8:00 am to 9:00 am

EPIC Symposium + Creating Connections 3.0 Registration

9:00 am – 9:30 am

Tanya Talaga

Award-Winning Journalist & Author | Seven Fallen Feathers, The Knowing

Tanya Talaga is an award-winning Anishinaabe journalist and author. Through her bestselling books, acclaimed documentaries, podcasts and powerful keynotes, Talaga aims to amplify Indigenous voices and stories across Canada and the world. Talaga is a born storyteller, who is passionate about education reform and a more inclusive and equitable future.

Talaga is of Anishinaabe and Polish descent. She is a proud member of Fort William First Nation, in the Robinson-Superior Treaty territory and her maternal family has ties to Treaty 9. Her father was Polish-Canadian. For more than 20 years, Talaga was a journalist at the Toronto Star and is now a regular columnist at the Globe and Mail. In 2021, she was part of the Globe team that won the Michener Award in public service journalism for reporting on the Catholic Church’s efforts to avoid responsibility regarding Indian Residential Schools, and the pursuit of an apology from Pope Francis. She has been part of teams that won two National Newspaper Awards for Project of the Year while at The Star.

Talaga is the author of three national bestsellers. Her first book, Seven Fallen Feathers, won the 2018 RBC Taylor Prize, the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing, and the First Nation Communities Read Award: Young Adult/Adult. Her second book, All Our Relations: Finding a Path Forward, was a finalist for the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Nonfiction Prize and for the British Academy’s Nayef Al-Rodhan Prize for Global Cultural Understanding. Her third book, The Knowing, retells the history of this country as only she can—through an Indigenous lens, beginning with the life of her great-great grandmother Annie Carpenter and her family, as they experienced decades of government- and Church-sanctioned enfranchisement and genocide. The Knowing is a seminal unravelling of the centuries-long oppression of Indigenous People that continues to reverberate in these communities today. It is the focus of a four-part, CBC docuseries that Tanya co-directed and co-wrote, which was awarded the 2024 Playback’s Directors of the Year and Best Writers at the 2025 Canadian Screen Awards.

Talaga is the founder of Makwa Creative Inc. a production company formed to elevate Indigenous voices and stories through podcasts and documentary films, including the Canadian Screen Award nominated War For The Woods, and Mashkawi-Manidoo Bimaadiziwin Spirit to Soar that received the ”Audience Award” for best mid-length documentary at the Hot Docs Canadian International Film Festival. In 2025, the documentary, Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising (director – Shane Belcourt), premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Tanya co-wrote and produced this story of a youth-led Indigenous land reclamation in Anicinabe Park ON. She is also the executive producer of the podcast, Auntie Up! made for Indigenous women by Indigenous women. Talaga holds five honorary doctorates. She was the 2017/2018 Atkinson Fellow in Public Policy, and in 2018, was the first Anishinaabe woman to be the CBC Massey Lecturer. Talaga is the recipient of the 2025 Canadian Journalism Federation Tribute which recognizes media luminaries who have made an exceptional journalistic impact on the international stage.

CBC, DOC Institute & BIPOC TV & Film

SPONSORED BY :   

9:30 am to 10:30 am

This opening discussion invites established changemakers to reflect on how ideas once seen as radical or disruptive are now shaping real initiatives, funding programs, and institutional practices. It sets the tone for future-forward conversations at EPIC.
 

Moderator

Lalita Krishna  

Lalita Krishna has been producing and directing  documentaries through her company, for over 20 years, In Sync Media. Her work has been featured on all major networks and showcased at film festivals worldwide. Lalita’s documentaries have received acclaim for highlighting important issues and often serve as a catalyst for social change.

Lalita has been a keynote speaker at several conferences and has led media literacy workshops She has been invited to present at Co-Pro-Documentary Marketing Foundation, Tel Aviv, Durban International Film Festival, and at Silver Docs, Washington, DC.

Lalita is the writer and producer of Bangla Surf Girls, which had its world premiere at the Hot Docs International Film Festival and has been screened at over 50 international festivals, winning 18 international awards. Her documentary Fear of Dancing, a co-production between Quebec and Ontario, follows a chorophobe as he travels the globe confronting his worst nightmare; it premiered on the Documentary Channel and CBC’s Gem. Additionally, she produced Untying the Knot, which chronicles the journey of a survivor of a brutal domestic assault and premiered on CBC’s Documentary Channel.

In addition to multiple awards for her productions, Lalita is also the winner of the 2021 Don Haig award given by Hot Docs to a producer who has made significant contribution through their body of work, the 2013 Crystal Award for mentorship given by WIFT(Women in Film and Television), the Trailblazer(2012) award given by the Reel World Film Festival and is the recipient of the Dream Catcher award given by the Hope and Dreams Festival NJ, for using her craft to better humanity.

