THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED DAILY
FRANK SIRACUSA
Producer, CEO Whizbang Films, Inc.
IMDb Website
Frank Siracusa is a Canadian producer and director. He is the president and CEO of Whizbang Films, Inc. Siracusa works as an executive producer on Star Trek: Discovery since the second episode and produced all the live-action episodes of Star Trek: Short Treks. In universe, the Tactical Ops personnel F. Siracusa and F. Siracusa (mirror) on the Discovery and ISS Discovery dedication plaques are named after him. He previously worked on the TV shows Due South, The Handmaid’s Tale, Locke & Key, along with the film Hobo with a Shotgun.
ISRAEL EKANEM
Producer, Ubuntu Media
Company Website
Israel Ekanem is a Nigerian-born award-winning storyteller. At a young age, his grandmother introduced him to the art of storytelling, and it quickly became his passion. His writing, directing and producing credits include the award-winning, Drown the Lovers, Kill Your Masters, Dearg, Good Earth: The Pots And Passions Of Walter Ostrom and A Walk In The Sun. He believes that a story properly told can change the world, one person at a time. He hopes to keep telling stories for as long as he lives.
SERHAT DOGANTEKIN
Director, Ofis Creative.
Serhat Dogantekin, a Turkish-Canadian director, has a long career working as a screenwriter in the TV industry. In 2020, he began producing projects under his own company, Ofis Creative and sharing his directorial experiences with the audience. Dogantekin creates films in various fictional genres such as short films, commercials, documentaries, and more. He is currently in the development stage of his first feature-length film.
AJ LEE
Press
Instagram
AJ Lee is a Toronto based content creator with a primarily Canadian based audience. Lee shares the latest and greatest things to experience and enjoy in our beautiful multicultural city. Lee loves sharing the latest in entertainment news with his followers.
MAXINE SCHNEPF
Producer
IMDB
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Maxine Schnepf is a Producer and Artist Manager with over 10 years of experience in the post-production industry, specializing in creative partnerships, project management, and resource planning. With a solid track record of delivering 10 major film and tv projects as a Producer, and over 40 other titles across other production management roles, Schnepf has a demonstrated ability to manage several projects simultaneously, and a deep knowledge of each stage of the production pipeline. Schnepf is currently based out of Toronto, Canada with both Canadian and EU dual citizenship.
RICHARD WOLF
Actor/Casting
Richard Wolf is a charismatic actor known in the world of cinema. With notable bad guy roles in films such as “Le Corbeau,” that showcased his captivating action and acting and films coming soon such as “Headlines Today,” Wolf is a true performer with a magnetic presence, passion for the arts and dedication. His journey extends beyond the silver screen, with performances in cult classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” where he embraced the role with flair and charisma, captivating audiences. Wolf is a Writer and Director of the film Quarter Life Crisis movie and is currently developing a movie called Zhivago.
PERRY VOULGARIS
Executive
LinkedIn
With a broad and distinguished portfolio, cultivating, managing, launching, and distributing partnerships,Perry Voulgaris has 30+ years’ experience developing compelling storytelling, driving creative partnerships, and curating content. Voulgaris has screen-based and immersive media within the sports, gaming, arts, entertainment, and media sectors.
VINCE SANNUTO
Writer
Link Tree
Vince Sannuto is a Writer and Director of the film, Quarter Life Crisis. He is currently developing a film called Zhivago, that is based on the declassified Dr. Zhivago CIA documents released in 2014 in which the CIA bungled the secret mission to distribute the banned Dr Zhivago book to Russian students.
SALVATORE GRECO
Producer
LinkedIn
Salvatore Greco has vast knowledge within the film industry. He wrote and directed 2 films for the National Film Board of Canada, and produced “Pinocchio For All People – Pinocchio Per Tutti, “which won a Gold Medal at the Milan Film Festival. Greco has produced 3 television series at CFMT (now OMNI-TV). He has worked at Toronto Metropolitan University for the Faculty of Communication and Design for over 46 years, helping to educate and train students in media production.
JAZE BORDEAUX
Producer
IMDb
Jaze Bordeaux is known for his compelling storytelling as a Producer and Director.
He most recently Produced and Directed the feature film “EFC” a female mixed martial arts film in the Drama Sport movie genre. On the horizon for Jaze are several feature films currently in development titled “GENESIS” and “MONOPOLI” which dive deep into the human psyche, probing the origins of original thought and the dark underbelly of financial power.
DEAN CAMERON CAMERON
Press
Company Website
Dean Cameron currently lives and works in Toronto. He attended Huntington University in Huntington, Indiana U.S.A., where he majored in Sociology. Cameron works within the media and teaches international students.
ROBYN BIGUÉ
Producer, Sir Harry Films Inc.
