9:30am Keynote Panel: The Future of Distribution

In a moment of extreme upheaval, a range of professionals ponder the issues not only threatening to change but transform an industry that was already looking for its next evolution. Can the economics that drive cinema – from major studios to indie darlings, from corporate multiplexes to the local arthouse screen – recover from the pandemic and compete with the endless rise of streaming? Or do reduced distribution costs and promising profits mean that film has already slipped forever into the stream? How does cinematic vision and artistry playout against this backdrop? Will consumer demand for serialized drama mean extinction for traditional one-off story telling? Will films matter in the future; more importantly, do films matter now?

Moderator: Harold Gronenthal, Executive Vice President, AMC Networks International

Panelists:

• Tom Alexander, Director, Theatrical Releasing, Mongrel Media
• Arianna Bocco, President, IFC Films
• Pauline Couture, Co-CEO, BlockFilm
• Alex Garcia, EVP, Creative Affairs, Legendary Pictures
• Alexandra Raffe, Producer, Sheep Crossing

11:00am Panel: Inclusion Matters

This past year the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement has reverberated around the world to place anti-racism, equity, justice and inclusion at the top of industry and government agendas alike. B.C.’s commitment to lasting and meaningful reconciliation, working with Indigenous peoples as they move toward self-determination, “nothing about us without us” is an important first step.

As such, the entertainment and media industries must be accountable to not only engage and recruit, but to make welcome all people in society and to retain a diverse workforce. Speaking to matters of inclusion, how does creating access to decision-making roles within the industry begin? What is the role of those who have historically had access? What is the value – economically and socially – and how does each of us wrestle with our own blinders and complicity in order to move past it toward allyship and progress.

Moderator: Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC

Panelists:

• Marsha Greene, Writer/Showrunner (Mary Kills People)
• Gloria Kim, Writer/Director/Producer (Queen of the Morning Calm)
• Broadus Mattison, Executive Board Member, UBCP/ACTRA
• Charles Officer, Writer/Director/Producer (Akilla’s Escape)
• Jennifer Podemski, Writer/Director/Producer/Founder, The Shine Network

2:00pm Keynote Presentation: Making Successful Documentaries: Right Time, Right Place

Presenter: Rudy Buttignol, CEO, Knowledge Network

3:00pm Panel: What We are Looking For

Moderator: Pat Ferns, President, Ferns Productions Inc.

Panel:

• APTN | Kerry Moraes-Sugiyama, Assoc. Manager, Programming – Western Region
• Bell Media | Tory Jennings, Director, Programming, Premium SVOD
• CBC | Mehernaz Lentin, Senior Director, CBC Films
• Corus | Kathleen Meek, Manager, Original Content, Drama and Factual
• eONE | Tecca Crosby, Senior Vice President, Creative Affairs
• Knowledge Network | Patrice Ramsay, Co-ordinator of Independent Production
• National Film Board | Teri Snelgrove, Producer, BC & Yukon Studio
• Creative BC | Mathew Parry, Program Analyst, Development
• Telefilm Canada | Lauren Davis, Regional Feature Film Executive

7 February 2021 – DAY TWO

The SpringBoard Pass offers three one-on-one pre-selected meetings.

Meetings to begin at 9.00am

• AMC | Harold Gronenthal, Executive Vice President
• APTN | Kerry Moraes-Sugiyama, Assoc. Manager, Programming – Western Region
• Bell Media | Tory Jennings, Director, Programming, Premium SVOD
• CBC | Mehernaz Lentin, Senior Director, CBC Films
• Corus | Kathleen Meek, Manager, Original Content, Drama and Factual
• eONE | Tecca Crosby, Senior Vice President, Creative Affairs
• Knowledge Network | Patrice Ramsay, Co-ordinator of Independent Production
• National Film Board | Teri Snelgrove, Producer, BC & Yukon Studio
• Creative BC | Mathew Parry, Program Analyst, Development
• Telefilm Canada | Lauren Davis, Regional Feature Film Executive

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