Lalita is a passionate advocate for diversity and representation in media, dedicating countless volunteer hours as the Co-Chair of the CISF, as the former Co-Chair of the Hot Docs International Film Festival and as the former Co-Chair of DOC Ontario, which operates the DOC Institute.

For more details of her productions please go to www.insyncmedia.ca

 Panelists

John Seongho Choi

JOHN SEONGHO CHOI  is an award-winning Canadian Korean filmmaker with over 25 years of experience as a filmmaker. His work has been featured on major platforms such as Netflix Originals, Prime, YouTube Originals, CBC, NHK Japan, SBS Australia, and more. Throughout his career, John has worked on a wide range of projects, from independent films to Hollywood studio productions, commercials, and music videos. He is passionate about filmmaking and brings a unique, authentic, and meaningful perspective to every project.

John’s directorial accomplishments were recognized with the 2024 Canadian Screen Award for Best Direction – Documentary Series for “DARK SIDE OF COMEDY.” His other recent projects include the A&E series “THE ELEVEN,” CBC The Nature of Things “Beavers From Above” and feature documentaries “LOST & FOUND,” “K-POP EVOLUTION,” and the Netflix Original series “THE RAINCOAT KILLER.”

Ngardy Conteh George

Ngardy Conteh George is an award-winning Sierra Leonean-Canadian director, producer, and editor celebrated for her compelling storytelling and commitment to elevating underrepresented voices, particularly from the African Diaspora. As co-founder of OYA Media Group, she creates thought-provoking content that deepens understanding of diverse cultural experiences. Her recent works include the critically acclaimed docu-series’ Black Community Mixtapes,’ which won three Canadian Screen Awards in 2024, and ‘Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story,’ which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. She also produced the two-time Canadian Screen Award-winning documentary ‘Mr. Jane and Finch’ (CBC) and ‘The Flying Stars’ (CBC, NHK, DR, Al-Jazeera). In 2024, she received the CMPA’s Kevin Tierney Emerging Producer Award.

11:00 am to 12:00 pm 

Join us for an insightful panel discussion with some of BIPOC TV & Film’s alumni as they talk about the role BIPOC TV & Film’s programs have played in their careers, as well as the career paths that have led them to work on various CBC projects, from Scripted to Unscripted and Kids programming.

Moderator: Nathalie Younglai

Nathalie Younglai

Is a writer and director with a passionate focus on marginalized communities and underrepresented stories. She was showrunner on Hello (Again) (CBC Gem), which she co-created with Simu Liu, and writer/Co-Executive Producer on Coroner (CBC/CW). Notable credits include Recipe for Romance (CW/Crave), The Spencer Sisters (CW/CTV), Ruby and the Well (Family Channel) and helped develop Essex County (CBC) and Gangnam Project (CBC).

Nathalie founded BIPOC TV & Film, a nonprofit advocating the meaningful representation of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour in front and behind the camera.

Nathalie took her parents to the 2019 Daytime Emmy’s after being nominated for her writing on Dino Dana. She was the honoured recipient of the 2020 CSA Humanitarian Award; the WGC Alex Barris Mentorship Award; and named one of NOW Magazine’s 2020 Trailblazers; and The Globe and Mail’s 22 Changemakers in Canadian Film and TV in 2022.

Panelists: Robina Lord Stafford,  Richard Young and Camille Lawrence

Robina Lord-Stafford

Robina Lord-Stafford is an award-winning and CSA-nominated Screenwriter and Producer who has established herself as a powerful voice in Canadian television. A Creator and Showrunner of CBC’s hit series, SAINT-PIERRE, her impressive writing and producing portfolio also spans multiple acclaimed series such as WILD CARDS, PRETTY HARD CASES, MOONSHINE and BLOOD & WATER. Lord-Stafford has demonstrated her commitment to crafting compelling stories while championing meaningful diversity and representation both in front of and behind the camera.

An alumnae of BIPOC TV&FILM/CBC/CFC’s Showrunner Catalyst Program, and recognized as one of REEL World’s Emerging 20, Lord-Stafford is dedicated to paying forward her Industry expertise. She has mentored diverse and female-identifying screenwriters through several prominent initiatives, including the Pacific Screenwriting Program, BIPOC TV&FILM, Canfro’s Showrunner Bootcamp, and The Writers Lab. 

Richard Young

From a South Asian (Indo-Caribbean) background, Richard Young is a two-time Canadian Screen Award-winning writer and actor. Writing credits: “Overlord and the Underwoods” (CBC/Nickelodeon), “Dino Ranch” (CBC/Disney+), “16 Hudson” (TVO), “Sudden Master” (OMNI) & “Maternal” (CBC Reflections). Writing accolades: Coverfly RED List, ScreenCraft Sci-Fi and Fantasy Screenwriting Competition Finalist, JFL ComedyPRO Pitch Finalist & Austin Film Festival Screenplay Semifinalist. “Rising Tide”, the short film he wrote that won the US-based Tasveer-Netflix Film Fund, will shoot in 2026.

