
In addition to their releases throughout 2023, Absolute Losers recently toured Eastern Canada with TUNS, a Canadian supergroup featuring Chris Murphy from the renowned band Sloan. This tour helped expose Absolute Losers' distinct sound and energy to an even wider audience within Canada. Stay tuned as Absolute Losers continue to rise with each new release and performance.
Lucie Marion
National Bank of Canada -
Manager, Creative Industries Group
Lucie Marion is an account Manager at National Bank of Canada since 2014. She was previously in charge of financing for various Canadian production companies, as well as Senior Analyst at Canadian Heritage. She has vast knowledge of various financing sources and regulations of domestic Productions as well as International Co-productions.
Luc Trottier
AMPA / Human Moves Media -
Vice President / Producer, Writer
Luc Trottier is a writer, actor, and producer. He has performed on stages across the country (most notably in Disney’s The Lion King) and can be seen on Vought Rising, The Vampire Lestat, American Gods, The Handmaid’s Tale, Imposters, Killjoys, Suits, and Murdoch Mysteries.
Luc directed Becoming Dolly which played to sold out crowds at the Charlottetown Festival in 2024 and 2025. He is the creator and star of “The Community Players,” a comedy series distributed by Bell FibeTV1. Season 1, Season 2, and the Holiday Special are now streaming.
The founder of Human Moves Media Inc., Luc has produced the series Sea Salt (IPF/Bell Fund), Currie and The Community Players, and the short films Pay Me (My Rode Reel Finalist), Club Six (OutTV, Nominee: Best Short, Canadian Comedy Awards) Everbliss (Reel World Film Festival), and Finale (Atlantic International Film Festival) - which is currently streaming on CBC Gem. Luc’s directorial debut short film, “In My Heart,” screened at the Atlantic International Film Festival Film Festival and can be watched on CBC Gem.
Upcoming: Just Keep Driving, Luc’s debut feature film script, has received Telefilm funding - produced by Club Red Productions, directed by Jenna MacMillan.
Jeremy Larter
AMPA Member
Jeremy Larter is a Canadian director, screenwriter and producer born and raised in Prince Edward Island. His credits include two seasons of the popular Canadian Comedy award-winning comedy series Just Passing Through, and the Canadian Comedy Award winner for Best Feature film Pogey Beach. His sophomore feature film was the independent theatrical hit Who’s Yer Father?, which was nominated for three Canadian Screen Awards and has been distributed around the world. His projects have received development funding from Telefilm Canada, The Harold Greenberg Fund, The Bell Slate Fund & The Independent Production Fund. He lives in Prince Edward County with his wife and three kids.
Francesca Accinelli
Telefilm Canada -
Chief Program Officer
For over 20 years Francesca Accinelli has been an unwavering champion of Canadian talent and content. She is known for her caring and transparent management style and her ability to build trusting relationships and partnerships. She has developed a unique expertise working in TV, film, digital media, promotions and communications with both English-and French-language markets in her many roles at Telefilm.
Her arrival at Telefilm in 2006 as Deputy Director of the English Market for the Canadian Television Fund (CTF) programs allowed her to quickly acquire an in-depth knowledge of the organization. In 2008, she was promoted to Director, English Market of this team and helped establish the administration of the Canada Media Fund programs at Telefilm.
In 2014, Francesca Accinelli took on a leadership role of National Promotions and Communications and a few years later, was appointed vice-president of these sectors with the added responsibility of International Promotions.
Throughout her time at Telefilm, Francesca Accinelli has taken on additional interim roles in Government Relations, Equity Diversity and Inclusion and Official Languages and more recently the interim Executive Director and CEO, expanding her perspective and knowledge of the industry and Telefilm’s role nationally and internationally.
Lisa Haller
Atlantic International Film Festival -
Programming Director, AIFF
Lisa Haller has worked in film festival programming and strategy for over a decade. Most recently she acted as the Senior Short Film Programmer at the Whistler Film Festival and Film Programmer for Aspen Shortsfest. From 2010-2020 Lisa worked with the Festival Programming department at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), recognized as a leader in film culture and one of the world’s most prestigious international film festivals. While at TIFF she held various roles including: Festival Programming Manager where she was responsible for programme execution and expansion of the Canada’s Top Ten Film Festival, Canadian and Short Film Senior Programming Associate, and International Programmer for TIFF’s competitive and Oscar-qualifying short film programme, Short Cuts.
