CFC Impact Report 2022/2023

IMPACT REPORT 2022-2023

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Located within the city known as Toronto, or Tkaronto, in Treaty 13 Territory, the CFC is a settler organization located on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabeg, including the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Chippewa; the Haudenosaunee; and the Wendat. Tkaronto is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

The land the CFC occupies is protected by the Dish With One Spoon covenant, an agreement between the Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee to peaceably share and care for the Great Lakes region.

As members of Canadian society, we are all Treaty people. Many of the individuals who work at the CFC and on this land have come to what is known in Canada as settlers, immigrants or newcomers, whether forcibly or by choice, in this, or previous, generations.

We thank and honour all those who came before us – the First Peoples that have lived on this land for thousands of years, and the enduring presence of Indigenous Peoples in the area and across Turtle Island for time immemorial.

Wherever you are located as you read this report, we encourage you to reflect on the land that you are on, your relationship with the land, who the traditional keepers of the land are, and what the treaty relationship is. You can start by visiting native-land.ca to learn more.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

CFC alumni come from all across Canada and they continue to receive multiple accolades and awards. Here are a few highlights from our CFC Alumni this past year:

− Sarah Polley won an Academy Award for Women Talking (our first).

CFC alunmni received 115 nominations for the 2023 Canadian Screen Awards and took home 28 prizes.

− CFC alumni accounted for 24 of the 31 Canadian features that played at TIFF ‘22.

CFC alumni were among Playback’s 2022 Best of the Year picks for Production Company, Director, Producer and Showrunners.

CFC alumni accounted for 36% of the Globe and Mail’s 2023 list of the 25 most influential people in Canadian television.

CFC alumni are responsible for some of the most critically acclaimed and celebrated content of the year, including Women Talking, Brother, I Like Movies, and Chevalier, and hit TV shows like Sort Of, The Porter, Transplant, and more.

“ At the heart of the Canadian Film Centre is the talent that we are so proud to call our alumni.

CFC alumna Sarah Polley accepting her 2023 Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay

CFC programs continue to be guided by our by our charitable mission - delivering essential training programs to Canadian creators - and by the organization’s four vision words: crucial, relevant, innovative and visible.

We wrapped up the larger Fifth Wave Initiative, Canada's first intersectional feminist business accelerator. Since its launch in 2020, the Fifth Wave Initiative has supported more than 115 women-owned/led companies in Southern Ontario’s digital media sector.

We offered additional support to 12 creators/producers working in immersive media through Scale Up Immersive, a partnership with OYA Black Arts Coalition.

In response to the dearth of diverse writers in senior positions working on Canadian television, we partnered with CBC and BIPOC TV & Film on the Showrunner Catalyst, and have supported 9 writers in the first year of the program.

In 2022-2023, the CFC supported 19 filmmakers, 5 music creators, 8 actors, and 12 writers across our programs. And, for the first time since before the pandemic, we were thrilled to host in-person industry showcases for these programs.

Summer With Hope, the sophomore feature from writer-director Sadaf Foroughi and the 26th feature film produced through CFC Features, had its world premiere this year at the 2022 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. There, it won the Crystal Globe for Best Feature Film before it went on to play multiple festivals, and had its streaming premiere on Crave.

This year, we wrapped the CFC/Netflix Global Project. Over the course of the 5-year partnership, we supported 148 diverse creators, 25 first-time features, 45 original TV pilot and feature scripts, and 47 produced proof of concepts, webseries and short films. This year we also renewed our partnership with Netflix and welcomed them as a lead supporter of the Norman Jewison Film Program.

CFC talent fuels our industry and fills our screens. Their impact on the screen industry continues to grow each year and will only increase as the CFC continues to spot and train future generations of Canadian storytellers.

Christina Jennings

Chair, CFC Board of Directors; CFC Alumna Chairman & President, Shaftesbury

CFC alumna Lauren Corber accepting her 2023 Canadian Screen Award for Children’s or Youth Fiction Program or Series

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

It was a busy and enriching year for us at the CFC. As a team, we were focused on connecting with our community of CFC alumni and residents, and meeting the goals we set out in our organizational blueprint, in pursuit of our mission to drive and shape the future of Canadian storytelling.

We worked towards diversifying and increasing our revenue streams. One of the ways we did this was by bringing back our annual fundraising BBQ in September - now called CFC Homecoming - for the first time since 2019, to help us achieve critical fundraising targets to fund our programs

We also focused on staying relevant. Part of that involved launching a new website in August - a site where users can better understand the CFC story, discover and support the magic that happens on our campus and beyond, and understand our vital place in the ever-changing screen-based industry.

The new site has accessibility top of mind, and is completely compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Our focus on removing barriers was present in many of our activities throughout the year. In July, we introduced a new entrance scholarship to entirely offset tuition fees for all incoming residents of our screen-based programs in order to reduce barriers and increase access.

This year, we provided 39 full entrance scholarships to residents in our film, TV and acting programs, as well as monthly bursaries to help offset additional costs associated with participating in said programs. We also increased the pipeline of systemically marginalized and underrepresented talent across our programs.

The 2022 Norman Jewison Film Program residents

We continued to expand and evolve our program offerings to help fill training gaps in the industry and ensure that we are meeting the most pressing needs of creators:

− We partnered with CBC and BIPOC TV & Film on a Showrunner Catalyst program to support the career advancement of senior writers who identify as Indigenous, Black or People of Colour.

− We introduced our first-ever comedy cohort of the Bell Media Prime Time TV Program, which was an offering for Black, Indigenous and/or racialized creators in Canada.

− Our partnership with OYA Black Arts Coalition (OBAC) continued on cohort 2 of Scale Up Immersive, an accelerator lab aimed at increasing the capacity of Black content creators and/or producers working in the immersive media space.

We also introduced new public programming, like CFC Conversations, a series of free in conversations events with celebrated Canadian creators and storytellers, with the goal of increasing access, sharing knowledge, and discussing important industry trends and topics.

We hosted three CFC Conversations events this past year, one with Emmy Award-winning actor Eric McCormack (Will & Grace, Travelers) in May, and two in February as part of our Black Excellence Speaker Series, presented by TD, one with award-winning actress Amanda Brugel (The Handmaid’s Tale, Infinity Pool), and the other with Clement Virgo (Brother), one of Canada’s foremost film and TV directors.

We’re making strides in the goals we’ve set as an organization, but there is still much work to be done. We will continue to evolve as the industry evolves, and as the needs of Canadian storytellers change.