Acting credits: “Malcolm In The Middle: Life’s Still Unfair” (Disney+), “Saint-Pierre” (CBC), “Allegiance” (CBC), “Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent” (CityTV), “Transplant” (NBC) & “Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora” (Ubisoft).

Richard serves as an AFBS Governor and served as the ACTRA Toronto Treasurer, focusing on diversity and inclusion. Before disappointing his immigrant parents by pursuing the arts, Richard earned a BSc. (Honours) in Psychology (Queen’s University) and an MBA (York University: Schulich). 

Camille’s original work has earned top recognition, including a Gold Telly Award for The Black Business Catalyst Project, spotlighting entrepreneurship, and a Gold Summit International Award for Period Conversations, a campaign tackling menstrual stigma through education. Her favourite place to be is beside the camera interviewing or developing fresh ideas. Camille is a proud alum of the 2023 BIPOC TV & Film Unscripted Producers Lab.

SPONSORED BY :   

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

This panel spotlights movers and shakers who are transforming Canada’s screen-based industries through equity-driven and community-centred approaches. These changemakers are innovating, reshaping the system and creating alternative pathways, centring accessibility and inclusion in their work.

The discussion will explore how intersectionality informs equity work and how new organizations and models address disability inclusion, and accessibility by redefining what sustainable, inclusive industry change can look like.

The panel will include the Disability Screen Office (DSO)  as a new organizational model that centres disabled creatives and advocates structural reform. The newly established Muslim Media Hub that empowers Muslims in the media industry and Occupy All Spaces uplifting Black artists in Newfoundland and Labrador, fostering diversity and representation in the film industry.

Moderator

Yazmeen Kanji ( Films With A Cause – Toronto)

Yazmeen Kanji is an award-winning Muslim Indo-Caribbean filmmaker, equity and inclusion  consultant, and the founder of Films With A Cause, a consultancy dedicated to fostering  authentic on-screen representation. Formerly the Advocacy and Outreach Lead at BIPOC TV &  Film, Yazmeen has advanced systemic change across Canada’s screen industry. 

As a fellow of Inspirit Foundation’s Narrative Change Lab, she helped develop a framework  for narrative change focused on the impact potential for Muslims in media. Through Films With  A Cause, she launched Back to Ones at CMPA’s 2025 Prime Time—a groundbreaking guide on  leveraging cultural consultants to create resonant, economically impactful stories. Funded by Inspirit Foundation, with BIPOC TV & Film as a community partner, Back to Ones is endorsed  by the Disability Screen Office and the Writers Guild of Canada. Yazmeen continues to lead national discussions on narrative change, advocating for specific, meaningful portrayals of equity-deserving communities.

Panelists

Ife Alaba (Occupy All Spaces – Newfoundland) 

Ife Alaba, a dynamic professional in the entertainment and film industry, currently resides in St. Johns. With a multicultural background being born in Nigeria and growing up in South Africa, Ife has made significant contributions to productions, specializing in background casting for both local and network shows. Her discerning eye for talent, evident both on and off camera, has crafted authentic and inclusive portrayals in storytelling. In addition to her independent film work, Ife serves as a journalist for CBC NL. Her role involves not only providing insightful coverage but also contributing to the rich narrative of CBC NL.  As the Director of the Occupy All Spaces, Ife passionately advocates for equal opportunities for black creatives in Newfoundland & Labrador. She is also on the board of WIFT-AT, where she is one of two that represent Newfoundland and Labrador.  She is an 8-time Music NL nominee, Ife’s versatile talents extend to the music scene, showcasing her diverse artistic contributions. 

Safiyyah Ally (Muslim Media Hub – Mississauga) 

Safiyyah Ally is a creative producer, writer, and founder of Muslim Media Hub, an organization advancing Muslim representation and cultivating a new generation of storytellers in Canada’s film and media industry. Through training labs, original productions, and partnerships with broadcasters and funders, she’s helping build the infrastructure for Muslim voices to thrive on and off screen. Safiyyah holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Toronto and brings a deep understanding of culture, identity, and social change to her work. Her vision is simple but bold: a Canadian media landscape where Muslims are not just included, but influential in shaping the stories that define us all.

Prasanna Ranganathan  (Disability Screen Office –Toronto)

In his nearly 20 years as: a human rights lawyer; diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging (DEIAB) advisor; filmmaker; speaker; and writer, Prasanna Ranganathan works tirelessly to build a more accessible, inclusive world for communities across all dimensions of diversity.  As the founder of Prasanna Ranganathan Consulting (a DEIAB consultancy), the former Head of Diversity and Belonging at Shopify, and a human rights lawyer with experience at the Department of Justice Canada, Federal Judicial Affairs Canada, the Independent Street Checks Review, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, and the United Nations Development Programme, Prasanna has embedded DEIAB best practices into organizations, programs, and institutions in over 15 countries worldwide.  