Lisa has served on juries and panels for film festivals such as the Atlantic International Film Festival, Cucalorus Film Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival, Norwegian Short Film Festival, TIFF Kids International Film Festival, and Toronto International Film Festival.
Lisa holds a BAH in Film Studies and History from Queen’s University, and a Master’s in Communication and Culture from York University and Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson). Born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Lisa is thrilled to be joining the AIFF team for the 2023 festival.
Meaghan Brander
PEI Creates -
Film Industry Specialist
Meaghan Brander is a media executive with more than 15 years of experience in Canada's film, television, and entertainment industries. After spending many years in senior roles with the Toronto International Film Festival and Cineplex Entertainment, she returned to Prince Edward Island to advance the province's screen sector through industry development initiatives and the promotion of PEI as a destination for film and television production. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with film festivals, arts organizations, and media companies around the world, fostering partnerships, driving audience growth, and championing innovative storytelling and creative projects.
Clare Hodge
CAVCO -
Senior Tax Credit Officer
Clare Hodge is a Senior Tax Credit Officer with the Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office (CAVCO). She uses more than 20 years’ experience as a tax incentive and financing specialist to assess applications for the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC). As a Tax Credit Officer in Ontario, BC, and at CAVCO, Hodge analyzed hundreds of applications of all genres and budgets. As an agent, Hodge was Senior Consultant, Media Tax Incentives at KPMG Canada, securing over $100M in media tax incentives for Film/TV/IDM companies. Hodge also has credits as a producer on feature films, network television and independent productions.
Tania Thompson
Indie Forever -
Writer/Producer
Tania Thompson is a writer and producer. She executive produced and wrote on Bria Mack Gets a Life (Best Comedy Series 2024, CSA), created by Thompson’s collaborator, Sasha Leigh Henry. Tania wrote Henry’s short Sinking Ship (TIFF 2020, Vimeo Staff Pick) and co-wrote and produced Dinner with Friends (TIFF 2025). She also co-hosts Indie Forever, a podcast of rants, raves, and real talk about making things independently.
Andrew McCann Smith
Play Management -
Managing Director & Director of Content
ANDREW MCCANN SMITH is a literary manager and head of content at Play Media. He previously served as a Producer and Executive on Canadian Academy Award winning STORIES FROM MY GAY GRANDPARENTS, HUNTING MATTHEW NICHOLS (SHUDDER), TRICKSTER (CBC), CARDINAL (BELL), CURSED FILMS (AMC/SHUDDER), and more. His films have premiered on top screens worldwide, including Sundance, TIFF, Locarno, and SXSW.
Mitch Geddes
Neshama -
Vice President, Development and Current Production
Mitch Geddes is the Vice President of Development & Current Production for Neshama Entertainment, responsible for overseeing the creative affairs of original series and feature film projects for the studio through development and production. He currently manages a portfolio of projects including the fourth season of the original family drama.
The Way Home (Hallmark), and the previously announced Prejudice series in development with Bell Media and Fox Entertainment Global. Previous to Neshama Entertainment, Mitch served as a Production Executive for Bell Media’s Original Programming Team, overseeing the production of a variety of drama series including the CSA Award-winning drama series Transplant (CTV/NBC), the limited event series Little Bird (Crave/PBS), and the original paranormal drama Surrealstate (SYFY/CTV SCI FI), as well as a dynamic slate of films for Crave including Anthony Shim’s Riceboy Sleeps and Fawzia Mirza’s The Queen of My Dreams. Mitch was also named one of Playback’s "10 to Watch" as a part of the 2022 cohort.
Tim Doiron
Wango Films -
CEO, Writer, Director, Producer
Tim Doiron is an award winning writer, producer, and CEO of Wango Films, with nearly two decades of experience in independent cinema across Canada and the U.S. A highly regarded creative producer, Doiron is known for championing bold, character driven storytelling and guiding projects from concept to release with a collaborative, filmmaker-first approach.
Doiron’s credits span genre and scale, including Dead Before Dawn 3D (2013), 88 (2015), and the conspiracy thriller Wander (2020), starring Tommy Lee Jones, Aaron Eckhart, Katheryn Winnick, and Heather Graham. Recent releases include Simulant (2023), featuring Sam Worthington, Simu Liu, and Jordana Brewster, and the time-travel comedy Relax, I’m From the Future (2023), starring Rhys Darby.
His crime thriller, Little Lorraine (2025), starring Stephen Amell, Sean Astin, Matt Walsh, and international music icon J Balvin, had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Next up for Doiron, is the romantic comedy Grace Period, directed by Peter Facinelli and starring Ashley Greene, Seth Green, Beverly D’Angelo, and Natasha Leggero.
