Throughout the month of September, Content Canada’s Digital Summit will publish a collection of dynamic content that puts the Canadian business in perspective, and amplifies its mission to the world. The Summit will feature a mix of digitally delivered sessions, masterclasses, screenings, podcasts, live-streamed keynote interviews and a host of related content.

Updates on the Content Canada Digital Summit schedule and announcements of additional programs and initiatives will be detailed below.

SESSION 1

Fireside Chat with Jordan Banks

Jordan Banks, President of Rogers Sports & Media, sits down with Sportnet’s Christine Simpson for his first virtual Fireside Chat at Content Canada. Hear about how the company has adapted through these unprecedented times and how, guided by data, analytics and technology, Rogers is evolving in today’s media landscape. Sharing valuable perspective from his time as managing director of Facebook and Instagram in Canada, Banks will elaborate on his deep understanding of world-class digital platforms and content in a mobile-first digital world.
Brought to you in partnership with Rogers Sports & Media
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Jordan Banks President, Rogers Sports & Media

Christine Simpson Reporter, NHL on Sportsnet

SESSION 2

Calgary Day
Spotlight On: Production in Alberta

Alberta is moving past the pandemic to open the province in a safe and effective way. Presented in partnership with Calgary Economic Development, this session will feature experts from across the media landscape who have successfully produced, and are successful producing again, in Alberta. Our experts will share their insights about what Alberta has to offer and how they’re getting back to business, as we shine the Content Canada spotlight on: Production in Alberta.
Brought to you in partnership with Calgary Economic Development
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Mark Ham Executive director, cultural industries branch and film commissioner, Alberta culture multiculturalism and status of women

Tom Cox Executive producer and managing partner, Seven24 Films

Linda Ambury Production manager, producer, director

Erin O’Connor Business development manager and programming director, Calgary Film Centre

Luke Azevedo Commissioner, Film, Television and Creative Industries

SESSION 3

The Women Behind CTV’s JANN

Iconic singer-songwriter and comedy star, Jann Arden, will be featured along with the powerful team of women behind their hit series in this exclusive masterclass. The women behind CTV’s “JANN” will take centre stage for a funny, entertaining and informative look at the series’ success, and how it is empowering women in front of and behind the camera. Joining series star, co-creator, and executive producer Jann Arden are fellow co-creators and executive producers Leah Gauthier and Jennica Harper – who also serves as showrunner – alongside writer Nelu Handa and Pat DiVittorio, vice-president, programming, CTV and Specialty, Bell Media. The master class will be moderated by The Social’s Cynthia Loyst.
Brought to you in partnership with CTV
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Jann Arden Singer, songwriter, broadcaster, actor, author, and social media star

Leah Gauthier Writer and producer

Jennica Harper TV writer and producer

Nelu Handa Writer, producer and actor

Pat DiVittorio Vice-President, Programming, CTV and Specialty, Bell Media

Cynthia Loyst Co-Host, The Social

Lionsgate

 

SESSION 4

In Conversation with CMPA’s Reynolds Mastin

Canadian producers, like all in the production world, have been deeply affected by the current pandemic. At a time when the Canadian industry was already grappling with a rapidly evolving media landscape, along came Covid-19 which turned producers’ worlds around. Reynolds Mastin, president and CEO of the Canadian Media Producers Association, is laser focused on helping his members get past the current crisis and succeed. He sits down with C21Media’s founder and editor-in-chief, David Jenkinson, to discuss Canada’s response, as well as other pressing issues to be addressed and resolved in order to put Canadian producers in a position to thrive.
Click here to view the session

Reynolds Mastin President and CEO, CMPA

David Jenkinson Managing director, C21Media

SESSION 5

Launch of Content Canada Development Market and Export Café

Content Canada, in partnership with Canadian Heritage and the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, is proud to present a B2B and B2G Development Market matching Canadian producers with select Trade Commissioners, content buyers, streaming platforms, development executives, and potential co-production/co-financing partners for virtual one-on-one meetings. (Pre-Registration Required)
Click here to view the featured participants

 

 

SESSION 6

First Inaugural Content Canada IMPACT Award: Presented to Valerie Creighton, president and CEO, Canada Media Fund

