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Elevate your career in screen-based industries. Take part in two days of inspiring talks, networking, and skill-building to connect with industry leaders and expand your opportunities

Friday, March 21, 2025

Screen Summit 2025 Program

Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG), 10 Daly Ave. (Level 3)

Doors open at 9:00 am

Networking Breakfast

9:15 am - 10:00 am, Alma Duncan Salon

Funding Foundations: How to Finance Your Creative Projects

Presented by Welch LLP

10:00 am - 11:00 am, Alma Duncan Salon

Join this informative panel to explore the essential steps to financing your project from concept to production. Tailored for creatives at all career levels, this session will provide valuable insights into the diverse funding options available in the film industry and strategies for securing support before cameras start rolling.

My Career with …

11:15 am - 12:15 pm, Alma Duncan Salon

A special guest will be announced soon!

One-on-one Meetings - Session 1/2

11:15 am - 12:15 pm, Arts Court Studio

Participants can pre-register for one-on-one meetings with any development executives, funding representatives or filmmakers to receive career guidance, pitch feedback, or meet other creatives.

Lunch and Learn

Presented by Directors Guild of Canada in Ontario (DGC Ontario) and IATSE Local 634

12:15 pm - 1:15 pm, Alma Duncan Salon

Recharge with a catered lunch while expanding your industry knowledge in a relaxed setting. This informal Lunch and Learn features a short explanation from the Directors Guild of Canada in Ontario (DGC Ontario) about their membership offerings and a short introduction from IATSE Local 634 on the dynamics of working within a large film production crew.

Meet the Documentary Filmmakers

Presented by Affinity Production Group

1:15 pm - 2:15 pm, Alma Duncan Salon

Join a panel of seasoned documentary filmmakers as they share their journeys, insights, and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of independent filmmaking. Discover the unique challenges of capturing real-life narratives, the creative decisions that bring them to life, and the rewarding moments that make it all worthwhile. This is your opportunity to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the art and craft of factual storytelling.

Speakers:

Jamie Miller, short documentary filmmaker, Prince’s Tale
Hoda Elatawi, director So You Want to Be a Muslim, President/Producer, GAPC Entertainment Inc.
Joanne Robertson, Co-director, So Surreal: Behind the Masks

Moderator:

Gayle Nakamoto-Jancewicz, Business Affairs Consultant/Professor, Affinity Production Group/Algonquin College

Introduction to the Directors Guild of Canada in Ontario

Presented by Directors Guild of Canada in Ontario (DGC Ontario)

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm, Alma Duncan Salon

Join us for a presentation from the Directors Guild of Canada in Ontario (DGC Ontario) who represent Directors, Assistant Directors, Production Managers, Location Managers, Production Designers and Art Directors, Accountants, Picture & Sound Editors, Post Production Supervisors and their respective departmental assistants. They’ll be discussing the benefits of joining the DGC, pathways into Membership, how to navigate working freelance and advice on how to get started.

Speakers:

Michelle Michals, Director of Member Services, Directors Guild of Ontario
Amber Munro, Apprenticeship, Outreach & Equity Manager, Directors Guild of Ontario

Additional panelists for discussion:

Claire McCracken, 2nd Assistant Director, Directors Guild of Ontario

More guests are coming soon!

Case Study

3:45 pm - 4:30 pm, Alma Duncan Salon

More information is coming soon!

One-on-one Meetings - Session 2/2

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm, Arts Court Studio

Participants can pre-register for one-on-one meetings with any development executives, funding representatives or filmmakers to receive career guidance, pitch feedback, or meet other creatives.

Networking Cocktail Reception

Presented by Welch LLP

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm, Arts Court Studio

Networking

One-on-One Meetings and Networking Breakfast

Screen Summit attendees can benefit from one-on-one networking opportunities with industry professionals such as; development executives, buyers, funders, broadcasters, filmmakers, etc. Prior to the event, attendees can request private 10-minute meetings with the executives of their choice.

New this year! Attendees can now pre-register for a spot at a specific table for the Networking Breakfast. At the Breakfast, each table will be hosted by a different industry professional, offering attendees the chance to make connections in a relaxed and informal setting.

All meeting requests and pre-registration for the Networking Breakfast takes place in the Meeting Planner booking system, within the Screen Summit Eventival Portal.

Key Dates:

Friday, March 7 at noon: The Meeting Planner will open to Professional Screen Summit Pass holders.
Tuesday, March 11 at noon: The Meeting Planner will open to Student Pass holders on.
Sunday, March 16 at 11:59 pm: Meeting Planner will close.

Purchase a Screen Summit pass!

Saturday, March 22, 2025

Ottawa Film Office 2025 Career Fair

Jean Pigott Place at Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave W.

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

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. You’ll also be able to chat with post-secondary institutions, associations, unions and guilds about the industry programs, resources, and training they offer.

Admission to the OFO Career Fair is free! Show your Screen Summit pass on entry or sign up via Eventbrite here.

Screen Summit 2025 Pass:

Includes:

Access to 5 Talks with guest speakers and Q&A opportunities on Fri Mar 21st
Networking Breakfast with informal meet and greet
One-on-one meeting opportunities with industry contacts
Catered Networking Lunch
Networking Cocktail Reception
IFFO Tote Bag
10% off the full IFFO Pass
Ottawa Film Office 2025 Career Fair at Ottawa City Hall (Sat Mar 22, 9 am - 1 pm)

PLUS

Access to the following IFFO screenings and events:
Canadian Masters with Clement Virgo (Wed Mar 19, 6:30 pm to 10 pm)
SAVE AS (Thurs Mar 20, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm) + Winter Kept Us Warm restoration screening (Thurs Mar 20, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm)
Friday night screening of Rêver en néon (Neon Dreaming) (Fri Mar 21, 7:15 pm - 8:45 pm)
The Gaze (Sat Mar 22, 3 pm to 5 pm)

Industry Professionals: $100 ($235 value)

Subsidized Industry Professional Pass: 10 complimentary spots reserved for underemployed professionals working in screen-based industries. Apply for a pass here!

Students*: $50 with a valid student ID

Students* can volunteer for IFFO pre-Festival and earn a 20% discount on the $50 Screen Summit Student Pass after completing 4 volunteer hours students.

*Applies to students from Algonquin College Scriptwriting Program and TV & Broadcasting Program, La Cité, University of Ottawa, and Carleton University. Students from the Algonquin College Film & Media Production Program have access to a specific Student Pass; please speak to your Instructors directly.