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:
Screen Summit 2026 is sold out!
Friday, March 20, 2026
Alma Duncan Salon, Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG), 10 Daly Ave. (Level 3)
Screen Summit 2026 Program
Producers Networking Breakfast, presented by Affinity Production Group
9:00 am - 10:00 am
*Breakfast access for Screen Summit Professional Pass holders only*
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.
Opening Remarks
10:15 am
Kyle O'Byrne, Director, Public Affairs, Canada Media Fund (CMF)
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
Joan Prowse, Producer/Director, CineFocus Canada Productions
Moderator:
Nickie Shobeiry, Founder, Big Good Studios
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: One-on-one Meetings - Session 1/2
Participating Companies:
Affinity Productions AMI APTN ATO Media Inc. Big Good Studios Canada Media Fund (CMF) CBC CineFocus Canada Productions Dark Slope Productions Distant Red Pictures Exalta Productions GAPC Entertainment Inc Hallmark Media National Film Board of Canada (NFB) Play Productions Reelshort Rezolution Pictures International Serial Maven Studios TVO Media Education Group Ottawa Film Office (OFO)
DIY Producing Made-in-Ottawa Feature Films, presented by TFO
11:45 am - 12:45 pm
This case-study driven session spotlights two recent feature films produced in Ottawa: ET MAINTENANT ? by ATO Media Inc., and IT COMES IN WAVES by Zargara Productions and Exalta Productions. 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 Inc., ET MAINTENANT ?
Fitch Jean, Filmmaker, Exalta Productions, IT COMES IN WAVES, director
Amir Zargara, Filmmaker, Zargara Productions, 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.
Lunch and Learn: Spotlight on Dark Slope Virtual Production Studio
1:25 pm - 1:45 pm
Join Atoosa Mohajer, Development Executive from Dark Slope Studios as she presents an inside look at its advanced virtual production studio and immersive workflow, showcasing how real-time tools are transforming film and series creation. This lunch and learn session will also highlight the company’s newly launched Creator Studio Challenge, offering production support and studio access to help creators develop ambitious, high-quality projects.
Guest Speaker:
Atoosa Mohajer, Development Executive, Dark Slope
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:
Conor DeVries, Filmmaker, IFFO Shorts selection, L’ATELIER MARTINEAU
Jamie Hammond, Senior Marketing Advisor, Impact and Audience Engagement, National Film Board of Canada
Michelle McIver, Co-Founder & Head of Business Development, FootStomp Productions Inc., FootStomp Productions Inc.
Stephanie Wilson Chapin, Strategic Partner Lead, TV & Film, Sports & News, YouTube
Moderator:
Hoda Elatawi, President / Producer, GAPC Entertainment Inc.
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: One-on-one Meetings - Session 2/2
Participating Companies:
Affinity Productions AMI APTN ATO Media Inc. Big Good Studios Canada Media Fund (CMF) CBC Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office (CAVCO) CineFocus Canada Productions Dark Slope Productions Distant Red Pictures Exalta Productions GAPC Entertainment Inc Hallmark Media National Film Board of Canada (NFB) Play Productions Reelshort Rezolution Pictures International Serial Maven Studios TVO Media Education Group Ottawa Film Office (OFO)
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.
Speakers:
Megan Peckford, Director, Marketing, Ottawa Tourism, MAGIC ON SET
Keri-Lee Kroeger, Project Manager, Reelshort
Aidan Denison, TVO Docs Programmer and Production Executive, TVO Media Education Group
Moderator:
Maissa Houri, Producer & Actor
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.
Screen Summit 2026 is sold out!
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, 6:30pm)
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, 6:30 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, 6:30 pm)
SAVE AS (Thurs Mar 19th, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm) + all IFFO Classics restoration screenings
Screen Summit 2026 is sold out!
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.