Experience world class industry events this October 22-26th at our industry venue Cowork Chilliwack for panels + talks, and The Grand Hall for workshops. Explore the full schedule below + purchase your tickets to our panels, talks, workshops + pitch competition.
Join us for an intimate fireside talk with Patrick Brice, the visionary director behind the cult horror favorite Creep. Celebrating its 10 year anniversary, Brice will dive into the creative process behind crafting psychological terror on a shoestring budget and how collaboration with Mark Duplass shaped the film’s unsettling tone through improvisation. The talk will also explore how Creep helped propel Patrick's career and the projects he has work on since. Don't miss this candid discussion with one of indie horror's most innovative voices.
Once filmmakers break through the festival circuit, what comes next? This talk discusses the realities of sustaining a long-term career in film. From securing funding and distribution opportunities to navigating collaborations and adapting to new technologies, the conversation will provide practical insights into the evolving landscape of filmmaking. Geared toward emerging and mid-career creatives, this panel offers tools and strategies to move beyond the initial breakthrough and establish a lasting presence in the industry.
Learn how to take the next steps in your career + progress from short films to successful features that break big in the Canadian festival circuit. Avoid making costly mistakes + discover the best methods to transition from shorts to features from award winning filmmakers that have done it. Featuring Blumhouse director, Gigi Saul Guerrero, with several feature films + a host of award winning shorts under her belt, Mayumi Yoshida, whose debut Telefilm funded feature "AKASHI" world premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival this October, + Nach Dudsdeemaytha, an experienced producer whose credits include two Telefilm funded features + David Fincher's Netflix series Voir.
Join some of the top industry funders and organizations — Creative BC, Canada Media Fund (CMF) and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB),— for an essential conversation on how to finance your film. Whether you're an emerging filmmaker or a seasoned creator, this panel will break down the most effective strategies for securing development and production funding in Canada. Learn what these key institutions are looking for, how to navigate their application processes, and how to position your project for success in a competitive landscape. Bring your questions — the money is talking.
In today’s saturated media landscape, creating a great film is only half the battle—getting it seen is the other. Featuring representatives that have overseen PR for Academy Award nominated films such as Sugarcane. This dynamic panel brings together top representatives from leading PR firms to shed light on the crucial role of publicity in a film’s lifecycle. From festival launches to theatrical releases and streaming strategies, panelists will explore how targeted PR campaigns, press relationships, influencer outreach, and long-term branding can elevate a film and connect it with the right audience. Whether you're an emerging filmmaker or a seasoned producer, join us for insider insights, real-world case studies, and actionable tips on sustaining your film’s momentum beyond opening weekend.
Ever wondered how to pitch your own feature film projects? Come watch our final 10 teams pitch their feature films, live in front of a studio audience, for a chance at becoming our Telefilm Talent To Watch Nominee + $250,000 in funding for their first feature film. Plus the winner will receive $10,000 in-kind from Sunbelt Rentals. Each team will pitch their film + receive feedback afterwards. The perfect opportunity to learn how to pitch your own projects in the future..
Learn how to make money with your filmmaking skills. Being an indie filmmaker doesn’t have to mean living off instant noodles and unpaid passion projects forever. In this crash course, we’ll break down how to build a lean gear kit, what kinds of videos actually pay the bills, how to wrangle clients (and contracts), and how to turn your creative skills into a sustainable business. Perfect for filmmakers who love making art—but also enjoy eating food and paying rent.
Join acclaimed filmmaker Gigi Saul Guerrero—known for her bold visual style, fearless storytelling, and powerful actor collaborations—for an intensive industry workshop on Directing Actors. This hands-on session offers emerging and established directors a rare opportunity to dive deep into the creative and technical process of guiding performances that resonate on screen.
Understanding how to pitch your feature film + the methods behind selling it to markets is one of the best important skills as a filmmaker... so how do you do it? Industry experts Anelle Dehghani, Head of Sales at The Coven + the team behind the No 1 domestic hit Terrifier 3, and Reese Eveneshen, director of multiple feature films that have been acquired by Shudder, discuss the art of pitching your film, selling + marketing your film internationally, + getting the attention of producers and distribution companies from across the world.
Ever wondered how top festivals select and program feature films? Peek behind the curtain as we look to eliminate gatekeeping + provide practical advice on how to get into Academy Award qualifying film festivals. Learn the inside track on what makes feature films “hit” by leading experts from film festivals such as, Fantasia Film Festival (Canada Screen Award Qualifying) + Regard Film Festival (Academy Award qualifying), plus filmmaker + Festival Manager Kirk Cooper from Canadian distribution powerhouse Raven Banner Entertainment. Discover through the lens of top film festival directors and programmers the do’s and don’ts of making a film, the decision making processes that go into programming, + how best to ensure you make a film that will explode on the festival circuit.
Boldly reveals the key steps behind producing shorts that stand out—spotting the right project, building a strong foundation, stretching lean budgets, and positioning for festival success. What makes an award-winning short film? In this masterclass, Boldly shares the practical insights and creative strategies that have helped us bring bold, boundary-pushing shorts to life and onto the festival circuit. In a dynamic one-hour presentation (plus 30 minutes of Q&A), we’ll break down four essentials of our approach: 1. Spotting the Gold – How to identify a project with true breakout potential. 2. Locking It Down – The legal and financial frameworks that protect your production and set you up for success. 3. Making It Work on a Lean Budget – Script breakdowns, creative development, and maximizing limited resources. 4. Festival Strategy – Building the foundation to get your short noticed, programmed, and celebrated.
Don't miss this talk featuring Canadian actor William Belleau, best known for his roles in Killers of the Flower Moon + Eddington. Join us for an intimate and thought-provoking fireside talk with acclaimed actor William Belleau, known for his powerful performances in Killers of the Flower Moon, The Last of Us, and Eddington. In this special session, Belleau shares insights into his journey as an Indigenous actor in Hollywood, the importance of authentic representation, and the evolving landscape of storytelling for Indigenous communities. From the challenges of breaking into the industry to working alongside visionary directors like Martin Scorsese + Ari Aster, Belleau reflects on the roles that have shaped his career and the responsibilities that come with them. This conversation offers a rare opportunity to engage with Belleau’s personal experiences, cultural heritage, and creative vision in a relaxed, fireside setting.