 
 
THE INDUSTRY CONFERENCE
Engaging the professional community of Canadian filmmakers, producers and broadcasters. Our goal is to provide stimulating, up-to-date information and access to the world of environmental films and funding. Professional modules include the Master Class, networking opportunities, the Green Pitch competition and DocBOX Toolkit sessions filled with an outstanding line up of VIP guests.
Live at the Centre for Social Innovation, 192 Spadina Ave, Toronto
COFFEE @ 9:30am
Doors open at 10am, join us for coffee and a light snack ahead of the first panel event!
THE FUNDING PANEL @ 10:00am
This session focuses on some of the key relationships necessary to get your film funded, produced & sold. Funding agency reps discuss the latest trends in financing, co-productions, distribution and the future of branded content.
2023 panelists include:
| Julian Carrington | Moderator |
| Chanda Chevannes | NFB Ontario Studio |
| Anna Newallo | Ontario Creates |
| James Lucscombe | Telefilm Canada |
| Peter Kingstone | Toronto Arts Council |
THE BUSINESS & RIGHTS PANEL @ 11:30am
This panel will provide a thorough understanding of the details filmmakers need to consider when negotiating copyright then shift towards what filmmakers need to know to ensure that you are maximizing your ability to receive government funding and benefit from the tax credits available. The session will also include a discussion about what you need to know when financing a co-production and how to structure agreements to maximize your benefits.
| Lesley Johnson | Moderator/Filmmaker |
| John Vekar | CBC Business & Rights |
| Shayna Jan | Entertainment and Media Associate at Taylor Oballa Murray Leyland LLP |
| Joanne Jackson | Executive Producer |
THE MASTER CLASS @ 1pm
Each year, Planet in Focus hosts a Master Class workshop with an established filmmaker and PiF alumnus. The 2023 workshop will be hosted by Canadian filmmaker Andrew Nisker. Watch Andrew’s newest film Nuked on Closing Night at the Paradise Theatre.
Andrew Nisker is an award winning documentary filmmaker and environmental sustainability advocate who has been creating thought provoking documentaries for more than two decades. Using a signature dry wit, Andrew brings information about global topics home to viewers in a wholly accessible and approachable style. Andrew is also the driving force behind Take Action Films, a pioneering production company that has been at the forefront of environmentally-focussed filmmaking for over twenty years. Take Action Films is founded on the principle of driving dialogue and meaningful change by breaking down complex topics into smaller, individualized actions that viewers can bring into their own lives. Andrew’s own personal history, marked by a family battle with environmentally driven illness, ignited a personal quest for answers and fuelled a powerful desire to educate, inspire and empower others to make small changes that add up to big differences. Read more
Andrew Nisker is an award winning documentary filmmaker and environmental sustainability advocate who has been creating thought provoking documentaries for more than two decades. Using a signature dry wit, Andrew brings information about global topics home to viewers in a wholly accessible and approachable style. Andrew is also the driving force behind Take Action Films, a pioneering production company that has been at the forefront of environmentally-focussed filmmaking for over twenty years.
Take Action Films is founded on the principle of driving dialogue and meaningful change by breaking down complex topics into smaller, individualized actions that viewers can bring into their own lives. Andrew’s own personal history, marked by a family battle with environmentally driven illness, ignited a personal quest for answers and fuelled a powerful desire to educate, inspire and empower others to make small changes that add up to big differences.
Andrew’s investigations have included everything from tracking the accumulation and disposal of household waste (2008’s Garbage! The Revolution Starts at Home and upcoming Garbage! The Revolution Starts with You) to a history of gum, the world’s most common source of littler (2014’s Dark Side of the Chew) to the depletion of the worlds coral (2020’s Coral Ghosts) and a power and deeply personal expose of pesticide use (2018’s Ground War, Dad and the Dandelions for CBC’s The Nature of Things). Andrew’s latest film, Nuked (2023), depicts the chilling power and horrific aftermath of Cold War nuclear tests in the Bikini Atoll, using carefully restored archival footage to resurrect contemporaneous islanders’ voices and juxtaposing these with the full, awesome fury of the nuclear detonations.
Andrew began his career with a first-look deal with Lorne Michael’s infamous Broadway Video as a fresh graduate from York University’s Film School, where he developed his darkly comedic feature Death, Family and Religion and worked on producing television pilots.
Already an award winning documentary filmmaker, Andrew was commissioned to use his accessible humor and informative style to produce television content for Canada’s major networks including CBC, CTV, CHUM (CityTV) and Global Television.
In addition to film and television, Anderw has been a successful interactive entertainment producer, selling millions of interactive games through collaborations with WWE, NASCAR, and The Apprentice.
Andrew’s personable style has been put to good use in building a community of engaged and informed fans. By coming together and sharing stories that educate even as they entertain, Andrew believes we can create a world that works for everyone, including the planet we call home!
THE DISTRIBUTION PANEL @ 2:30pm
The changing landscape of distribution can pose a challenge for filmmakers post-pandemic. Join us as we ask Canadian distributors the tough questions including navigating hybrid festivals, new international strategies and more.
2023 panelists include:
| Lesley Johnson | Moderator/Filmmaker |
| Kelly Lui | OUAT Media |
| Chris Harris | CBC Digital Development & Streaming |
| Robin Smith | Blue Ice Docs |
THE GREEN PITCH @ 4pm
A highlight of Industry Day is the Green Pitch. Five selected filmmakers pitch their film idea to a panel of industry judges and in front of the conference audience. The winner receives a prize valued at $20,000 in services & cash to put toward the production of their project provided by Ontario film production suppliers. See the 2022 Green Pitch winner here. Applications for the 2023 Green Pitch are due by October 10, 2023
2022 Green Pitch Prize Sponsors: SIM International, William F. White, Dynamix Solutions, Pie in the Sky Studios, The Source Shop, Trinity Square Video and FilmFestivals.com. The Green Pitch 2023 Jury:
| Victoria Harding | DGC Executive Director |
| Sue Dando | CBC |
| Tiffany Hsiung | Hot Docs Board of Directors |
INDUSTRY AND GREEN PITCH SPONSORS