With a focus on ambitious storytelling and international partnerships, Doiron is driving Wango’s growth as a global producer of elevated, audience driven content.
Brian Mason
Mason Films - Producer
Brian Mason is a feature film producer, and previously produced Drive Back Home, starring Alan Cumming, which screened at the Charlottetown Film Festival (now Anchor Fest) in 2024, as well as many festivals including Palm Springs International Film Festival, and BFI Flare. Brian started working in feature films in 2021 as an associate producer on NORTH OF NORMAL with JoBro Productions, which premiered at Toronto International Film Festival in 2022. In 2022, he returned to his hometown of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, as the line producer on Who's Yer Father?, which premiered at Atlantic International Film Festival in 2023.
Brian has extensive experience 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 (now Wildbrain) as the production controller, working on Degrassi and various live-action youth programming. Brian then became the executive in charge of finance at Architect Films (now Nikki Ray Media Agency), running the television production finance function until he switched to producing feature films.
Adam Feigen
Bell Media /Crave -
Development Exec, Crave / Bell Media
Adam is a Development Executive at Bell Media, where he works closely with independent production partners, writers, and creatives on the development of new scripted projects for CTV and Crave. Most recently, he worked on the development and production of HEATED RIVALRY, Crave’s #1 original series debut on record.
Prior to joining Bell Media, Adam served as a Development Executive at Incendo Media, overseeing the creation of scripted television series and movies. He was also part of the development team at marblemedia, where he worked across kids’, factual, and scripted programming. His broadcasting experience includes roles at Shaw Media in Original Drama Content and at CBC as an Executive in Charge of Drama Development. Adam began his career as a Network Programmer at Canwest, working across E! and Global Television.
A strong champion of diversity and distinct creative voices, Adam has built lasting relationships with writers, directors, and creatives across the country. He is also a committed advocate for mentorship and has served as an industry mentor with the Canadian Film Centre, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, the Banff World Media Festival, and The Reel World Film Festival.
Melani Wood
AMPA Member / Producer - The Snake
Melani is an award-winning filmmaker and producer based on Canada’s East Coast, working across narrative film and documentary. Her recent credits include "The Snake", which premiered at SXSW in 2026 and won a Narrative Feature Special Jury Award for Best Performance; the six-time Canadian Screen Award nominated series "Everybody's Meg"; and the feature documentary "The Last Days of April", which premiered at Hot Docs before broadcasting on OUTtv and AMI. She is a Hot Docs Accelerator alum, Canadian Screen Award nominated producer, and board member of Screen Nova Scotia, the AMPA and DGC Maritimes.
Bill Lundy
Club Red Productions -
Chief Content Officer
As Chief Content Officer at Club Red Productions, Bill Lundy is focused on bold, original Canadian storytelling with a distinctly East Coast lens. His current projects include The Snake, a dark comedy feature starring Susan Kent, and half-hour comedy series Pretty Blind, the first-ever scripted commission from AMI.
Prior to joining Club Red, Bill served as SVP of Comedy at New Metric Media, where he helped expand the company’s slate of comedy brands, including Shoresy, Children Ruin Everything, and Bria Mack Gets a Life. Previously, he was SVP of Development at Pier 21 Films, where he served as Executive Producer on Run the Burbs and developed Late Bloomer, Don’t Even, and Wild Cards.
Earlier in his career, Bill was Production Executive, Comedy at Bell Media, where he developed and produced Letterkenny, The Beaverton, and Just For Laughs: All Access.
In 2014, Bill was named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s Next Gen Canada: 15 Hottest Talents Under 35.
Jenna MacMillan
Club Red Productions -
CEO
Jenna MacMillan is an award-winning filmmaker and owner of Club Red Productions.
Her feature directorial debut, THE SNAKE, premiered at SXSW this year and took home the Special Jury award for Performance. Jenna received Telefilm’s 2023 Talent To Watch Funding for the project, which was the only narrative selection from Atlantic Canada. She was recently named one of Playback's 10 to Watch.
Jenna previously worked as Director of Production and Development for Northwood Entertainment, the company behind the Canadian Screen Award-winning series, ANNE WITH AN E (CBC/Netflix) and the feature, THE GRIZZLIES (Netflix). She produced the PEI feature thriller, A SMALL FORTUNE, and the feature comedy WHO’S YER FATHER? She produced the holiday thriller, UNHOLY NIGHT, and road-trip comedy TRACY & MARTINA: GOIN’ OUT WEST (Crave)
In addition to her production work, Jenna serves on the board of the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) and is the Executive Director of ANCHOR Fest (formerly the Charlottetown Film Festival).