On behalf of the entire team at the CFC, thank you to our Board, to all of our partners and funders, friends and supporters for your commitment to the CFC. We are grateful for your generosity and for investing in the next generation of Canadian storytellers. Your support empowers CFC residents and alumni to build successful content, careers and collaborations in the screen industry.

And, it continues to help us drive the future of Canadian storytelling.

maxine bailey Executive Director, CFC

THE FUTURE OF CANADIAN STORYTELLING STARTS HERE

The CFC has always been a place for imagination, where creativity, knowledge, and opportunity thrive. As a charitable cultural organization founded by award-winning, internationally-acclaimed filmmaker Norman Jewison more than three decades ago, the CFC was established as a centre for advanced film studies, where storytellers could learn to master the medium of filmmaking and ultimately command a place on screens around the world.

Today, the CFC is home to a range of intensive, hands-on programs in film, television, and digital/immersive media. We are a launchpad for the next generation of Canadian storytellers; we empower Canadian creators and entrepreneurs and advance opportunities for them to work and build successful careers in the ever-evolving screen-based industries.

Norman Jewison speaking to residents on the CFC campus

2021 CBC Actors Conservatory residents participating in a motion capture workshop

“The Producers’ Lab was a tremendous help on my journey. It challenged me to reflect on the stories I want to champion, the people I want to work with, and it sharpened my abilities. The CFC helped me uncover the confidence to grow and learn to ask for help, which I am truly grateful for.

TALENT SPOTLIGHT: ABUBAKAR KHAN

2021 Film Program Alumnus, Producers’ Lab

Abubakar never envisioned a life in the film industry. It wasn’t until he lost a campaign to become a Vancouver City councillor in 2018 that he decided to give filmmaking a shot, driven by a lifelong passion for human connection and listening to people’s stories.

“How I got started was with a great group of filmmakers that I went to India with to find my ancestral village and work on a documentary series about the last time Muslims, Sikhs, and Hindus were united. So my filmmaking journey began with this trip venturing into my past and the history of my people; it has been a beautiful journey ever since.”

Since then, Abubakar has produced shorts such as The Lost Empire (dir. Gary Chutai), and Pehla Qadam (dir. Danish Renzu), and founded a production company based in Vancouver called Diaspora Creative that focuses on sharing stories that have been ignored in the past.

“I am working to continue to heal the narrative. I have a small but focused slate of projects I am very excited about completing. I have also begun positions at Lark Productions Inc. as a Business Affairs Associate to learn from a great team with a strong track record. Ultimately, what's next for me is to continue to learn and develop the producing skills that I sharpened at the CFC and continue to invest in my creative relationships, and uncover the stories that are meant for me to bring to life and share with the hearts and eyes around the world.”

CFC

BY THE NUMBERS

2000+

200+ alumni

alumni are actively working in the industry

50+

81% 115+

VR/AR/XR prototypes and audience-ready projects supported

women owned/ led digital media companies supported

active production companies established by CFC alum

digital media enterprises supported

80+ 115

Canadian Screen Award nominations for CFC alumni in 2023

26

features produced through CFC features

125+

television series developed by CFC alumni

195+

theatrically released features developed and supported through CFC programs

180

short films developed and produced

12,000+

episodes of hit TV written, produced, directed and edited by CFC alumni

39 full entrance scholarships awarded this fiscal year, totalling $312,000

20% increase on an average online gift in 2022/23 over previous year

$7M+ raised to support programs and initiatives

SOCIAL MEDIA YOUTUBE

112K+ total social audience* in FY23 views

44.2K

180K video views

111.5% net audience growth

80K engagements subscribers

2.3M impressions impressions

464.3K

* Across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn

1,200

CFC ALUMNI REPRESENT CANADA FROM COASTTO-COASTTO-COAST

17% are 2SLGBTQ+ + are racialized 25%

4.3% are living with a visible/invisible disability

19% are from official language minority communities

4% 14

THE NORMAN JEWISON FILM PROGRAM

This essential program is known industry-wide as a vital incubator for bold new voices and original content and for launching some of Canada’s most prolific and celebrated creators.

The Norman Jewison Film Program, generously funded by Lead Supporters, Netflix, RBC Emerging Artists through the RBC Foundation, and Telefilm Canada offers four distinct labs for directors, producers, writers and editors, each tailored to the specific needs of creators each year.

In 2022, we welcomed 19 talented storytellers from across Canada to the program. Throughout the program, they advanced their narrative storytelling skills, grew their body of work, built their creative community, and expanded their career opportunities through a series of workshops, case studies, industry sessions, cross-program collaborations, and one-on-one mentoring.

The residents met, learned from and worked with 143 industry professionals, including: Roslyn Kaloo (Women Talking), Clement Virgo (Brother), Roger Frappier (The Power Of The Dog) and Anand Ramaya (Funny Boy, Donkey Head).

“During a time where it felt like my storytelling journey was at a standstill, I am deeply grateful for the support and care I received in the [Norman Jewison] film program, helping me nurture fertile ground from which to grow anew. My experiences as a resident in the Directors’ Lab provided me with the chance to pause intentionally, gifting me deeply needed space and time for exploration, re-imagination, and creative incubation, all critical for us as artists.”

- V.T. Nayani, 2021 Directors’ Lab Alumna and writer-director, This Place (TIFF ‘22)

NEW SCHOLARSHIP INITIATIVE

In July 2022, we were thrilled to introduce a new entrance scholarship to entirely offset tuition fees for all incoming residents of the film, television and acting programs.

The scholarship initiative is aimed at reducing barriers and increasing access to CFC programs and is part of our broader commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) as outlined in our 2022-2024 strategic plan.

Each year, these scholarships are automatically awarded to entering residents upon their acceptance into these programs.

The scholarship funds are made possible thanks to the generosity of CFC donors, including named bursaries and longstanding donors to our Endowment Fund, such as:

The Comweb/Whites Jay Switzer Indigenous Creator award

− The Creative BC/BC Film Foundation Daryl Duke and William Vince Bursary

− The Bursary Fund in Memory of Anneli Ekborn

− The Writers Guild of Canada & The Denis McGrath Bursary

− The Jordan Christianson Bursary

Additional scholarship and bursary information is available on our website at https://cfccreates.com/about/financial-assistance

The 2022 Norman Jewison Film Program residents

TALENT SPOTLIGHT: LISA JACKSON

2010 Film Program Alumna, Directors’ Lab

“The CFC showed me the nuts and bolts of fiction filmmaking in a Lab that was designed to teach us as much as possible about the craft and industry of film and television in less than a year. I came to it from doc filmmaking primarily and the calibre of the training and the guests and the breadth of information we were given access to helped shape my goals going forward. It helped me understand the industry and where I might locate myself within it.

