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The 2026 Reelworld Summit will feature two days of panels, keynote speeches, industry discussions, fireside chats, pitch opportunities, awards presentations, and breakfast/luncheon networking.
SUMMIT SCHEDULE
10/20/26, 10:30 AM
to
10:50 AM
Courtyard Ballroom
Join producer, writer, actress and screen-industry entrepreneur Joanne Jansen for the 2026 Reelworld Summit keynote. As CEO of BIG Picture and co-founder of Ron & Aussie Productions, Jansen has built a career spanning production, distribution and performance.
Alongside Ron Dias, she wrote and produced Bite of a Mango, winner of Reelworld's 2022 Audience Choice Award, and Morningside, which she also starred in and which drew two sold-out screenings at the 2024 Festival. Hear her career journey and gain insights into building screen businesses, bringing stories to audiences and creating your own opportunities in the industry.
Joanne Jansen
10/20/26, 11:00 AM
to
12:30 PM
Alexander Room
This Face2Face is designed to provide summit delegates with the opportunity to meet with key industry decision makers, producers, executives, and funders in a 1-on-1 setting.
SLOT SIGN UP REQUIRED.
ACCESS CODE: Code will be available on October 14th
James Weyman
Sharon Stevens
Melissa Amer
10/20/26, 11:00 AM
to
11:45 AM
Courtyard Ballroom
sponsored by
CMF; ACTRA
Recent disruptions have made one thing clear: Canada must strengthen its ability to build audiences for its own stories, both at home and around the world. We have the talent, creators, and extraordinary stories—but not enough infrastructure connecting them with the audiences who could become their greatest advocates. This panel delves into the Reelworld Phase 1 report Findings and Strategic Framework of building a Star System for English Canada, funded by Canada Media Fund. The report maps the ecosystem surrounding English-Canadian screen talent and identifies the gaps limiting actors’ visibility and audience growth. Get a first look at the report and explore what it will take to turn Canadian talent into household names.
Mansa Chintoh
K.C. Collins
Lauren Jacob
Seema Jethalal
Tonya Williams
10/20/26, 11:45 AM
to
11:50 AM
Courtyard Ballroom
Performers bring Canadian stories to life, but what conditions allow their careers to thrive? Based on a survey of nearly 1,000 performers, Shifting the Lens explores economic insecurity, representation, workplace culture, visibility, career development, and AI, creating a shared evidence base to help strengthen Canada’s screen sector for the future.
Diego Briceño
10/20/26, 12:00 PM
to
12:30 PM
Courtyard Ballroom
Reelworld's Next Up! Filmmaker Showcase gives five exciting producers and writers a chance to take the stage and share their upcoming projects. They'll pitch to a room full of peers, developers, and potential financiers with the goal of finding collaborators and new partnerships.
This is a chance for Summit attendees to discover new projects and see what's next in Canadian storytelling.
Jezabel Bamberg
Aidan Cheeatow
10/20/26, 12:20 PM
to
12:50 PM
Spadina Room
With years of experience financing Canadian film and television, Tinu Sinha brings a practical perspective to navigating tax credits, financing structures, and international production. This session will unpack how international tax credits work, what producers need to consider when structuring projects across borders, and how these incentives can impact financing, production, and distribution.
Tinu Sinha
10/20/26, 1:45 PM
to
2:15 PM
Spadina Room
sponsored by
Innercity Films
Two perspectives. Two practical takeaways. 20 points for navigating international co-production.
International co-productions require filmmakers to navigate both the creative realities of working across borders and the business structures that make those collaborations possible. Drawing on his experience as both a director and producer, Alfons Adetuyi will share two practical 10-point takeaways: one focused on the director’s perspective — creative vision, collaboration, cultural considerations and the realities of shooting in another country — and one focused on the producer’s perspective — partnerships, financing, deal-making, MOUs and engaging international co-production partners. Together, the two perspectives offer practical insight into how the creative and business sides of an international co-production work together, from the initial creative vision through to production and international partnership.
Alfons Adetuyi
10/20/26, 2:00 PM
to
3:30 PM
Alexander Room
This Face2Face is designed to provide summit delegates with the opportunity to meet with key industry decision makers, producers, executives, and funders in a 1-on-1 setting.
SLOT SIGN UP REQUIRED.
ACCESS CODE: Code will be available on October 14th
Courtney Dobbins
James Weyman
Pino Halili
Zlatina Pacheva
10/20/26, 2:00 PM
to
2:45 PM
Courtyard Ballroom
sponsored by
Rogers Group of Funds
In a crowded content market, recognizable IP can be a powerful tool for driving audience engagement and watchability. This panel explores how producers and development teams identify stories with built-in fan bases by tracking signals from platforms like TikTok and Goodreads. Panelists will discuss how to approach authors and rights holders, navigate the adaptation process, and evaluate which properties can translate into formats such as series, procedurals, and game shows across different markets.
Rama Diallo
Aron Levitz
Daniel Iron
10/20/26, 2:45 PM
to
3:15 PM
Spadina Room
sponsored by
Hollywood Suite
Join Hollywood Suite for a candid conversation about their strategies to help producers best prepare their pitches and what to expect working with the broadcaster. The session will explore the opportunities for Canadian producers working with the broadcaster and include everything from the pitch process, marketing, funding paths, and guidance to seeing their films aspirations being achieved.
Sharon Stevens
Suzanne Marshall
10/20/26, 3:00 PM
to
3:45 PM
Courtyard Ballroom
sponsored by
Telefilm Canada
Great marketing starts with the right strategy and the right resources. This panel brings together funders, Telefilm, and data experts to explore how Canadian screen companies can access marketing funds, use audience insights, and build smarter strategies to get their projects seen and make an impact.