Personal Website
Robyn Bigué is an award-winning, trilingual, Toronto based showrunner, producer, and writer, who has cultivated a diverse lineage over her 20+ years in the industry. She has produced hundreds of hours of scripted, factual and documentary programming, and has led production teams in every corner of the Globe. She is also EP on the feature Dead of Winter and has several scripted projects currently in development.
SHAEL STOLBERG
Producer
IMDb
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Shael Stolberg has written film reviews, hosted a radio show, published 3 International Film Guides and was a guest on HuffPost Live. Some of the projects he is most excited about are the release of The Martini Shot with Matthew Modine, Fiona Glascott, Stuart Townsend & John Cleese, getting the new doc about a Toronto festival legend finished & developing two co-pros of his own scripts, to hopefully be shot in 2024. Stolberg has created and taught courses Georgian College & Distribution & Exhibition at RTA School of Media and moderated various panels.
SARA BARUFFALDI
Production/ Crew
Personal Website
Sara Baruffaldi is an Italian/British Costume Designer with more than 20 years of experience in the Theatre and Film industry. Her professional path started with Opera and Ballet at La Scala Theatre in Milan, developing proficiency in costume making and vision in designing. She designed costumes for dozens of theatre productions, including Don Giovanni, La Cavalleria Rusticana, Sweeney Todd, Lés Misérables, Macbeth, Hecuba, A midsummer night’s dream, Mnemonic, Dissocia, Animal Farm, Jane Eyre. Baruffaldi worked with award winning film directors and a large variety of British and Canadian film productions.
JULIA RANIERI
Government Official
Julia Ranieri attended York University. She was a panelist and moderator for Policy Discussions and has published Economics, Costs in Arbitration. She enjoys traveling, restorations, and Inuit art.
CRISTIANO DE FLORENTIIS
Co-Founder and Artistic Director, ICFF
LinkedIn | Company Website
Cristiano de Florentiis is the Founder and Artistic Director of the ICFF. The film festival inaugurated in 2012 spans across 9 Canadian cities and has become one of the most influential showcases for contemporary cinema in North America. Along with his passion for cinema, de Florentiis has always cultivated his love for television and journalism. Since 1997 he has been working for the Italian state television RAI, providing weekly news coverage from Canada for different programs.
BERNARD BOURRET
Ontario Creates
LinkedIn
Bernard Bourret is a tax credit analyst at Ontario Creates. Recognized by Harvard University’s Business Publishing as an educator, Bourret is a professor at Sheridan College’s Creative Industries Management post-graduate program. Earlier in his career, he served as a film and television production executive and producer who has produced and overseen over 375 hours of films and television series. His productions have received numerous awards and nominations, including four Gemini / Gemeaux Award nominations (Canadian Emmys). He has served as juror and jury chair for the Gemini Awards and the DGC awards.
CARMINE IACONO
Executive, Big Bear Entertainment Company Inc.
Personal Website | Company Website
Carmine Iacono, a well-known Canadian Actor, Radio Host, Voice-Over Performer, Producer, and Director, was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Despite the disadvantages, Carmine ventured forward to face the challenges of the entertainment business. With his extensive senior background in the legal profession and business, Carmine brings his vast life experiences and skills into each role. He describes himself as a “vitiated method actor” having studied the Adler, Lewis, Meisner, Strasberg, and Hagen techniques approach to acting.
GIANNI MIGNARDI
Film Festival
Gianni Mignardi is an actor with experience in Italian local plays. Mignardi is an active member of the Italian community in Toronto and working as a civil servant with the City of Toronto as well as participating in ICFF.
JIMMY PHILÉMOND-MONTOUT
Producer
Jimmy Philémond-Montout is a Canadian producer who produced several commercials and calls for tender for American, European, and Japanese companies Suchi. Suchi has produced several documentaries including OUR NEW WAVE featuring Xavier Gens, Alexandre Aja. Philémond-Montout worked with Japanese and Chinese companies to produce animated features and TV series.
GINA POWER, LMM
Producer HO11YROCK
LinkedIn
Gina Power’s passion for the entertainment industry has led to a varied 25+ yrs. career in film, TV, gaming, digital production covering content creation, sales, distribution; domestic & foreign. She previously held a senior management position for 15+ yrs. with Walt Disney Studio in sales, programming, distribution, operations strategies across multi platforms. Currently under the HO11YROCK banner she oversees co production, development, broadcast sales and distribution expertise to domestic & foreign content creators. Power specializes in creative industry trade missions & international markets.
PETER DONATO
Producer Sir Harry Films Inc.