His volunteer work as a Founding Board Member of the Disability Screen Office (which seeks to make Canada’s screen industry more accessible and inclusive), a past board member of Inside/Out Film Festival (Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQIA+ film festival), and his previous work on the Justice Canada Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities exemplify his commitment to DEIAB and inclusive storytelling. Recognizing the power of storytelling to drive change, Prasanna is a Consulting Producer on Born for Business, a 10-episode docuseries on disabled entrepreneurs (airing on Crave Canada and NBC Peacock) and the co-author of the cookbook Made with Prema raising funds for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.  

He is a seasoned speaker, providing the annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) inclusion and accessibility workshop, launching the Reimagine Lecture Series at the British Film Institute with a keynote on accessibility, delivering the Sundance Institute’s anti-bias and accessibility learning programming, speaking at the TIFF Industry Conference, and serving as a Guest Lecturer at the University of Southern California Annenberg Inclusion Initiative on inclusive storytelling. Prasanna is the recipient of various awards including, most recently, the David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility presented during the 2024 Legacy Awards from the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

2:30 pm – 3:20 pm 

How do current funding models perpetuate inequities? Are BIPOC filmmakers receiving meaningful access to development and long-term sustainability? This conversation will take stock of Equity frameworks within existing funding models – are we seeing the benefits of investments in diverse communities?  

Moderator :

Laura Friedmann

Laura Friedmann is a Colombian-Canadian producer working across film, television, and XR media. Her work explores the intersection of personal narrative with collective memory, identity, and cultural experience, driven by a commitment to storytelling that uplifts and inspires. As co-founder of Wrapped Productions, Laura spearheads the creation of compelling content spanning features, series, documentaries, children’s content, and podcasts. Her award-winning work has been featured on CBC, Prime Video, Tubi TV, YesTV, CGoodTV, CBC Gem, the United Nations, and other global platforms. Laura has championed and advocated for women and diverse creatives through training and community initiatives including Listo Calisto, Wrapped Productions Film Lab, Creative Sovereignty Lab, Native Film & Storytelling Institute, The Big Pitch @TIFF, and Breakthroughs Film Festival.

Panelists :   

 

 

3:20 pm -3:30 pm

NAGAMO

Nagamo is proud to be the first Indigenous-operated and owned music publishing company dedicated to connecting producers, media creators, and Indigenous composers. Our mission is to ensure that Indigenous stories and voices are represented. Nagamo Music serves as a centralized hub for accessing Indigenous music for media projects, believing that multi-media should have the opportunity to incorporate Indigenous soundtracks. We’ve created
an innovative platform for creatives to collaborate with Indigenous composers for the first time. Our expanding roster now includes 50+ talented composers and nearly 4,000 tracks from diverse nations across Canada, including British Colombia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec. Their work spans a wide array of musical styles, blending contemporary and traditional sounds such as underscore, orchestral, electro-pop, folk, experimental, hip hop, flute, Inuit throat-singing, and traditional pow wow music.

Nigel Irwin

Nigel Irwin is a Cree composer and musical artist based in Toronto. As Creative Director of Nagamo, Irwin has helped build the first production music-library created entirely by Indigenous artists. When he isn’t commissioning new works, Irwin is composing for films, documentaries, commercials, and shorts. Some credits include Nika and Madison, Acting Good, The Nature of Things, and Shadow of the Rougarou. Through his own artist music, Irwin became the 2019 recipient of the Bullseye Music Award through imagineNATIVE and Slaight Music. With OAC, Canada Council, and FACTOR grant funding, he released his first LP in 2025, titled Caught In A Dream. Since releasing songs in 2014, Irwin’s music has appeared on CBC, SiriusXM, ElementFM, and Zoomer Radio, as well
as several commercials and tv spots.

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Big Tones

Anthony Pasqua aka Big Tones is an Indigenous Recording Artist born in Surrey, BC. He grew up in Regina, SK and is now residing in Saskatoon, SK. He has heavy ancestral ties to Treaty 4 Territory coming from Pasqua First Nation #79. Breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma, Big Tones uses music as an outlet, finding therapeutic release in storytelling through songwriting. Big Tones is a versatile artist, captivating performer and artist mentor. With a focus on old school hip hop sound, his powerful and soothing voice with intricate flows keeps listeners intrigued lyric after lyric. Big Tones is building on the momentum which has grown around his artistry and music over the last year. His single “Don’t Cry” reached #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown and his track “Moccasin Flats” also broke the top 10. Big Tones is an award winning artist, winning song of the year at the Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Association Awards for this new single “Shine”. Big Tones was also nominated for Hip Hop Artist of the year and Male Artist of the Year at the 2025 Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Awards. This follows his recent nominations at the SaskMusic Awards for Album of the year, Hip Hop Artist of the Year and Music Video of the Year. Big Tones has showcased at the BreakOut West, the International Indigenous Music Summit and is set to perform at Come Together in Toronto in November.