I was inspired by my fellow CFC labmates and impressed by the level of passion the CFC invested in us. I was able to “try on” different styles and genres of fiction storytelling through the exercises and short pieces.”

Lisa Jackson is an award-winning Canadian and Anishinaabe filmmaker who uses storytelling to support Indigenous communities and share stories and raise awareness of Indigenous history and culture.

Lisa first caught the attention of her screen industry peers when she wrote, directed and produced Suckerfish (2004), an award-winning short documentary that tells a powerful story of when she fled Toronto at the age of 10 to live with relatives in Vancouver to escape her mother’s depression, alcoholism and prescription drug abuse – legacies of the residential school experience. Since then, Jackson has continued to create impactful stories through her independent production company, Door Number 3 Production, which help amplify women’s voices and stories.

In 2020, Lisa was the recipient of the BMO-DOC Vanguard Award from the DOC Institute for advancing the documentary craft and elevating the next generation of filmmakers.

“

The CFC showed me the nuts and bolts of fiction filmmaking in a Lab that was designed to teach us as much as possible about the craft and industry of film and television in less than a year.

CBC ACTORS CONSERVATORY

The CBC Actors Conservatory is an immersive onscreen acting program designed to expand an actor’s skill set, increase their onscreen confidence, and advance their career opportunities.

In August 2022, eight unique and gifted actors joined the program with an exciting array of experience in writing, film, TV, theatre and more: Augusto Bitter (he/ she/they), Kat Khan (she/her), Isabella Shibuta (she/her), Leishe Meyboom (she/her), Riley Davis (he/him), Alsseny Camara (he/him), Rachael Dolan (she/ her), and Ivy Miller (she/her).

Throughout the program, these actors participated in 65 intensive, hands-on workshops, acting intensives, coaching sessions, on-camera opportunities and industry events to help strengthen their instrument, their practice, and expand their understanding of the business aspects of the screen industry.

Some highlights included:

− Stunt Master Class: Actors learned martial arts techniques for film including reactions and breakfalls, choreography and camera work, and more.

− Autonomous Creator Intensive: Actors participated in a week-long workshop designed by internationally renowned acting coach Lindy Davies.

− On Set Intimacy Workshop: Lindsay Somers broke down key practices and offered tools for actors to manage and engage with intimacy work on set.

− Motion Capture Workshop: Residents participated in a motion capture training and shoots at Sheridan’s Screen Industries Research and Training Centre (SIRT) Motion Capture (MoCap) Studio.

− Developing a Practice to Maintain Centre & the Art of Managing Stress: Dr. Anita Shack, integrative health and wellness expert, presented an experiential wellness program to the actors.

Actors Conservatory residents Kat Khan and Alsseny Camara participating in a motion capture workshop

CBC ACTORS CONSERVATORY

On January 25th 2023, we hosted an industry showcase to celebrate the latest cohort of residents to complete the Conservatory - Blessing Adedijo, Chritef Desir, Janet-Rose Nguyen, Izad Etemadi, Katherine Fogler, Leighton Williams and Zara Jestadt - who showcased their range, depth and talent through their “Close Ups,” character-driven pieces following original characters they created.

The Close-Up exercise was really beneficial in a lot of ways. It was a great opportunity to be in those creative meetings and make decisions that guide the rest of production. That helped give me the confidence to step into some of these other roles that I’ve taken on since then.

Learn more about these actors here

- Ajuawak Kapashesit (2019 Actors Conservatory alumnus)

2021 CBC Actors Conservatory residents at CFC industry showcase

The Conservatory has launched 95 actors who are landing impactful roles and are breaking out internationally – appearing on screens all over the world, including:

− Women Talking, the Oscar-winning film from CFC alumna Sarah Polley, featured Actors Conservatory alumna Michelle McLeod, who stars alongside Frances McDormand, Rooney Mara and Claire Foy as part of the ensemble cast nominated for 2023 SAG award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

− Grace Glowicki’s performance in the film Until Branches Bend earned her a nomination for Best Female Actor in a Canadian Film at the 2023 Vancouver Film Critics Awards, and a 2023 ACTRA Awards in Toronto nomination for Outstanding PerformanceGender Non-Conforming or Female

− Actor alumni picked up four 2023 Canadian Screen Awards nominations, including Andy McQueen for his work on Coroner

More than 15 CFC Actors Conservatory alumni lit up the big screens this past year:

- Charlie Carrick starring alongside Anna Kendrick in Alice, Darling

- Lovell Adams-Gray and Alsseny Camara in Clement Virgo’s Brother

- Trevor Hayes and Nicki Whitely in Soft, from writer-director Joseph Amenta

- Augusto Bitter in So Much Tenderness

- Devery Jacobs in V.T. Nayani’s feature debut This Place

- Kimberly Sue-Murray in the feature comedy The End of Sex

CFC alumni can be seen on hit TV series as well, including:

- Varun Saranga in CTV’s hit new series Shelved, from creator Anthony Q. Farrell

- Supinder Wraich continues to shine in season 2 of the critically acclaimed CBC / HBO Max series Sort Of

- Giacomo Gianniotti returns a s Leslie Garland in the latest season of Murdoch Mysteries

- Devery Jacobs in Reservation Dogs

- Andy McQueen in Outer Banks season 3

- Benjamin Sutherland and Emmanuel Kabongo in The Kings of Napa

HIGHLIGHTS

Actor alumni Andy McQueen on set of Outer Banks season 3

“

“ I consider my time at the CFC as a major turning point in both my career and life.

TALENT SPOTLIGHT: VARUN SARANGA

2015 Actors Conservatory Alumnus

Varun Saranga was born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario. He became interested in acting during high school through filmmaking, directing and starring in various student films. After attending an open call at 18 and landing his first major role playing the geeky but lovable AJ Mehta on the hit YTV show How to Be Indie, he was inspired to pursue an acting career professionally.

“My journey into acting began unexpectedly when I landed my first-ever audition at 18 as a series regular on YTV’s How to Be Indie. Because of this sudden entrance to the craft, I always felt like my success was unearned,” said Varun. “Despite my passion for film and television, I never saw myself as a ‘real actor.’ However, when I joined the CFC and participated in Lindy Davies's Autonomous Actor workshop, I developed a deep appreciation for the craft and gained confidence in my talents. She cultivated my ability to trust my instincts and stay present in whatever I was doing. I consider my time at the CFC as a major turning point in both my career and life.”

