2025 Industry Series

ELEVATING FILMMAKERS’ CRAFT AND CONNECTION

The CFF industry events are essential to the festival experience, bringing together a community of cinematic storytellers from industry veterans to emerging filmmakers, who share knowledge and ideas, sparking important conversations and broadening professional networks. Join us for five action-packed days filled with masterclasses, informative panels, and the return of CFF's Cheers & Chats Podcast.

Industry Day 1

Monday, March 24 | Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

CFF Masterclass:
Fix it in Prep

12:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Fix It in Prep is an in-depth 4-hour class designed to guide filmmakers through the essential tasks of pre-production for a greenlit feature film. Focused on streamlining the preparation process, this workshop covers everything that needs to be accomplished from before pre-production to pre-production through the last day of prep prior to commencing principal Photography. Led by lori lozinski, and Lauren Grant.

BONUS: Taking part in the Masterclass entitles you to a FREE CFF Festival Pass, which is good for all screenings and Industry Series events ($450+ value)! You must attend the Masterclass to claim the pass.

Industry Screening:
SUGAR DADDY (2021)

4:15 pm - 5:45 pm

After gaining first-hand insights from the film’s producers on successfully navigating feature film production, experience the result of that journey on the big screen with Sugar Daddy—the multi-award-winning film that took home Best Feature at the 2021 Canadian Film Fest.

SUGAR DADDY (2021)
Drama | 100mins | Theatrical Premiere

Directed by Wendy Morgan
Producers: Lauren Grant, lori lozinski, Kelly McCormack

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Industry Day 2

Tuesday, March 25 | Scotiabank Theatre Toronto Club Room

11:45 am - 12:45 pm
CFF Industry Panel:

GLOBAL VOICES, CANADIAN HEART: International Storytelling in Film
Co-Presented by ConneKt Film

Moderated by:
Anya Vagabova, ConneKt Film, Founder/CEO

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
CFF Industry Cheers & Chats:

SCOUTING T.O.: Finding the Perfect Location
Sponsored by xoTO and DGC Ontario

Moderated by:
Magali Simard, Moderator, Cinespace, Director, Industry & Community Relations

2:15 pm - 3:15 pm
CFF Industry Panel:

FUNDED AND SEEN: Untapped Support for Canadian Creators
Co-Presented by WebSeries Canada

Moderated by:
Katie Uhlmann, Filmmaker & WebSeries Canada President / TO. Webfest

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
CFF Industry Directors Roundtable:

BREAKING IN: The Transition to Directing
Sponsored by DGC Ontario

Moderated by:
Shawn Gerrard, Film & Television Director, Jane, Space & Time

4:45 pm - 5:45 pm
CFF Industry Panel:

BRANDING, HUSTLING, & THRIVING: The Future of Film in Canada
Co-Presented by Future of Film Showcase

Moderated by:
Eric Bizzarri, Future of Films Showcase Co-Founder and CEO

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
CFF Industry Cheers & Chats:

BEHIND THE LIGHTS: The Art & Craft of Cinematography
Sponsored by xoTO

Moderated by:
Warren Sonoda, Filmmaker, DGC National President

More Info

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Industry Day 3

Wednesday, March 26 | Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
CFF Industry Showcase:

CFF x Firecracker Department Present: THE 2025 COMEDY IGNITER
Sponsored by Scotiabank | Co-Presented by WIFT+

A special presentation showcasing the top selected creative comedies from The Comedy Igniter, a film challenge created by Canadian Film Fest and Firecracker Department, where female and non-binary filmmakers were invited to write, shoot, and deliver a comedic short film within a four week timeline. Each Igniter will present their film and receive feedback and advice for their short comedy film from a live panel of comedy and filmmaking professionals.

Hosted by Naomi Snieckus, Firecracker Department

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