A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University's Film Production program and a member of the Directors Guild of Canada and Women in Film & Television, Jenna's accolades include the DGC-Ontario & WIFT-T Directing mentorship award, DGC Atlantic’s Making Waves award, and WIFT AT’s Filmmaker of the Year. Her projects have won two Canadian Comedy Awards, an ECMA, and a digital Emmy.
FEATURE FILM GUESTS
Gloria Mercer
A Safe Distance -
Director
Gloria Mercer is a Vancouver-based filmmaker and alumna of Simon Fraser University and Women In the Director’s Chair. Her award-winning short films have screened internationally and aired on CBC and Crave, and her debut feature, A Safe Distance, premiered at the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival, followed by festival screenings at Fantasia, Frameline, and more. Mercer has received support from the National Film Board of Canada, Creative BC, and the Canada Council for the Arts. She is passionate about featuring complex women on screen.
Ron Murphy
Back in Black -
Director
Ron Murphy was born in Toronto. He has directed several major television hits including episodes of Trailer Park Boys (14–26), Jann (19–21), Wynonna Earp (16–20), and Heartland (07–10). Back in Black (26) is his feature directorial debut.
Mike Feehan
Captain Newfoundland -
Director
Mike Feehan is an illustrator and filmmaker from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, whose work spans film, animation, and comic books. His storyboard credits include projects for Marvel Studios, Apple TV+, and Netflix, as well as a variety of commercials and music videos. His comic book work includes the award-winning DC Comics miniseries Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles and the Star Trek series from IDW Publishing.
His first feature film, Captain Newfoundland: Transmissions from the Tip of Atlantis, is the culmination of years of interest in Newfoundland media mogul Geoff Stirling, as well as all things esoteric, supernatural, and weird.
Seth A Smith
Permanent Damage -
Director
Seth A Smith is a Nova Scotia-based filmmaker and visual artist known for The Crescent, Lowlife, and Wind Through A Tree. In 2012 he completed his first film, Lowlife. The 5k feature premiered at Fantasia and went on to receive a nation-wide, 25 city, crowd-sourced theatrical release. In 2017 his sophomore effort, The Crescent, premiered in TIFF's Midnight Madness section, took awards for best score, screenwriting, and actress at the Atlantic International Film Festival, and was given a nomination for the 2017 Directors Guild of Canada Discovery Award. Outside of directing, Seth is known for his music in Dog Day.
Robin Duke
The Snake -
“Anne”
Robin Duke is best known for her work on the comedy series SCTV and for her three years at Saturday Night Live. In her early career she appeared in many films, most notably Groundhog Day, Multiplicity, , Stuart Saves His Family, and Club Paradise. She had a lead role opposite George Wendt in John Candy’s made-for-TV directorial debut, Hostage for a Day.
Nowadays you may recognize her as the mom on FX’s Man Seeking Woman, Wendy from the Blouse Barn on Schitts Creek or Unhoused Wendy on Shelved. And now, a lead role in Jenna MacMillan’s feature film The Snake.
Robin has received an Emmy nomination for her writing on SNL and a Gemini nomination for her role on North of 60. For her work writing and performing on SCTV, she has received an Earle Grey Award and a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. Most recently Robin received the David Broadfoot Comedy Genius award.
In 2004 Robin founded the All women sketch troupe “Women Fully Clothed” Along with Jayne Eastwood Kathy Greenwood and Teresa Pavlinek, the four women have written, produced and performed across North America for 2 decades to sold out houses.
Robin graduated from King’s College in 2018 with a Masters in Creative Non-fiction. During that time she completed a memoir entitled “My Funny Life and Improvising Through It.”
She recently retired from teaching at the School of Creative and Performing Arts at Humber College in their Comedy Program where she taught for 15 years.
Robin has enjoyed writing humorous ‘slice of life’ essays for various national publications
including Today’s Parent, Homemaker’s Magazine, National Post and Canadian Living.