IMDb
Peter Donato has a strong personal interest in this movie, being the nephew of the title character “Benny.” It was their communal love of cycling that led Peter to unearth the truth of the monumental journey his unassuming uncle had taken. He is a well-respected Event Planner and Sales and Marketing expert in Canada with strong ties to both the Corporate and Cycling communities through his personal business endeavors. Donato also works on Canada’s biggest television shows as a Location Manager since 2022, including the Amazing Race Canada and Canada’s Ultimate Challenge.
JOE MARI
Producer
IMDb
Joe Mari is a filmmaker, director and producer based out of Canada. His most recent production is the documentary Rhino Man, which had its premiere in London this summer, hosted by Prince William. Mari is also an alum of the ICFF, with his short film Pizza Bagel screening at the first ICFF in 2012.
AMIR KIANI
Producer Cinemote
IMDb | Company Website
After graduating from film school and creating 7 short films in Iran, Amir moved to Ottawa to pursue his education in fine arts and cinema. Kiani is a proud student of great masters of cinema such as the legendary French writer Jean-Claude Carrière. In 2017, he established his production company Cinemote and since then has directed and produced a 7-episode documentary series, 4 short films, and currently is in development of 1 feature documentary and a narrative feature project. His works have been screened in over 40 film festivals including Raindance and Busan International Film Festival.
FIRDAUS BILIMORIA
Director
IMDb
Firdaus F. Bilimoria is an award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker and actor. Originally from Bombay, now Toronto-based, Firdaus has written and directed seven short films and has a portfolio of feature scripts and TV scripts/ bibles. His short films have screened in film festivals internationally and won awards. His feature scripts have been short-listed for the 2015 Sundance Screenwriters Program, and advanced to Finalist/Semi-Finalist in many recognized screenwriting competitions including Bluecat Screenwriting Competition, ScreenCraft Horror, and FilmQuest FF.
PASQUALE MARCO VELTRI
Director
Company Website
Pasquale Marco Veltri is an award-winning Canadian writer, filmmaker, and photographer. His feature film, Drowning, is available on Apple TV, Google Play & Amazon Prime. Veltri won the Chris Award for Best Narrative Film at the Columbus International Film and Video Festival for Words to Remember. Measuring Tape Girl was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and the Montreal World Film Festival. His other works include creating comic books such as Painting My Life, Dimensional, and the upcoming Erica Prime.
PAUL GOLINI
Producer/ Chairman, ICFF
LinkedIn | Company Website
He is the Chairman of ICFF and he is well versed in the film industry. He has spent several years investing and producing films, and has also has had a significant career in real estate as the co-founder and Executive Vice President of Empire Communities. The multi-talented Paul Golini has also been the executive producer of a few major productions; Meadowland (2015), directed by Reed Morano, starring Olivia Wilde and Luke Wilson; Acquainted (2018), directed by Natty Zavitz, starring Giacomo Gianniotti, and Laysla De Olivera; and The Cuban (2019), directed by Sergio Navaretta, starring Louis Gosset Jr., and Ana Golja.
ANDREA RAMOLO
Filmmaker
LinkedIn
Andrea Ramolo is a celebrated Canadian songwriter and recording artist, an award-winning music video director, and an accomplished filmmaker. She is a multiple Canadian Folk Music Award Nominee and winner for the Best Folk Music Video at the 2021 Canadian Independent Music Video Awards. She is also the creator and producer of THE SOUTH – her first feature-length documentary shot in southern Italy Andrea is presently writing her first feature film screenplay, developing a comedic mini-series, and planting scenes for future documentaries while working on her 9th studio record.
JOVAN BOSEOVSKI
Producer Macedon Films
Company Website
Jovan Boseovski is a Writer, Director, Producer at the Independent film production company Macedon Films. Having completed his first feature length film in 2021, Boseovski is currently in pre-production on his next 2 films.
DANIEL ABBOUD
Small Scale Virtual Production
Personal Website | Company Wbsite
Daniel Abboud is a seasoned camera operator with a passion for storytelling and for capturing compelling visuals. As a camera operator with years of expertise, he has demonstrated a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of visual aesthetics. In addition to his work behind the camera, Dan has made significant strides in the realm of virtual production. He is the creator of the SSVP – Small-Scale Virtual Production Suite. His unique blend of skills and experiences provides a valuable contribution to the ICFF and its delegates.
LIDIA STANTE
Lidia Stante has been the first assistant director for over twenty-five years. In 2009 she won a spot in the Crazy 8’s competition and wrote and directed her short film “Teaser”. She is looking forward to stepping into the next phase of her career with her writing and directing.
JERRY CICCORITTI
Director Black Mariah Films
Personal Website
Jerry Ciccoritti was the lead director of the hit series, “Schitt’s Creek.” His films have been invited to festivals in Berlin, Karlovy vary, Moscow, Toronto, et al. In television, his work has earned ten Gemini Awards and two Canadian Screen Awards. He has won six Directors Guild of Canada Awards and received a Genie Awards nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. He has worked on films such as “Lie Exposed,” “My Life with the Walter Boys and mini-series, “La Terra del Ritorno” starring Sophia Loren and Sabrina Ferilli. He is currently developing several IPs for television.
