SCREEN SUMMIT

Save the date: Friday, March 21, 2025

Ottawa Art Gallery, Ottawa

The International Film Festival of Ottawa’s (IFFO) Screen Summit is an event dedicated to strengthening and inspiring Ottawa's growing screen-based industries while addressing topics relevant to all film industry professionals. Join thought leaders for an insightful and inspirational series of panels and gain access to key industry representatives and the talent and skills of the local production community. This industry event consists of informative workshops, artist talks and presentations that strengthen the skill set of emerging and established film industry professionals in Canada’s Capital.

2025 program coming soon!

2024

On Friday, March 22, 2024, Arts Court buzzed with energy as Screen Summit 2024 brought together industry professionals, creative minds, and aspiring talents for an expanded program dedicated to empowering Ottawa’s growing film production industry. Presented in partnership with Ontario Creates and the Canada Media Fund, the event offered a dynamic blend of insight, inspiration, and collaboration, addressing topics critical to producing content for cinema, streaming platforms, broadcast, and the web.

The event was headlined by Ottawa’s own comedy legend, actor, writer, and comedian, Tom Green, whose conversation with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe—presented in partnership with Porter Airlines—was a standout moment. Green’s reflections on his groundbreaking career, which predated reality TV and social media, captivated the audience, inspiring both newcomers and seasoned filmmakers with his story of resilience and creative innovation.

The program also featured engaging panels such as Meet the Development Executives, moderated by Sandrine Pechels de Saint Sardos, Film Commissioner, who brought together a powerhouse panel of women leaders in the industry: Sam Linton (VP, Production and Development, Blue Ant Media), Keren Jackman (Senior Producer, Gusto TV), and Georgia Shearman (Development Executive, Scripted, Original Programming, CraveTV/CTV, Bell Media). Their candid discussion offered invaluable insights into content development, sparking inspiration among all attendees.

Finance took center stage in Funding Your First Feature, presented by Welch LLP and moderated by Larisa Gutmanis, the Program Curator at Ontario Creates International Film Financing Forum. This panel featured seasoned experts Jennifer Blitz (Ontario Creates), Melissa Amer (Telefilm Canada), and Tracey Doyle (CAVCO, Department of Canadian Heritage). Their approachable and often light-hearted dialogue demystified funding opportunities, leaving participants equipped and motivated to pursue their projects.

After a vibrant networking lunch, Screen Summit presented a My Career panel with award-winning creative producer Lauren MacKinlay, interviewed by Emily Ramsay, Director of the Digital Arts Resource Centre (DARC). This session delved into MacKinlay’s career journey and creative process, offering emerging professionals practical advice and inspiration. The afternoon culminated in a lively Networking Cocktail Reception, presented by Welch LLP, where connections were made, and ideas sparked.

The excitement extended into the evening with the world premiere of Lisa Soper’s short film Have a Good Day, presented in partnership with DGC Ontario. The screening was followed by a hilarious Q&A session with the Ottawa-based director, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her creative process and the unique challenges of filmmaking in the region. The day concluded with a celebratory reception, presented by 1Department, honouring Ottawa-made films and cementing the city’s reputation as a thriving hub for creative production.

Screen Summit reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to fostering and elevating Ottawa’s screen-based industries. By showcasing the talent, stories, and vision of its local creators, Screen Summit 2024 not only inspired but also laid the foundation for future growth, collaboration, and innovation in the region.

2023

On Saturday, March 18, 2023, IFFO held the first in-person Screen Summit with two fantastic panels and networking opportunities. The panel Meet the Ottawa Film Resources was moderated by Ottawa Film Commissioner Sandrine Pechels de Saint Sardos and featured: Christine Maki, Creator Network Producer from CBC Ottawa, Emily Ramsay, the Director of DARC, Maissa Houri, the Director of Equity Initiatives at Digi60 Filmmakers' Festival, Amber Munro,  Outreach & Equity Manager from Directors Guild of Canada – Ontario, and Gayle Nakamoto-Jancewicz, Educator from Algonquin College. In the afternoon, the Directors Guild of Canada Ontario presented "Hometown Heroes" Fireside Chat featuring Ottawa-born Pat Mills, Director of The Christmas Setup (2020), interviewed by Vladimir Jean-Gilles, Film Critic for CBC; Pat reflected on his early start in Ottawa and accomplished career abroad. That evening, Screen Summit pass holders and IFFO attendees enjoyed a screening of the made-in-Ottawa film The Christmas Setup (2020), followed by a Christmas in March Party presented by Welch LLP, where everyone enjoyed cookies, hot chocolate, and a surprise visit from Santa Claus.

2022

On Friday, March 18, 2022, IFFO held a virtual Screen Summit with informative talks, 1:1 meetings with executives, and opportunities to network with fellow attendees. Guest speakers included Co-Creators of Sort Of Fab Filippo and Bilal Baig, Catherine Mathys, the Director of Industry and Market Trends at the Canada Media Fund, and Hometown Hero, Kurt Smeaton, the Creator of Children Ruin Everything. 

The 1:1 virtual meeting sessions at Screen Summit 2022 gave private pitching opportunities to attendees with frontline broadcast and development executives from the CBC, Blue Ant Media, APTN, Warner Brothers, and others.