Content Canada is proud to present its first annual IMPACT AWARD to Valerie Creighton, president and CEO, Canada Media Fund. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the CMF, which is responsible for funding approximately C$350 million annually towards the creation of original Canadian television and digital media content, as well as promoting and fostering the Canadian media industry. As president and CEO of the CMF, Valerie is celebrated for fiercely championing Canada’s place in the global media industry, and expertly promoting its original content. Interviewed by esteemed Canadian actor, Karine Vanasse, come celebrate as the IMPACT Award is officially presented to Valerie Creighton.
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Valerie Creighton

Valerie Creighton President and CEO, Canada Media Fund

Karine Vanasse Actor and producer

SESSION 7

Roundtable Discussion: Ways to Bring About Lasting Diversity and Inclusion in the Canadian Entertainment Industry

How can lasting change be implemented in the Canadian industry to ensure our entertainment media landscape reflects our inclusive society? How can talent behind and in front of the camera become more diverse? Join us for a candid roundtable discussion with independent production leaders about the challenges of working in the Canadian screen industry as an Indigenous person or person of colour, and, what changes they recommend on a structural level to have these issues addressed in a lasting way.
Brought to you in partnership with Canada Media Fund
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Tracey Deer Director

Sherien Barsoum Director and producer

Floyd Kane Writer, creator, showrunner and executive producer

Alison Duke Producer and director

Tonya Williams Actress, founder and executive director, Reelworld Film Festival

Rogers Group of Funds

 

SESSION 8

Spotlight On: Insight Productions 40th Anniversary

This session will pay tribute to renowned independent production company Insight Productions Ltd on its 40th anniversary. Insight’s CEO and Executive Producer, John Brunton, will be interviewed by industry insider Ed Robinson about the company’s incredible longevity, innovation and accomplishments – also joined by several other of their key senior executives. Responsible for bringing Canadian audiences some of the most beloved international tv franchises, this session will not only inspire,but will provide valuable thought leadership about resilience, and how to achieve lasting success in the Canadian screen industry.
Brought to you in partnership with Insight Productions
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John Brunton CEO and executive producer, Insight Productions Ltd

Lindsay Cox SVP, Executive Producer & Showrunner, Insight Productions Ltd

Barbara Bowlby Former COO and president, Insight Production Company Ltd

Mark Lysakowski SVP, Executive Producer & Showrunner, Insight Productions Ltd

Erin Brock SVP, Executive Producer & Showrunner, Insight Productions Ltd

Ed Robinson Moderator

SESSION 9

Canadian Creative Accelerator: Finalists Announced

The applications are in and the judging is done – let’s meet the first 6 companies accepted into the Canadian Creative Accelerator!

The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service at the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles is pleased to announce the participants selected for the intensive 3-month course of workshops, networking, and one-on-one meetings with the best TV producers, financiers, distributors, and talent in Hollywood.
Brought to you in partnership with the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service at The Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles
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SESSION 10

HireBIPOC

The Canadian media industry is having a moment of reckoning. We need to move forward beyond the Diversity 101 discussions to create lasting, systemic change. That means a strong commitment from all levels of the industry: broadcasters, showrunners and creators alike. Initiatives like HireBIPOC, a Canadian, screen-based, industry-wide roster of crew and creatives has a simple objective: to get more BIPOC hired. This panel explores solutions to closing employment gaps in the entertainment media landscape at every level, how diversity in front of and behind the camera enriches content, the commitments among broadcasters to adapt and progress, and what it will take to make diversity and inclusion a condition of greenlight for productions.

Moderated by writer, director, and founder of BIPOC TV & Film, Nathalie Younglai, the panel also features: award-winning filmmaker, producer, writer, and Indigenous rights activist Michelle Latimer; writer and showrunner Anthony Q Farrell; Andrew Barnsley, CEO of Project 10 Productions Inc.; Trish Williams, Executive Director of Scripted Content for the CBC; and Corrie Coe, Senior Vice President of Original Programming for Bell Media.
Brought to you in partnership with HireBIPOC

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Michelle Latimer

Michelle Latimer Filmmaker, producer, writer and activist

Anthony Q. Farrell

Anthony Q. Farrell Writer and producer

Andrew Barnsley

Andrew Barnsley Executive producer of film and television

Corrie Coe

Corrie Coe Senior Vice President of Original Programmig, Bell Media

Trish Williams

Trish Williams Executive director of scripted content, CBC

Nathalie Younglai Founder, BIPOC TV and Film

Rogers Group of Funds

 

SESSION 11

In Conversation With Paul Feig and Lionsgate’s Scott Herbst: Premium Content in the Streaming Age

