WebSeries Canada Conference

Conference Schedule

REGISTRATION OPENS
Enjoy a light breakfast and spend your morning chatting with other creators!

International Summit: “The Web Series Frontier”:
A Summit with leading international and Canadian short form series professionals was held on September 18th. Find out what insights were learned and what the strategies are for the future of short form series.

Keynote:
This visionary producer will give her perspective on the web series world within the media ecostystem.

Christina Jennings, Founder, Chairman & President of Shaftesbury
Andra Sheffer, Former CEO of the Independent Production Fund

MODERATOR

Making Moves, From Short Form to Long Form:
Everything you need to know about developing, negotiating and the producing challenges that come with transforming your short form series into other formats

Lauren Corber, Emmy-nominated Producer and President & Executive Producer of LoCo Motion Pictures
Lisa Baylin, Director, Scripted Development at Cineflix Media Inc.

MODERATOR

David Worthen Brooks, Founder of WorthenBrooks, formerly 20th Digital Studio
Davin Lengyel, CSA & CCA award-winning producer

Achieving Success with Innovative Storytelling, Partnerships and Audience Development (PRESENTED BY TELUS FUND)
Tips for Creating Health and Wellness Content through Partnerships and Understanding Audiences

Cassidy Civiero (he/him), Writer & co-Executive Producer of "You're My Hero"
Sean Towgood, Creator, Writer & Star of "You're My Hero"
Ken Galloway, Founder of Saucy Momo Inc.
Moyra Rodger, Founder and CEO, Magnify Digital

MODERATOR

LUNCH

The Rise of the Niche Podcast:
Have you thought about a podcast? Tips on how to build a community and monetize your podcast.

Heather Gordon, Managing Director for Canada, Acast Podcast Hosting
Michael Mongiardi, Co-Founder of The Sonar Network
Lindsay Michael, Senior Podcast Manager Canada at Amazon Music
John Leschinski, Chair of PodCamp Toronto

MODERATOR

CMF CONNECTS: 1-on-1 speed pitch meetings

Presented by

 

Signups are now open! Only available for registered delegates.

Resonate with Underrepresented Audiences (Presentation)

Kelly Lynne Ashton, Policy and Research Consultant

Produce Green: Sustainable Practices on Set (Presentation)

Leaticia Kaggwa, CBC Environmental Sustainability Lead

Turn Your Favourite Books into Successful Screen-Based IP (Fireside chat)

Aron Levitz, President, Wattpad WEBTOON Studios
Rodney V. Smith, Producer & Former T.O. Webfest Chair

MODERATOR

Meet New People, Damn It (Coffee Break)

Welcome to the Real World: The True Magic of Unscripted Web Series
Everything from documentary and factual to reality and new variety formats; learn how unscripted programming can pave the way to great opportunities to build a career.

Jesse Barkley, Development & Production Executive, Original Programming Corus Entertainment
Kelsey Espensen, Director of Unscripted Development at marblemedia
Leah Rifkin, T.O. Webfest Festival Director & Creator/Producer of The Sonic Room

MODERATOR

The World is Your Stage:
Distribution for web series can be a challenge. But there is hope. Learn about strategies that you can use to prepare for successful distribution.

Greg Rubidge, Co-Founder North American sales (broadcast, airlines, theatrical and SVOD) at Syndicado
Henry Gagnon, Owner & CEO of HG Distribution
Lukas Nippert, International Content Specialist at Blue Ant Media
Kate Green, Award-winning Producer & Director of "NarcoLeap"

MODERATOR

The Art of Making People LOL:
Comedy Writing for Short Form

Anthony Hall, Writer & Co-Creator of the Canadian Screen Award nominated series, Ming’s Dynasty
Ethan Cole, Creator of "My 90-Year-Old Roommate" and "Cam_Girlfriend"
Bill Lundy, Senior Vice President of Comedy at New Metric Media
Katie Uhlmann, Creator/Producer of My Roommate's an Escort

MODERATOR

NETWORKING RECEPTION
Sponsored by the Independent Production Fund

REGISTRATION OPENS
Enjoy a light breakfast and spend your morning chatting with other creators!

Find The Right Home:
Attract the right platform for your project, whether FAST channels, traditional broadcasters, social media, niche platforms and alternative streamers. There are a lot of options out there. They know their audiences and what works for them.