Brian Mullen
Danish Vahidy
Lalita Krishna
Kelly-Ann Jones
Julian Carrington
10/21/26, 9:00 AM
to
10:30 AM
Alexander Room
This Face2Face is designed to provide summit delegates with the opportunity to meet with key industry decision makers, producers, executives, and funders in a 1-on-1 setting.
SLOT SIGN UP REQUIRED.
ACCESS CODE: Code will be available on October 14th
Karen Tsang
Alexandra Guccione
Chloe Sosa-Sims
Lana Maclin
Larissa Mair
10/21/26, 10:00 AM
to
10:45 AM
Courtyard Ballroom
The discussion will examine the significance of Alliance Lumière and what its development signals for Canada’s film and screen sector. It will explore how initiatives of this scale can strengthen international connections, create new opportunities for Canadian creators and institutions, and elevate Canadian talent and stories within an increasingly interconnected global cultural landscape, while fostering collaboration, visibility, and long-term growth.
Andrew Mcann Smith
Francesca Accinelli
10/21/26, 10:50 AM
to
11:20 AM
Spadina Room
The ReFrame Collective brought together Women of Colour in leadership positions across the screen sector to discuss shared challenges, identify collective priorities, and explore what is needed to support women of colour in building and sustaining careers in leadership.
Drawing on the Collective’s work and ReFrame’s broader goals, this session will examine the structures, relationships, and institutional supports that can create stronger pathways to leadership, career mobility, and retention for Black, Indigenous, and Women of Colour professionals.
10/21/26, 11:00 AM
to
11:45 AM
Courtyard Ballroom
sponsored by
DGC; WGC
When you are both the writer and director, understanding what to prioritize for the story can be difficult. This conversation explores the journey of finding your voice, discovering the stories you want to tell, and translating your vision from the page to the screen. Expect an honest look at creative control, trial and error, and the sometimes messy process of becoming a writer-director.
Zarrar Khan
Archita Ghosh
Karen Chapman
Ian Bawa
Yung Chang
10/21/26, 11:00 AM
to
12:30 PM
Alexander Room
This Face2Face is designed to provide summit delegates with the opportunity to meet with key industry decision makers, producers, executives, and funders in a 1-on-1 setting.
SLOT SIGN UP REQUIRED.
ACCESS CODE: Code will be available on October 14th
Adam Feigen
Stephanie Bleakley
Alex Best
Andrew Mcann Smith
Ariel Yang
10/21/26, 11:55 AM
to
12:25 PM
Courtyard Ballroom
sponsored by
ISO
As the Canadian screen industry continues to prioritize equity and inclusion, there is an opportunity to have a more nuanced conversation about what true collaboration across communities looks like. "Solidarity Without Sameness" explores how Indigenous, Black, Asian, racialized, disabled, and other underrepresented creators can advocate together while acknowledging that their histories, barriers, and aspirations are not identical.
Ann Shin
James J. Yi
Amos Adetuyi
Melanie Hadley
10/21/26, 2:00 PM
to
3:30 PM
Alexander Room
Leaders from the Canadian Racial Screen Leaders Collective will meet for a closed roundtable. This session provides an opportunity for racial equity organizations working in the screen sector to share priorities, successes, and challenges directly with funders, and to hear from funders about their current directions. The discussion will help inform ongoing dialogue around systemic barriers, operational sustainability, and equitable investment in Indigenous and racialized-led organizations.
10/21/26, 2:00 PM
to
2:45 PM
Courtyard Ballroom
sponsored by
AFBS
Talent and connections may open doors, but sustaining a creative career requires more than landing the next big gig. This practical conversation will help actors and creators think beyond their next opportunity and build greater financial and professional stability. Learn how to structure your creative business, AFBS benefits available to actors, legal considerations, and make informed decisions that support a lasting career in an unpredictable industry.
Tanya Arora
Kevin Mayers
Cheryl Grossman
Prem Gill
10/21/26, 2:00 PM
to
3:30 PM
Alexander Room
This Face2Face is designed to provide summit delegates with the opportunity to meet with key industry decision makers, producers, executives, and funders in a 1-on-1 setting.
SLOT SIGN UP REQUIRED.
ACCESS CODE: Code will be available on October 14th
Brenda Nietupski
Dora Fong
Ilana Miller
Andrew Kelly
Ryan Greig
10/21/26, 3:00 PM
to
3:45 PM
Courtyard Ballroom
sponsored by
Blue Ant Media
What makes storytelling in animation different? This panel explores the unique creative language of the medium, from visual comedy and physical performance to character acting, dialogue, world-building, and the rhythm of a sequence. It will also look at how different production approaches shape the way stories are developed and brought to life. How do visual storytellers find the right approach for each story, and how can the production process become part of the storytelling itself?
Sam Chou
Dianna Basso
Ruby Lee
Trevor Hierons
Stephen Sloan
10/21/26, 4:00 PM
to
5:30 PM
Alexander Room
This Face2Face is designed to provide summit delegates with the opportunity to meet with key industry decision makers, producers, executives, and funders in a 1-on-1 setting.
SLOT SIGN UP REQUIRED.
ACCESS CODE: Code will be available on October 14th
Ann Shin
Jeff Vanderwal
Katie Nolan
Lindsay Tapscott
Krishna Kolanupaka
10/21/26, 4:00 PM
to
4:45 PM
Courtyard Ballroom
Filmmakers are increasingly developing projects with multiple formats and markets in mind from the outset. A single documentary project might become a feature film, a television film, and a limited series—each shaped for a different audience, platform, or territory. Join filmmakers and producers as they navigate this evolving process, exploring what changes across formats and markets while building flexibility into a project without losing its creative core.
Shant Joshi
Maya Bastian
John Tan
Rico King
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