Emma Hunter
The Snake -
“Laura”
Emma is a multiple Canadian Screen Award winning actor. TV credits include: Hate The Player, Moonshine, Children Ruin Everything, Canada’s Drag Race, One More Time, The Beaverton, Mr D, Letterkenny, Workin’ Moms, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, The Royal Canadian Air Farce, Match Game, JFL All Access Gala, The LA Complex, Gary and His Demons, How To Buy A Baby, Save Me. Film credits include: Goon 2, Fitting In, Mary Goes Round and most recently, The Snake. Her hosting credits include CTV’S The Social, CBC’s Fridge Wars, The 2018 Canadian Screen Awards, The 2023 Canadian Screen Awards. In 2026 to be released feature films The Snake and Scratch House and Crave’s new TV series, Slo Pitch. Emma has been nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for best supporting actor in a Drama for the role of Nora in Moonshine, and also for best supporting in a Comedy for the role of Nisha on Mr. D and best actor on The Beaverton. Emma has CSA’S for her work on How To Buy A Baby and Save Me. She has also been nominated for a Dora Award, the Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award, and is the recipient of a Canadian Comedy Award.
Aidan West
A Safe Distance -
Writer
Aidan West is a writer and filmmaker from Vancouver, BC. He wrote and produced the feminist slow-burn thriller A Safe Distance, his debut feature as a writer and producer, which had its world premiere at SXSW in 2026. The film had its Canadian premiere at the Fantasia Film Festival and is an Official Selection at the Frameline LGBTQ Film Festival, Phoenix Film Festival, Woods Hole Film Festival, and more. A Safe Distance is being distributed by Vortex Media, Drafthouse Films, and Giant Pictures.
Aidan is an alumnus of the SFU undergraduate film program and the prestigious MFA screenwriting program at UCLA’s School of Theatre Film and Television. He has written and produced short films with frequent collaborator Gloria Mercer that have been broadcast on CBC, CBC Gem, Crave, and screened at film festivals all around the world. Aidan and Gloria participated in the Frontieres International Co-Production Market with their next feature-film project, the science-fiction thriller Aurora Comes Home.
Aidan is a prolific writer interested in making exciting genre-blending work in film and television. He is represented by Dallaslyn Lamb of King Lamb Entertainment.
Ian Bawa
Strong Son -
Director
Ian Bawa is a South Asian filmmaker from Winnipeg, Manitoba. His award-winning short films have screened at festivals including TIFF, Slamdance, Fantasia, and Aspen Shortsfest, earning recognition from Vimeo Staff Picks, Urbanworld, and Reelworld. Bawa is an alumnus of the TIFF Filmmaker Lab, Canadian Film Centre Directors’ Lab, and TIFF Every Story Accelerator. Drawing from his own experiences, his work explores family, grief, masculinity, mental health, and cultural identity. Strong Son (2026) is his debut feature.
Jamie Miller
Captain Newfoundland -
Director
Jamie Miller is an award-winning filmmaker whose work focuses on stories of identity, community, gender and a poetic sense of place.
Her work has earned her a CSA nomination and won multiple festival honours, including Best Short Canadian Documentary and the Audience Choice Award at Hot Docs, and have been commissioned by CBC and BBC. In 2020 she received the MJ Emerging Filmmaker Award from SJIWFF. Jamie is a graduate of York University's Film Production program and an alumna of DOC Breakthrough and Women in the Director's Chair (WIDC).
Jamie is deeply committed to creative education, and loves nothing more than supporting a new generation of filmmakers in making their ideas become reality. Jamie is currently focused on practicing her favourite karaoke bangers while promoting her first feature documentary, Captain Newfoundland: Transmissions from the Tip of Atlantis.
Nancy Urich
Permanent Damage -
Producer
Operator of Cut/Off/Tail Pictures, Urich has been producing award-winning film and video projects in Canada for over a decade. She was instrumental to the production and success of the company's breakout, The Crescent, which premiered at TIFF, and Screen Nova Scotia's the Best Film of 2021, Tin Can. Outside of producing, she's written two genre screenplays, and is a musician in the bands Dog Day and Not You.
Dan Petronijevic
The Snake -
“Davey Danger”
Daniel Petronijevic is a versatile Canadian actor whose expansive film and television career spans a wide range of genres and roles. He is best known for his standout performance as ‘McMurray’ in the hit series Letterkenny, a role he played over twelve seasons. He also portrayed twin brothers Stef and Randy Bowen in Pretty Hard Cases, Leon in Cardinal, J.M. Brouillard in 19-2, and Brody in Todd and the Book of Pure Evil.
A dynamic voice actor as well, Petronijevic has brought life to numerous animated characters, including roles in Bakugan: Battle Planet, Total Drama Presents: The Ridonculous Race, and Beyblade: Metal Fusion, among many others.