Lots of gigs followed Varun’s residency at the CFC, including roles on CBC’s Schitt's Creek, Workin’ Moms and Strays, CTV’s Nurses, Hulu’s Endlings, and regular roles on Burden of Truth and most notably, the People’s Choice Award-Winning supernatural sci-fi hit Wynonna Earp

“My time at the CFC was instrumental in shaping me as a creator. Before attending the CFC, I felt my acting was limited by external techniques, always focused on ‘looking the part,’” shares Varun. “Through the program, I learned to fully embody my characters. The highlights [of the Conservatory] for me were the sense of camaraderie among the actors, the mutual support we provided to one another, and the realization that acting is a collaborative art form.”

You can watch Varun on CTV’s Shelved, an ensemble comedy by Anthony Q. Farrell, and as part of the cast for Daniel's Gotta Die, an upcoming ensemble comedy featuring the late Bob Saget. He’s also a guest star on SyFy’s SurrealEstate, starring Tim Rozon and Sarah Levy. And, you can catch him on the critically acclaimed CBC / HBO Max series Sort Of, which follows the life of a non-binary millennial as they navigate relationships, family and career in Toronto, which is gearing up for Season 3. “The show [Sort Of] has been a joy to work on, and I am honoured to be a part of a cast and crew committed to telling diverse and authentic stories.”

THE SLAIGHT MUSIC RESIDENCY

Kaïa Kater accepting Award for Original Music

Scott Harwood, Deanna Choi, Kaïa Kater and Aubrey McGhee of the 2021 Slaight Music Residency at their Industry Showcase in January 2022

The Slaight Music Residency is a hands-on program that integrates composers and songwriters into the onscreen storytelling process and advances opportunities for them to work in the screen industry across film, TV and digital. The CFC and The Slaight Family Foundation were presented with the inaugural Award for Distinguished Services to the Industry from the Screen Composers Guild of Canada (SCGC) this year in recognition of work to support screen composers through this program.

The 2021-22 cohort - Deanna Choi, Scott Harwood, Kalaisan Kalaichelvan, Kaïa Kater, Aubrey McGhee and Alexandra Petkovski - officially completed their residency this year. We celebrated these creators at an industry showcase in January 2023, where we screened some of the work they created during the program to a theatre packed with 400+ industry professionals. Take a look at (and listen to!) their original musically driven pieces here.

Throughout the program, funded by Lead Supporter The Slaight Family Foundation, these creators participated in 45 sessions and workshops, including business bootcamps, scoring exercises, orchestral training and more, and have met and worked with 50+ industry professionals from across Canada and the U.S.

In January 2023, we welcomed five new music creators into the 2023 program: Amine Bouzaher, Conan Karpinski, Lydia Ainsworth, Stella Conway and Tori Morrison. Throughout their six-month residency, these music creators work to expand their skills, onscreen confidence and career and marketplace opportunities through a combination of tailored mentorship, workshops and industry sessions.

Alumni of the Slaight Music Residency continue to receive recognition and awards for their outstanding scores and songs across film, TV and digital. Select highlights:

− Lora Bidner, 2017 Slaight Music Residency alumna, received a 2022 Emmy nomination (Children’s & Family Awards) and a 2023 Canadian Screen Award (CSA) nomination (Best Original Music, Drama) for her work on Ruby and the Well

− Program alumni received 11 nominations for 2023 CSA nominations, Kaïa Kater took home the award for Best Original Music – Original Song for her song “Songbird” for hit series The Porter

accepting her 2023 Canadian Screen Music – Original Song

TALENT SPOTLIGHT: ALEXANDRA PETKOVSKI (FJØRA)

2021 Slaight Family Music Lab Alumna

Alexandra Petkovski, a Canadian composer, producer, artist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, is widely recognized professionally under her artist name FJØRA. The talented creative has been described as “a haunting artist to watch” by Rolling Stone for her unique sound, which combines elements of electronic and cinematic styles, or as she likes to call it “cinematronic”.

Since completing the Slaight Family Music Lab at the CFC in 2022, Alexandra’s presence within the screen industry has grown exponentially, scoring for film and TV favourites such as American Horror Story’s Season 10 Double Feature trailer and the theme song for Amazon Prime’s original comedy series, The Lake Alexandra’s edgy style and raw talent is captivating audiences and entertainers alike worldwide, including music icon Linda Perry who asked Alexandra to reimagine her hit song, “What’s Up?” for Blumhouse Productions’ horror film series, Welcome to the Blumhouse. Alexandra was also accepted into the 2023 Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive, where she composed, conducted and recorded an original orchestral with the Hollywood Studio Symphony at Warner Bros Studios, under the guidance of acclaimed composer/conductor William Ross.

Alexandra’s portfolio of work and accomplishments are sure signs of a promising future in the screen and music industries. As an advocate for female presence in the music industry, Alexandra is one to watch and follow as she leads the way for aspiring female musicians who seek to find their place in a traditionally male-dominated industry. From taking home the first place award for SOCAN’s 2022 Emerging Screen Composers to the release of her EP Tiger’s Eye, it’s clear that Alexandra shows no signs of slowing down.

“A highlight [from the program] was the music showcase piece. Having the chance to tell a story of my own on film, and then score it, was something I never really thought I’d get to do before. The short film story’s outline and foundation basis is fairly personal to me and I felt the CFC provided a safe, secure environment to explore this film concept.”

Watch Alexandra’s short film, The Routine, here.

“Having the chance to tell a story of my own on film, and then score it, was something I never really thought I’d get to do before.

Abdul Malik, Emma Malm, Helmann Wilhelm and Clint Murphy of the 2022 Bell Media

BELL MEDIA PRIME TIME TV PROGRAM

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, the Bell Media Prime Time TV Program returned in 2022 with an unprecedented two in-person cohorts in one year.

In the summer, we welcomed six writers - Rebecca Grenier, Svetlana Jaklenec, Abdul Malik, Emma Malm, Clint Murphy and Helmann Wilhelm - to participate in a one-hour drama storyroom experience with Executive Producer in Residence Patrick Tarr, from July to mid-September. Together, they worked to develop Patrick’s original series, Think Tank, a one-hour procedural / mystery.