Alyssa Petru, Manager of Digital Development at Bell Media (Crave TV)
Jon Taylor, CEO of the Independent Production Fund

MODERATOR

Zach Feldberg, Director of Current Production, Comedy CBC & Head of Scripted Gem Originals
Loani Arman, Commissioning Editor, Scripted at Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Australia
Lukas Nippert, International Content Specialist at Blue Ant Media

Meet more new people, damn it. (Networking Coffee Break)

Web Series from Down Under:
Business models and monetization, from TikTok to broadcast and everything in between. Hear from leading Australian producers & industry leaders.

Michelle Melky, Creative Director at Amplify & Co-Producer/Co-Director of world's first narrative TikTok series: "Love Songs"
Loani Arman, Commissioning Editor, Scripted at Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Australia
Mariah Owen, Award-winning Actor, Creator and Filmmaker & Founder of GTE Productions

MODERATOR

LUNCH

Money, Money, Money:
Navigating the Canadian Funding Network. Watch the funders put together a funding scenario live on stage.

Nancy Chapelle, Executive Director of the Bell Fund
Jill Samson, Deputy Director – Portfolio Management for the CMF fund at Telefilm Canada
Jon Taylor, CEO of the Independent Production Fund
Danielle Hebert, Program Consultant at Ontario Creates
Andra Sheffer, Former CEO of the Independent Production Fund

MODERATOR

Meet ALL the people, damn it! (Networking Coffee Break)

Making Productions Accessible
Experts share insights on the ABC’s of making your production inclusive for people with disabilities.

Winnie Luk, Executive Director of the Disability Screen Office
Yvonne Felix, Inclusive Design Artist & Content Development Executive
Ron Rickford, Media Accessibility Specialist
Andrew Morris, President & Executive Producer, Hitsby Entertainment

MODERATOR

Womb Envy: A Case Study in Accessible Content (PRESENTED BY CANADA MEDIA FUND)
Learn how the team of Womb Envy used integrated described video (IDV) and various strategies throughout production to create a series that is making a mark

Champagna, Creator/Producer/Star of “Womb Envy”
Andrew Morris, President & Executive Producer, Hitsby Entertainment
Mark Keller, Writer of "Womb Envy"
Jeffrey Haase, Actor and Story Consultant
Charlie Lubiniecki, Producer/Director & CEO of Border2Border Entertainment

MODERATOR

Creating Trusted Brands for Kids & Youth:
Web series producers in the children’s market demonstrate how digital ancillary strategies, YouTube channels, playlists and repackaging can build brands, engage audiences, increase views and attract platforms, and how these trade secrets can apply to adult content too.

Michelle Melanson, President/Executive Producer at HEADSPINNER PRODUCTIONS
Virginia Thompson, President and CEO of Vérité Films
Kat Kelly Hayduk, Co-Founder & Producer Turtlebox Productions
Kelsey Aikman, Vice President of Marketing & Communications at marblemedia

MODERATOR

Top Tips from Festival Directors from Around the World:
The Secrets to Maximizing the outcomes of your festival participation

Csongor Dobrotka, Founder & Festival Director, die Seriale
Leah Rifkin, T.O. Webfest Festival Director & Creator/Producer of The Sonic Room
Leandro Silva, Founder of Rio Webfest & Producer of São Paulo Webfest
Suzette Laqua, Executive director, speaker, writer & executive producer

MODERATOR

Young Man Kang, Founder of K Webfest, Festival Director of LA WEBFEST and Hollywood Series

DINNER BREAK
Dinner is not being provided. There are many restaurants in walking distance. Delegates can also use this time to change clothes for the Awards Gala.

Cocktail Reception & Red Carpet
Get dressed up and join us for a fun evening!
Red carpet interviews will be scheduled in advance.

AWARDS GALA

About the WebSeries Canada Conference

Distinguished web creators of short-form series and podcasters from various regions of Canada and the world will present their works during an exclusive showcase. In addition, guests will have the opportunity to participate in the festival’s comprehensive conference programming, collaborating with luminaries in the industry.

The WebSeries Canada Conference is a way for creators to expand their networks. Check out the nominees for this year’s festival!

Follow WebSeries Canada on Instagram for more updates on the festival!