Petronijevic recently stepped into the world of hosting with his first-ever hosting role in Crave’s original series Blue Collar. He also reprised his role as Backwoods in the third season of The Trades that filmed in Nova Scotia for the Crave network.
His critically acclaimed work has earned him a GLAAD Award for his role as Thad in Playmakers, along with six Canadian Screen Award nominations for his performances in 19-2, Cardinal, and The Trades.
Susan Kent
The Snake -
“Jamie” / Writer
Susan Kent is best known for her work on TRAILER PARK BOYS, as well as THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES in which she starred and wrote.
In addition to acting and writing for season three on THE TRADES, Kent has also appeared in many Canadian television series, including SON OF A CRITCH, PRETTY HARD CASES, HATCHING, MATCHING AND DISPATCHING, and THE KIDS IN THE HALL: DEATH COMES TO TOWN.
Kent's film credits include the Sundance smash Grown Up Movie Star, opposite Chelsea Peretti in Spinster, Hands That Bind with Paul Sparkes and multiple CSA nominee, Who's Yer Father, for which she was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Lead Performance.
Kent wrote and stars in the The Snake.
SHORTS FILMMAKERS IN ATTENDANCE
Amy Mielke & Brittney Gavin
Dough Man
Directors
Bailey Dockendorff
Wookalark
Director
Dawn Johnston
The Resident
Director
Eric Cerisano
What We Feed
Director
Janelle Sinclair
It's Harder Than You Think
Producer
Julien Cloutier
Noise Complaint
Director
Luise Docherty
Plant Parenthood
Director
Margaret Donahoe
Gal Pals
Director
Mel Hennigar
SHIRT!
Director
Sarah Swire
Walrus Inc.
Director
Taylor Olson
Something to Hold Onto
Director
Vanessa Tignanelli
Charlottetown's Cowboy
Director
Ana Starova
Plant Parenthood
Writer
Anna Hopkins
Full Circle
Director
Brandy Marien
ACCISMUS
Director
Dustin Harvey
Holiday
Director
Faran Moradi
Kasra
Director
Jeremy Thornhill
Sweet Pain
Director
Josiah Dyck
False Profits
Director
Justin Rix
It’s Harder Than You Think
Director
Justin Zoras
The Bookstore That Never Sleeps
Director
Malcolm MacMaster
Boys Night
Director
Rebecca E. Tremblay
Motherbaby Runs a Race
Director
Ryan Nesbitt
Swimmers
Director
Set Shuter
Lobster of Love
Director
Timothy Moore
Flying Turns
Director
COMEDIANS
Ben Stager
The Big 3
Talent
Ben Stager is an entertainer/comedian originally from Kitchener-Waterloo Ontario. He has appeared on CBC Radio, Canada's Got Talent and JFL Toronto. He is also one of the founding members of The Big 3.
Nathan Hare
The Big 3
Talent
Nathan Hare is a comedian, writer, and actor based in Toronto. As a stand-up he has recorded for a JFL Originals album, and was recently featured in a Vulture article alongside Marc Maron, Kyle Kinane, and Gary Gulman. He made his TV taping debut in Just For Laugh’s The New Wave of Stand Up, currently streaming on CBC Gem.
Sam Burns
The Big 3
Talent
Sam Burns is an electrifying stand-up comedian whose performances are a blend of off the cuff silliness, and relatable humor. Having toured across Canada, he has opened for the renowned Michelle Wolf and has been featured on Sirius XM and Just for Laughs. Sam’s comedic journey reached new heights with his debut stand-up special, "LMNOP," now available on YouTube. Audiences everywhere can’t get enough of his unique brand of comedy!
Matt Wright
Hot Dog Dynasty
Comedy/Artist
Matt Wright is a two time JUNO Award losing Canadian stand-up comedian, writer, and actor who has appeared on televised galas for Just For Laughs, CBC, and CTV. He played The Weatherman on Season 2 of Son of a Critch. He is also a talented host & emcee.
Matt has written for six seasons of This Hour Has 22 Minutes where he was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award, as well as two episodes of Still Standing.
His album “Vasectomy Baby” went to #2 on the iTunes Canadian Comedy charts and can be heard across North America on SiriusXM.
He is also an accomplished actor/director, Matt’s short film “Wife and Death” was an official selection at multiple film festivals and earned him the “Best Emerging Filmmaker” award at the 2016 Nickel Film Festival. His follow up film “Snowstorm Roulette” was chosen to compete in the CBC Short Film Faceoff, and was nominated for “Best International Comedy Short” at the Austin Comedy Short Film Festival.