SPONSORED BY :

4:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Sharing findings and best practices to better support Black creatives in film and television.

Moderator:

Kadon Douglas

Kadon Douglas is the Executive Director at OYA Black Arts Coalition and an accomplished communications and stakeholder engagement strategist with over a decade of experience in Canada’s media and nonprofit sectors. Recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Influential People in Canadian TV by The Globe and Mail (2023), Kadon has held positions at BIPOC TV & Film, WIFT Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University, and has served on the boards of Work In Culture, Reelworld Film Festival, and the Canadian Independent Screen Fund for Black and POC Creators. She has also contributed to national roundtables and policy consultations on authentic storytelling, AI and cultural data, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) in the screen industries.

Panelists :

Andre Kelly

Andre Kelly is a Jamaican-Canadian actor and writer from Mississauga, Ontario. Known for We Three Queens (2023), Nobody Sees Me Like You Do and Cycles (2024), he holds a BA from the University of Alberta and is a graduate of Humber College’s Acting for Film & TV program. Kelly’s creative ventures extend onto both sides of the camera as the founder of the House of Grechen Inc., a production studio dedicated towards shorts, series and feature films. His work is largely inspired by his intersections of Afro-diasporic heritage, helping him to contribute informed yet entertaining narratives towards the global entertainment industry. Kelly is now in post-production on his latest short Letter of Intent, a sports-thriller he stars and co-wrote–supported by the SOCAN foundation.

Taelor Lewis-Joseph

Taelor Lewis-Joseph is a dynamic storyteller whose work thrives at the intersection of performance and production. With experience supporting major film and television sets and directing her own creative projects, she brings both artistic vision and professional on-set expertise to every collaboration. Her directing credits include the award-winning digital series How T.O. Art, the short Band Practice, and projects for CBC Gem. Taelor has also contributed to acclaimed productions such as Interview with the Vampire, Children Ruin Everything, and Run the Burbs as an Office Production Assistant.

Olly Azeez

Olly Azeez is an award-winning emerging director. His work explores the different aspects of life through unique relationships and entertaining settings. Through OBAC and its Emerging Filmmakers Program, he facilitates continuous learning for black filmmakers in the industry.

Dr. Tabi

Dr. Tabi completed his doctoral degree in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning at OISE/University of Toronto. He has also successfully completed a post-doctoral appointment through the Black Child and Youth Studies Network at the University of Windsor. Further, Dr. Tabi holds an M.Ed degree in Human Development and Applied Psychology and has extensive teaching experience in sociology, community education and youth studies.

Following sessions below require an additional sign up

Join us for an informal roundtable meet-and-greet with CBC producers, CBC Entertains including Factual & Entertainment, Scripted Comedy, Drama & Films and Kids representatives from CBC’s Business and Right’s department. 

1:00 pm to 1:40 pm, 2:30 pm to 3:10 pm 
Meet the CBC Roundtables : Factual & Entertainment 

Join us for an informal roundtable meet-and-greet with CBC production executives from CBC Entertains including Factual & Entertainment, Scripted Comedy, Drama & Films and Kids along with representatives from CBC’s Business & Rights department. 

Signup required.

Christian Hamilton

With 25 years of experience in the Canadian media industry, Christian has established a reputation for managing large-scale projects across film and television. As a key member of the CBC’s Unscripted team, Christian manages the development process across all unscripted strands including factual entertainment, CBC Originals, CBC Short Docs, The Nature of Things, The Passionate Eye, and documentary Channel. Before joining the CBC in 2008, Christian was a coordinator for feature films, organizing large crews with intricate scheduling and shooting challenges.

Yasmine Abbasakoor

As Executive in Charge of Unscripted Development Yasmine works with independent producers to develop factual and documentary programming for CBC. She also serves as a production executive on Bollywed & Locals Welcome. Prior to joining the CBC she worked within Canada’s independent production sector for 20 years.

Peter Schneider 

Peter is a Business & Rights Manager for CBC, English Services where he works with the production teams for unscripted factual and documentary production to negotiate commissioning, coproduction, and format agreements with Canadian and international partners.

Prior to CBC, Peter was Vice-President of Business & Legal Affairs for Cineflix Productions where he managed the Toronto Business and Legal Affairs department for this global media player and negotiated Cineflix’s broadcast licenses, talent agreements and development IP and key rights option and acquisition agreements with partners AETN, CBC, Discovery, Hallmark, Lifetime, National Geographic, Netflix, Oxygen, CNBC, BBC and ITV, among others. As well, he advised on the full spectrum of production activities and provided counsel to Cineflix’s distribution division.