In the fall, six writers joined a half-hour comedy storyroom experience for Black, Indigenous and racialized creators with Executive Producer in Residence Ins Choi from October to December. Ameera Siddiqui, Jackson Chow, Kanika Ambrose, Mona Hersi, Shirley Yip and Vincent Lui worked together with Ins to develop his new series, The Parks, an adaptation of his play, Bad Parents

Throughout their programs, funded by Lead Supporter Bell Media, the residents participated in 90 in-depth workshops, case studies and career planning sessions with industry professionals, and 127 guests and experts from across North America shared their expertise and insights with residents about various aspects of the industry.

Additionally, the cohorts resulted in 12 new series concepts and pilot scripts - six drama and six comedy. Residents from both cohorts received high-level individually tailored feedback and support from original series mentors Joseph Kay, Emily Andras, Ian Carpenter, Jane Maggs, Jenn Engels and Adam Barken (for the drama cohort), and Marsha Greene, Anthony Q Farrell, Annmarie Morais, Andrew De Angelis, Winter Tekenos and Shebli Zarghami for the comedy cohort.

The 2022/2023 Bell Media Prime Time TV Program generated a significant portfolio of new IP, delivered on business and strategic plans, expanded the writers’ professional networks and community, and prepared each of them for any type of series story room.

“

“the Bell Media Prime Time TV Program absolutely helped me advance my career.

TALENT SPOTLIGHT: MARSHA GREENE

2014 Bell Media Prime TV Program Alumna

Marsha Greene is an accomplished executive producer and writer and a prolific and impactful figure in the screen industry. Since completing the Bell Media Prime Time TV Program in 2014, Marsha has received multiple recognitions and awards for her talent and work in the industry, including the WIFT-T Crystal Award for Creative Excellence and the Brian Linehan Award for Outstanding Artistic Promise.

“It [the Bell Media Prime Time TV Program] absolutely helped me advance my career. I was working in unscripted TV before I went to the CFC, so I had very few contacts in the scripted world. So just on a networking level, it was incredibly useful. But also I had only written a half-hour comedy before I went to the CFC. So I really learned how to write one-hour dramas from Michael MacLennan, our showrunner in residence, and Emily Andras, my mentor. I also signed with my agent, Jeff Alpern, when I was at the CFC and we’ve had a wonderful relationship over the last 8 years.”

Marsha’s resume is filled with award-winning projects, including her most recent role as showrunner of Emmy and multiple Canadian Screen Award nominated Blackled TV series, The Porter

Inspired by real events and set in the roar of the 1920s, The Porter is a CBC and BET+ original series that follows the journeys of a group of railway workers who band together to form the world’s first Black union. This groundbreaking series, which streams on CBC Gem, explores historical and modern personal experiences of Black Canadians, and tells stories of the contributions of Black Canadians that have long been denied chapters of history in our country. These stories are long overdue on our screens and we’re grateful to Marsha and the talented creators behind and in front of the screen for bringing them to life.

“What really stands out to me as I reflect on making The Porter was how much the subject matter sustained us during the hard times. We believed in the show so much, and wanted so badly for the audience to see the lives of this community, that when things were complicated or frustrating or seemed impossible we would gain strength from our desire to bring the show to fruition.”

Next up, Marsha is focused on development, and is working on several different pitches.

CFC FEATURES

Summer With Hope, the 26th feature produced by CFC Features

Since its inception, CFC Features* has helped launch the careers of more than 100 talented Canadian filmmakers, has executive produced 25 films, and supported the development of more than 50 films. Most recently, Summer With Hope, the critically acclaimed and award-winning sophomore feature from Sadaf Foroughi, was supported through the program.

Loosely inspired by Anton Chekhov's play, The Seagull, Summer With Hope follows two young swimmers whose close alliance provokes disapproval from the people around them in a small town in Iran. It is the 26th feature produced by CFC Features. It had its world premiere at the 2022 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it won the Grand Prix - the Crystal Globe for Best Feature Film. It went on to play multiple festivals, including TIFF Next Wave, and had its digital release on Crave in April 2023.

*CFC Features is being redesigned. More information will be released as it becomes available.

TALENT SPOTLIGHT: SADAF FOROUGHI

CFC Features Alumna, Summer With Hope (2022)

“It is essential for me to explore the problems faced by the people of my motherland [Iran]. I am aware of the cultural and social complexities there. I like to follow what’s going on there as much as possible with thorough analysis and investigation, hoping for any positive changes.”

Iranian-Canadian filmmaker Sadaf Foroughi has become known for her unique and poignant storytelling, filled with striking visuals and barbed complexities. In 2003, Foroughi began her professional career by diving into filmmaking with short films, documentaries and video art. Intense gratitude for the art of filmmaking inspired Foroughi to take her love of storytelling to new heights by pursuing a degree in Film Production from the New York Film Academy and an MA in Film Studies from the University of Provence.

Foroughi gained recognition in 2017, when her debut feature Ava premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it received an honourable mention as Best Canadian First Feature Film and the International Critics’ Award (FIPRESCI) in the Discovery section.

Fast-forward to 2022: Sadaf’s sophomore feature, Summer With Hope - the second part of a planned trilogy that started with Ava - premiered to critical acclaim at the 2022 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it took home the Crystal Globe for Best Feature Film, and went on to receive three 2023 Canadian Screen Award nominations.

“It [Summer With Hope] examines the pressure-filled expectations of a new generation, for both themselves and their families, as they explore beckoning horizons and newly discovered freedoms. Set against the backdrop of a traditional patriarchal society where tendencies that contradict accepted norms are met with fierce-yet-cloaked resistance, Summer With Hope is a classic tragedy of real-world proportions.”

“

“

It is essential for me to explore the problems faced by the people of my motherland.

Kiarash Anvari (left) and Sadaf Foroughi (right) after receiving the Crystal Globe for Best Feature Film at the 2022 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

Members of the

FIFTH WAVE INITIATIVE

This year marked the wrap of the final cohort of Fifth Wave Labs, Cohort 5, as well as the final phase of the larger Fifth Wave Initiative, Canada’s first intersectional feminist business accelerator.

Between its launch in 2020 and wrap in March 2023, the Fifth Wave Initiative supported more than 115 women-owned/ led companies in Southern Ontario’s digital media sector. Through its suite of programs and services focused on radically inclusive feminist business practices, the Fifth Wave Initiative was invaluable in addressing significant gaps that women entrepreneurs face in equitable access to capital, and it helped broker new connections and opportunities for them in the digital media industry.

