Elevate your career in screen-based industries. On Friday, March 20th, take part in inspiring talks, networking, and skill-building to connect with industry leaders and expand your opportunities. Then, on Saturday, March 21st, learn about current and future job opportunities at the Ottawa Film Office Career Fair.
Screen Summit is presented in partnership with:
Friday, March 20, 2026
Screen Summit 2026 Program
Alma Duncan Salon, Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG), 10 Daly Ave. (Level 3)
Producers Networking Breakfast, presented by Affinity Production Group
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Start the day with an informal, producers-only networking breakfast bringing together local producers, funders, and development executives. Freestyle tables encourage relaxed conversations, new connections, and early-stage discussions in a low-pressure setting.
To view the Industry Professionals attending Screen Summit, use the Screen Summit Eventival Portal after pass purchase and view the Who Is Here section.
Filmmaker POV: DIY Funding, presented by Welch LLP
10:15 am - 11:15 am
Presented by Welch LLP, this panel breaks down how producers are financing projects outside and within traditional systems. From crowdfunding, investors, and arts grants to municipal and hybrid funding models, speakers share real strategies, hard lessons, and practical takeaways for getting projects off the ground.
Speakers:
Christopher Redmond, Director & Writer, Distant Red Pictures
Lynda Hall, Artist & Filmmaker, IFFO Shorts Selection NANCY
and more to be announced!
Moderator:
Nickie Shobeiry, Founder, Big Good Studios
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: One-on-one Meetings - Session 1/2
DIY Producing Made-in-Ottawa Feature Films
11:45 am - 12:45 pm
This case-study driven session spotlights two recent feature films produced in Ottawa: ET MAINTENANT! by ATO Media, and IT COMES IN WAVES by Zargara Productions and Lenz Films. Featuring producer Kristel Viduka (ET MAINTENANT! ) and director Fitch Jean with producer Amir Zargara (IT COMES IN WAVES), the panel explores fundraising, local crews, production challenges, and the creative advantages of building ambitious features in Ottawa.
Speakers:
Kristel Viduka, president and producer, ATO Media, ET MAINTENANT!
Fitch Jean, Filmmaker, Exalta Productions, IT COMES IN WAVES, director
Amir Zargara, Filmmaker, Lenz Films, IT COMES IN WAVES, producer
Moderator:
Sandrine Pechels de Saint Sardos, CEO & Commissioner, Ottawa Film Office
Networking Lunch, presented by the Ottawa Film Office
12:45 pm - 1:45 pm
The networking lunch offers participants dedicated time to continue conversations sparked throughout the morning sessions. Designed to encourage cross-sector connections, it provides a relaxed environment for producers, creatives, and industry representatives to connect and exchange ideas.
Distribution 101: Getting Your Film Seen, Your Way
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Distribution doesn’t start at the final cut or end at the festival premiere. This panel dives into self-distribution, touring films, audience-building, and marketing strategies that help independent filmmakers reach viewers on their own terms, both on and offline.
Speakers:
Hal Hartley, Filmmaker, IFFO Features selection, WHERE TO LAND
Conor DeVries, Filmmaker, IFFO Shorts selection, L’ATELIER MARTINEAU
Jamie Hammond, Senior Marketing Advisor, Impact and Audience Engagement, National Film Board of Canada
and more to be announced!
Moderator:
Hoda Elatawi, President / Producer, GAPC Entertainment Inc.
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: One-on-one Meetings - Session 2/2
Filmmaking in Online Spaces
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
As audiences increasingly discover films through online platforms, filmmakers are expanding how and where stories live. This panel explores filmmaking across digital spaces, including YouTube, social media, branded campaigns, apps, and broadcaster-led online strategies, looking at how original IP, commercial storytelling, and traditional widescreen work are being developed, marketed, and monetized for online audiences.
Networking Cocktail Reception, presented by Welch LLP
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
The day concludes with a networking cocktail reception presented by Welch LLP and bringing together Screen Summit participants, speakers, and partners. This informal reception provides space to unwind, exchange contacts, and continue conversations sparked throughout the day.
One-on-One Meetings
Screen Summit attendees can benefit from one-on-one networking opportunities with industry professionals, including development executives, buyers, funders, broadcasters, and filmmakers. Before the event, attendees can request private afternoon 10-minute meetings with the executives of their choice.
All meeting requests are made in the Meeting Planner booking system within the Screen Summit Eventival Portal after pass purchase.
See the confirmed Industry Professionals taking meetings at Screen Summit 2026 so far.
Key 2026 Dates:
Friday, March 6, at noon: The Meeting Planner will open to Professional Screen Summit Pass holders.
Friday, March 13, at noon: The Meeting Planner will open to Student Pass holders.
Sunday, March 15, at 11:59 pm: The Meeting Planner will close.
At Screen Summit:
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: One-on-one Meetings - Session 1/2
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: One-on-one Meetings - Session 2/2
Screen Summit Passes
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The Screen Summit Professional Pass includes:
Access to four talks with guest speakers and Q&A opportunities on Fri Mar 20th
Producers Networking Breakfast with informal meet and greet
One-on-one meeting opportunities with industry contacts
Networking Lunch with catering
Networking Cocktail Reception
IFFO Tote Bag
10% off the full IFFO Pass
OFO Career Fair at Ottawa Art Gallery (Sat Mar 21st, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm)
PLUS:
Access to the following IFFO screenings and events:
Canadian Masters with Philippe Falardeau (Wed Mar 18th, 7:00 pm)
SAVE AS (Thurs Mar 19th, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm) + all IFFO Classics restoration screenings
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The Screen Summit Student Pass includes:
Access to 4 Talks with guest speakers and Q&A opportunities on Fri Mar 20th
One-on-one meeting opportunities with industry contacts
Networking Lunch with catering
Networking Cocktail Reception
IFFO Tote Bag
10% off the full IFFO Pass
OFO Career Fair at Ottawa Art Gallery
(Sat Mar 21st, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm)
PLUS:
Access to the following IFFO screenings and events:
Canadian Masters with Philippe Falardeau
Wed Mar 18th, 7:00 pm
SAVE AS (Thurs Mar 19th, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm) + all IFFO Classics restoration screenings
-
The subsidized Screen Summit Professional Pass includes:
Access to four talks with guest speakers and Q&A opportunities on Fri Mar 20th
Producers Networking Breakfast with informal meet and greet
One-on-one meeting opportunities with industry contacts
Networking Lunch with catering
Networking Cocktail Reception
IFFO Tote Bag
10% off the full IFFO Pass
OFO Career Fair at Ottawa Art Gallery
(Sat Mar 21st, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm)
PLUS:
Access to the following IFFO screenings and events:
Canadian Masters with Philippe Falardeau
Wed Mar 18th, 7:00 pm
SAVE AS (Thurs Mar 19th, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm) + all IFFO Classics restoration screenings
About Screen Summit:
Screen Summit is dedicated to connecting and inspiring Ottawa’s thriving screen-based industries. As part of the International Film Festival of Ottawa (IFFO), Screen Summit brings together established, mid-level, and emerging professionals to address topics relevant to all industry professionals and help build Ottawa's local film production industry. Read more about previous editions here.
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Ottawa Film Office Career Fair
9:00 am - 1:00 pm / Alma Duncan Salon, Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG), 10 Daly Ave. (Level 3)
Attend and meet local production companies, animation studios, and other industry professionals to learn about current and future job opportunities and what they look for in new hires. Register for a free ticket here.