Monique Van Remortel

As the Senior Director of Business & Rights for CBC Unscripted Programming, Monique oversees the business deals for the development and production of CBC and the Documentary Channel’s commissioned documentaries as well as CBC’s commissioned Factual programming. Monique’s team works closely with independent producers to help navigate the complexities of the Canadian Media Fund, tax credits and other third party funds to ensure a project’s budget, financing structure, and rights package make sense for the broadcaster in a rapidly changing media landscape.

Prior to joining the CBC in 2004, Monique was in a boutique entertainment and intellectual property law practice where she represented writers, artists, photographers, producers, and talent.  Monique has been working in the arts and entertainment/media industry for over 25 years.  

Jessica Schmiedchen

Jessica oversees development of original content and formats in the genres of factual, entertainment and documentary series at CBC and CBC Gem. She is responsible for sourcing the best new formats from around the world, and working with the independent production community in Canada to bring their original ideas to life. Since joining the Unscripted team in 2011, Jessica has led development on popular and award-winning series including Stuff the British Stole, Race Against the Tide, Best In Miniature, Canada’s Ultimate Challenge, Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down, Bollywed, Ghosting and this year’s much anticipated series The Assembly, Must Love Dogs and Cirque Life

1:00 pm to 1:40 pm, 2:30 pm to 3:10 pm 

Meet the CBC Roundtables : Drama and Comedy

Dennis Chan

Dennis Chan is a Development Manager at CBC Scripted: Comedy & Drama. A Toronto Metropolitan University Film Studies graduate, he brings expertise in development, creative guidance, and content delivery, and has served on industry panels and juries championing racialized and emerging creators.

Greig Dymond

As Director of Development for CBC Comedy, Greig Dymond is responsible for driving and overseeing the quality and diversity of the network’s comedy-development slate. Since 2013, Greig has served as Development Executive and/or Production Executive on a variety of CBC Comedy series, including Schitt’s Creek, Baroness von Sketch Show, Son of a Critch, TallBoyz, Run The Burbs, Workin’ Moms, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and stand-up festival programming from Vancouver, Winnipeg, Montreal, and Halifax. 

Sarah Quan

As the Executive in Charge of Development for CBC Comedy, Sarah is responsible for cultivating the network’s original scripted comedy series development slate. Most recently she oversaw the development of Small Achievable Goals and One More Time for the network. Prior to joining CBC, she served as Creative Executive at Northwood Entertainment (Anne With an E, The Grizzlies), developing North of North and overseeing the creative and logistical development of narrative series and features. Sarah started her career as a coordinator for independent film and digital series (How to Buy a Baby, Detention Adventure). She also volunteers on a number of initiatives including co-facilitating AccessCBC, an initiative for creators with disabilities and as an advocate for the Academy Executive Residency Program. As an award-winning producer and creative executive, Sarah is dedicated to discovering and nurturing underrepresented voices with fresh perspectives and producing work that changes culture and explores stories that have yet to be told.

Lea Marin

Lea Marin is the Director of Development, Drama, for the CBC, and is responsible for

driving and overseeing the quality and diversity of the drama development slate

including recent productions, Saint-Pierre, Wild Cards and Allegiance. A graduate

of the Canadian Film Centre’s Producers’ Lab, prior to joining the CBC, Lea was a

Senior Producer with the National Film Board of Canada where she developed and

produced several documentaries and interactive projects. Some of her credits

include Ever Deadly co-created by Tanya Tagaq & Chelsea McMullan, and Charles

Officer’s Unarmed Verses.

Zach Marcovici

Zach Marcovici is currently Executive in Charge of Development for CBC Drama, where he is responsible for developing high quality original drama series. Prior to joining CBC, he was Director of Development & Production at BentFrame Film & TV, overseeing a slate of female-driven TV projects for the Canadian and international market, with a focus on spotlighting LGBTQ+ and diverse stories and voices. Zach also previously worked in development and production at Back Alley Films, serving as Associate Producer on CORONER (CBC/The CW), and began his career at Vanguarde Artists Management.

SJ Choi

SJ is a Development Manager in the Business & Rights team at CBC. She handles development agreements and budgets for new scripted / unscripted / kids programming that CBC puts into development. SJ has a legal background and is an entertainment lawyer licensed in Ontario.

Paul Dollar

In his role as a business manager, Paul reviews production financing proposals and negotiates CBC licence agreements with independent producers for Scripted programs. This work also involves working closely with producers on third-party financing applications, including CMF and private funds. Prior to joining CBC, he held a variety of positions at Telefilm Canada in Toronto and worked as an analyst on International Co-productions at Telefilm in Montreal.