To learn more about and celebrate members of the Fifth Wave community, check out the CFC Fifth Wave Flipbook, an aggregated directory of all of the Fifth Wave Initiative participants. Discover how these innovative creators are changing the way we do business and are making an impact in digital media; paving the road for the next generation of women in tech.

the Fifth Wave community at the program wrap event at the CFC in March 2023

Guest speaker Rachael Abah at the Fifth Wave wrap event

“

“ I always think, when we play something, I hope that we learn something.

TALENT SPOTLIGHT: JANE LI

Founder, Springbay Studio

Fifth Wave Labs Cohort 3 Alumna (2021)

Jane’s first job in the video game industry was a programmer, writing code. Through experimenting with software development, Jane discovered her passion for digital storytelling and that video games were an ideal tool for learning.

Jane worked as a freelance consultant before co-founding Springbay Studio in the early 2000s with her business partner—also her sister—who had a degree in computer science as well as managerial experience. Through her work at Springbay, Jane is focused on nurturing and supporting people and preservation of the natural environment in which we live, “I always think, when we play something, I hope that we learn something,” Jane says.

Springbay projects reflect and promote the creators’ feminist values of equality and inclusion. They benefit all types of people, but when Springbay looked at who their audience was and the content they were building, it became clear they should start with children. Screen time is an ongoing issue for young people growing up in today’s digital world and Jane is well aware of the pros and cons of what online learning can offer. Springbay’s mission is to use gamification as a way to encourage young people to learn about and take action toward sustainable lifestyles.

The beauty and benefit of gamification is that it provides the feeling that you are playing a video game, but it’s not truly a game. The iBiome-Wetland game and app and the iBiome-Ocean school editions offer resources for students to build and explore natural habitats in virtual settings. The blend of virtual learning with real life field trips is a winning combination. Educators have told Jane how the gaming components keep students engaged and complement their teaching units on the ecosystem and natural habitats.

iBiome-Wetland has received many notable awards, including Best STEM app 2015 from the American Association of School Librarians, and iBiome-Ocean has been featured by Apple’s iTunes Store worldwide, and has been recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme. In her newest game, iBiome-Changing Ice, Jane invites kids to play with climate change scenarios, set their goals to reduce their eco-footprint, and use AR technologies to track their sustainable real life choices.

OYA SCALE UP IMMERSIVE

A workshop with Cohort 2 of OYA Scale Up Immersive participants at Dark Slope studios

This year, we helped design and deliver the second cohort of OYA Scale Up Immersive, together with our partners OYA Black Arts Coalition, a non-profit organization started by Fifth Wave Labs cohort 1 participants Alison Duke and Ngardy Conteh George.

Scale Up Immersive is a four-month immersive accelerator lab dedicated to boosting Black content creators and/or producers specific to original immersive media production.

Cohort 2 supported 12 creators/producers:

− Sharrae Lyon, Ohm Anahata Inc.

− Tendisai Cromwell, Tendisai

− Queen Kukoyi & Nicole Nico Taylor, oddsidearts

− Will Selviz, RENDRD Media

− Hansel Alonzo & Benjamin Agbeke, Undertone Productions

− Ella Cooper & Karen Chapman, Brown Rabbit Studios

− Valerie Amponsah, Valerie Amponsah

− Derek Brin, Fierce Music/Fierce Media

− Faduma Gure, The Black Nerds

In year 2, candidates participated in industry expert consultations, targeted and intensive workshops and case studies, hands-on mentorship and networking opportunities, as well as a rapid prototyping lab that included access to state-of-the-art motion capture production facilities and technologies through program partner, Dark Slope. Cohort 2 finished with a wrap event where participants showcased their virtual reality prototypes at Dark Slope studio.

THE NETFLIX / CFC GLOBAL PROJECT

“As an emerging creator, it's rare to find support to bring your projects to life, and I'll always be indebted to Netflix and the CFC for helping us cross the finish line of my debut feature film.

- Zarrar Kahn, writer-director, In Flames (World Premiere Directors’ Fortnight, Cannes 2023)

This year marked the final year of the 5-year Netflix/CFC Global Project, which comprised three different accelerators that created and advanced opportunities for Canadian creators as they work to showcase their talent and narrative film and TV projects internationally.

All three accelerators support creators who are Black, Indigenous, Racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, living with disabilities and/or women-identifying. Support in each program was creator-driven and tailored to the needs of the project and the participant.

Together with Netflix, we raised the profile, expanded international reach and increased opportunities for a significant number of exciting new diverse Canadian voices and their stories:

148 diverse creators supported

− 25 produced first-time features supported

− 45 original TV pilot and feature scripts supported

− 47 produced proof of concepts, webseries and short films supported

Lots of critical acclaim, international recognition and exciting commercial opportunities for program participants, including:

Something You Said Last Night

Supported through the CFC/Netflix Calling Card Accelerator, the debut feature from writer-director Luis De Filippis, produced by CFC alumni Jessica Adams and Charlie Hidalgo, had its world premiere at TIFF ‘22 and went on to be named one of TIFF’s Canada’s Top Ten 2022 and to win TIFF’s Shawn Mendes Changemaker Award.

The film had a strong showing on the festival circuit, where it received rave reviews and won the Sebastiane award at the San Sebastián Film Festival. The film was also shortlisted for the Directors Guild of Canada's 2022 JeanMarc Vallée DGC Discovery Award.

“It’s no wonder Something You Said Last Night won TIFF Next Wave’s Change Maker Award, honoring films that elevate voices and issues of social change. With a young visionary behind the camera, trans cinema is finally in the right hands.” - IndieWire

Islands

Supported through the CFC/Netflix Marketplace Accelerator, Martin Edralin’s directorial debut, Islands, premiered at SXSW and toured internationally, winning eight awards, including the SXSW Special Jury Recognition for Breakthrough Performance, the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival’s Special Jury Award for Ensemble Acting and the Audience Choice Award at Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival.

“A stunning feat of lived-in filmmaking. [...] Filled with the hallmarks of a strong director, it is as emotionally immersive as it is unassuming.” - RogerEbert.com

TALENT SPOTLIGHT: MARK MONTEFIORE

2006 Film Program Alumnus, Producers’ Lab

Named one of The Globe and Mail’s 25 most influential people in Canadian Television in 2023, one of The Hollywood Reporter's Next Generation Under 35 in 2014, and one of Playback's Top Ten to Watch in 2012, Mark Montefiore is no stranger to industry accolades. His production company, New Metric Media, was named Playback’s 2022 Production Company of the Year, and Mark continues to gain recognition in the industry and among viewers at home and abroad for his work as executive producer on hit shows like the multiple Canadian Screen Award-winning fan-favourite series Letterkenny, its spinoff Shoresy, and CTV’s comedy series Children Ruin Everything, to name a few.