Hear from acclaimed writer, director, producer and actor Paul Feig and Lionsgate Television’s head of scripted development Scott Herbst as they engage in an exclusive conversation with C21’s founder and editor-in-chief David Jenkinson. Examining premium content in the streaming age, the two will discuss the growing slate of hit projects coming from their companies’ collaboration, as well as Feig’s career and success at championing diverse voices on screen.
Brought to you in partnership with Lionsgate
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Paul Feig Writer, director, producer and actor

Scott Herbst Head of scripted development, Lionsgate Television Group

SESSION 12

Oh Canada: Your Future in the Global Content Industry

What is the viability of the future of broadcasting in Canada, and how can broadcasters help to ensure Canada’s prominent role in the global market? How do diversification, national and international partnerships and/or consolidation help or hurt Canada’s broadcasters and producers? Join Troy Reeb, Executive Vice President of Broadcast Networks at Corus Entertainment, for this exclusive ‘In Conversation With…’. Troy Reeb sits down with Mercedes Stephenson, host of Global Television Network’s The West Block to explore these questions and more, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for Canadian broadcasters in a globalized marketplace.
Brought to you in partnership with Corus Entertainment
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Troy Reeb Executive Vice President Broadcast Networks, Corus Entertainment Inc

Mercedes Stephenson Ottawa Bureau chief and host, Global News

SESSION 13

The New Normal: Producing Past Covid

What is the ‘new normal’ now that safety protocols are being put in place and producers are getting back to set? What industry standards have changed permanently? For the better? For the worse? And more importantly, what innovations will come from the challenges producers have faced? Join our panel of esteemed independent producers with different perspectives and from different genres, as they discuss producing past covid, and settling into the ‘new normal’.
Brought to you in partnership with Incendo
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Ian Whitehead Head of Production, Incendo Productions

Tashi Bieler SVP Production, Film, Television & Digital, Entertainment One Television

L.C. Crowley Chief Executive Officer, Trioscope Studios

Nancy Glass CEO and Executive Producer, Glass Entertainment Group

Prem Gill CEO, Creative BC

Prairie Dog Film + Television
 

SESSION 14

Going Global: Getting Into International Co-Pros and Partnerships

In the face of increasing challenges and disruptive forces in the global media industry, the benefits of international partnerships and co-productions are becoming even more pronounced. Partnerships drive increased reach and synergies in order to compete with global consolidation. This session will provide expert insight and practical examples of successful international co-productions and partnerships, and how to pursue these opportunities for your company.
Brought to you in partnership with Blue Ant Media
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Julie Chang VP, international co-productions, Blue Ant Media

Carlyn Staudt Global General Manager, Love Nature

Tom Brisley Creative Director, Arrow Media

Jennifer Dettman Executive Director, Unscripted Content, CBC & Chair, documentary Channel

Clive Whittingham News Editor, C21Media

SESSION 15

In Conversation with Catherine Tait and Barbara Williams

Canada’s public broadcaster is playing a pivotal role serving audiences and working with creators and producers in new ways during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this exclusive conversation, Catherine Tait and Barbara Williams open up about CBC/Radio-Canada’s response to the pandemic and other issues facing the Canadian industry, and how they are charting a path forward.
Brought to you in partnership with CBC
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Catherine Tait President and CEO, CBC/Radio-Canada

Barbara Williams Executive Vice-President, CBC

Tony Wong Contributing Columnist, Toronto Star

SESSION 16

Enslaved: The Lost History of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Explore CBC’s upcoming groundbreaking documentary series, which sheds new light on the history of the transatlantic slave trade and demonstrates to audiences that this is truly a global story. The series is led by icon and activist Samuel L. Jackson with investigative journalists Afua Hirsch and Simcha Jacobovici, who is also series director. Enslaved is a Canada/UK co-production between Associated Producers and Cornelia Street Productions in association with CBC and documentary Channel in Canada and EPIX in the U.S. The series will also broadcast on BBC Two in the UK, and is distributed internationally by Fremantle.
Brought to you in partnership with CBC
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Afua Hirsch

Afua Hirsch Investigative Journalist, Enslaved

Simcha Jacobovici Series Director/Executive Producer, Enslaved

Kramer Wimberley Diving With A Purpose

Jens Richter International CEO, Fremantle

Jennifer Dettman Executive Director, Unscripted Content, CBC & Chair, documentary Channel

Nico Franks Senior reporter, C21Media

Calgary Film Commission