Susan Kelly

Susan Kelly is the Senior Director of Business & Rights for CBC’s Scripted & Acquired Programming.  She leads the business groups that negotiate development and production deals with the independent producers who produce original scripted programs for CBC, such as Schitt’s Creek, Son of a Critch, Murdoch Mysteries, Heartland, Dino Ranch and Kim’s Convenience as well as all of CBC’s acquired programming and feature films. She has a background in law, having started out her career at a large Bay Street law firm.  She has been in the film and television industry for over 25 years; prior to joining CBC in 2002, she worked at a private broadcaster, at a boutique entertainment law firm representing producers and talent, and in-house at a leading-edge interactive television production shop.

Sadia Mohamed

Sadia Mohamed is a manager for scripted and unscripted programming in the Business & Rights group. Sadia’s area of focus is development projects. Sadia’s day-to-day functions include helping independent producers prepare and finalize development budgets and negotiating development agreements between the independent producers and the CBC. Sadia also helps to facilitate third-party development funding to maximize a development project’s financing.

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm,  2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Meet the CBC Roundtables : Films

Gosia Kamela

As Head of CBC Films, Gosia oversees the Scripted Original Feature Film slate for CBC and

GEM with recent titles including Deaner ’89, BlackBerry, Riceboy Sleeps, and Bones of

Crows. Previously, as an Executive at Bell Media, Gosia was responsible for the

development and production of original scripted series across a large portfolio of channel

brands including CTV and Crave. A few notable series credits include Orphan Black,

Transplant, and Degrassi. In that role, Gosia also oversaw the Canadian Features slate for

Crave. Prior to joining Bell Media, Gosia was a Producer at True West Films working in both

documentary and scripted features including cult classic It’s All Gone Pete Tong.

Meg Berkovitz

Meg Berkovitz is the Senior Manager of Acquisitions and Feature Films on the Business & Rights team at CBC.  In this role, Meg oversees the deal negotiations for both acquired content and feature films for all CBC platforms.  In the past, Meg also served as a Development Manager with Business & Rights, responsible for development deals for independent productions at the CBC.  Prior to her time at CBC, Meg practiced as a corporate lawyer at a large national law firm.

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm,  2:30 pm to 3:30 pm 
Meet the CBC Roundtables : Kids

Drew Mullin

Drew Mullin is an international award-winning writer, director and producer who joined CBC Kids team as an Executive in Charge of Production in 2016. At CBC, Drew has overseen several broadcast and digital series including Dot, Kingdom Force, Big Blue, Dino Ranch, Mitten & Pants, Andrew, TRALALA, Addison, Napkin Man, Game Savers, Let’s Go Bananas, and Snapshots (2018 International Emmy winner). Drew also executive produces the relaunch of CBC Street Cents on TikTok and Youtube.

Swin Chang

Swin Chang is the Executive in Charge of Development and Production for CBC Kids. She works with the independent production community to seek out, create and curate preschool, school aged and tween content for CBC TV and CBC Gem. In this role, she focuses on development and acquisitions, and oversees production of selected projects such as Jeremy and Jazzy, Gangnam Project, Bestest Day Ever With My Best Friend and Aunty B’s House with independent producers as well as the CBC Kids in-house preschool flagship series, Hey Joojo! 

Marie McCann

Marie’s career in children’s media began at TVOntario as a writer/producer where she helped create Gisele’s Big Backyard and included a stint at CBC in the early 2000s where she launched the in-house kids’ programming brand then known as Kids’ CBC. 

Marie McCann is the Senior Director of Children’s Content for CBC Kids where she oversees the talented teams who entertain and inspire kids in Canada with an array of engaging media across broadcast, streaming, the web and third party platforms.   Marie oversees development, production and acquisition of animated and live-action series for preschool, school age and tween for CBC Television, CBC GEM and on YouTube.   Since taking the lead at CBC Kids in 2017, she has championed the growth of  in-house production, including Kidscreen award-winning Studio K, CBC Kids News and Street Cents.   A creator and broadcaster for over 30 years, Marie is passionate about kids media and the impact it can have on children’s lives and the world we all live in. 

Lisa Cinelli

It has been a wild ride (in a good way) working in Kids content for the past 25 years.  At CBC Kids, I am lucky enough to work on some classic award winning series both in live action and animation.  Most recently, as Executive in Charge of Production on Macy Murdoch, season 2 (you read that right, William Murdoch has a great, great, great granddaughter), Toopy & Binoo – Fabulous Adventures (classic series reboot) and Dino Ranch; Island Explorers (premiere Nov 8) 

Sadia Mohamed

Sadia Mohamed is a manager for scripted and unscripted programming in the Business & Rights group. Sadia’s area of focus is development projects. Sadia’s day-to-day functions include helping independent producers prepare and finalize development budgets and negotiating development agreements between the independent producers and the CBC. Sadia also helps to facilitate third-party development funding to maximize a development project’s financing.