Since completing the Norman Jewison Film Program Producers’ Lab at the CFC in 2006, Mark has become a powerhouse producer in Canada’s screen industry. As founder and CEO of New Metric Media, an award-winning production company that he founded in 2013, Mark develops, finances, and produces premium scripted content for an international audience, and is responsible for leading the Letterkenny brand across a variety of revenue generating marketing initiatives, including a North American live tour, apparel lines and collectibles and a partnership with Labatt’s for Puppers Golden Lager.

“The business plan back in 2013 was a simple three words: Make Cool Sh*t. And 10 years later, we continue to do this on every show. What I didn't realize then was that ‘Cool Sh*t’ wasn't limited to just television. We are mass producing beer with Labatts, live touring with AEG and Live Nation, selling merchandise and licensing our IP,” shares Mark. “Our ‘Make Cool Sh*t’ approach has turned us into a pretty exciting 360-degree entertainment studio focused on building iconic comedy brands beyond the initial medium they are produced for! It's really a relentless pursuit from an amazing team to over deliver on all fronts.”

As he looks to the future, Mark is pivoting New Metric Media away from drama production to become a comedy-focused entertainment studio.

Mark credits the CFC for helping him build his career and get to where he is today, “CFC was the difference between being able to hit a baseball in the backyard and learning to build an MLB franchise. The CFC fostered, shaped and challenged my skills and instincts as a producer and introduced me to a side of the business that I wasn't really aware existed. Also, I met some great folks who to this day are close friends, collaborators and colleagues.”

“

“CFC was the difference between being able to hit a baseball in the backyard and learning to build an MLB franchise.

Cohort 2 participants Vance Banzo, Nelu Handa, Amanda Joy, JP Larocque, Robina Lord-Stafford and Shannon Masters

CBC-BIPOC TV & FILM SHOWRUNNER CATALYST

In June 2022, we partnered with CBC and BIPOC TV & Film on a three-year commitment to deliver the Showrunner Catalyst, an accelerator program that supports the career advancement of senior writers who identify as Indigenous, Black or People of Colour through hands-on and personally tailored on-set experience.

Nine creators have been supported in the first year of the program: Andrew Burrows-Trotman, CFC alumna MOTION, and Ian Iqbal Rashid in the inaugural cohort, and Vance Banzo, Nelu Handa, Amanda Joy, JP Larocque, Robina Lord-Stafford, and CFC alumna Shannon Masters in the second cohort.

The first part of the Catalyst consists of a series of hands-on masterclasses covering a range of topics related to the role and responsibilities of a showrunner, and in the second part of the Catalyst, each participant builds upon their foundational skills in showrunning by working with an experienced showrunner and participating in all key elements of production.

“ I’m at a point in my career where my ability to understand every aspect of showrunning and obtain more meaningful on-set production experience is vital to my future success.

Gaining both skills can make the difference between me remaining a support player on other people’s projects versus me having the opportunity to lead my own shows. And I want to have the freedom to do both — a freedom enjoyed by generations of writers before me.

- JP Larocque

TIFF ‘22 SPOTLIGHT

It was a banner year for CFC talent at TIFF, with homegrown fare from CFC residents and alumni accounting for 24 of the 31 Canadian features playing at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, including the following critically acclaimed titles:

− Alice, Darling, starring Actors Conservatory alumnus Charlie Carrick opposite Anna Kendrick; produced by alumnae Katie Bird Nolan, Christina Piovesan and Lindsay Tapscott, with editing by Gareth C. Scales

− Brother, from writer-director-producer Clement Virgo, produced by Damon D’Oliveira and Aeschylus Poulos, with editing by Kye Meechan, featuring performances by Actors Conservatory alumni Lovell Adams-Gray and Alsseny Camara, and an original score from Todor Kobakov

− Women Talking, from writer-director Sarah Polley, featuring Actors Conservatory alumna Michelle McLeod, with editing by alum Roslyn Kalloo

− I Like Movies, the debut feature from writer-director Chandler Levack; produced by Lindsay Blair Goeldner and edited by Simone Smith

− This Place: V.T. Nayani’s feature debut stars Actors Conservatory alumna Devery Jacobs, music by Slaight Music Residency alumni Kalaisan Kalaichelvan and Alexandra Petkovski (FJØRA), and editing by Maureen Grant

− Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On, executive produced by Peter Raymont and Kyle Irving

FUNDRAISING EVENTS

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, we revived our annual September fundraising event (formerly known as the CFC Annual BBQ Fundraiser) as CFC HOMECOMING, a celebration of CFC residents, alumni and the screen industry.

On Sunday, September 11, 2022, CFC talent, friends, sponsors, donors and industry folks reunited on our campus in celebration of the CFC and the incredible storytellers who’ve come through our doors. Guests relished the dynamic mix of

activations, performances and experiences onsite, while enjoying delicious food and drinks from local vendors and visiting with new and old friends alike.

This was our main fundraising event in 2022, helping us achieve critical fundraising targets to help fund our training programs in film, TV and digital/immersive media. This year’s event raised roughly $250,000 for our programs, and enabled us to continue advancing opportunities for Canadian creators and entrepreneurs in the screen industry.

Guests at CFC Homecoming on September 11, 2022

CFC ON THE ROAD

CFC hit the road this year as part of our ongoing efforts to engage with and pursue new partners in the screen community across Canada and find new ways to support the creative industries.

This year, CFC travelled to Manitoulin Island for the Weengushk International Film Festival and to Ottawa for the Canadian Media Producers Association’s (CMPA) annual Prime Time conference, where we joined other industry leaders from across the country.

We also developed relationships in the Atlantic region, including a Memorandum of Understanding with the College of the North Atlantic, to begin to discuss mutually beneficial educational and talent development projects on the east coast.

Attending the 2022 Weengushk International Film Festival

L to R: Tonya Williams, Chief Patsy Corbiere, Dr. Shirley Cheechoo, Glen Gould and maxine bailey

PUBLIC PROGRAMMING

This year, we introduced new public programming through CFC Conversations, a series of free in conversations events with celebrated Canadian creators and storytellers to engage our alumni, the public, and fellow film and TV enthusiasts and share knowledge and provide insightful discussions on important industry trends and topics.

We hosted three CFC Conversations events this past year, one with Emmy Award-winning actor Eric McCormack (Will & Grace, Travelers) in May, and two in February as part of our Black Excellence Speaker Series, presented by TD, one with award-winning actress Amanda Brugel (The Handmaid’s Tale, Infinity Pool), and the other with CFC alumnus Clement Virgo (Brother), one of Canada’s foremost film and TV directors.

CFC Conversations with Eric McCormack

CFC Conversations: Black Excellence Speaker Series with Amanda Brugel

CFC Conversations: Black Excellence Speaker Series with Clement Virgo

IN MEMORIAM

We were deeply saddened to say goodbye to beloved CFC alumni and members of the CFC family who passed away this year:

Todd Brian, Director Of Development, Animation - WildBrain

Cathrine Cook, CFC’s Manager, Post Production & Technical for 18 years

FY23 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ana Serrano*

Anne Loi

Barbara Williams*

Cheryl Hudson (Co Vice-Chair)

Christina Jennings (Chair)

Clement Virgo

David Cronenberg*

David W. Middleton (Treasurer)

David Zitzerman

Don Carmody*

Eric Belcher*

Eugene Levy

Gary Slaight*

George Lewis*

Harold Gronenthal

Hilary Smith

Jaye Robinson*

John Morayniss

Kate Alexander Daniels

Neishaw Ali

Norman Jewison*

Paul Bronfman

Raja Khanna

Roma Khanna*

Robert Munroe

Ron Suter

Shelley Carroll

Shirley Cheechoo

Stéphane Cardin

Steven DeNure (Co Vice-Chair)

Suzette Couture*

Tassie Cameron

*Directors who were part of the FY23 Board but have since completed their service.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS AND GOVERNMENT PARTNERS

Thank you to our partners and supporters for your commitment to the CFC. We are grateful for your generosity and for your investment in the next generation of Canadian storytellers.

GOVERNMENT PARTNERS

LEAD SUPPORTERS

PROGRAM PARTNERS

The Norman & Margaret Jewison Charitable Foundation

CIRCLE OF SUPPORTERS

The CFC Circle of Supporters is a dynamic community of individuals who treasure Canadian stories and the talented creators who craft them for our screens. With the support of our generous donors, we continue to nurture new generations of Canadian talent, voices and stories, and bolster Canada’s screen entertainment industry.

WINDFIELDS CIRCLE

Diane Blake and Stephen Smith*

Kate Alexander-Daniels and David Daniels

Leanne and George Lewis*

Robin and Robert Ogilvie*

PLATINUM CIRCLE

Neishaw Ali

maxine bailey

Blake and Belinda Goldring**

Christina Jennings**

Hilary Smith

Richard Wernham and Julia West*

GOLD CIRCLE

E.J. Alon

Martha Burns and Paul Gross*

Dark Slope Studios

Steven DeNure

Kathryn Emslie*

Fiera Capital*

Ellen Fine**

Cheryl Hudson and Michael Say*

Munroe Family*

Dr. Betty Rozendaal and Sonny Goldstein**

Debbie Van Dusen

David Zitzerman

SILVER CIRCLE

Cameron Pictures Inc.*

Angela Charlesworth

Suzette Couture*

Mark and Cherie Daitchman***

Kevin Fisher, Gardiner Roberts LLP*

Robert and Julia Foster*

Harold Gronenthal

Susan Guichon*

Michael and Marjorie Hale**

David Holiff and Leah Zack

David Kines*

Nancy and John McFadyen***

John McKellar*

Abby and Perry Minuk***

John Morayniss

The Norman and Margaret Jewison Charitable Foundation***

Michael Prupas

Cecil and Robert Rabinovitch*

Jeff and Meryl Rosenthal**

MaryAnne Runnalls***

Andra Takacs***

Vanderwerff Talent

Myrna Weinstein

BRONZE CIRCLE

William Clarke**

Dr. and Mrs. Paul and Joyce Chapnick***

Heather Conway

David Cormican

Carey Diamond & Tina Urman Family Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto

Richard and Pamela Earle

Deborah Fallows*

Forbes Anderson LLP**

Hue and Jonathon Foo

Doreen Gryfe***

Robert Kligman and Sandra Secord**

Anne Loi

Jacqueline Mackey*

Mann Casting

Tara Parker

John Riley

Harvey Rogers***

Raj Verma

Marvin and Joan Waxman***

And two (2) donors who wish to remain anonymous

* over 5 years of support

** over 10 years of support

*** over 20 years of support

Angela Moritsugu, Manager, Programs*

Arezou Abbassi, Specialist, Human Resources & General Counsel

Argie Eliopoulos, Director, Partnerships & Events

Cameron Trinidad, Assistant, Maintenance

Cathrine Cook, Manager, Post-Production & Technical

Chase Wideman – Assistant, Maintenance*

Chelsea Crothers, Coordinator, Development & Events

Christian Jacobsen, Coordinator, Post Production & Technical

Cory Angeletti-Szasz, Director, Marketing & Communications

Deborah Fallows, Executive Lead, People & Culture

E.J. Alon, Executive Lead, Creative Impact, Revenue

Eileen Wang, Accounting Administrator

Emilija Davidovic, Supervising Producer

Emily Scheer, Senior Manager, Talent Development*

Enni-Mariam Balo, Coordinator, Content & Marketplace Initiatives

Enrique Baniqued, Assistant Production Manager*

Erica Proudlock – Executive in Charge of Programs & Talent*

Erin Burke, Associate Director, Programs & Content*

Gillian Ashton, Executive Assistant to maxine bailey

Haydee Moo-Choy, Director, Finance & Facilities

Hilary Szeto – Production Assistant

Jacqueline Mackey, Executive Lead, Finance

Jane Angel, General Counsel

Jason Yeung, Specialist, Marketing & Design

Jessie Chisholm, Reception, Office Administration

Jon Fernandes, Senior Manager, Information Technology

Julie Di Cresce, Director, Programs

Karima Elbanna, Program Administrator, CFC Media Lab

Kathryn Emslie, Executive Lead, Programs - Talent Development & Content Creation

Mahima Talwar, Administrative Assistant, Programs*

Martha Currie, Coordinator, Programs

maxine bailey, Executive Director

Nataly De Monte, Director, CFC Media Lab*

Nathalie Cheung, Project Accountant*

Pedro Yax, Production Manager

Rachel Lai, Accounting Associate

Rick Sherman, Senior Development Officer, Government Relations & Foundations

Sarah Brooks, Manager, Program Administrator

Sarah Kanbar, Specialist, Communications & Social Media

Shannon Stone, Senior Development Officer, Philanthropy

Sophia Commanducci, Assistant, Programs