Ema Worsley

Ema Worsley is a manager in the Business & Rights department at CBC and  oversees the commissioned programming and acquisitions deals for  preschool, school age and tween content on all CBC Kids platforms.  Ema works closely with independent producers to provide expertise on production financing and available funding sources, CBC policies and requirements and handles negotiation of production agreements between independent producers and CBC.  She has over 20 years experience working in the Canadian Media industry in a business affairs capacity.  

Mia Rodak 

Mia is an award-winning Director of digital content and strategy, and has spent 20+ years working with top Canadian media providers on several premium brands such as CBC Kids, CBC Kids News, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, Slice, National Geographic Channel and others.

Since joining CBC in 2016 her focus has been on building audience-first content and platform strategies specifically for children (ages 4 – 13 years) and their caregivers across multiple platforms including various in-house websites and third-party channels including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Roblox, Pinterest, and TikTok. Her top priority is inclusive leadership for a large, creative digital team in pursuit of providing compelling and engaging content, through beautiful and intuitive user-experiences.

Meet the Funders 

Hear from Telefilm, ISO, CISF, NFB and Ontario Creates on funding, equity initiatives, and how to access opportunities for diverse and emerging Canadian screen talent. 

Room A – 4:00 pm to 4:20 pm, 4:20 pm to 4:40 pm , 4:40 pm to 5:00 pm 

Canadian Independent Screen Fund for BPOC Creators (CISF)

Lalita Krishna  

Lalita Krishna has been producing and directing  documentaries through her company, for over 20 years, In Sync Media. Her work has been featured on all major networks and showcased at film festivals worldwide. Lalita’s documentaries have received acclaim for highlighting important issues and often serve as a catalyst for social change.

Lalita has been a keynote speaker at several conferences and has led media literacy workshops She has been invited to present at Co-Pro-Documentary Marketing Foundation, Tel Aviv, Durban International Film Festival, and at Silver Docs, Washington, DC.

Lalita is the writer and producer of Bangla Surf Girls, which had its world premiere at the Hot Docs International Film Festival and has been screened at over 50 international festivals, winning 18 international awards. Her documentary Fear of Dancing, a co-production between Quebec and Ontario, follows a chorophobe as he travels the globe confronting his worst nightmare; it premiered on the Documentary Channel and CBC’s Gem. Additionally, she produced Untying the Knot, which chronicles the journey of a survivor of a brutal domestic assault and premiered on CBC’s Documentary Channel.

In addition to multiple awards for her productions, Lalita is also the winner of the 2021 Don Haig award given by Hot Docs to a producer who has made significant contribution through their body of work, the 2013 Crystal Award for mentorship given by WIFT(Women in Film and Television), the Trailblazer(2012) award given by the Reel World Film Festival and is the recipient of the Dream Catcher award given by the Hope and Dreams Festival NJ, for using her craft to better humanity.

Lalita is a passionate advocate for diversity and representation in media, dedicating countless volunteer hours as the Co-Chair of the CISF, as the former Co-Chair of the Hot Docs International Film Festival and as the former Co-Chair of DOC Ontario, which operates the DOC Institute.

For more details of her productions please go to www.insyncmedia.ca

Myia Davar
Operations Manager, CISF
Myia Davar is a collaborative non-profit leader, project manager, network-builder and dream engineer. Passionate about possibilities in health, culture, education and economic empowerment, Myia is skilled in stakeholder engagement, systems analysis and implementing strategy across organizations. She designs and facilitates innovative and collaborative processes that shift definitions and mindsets about what is possible.

Adams Aghimien
Research & Administrative Coordinator, CISF

Adams Aghimien is a policy analyst and consultant with experience across equity, sustainability and governance. He has worked with think tanks such as the Canadian Arab Institute and The Dais, and with advisory firms including FTI Consulting and Electricity Canada.

His projects have ranged from assessing climate and energy transition policies, to evaluating public programs, to helping organizations strengthen their stakeholder engagement and reporting practices. Across every role, Adams focuses on practical impact, clear communication, and relationships built on trust and accountability. He is based in Toronto.

Ontario Creates

Erin Creasey

Erin Creasey is Director, Industry Development, at Ontario Creates, where she oversees investment programs for the screen and publishing sectors, supporting development, production, marketing, and business development activities, and international business initiatives. Previously, Erin was Director, Sales and Marketing at ECW Press, and is a past president of the Association of Canadian Publishers.

Room B – 4:00 pm to 4:20 pm, 4:20 pm to 4:40 pm , 4:40 pm to 5:00 pm

Telefilm

Indigenous Screen Office

Melanie Hadley