ILHAM ARAGRAG
Producer
IMDB
Mark Holdom, Producer and Head of Sales for Trimuse, graduated from University of Waikato, New Zealand, in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, Math and German. He has worked for around the world in film production and financing, film sales, acquisitions, and strategic consultation and attended major festivals and markets worldwide, including Cannes, Toronto, Sundance, Berlin, Venice, MIPCOM, Filmart, AFM. His projects include “Zombie Town”, “Curse of Buckout Road”, “Ratchet & Clank”, “Vallanzasca”, “Hate2o” and “Blue Hill Avenue”. He was VP of Investments at UBS Paine Webber. Mark has film and television projects currently in development at Trimuse and is currently in discussions to be Promoter for a concert tour of Canada for Max Pezzali. His diverse background extends to production for music and ballet, as well as serving as a music/touring manager for major musical acts, including Frank Zappa, Metallica, Alanis Morissette and Modern English.
MATTEO GOLINI
Producer
Company Website
Matteo Golini is the Co-founder and Head of Production of the Toronto-based creative studio Stardog Guava. They specialize in the production and distribution of short films and the development/production of branded content campaigns for a wide variety of clientele.
ELENA LOMBARDI
Producer Lulo Films
Company Website
Elena Lombardi joined Lulo Films Inc in 2011 as Senior Producer. Elena works in development and production. She has shaped a variety of programs in her role as story producer, production manager and producer. She has produced over fifty documentaries in English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Tagalog through the Canada Media Fund Diverse Language Programme. Prior to LuloFilms Inc, Elena’s career was based in On-Air Promotion-Marketing- Programming with various Canadian networks; including Shaw, Rogers, Bell Media, Corus Entertainment and CBC.
ED CALLWAY
Entertainment Architect, AMD
LinkedIn | Company Website
Ed Callway has been designing entertainment PC products for over 30 years. ATI/AMD products include sound and graphics cards, the award winning All-in-Wonder graphics + TV tuner series, STB/DTV designs, as well as algorithms for video and display processing. His current work is focused on Virtual Reality in public spaces and HDR.
VALENTINA MARTELLI
Film Festival
Valentina Martelli, an Italian American executive producer, TV journalist, and strategic consultant, boasts an impressive two-decade-long media career. Her work covers diverse topics, earning her accolades for in-depth interviews and groundbreaking reporting. Valentina is also the founder, CEO, and Creative Director of ITTV International Forum and Tech In Entertainment, known for international content and innovative technologies in the entertainment Industry. Formerly an investigative reporter for RAI Italian National Television, she hosted news shows and reported on conflicts in the former Yugoslavia. She moved to the U.S. in 2005 as an on-camera correspondent for RAI and founded IbiscusMedia, Inc. In 2019, Valentina founded ITTV and Tech in Entertainment fostering Italian and International talent and innovation in the TV and film industry. She also serves as a Board Advisor for Ecoflix.
LORENZA DE BENEDICTIS
Producer, Waddling Duck
Instagram | LinkedIn | Company Website
Lorenza De Benedictis (she/her) is a filmmaker based in Vaughan. A graduate of the Regional Arts Program at St. Elizabeth CHS and The Film Studies Program at Toronto Metropolitan University, she has received several awards in the digital communications stream. Her films have been selected to be showcased in: Trinity Square Video’s Video Fever 2020, Hawaii International Film Festival, Forest City Film Festival, Lunenburg Doc Fest, etc.
CRISTIAN NIGRO
Director, CAN CREATURE Productions Inc.
Instagram | LinkedIn | Company Website
As a film director/writer/editor, along with running an indie production company (CAN CREATURE Productions), Cristian has worked in post and onset roles for various companies such as Take 5 Productions and Amazon Studios. With a passion for storytelling, he continues to hone his craft as an aspiring film director in the industry.
DEREK LUIS
Producer
LinkedIn
Derek is an accomplished Producer/Director, media educator and consultant with senior management experience at leading Canadian media companies. He’s been a Journalist/Producer (CBC Radio/TV, YTV, TVO, MuchMusic), Development Executive (inner City Films), and a Commissioning Editor (SUN Media/Quebecor). He’s the Producer of “Love’s A Gamble” a made for TV movie financed by CHUM/CMF/Teleflm and broadcast on Citytv/Bravo.
Derek coordinated the first interactive storytelling workshop at the Canadian Film Centre. He’s studied Interactive techniques and technologies at University of Toronto and the Banff Centre for the Arts; Media & Marketing Management at York’s Schulich School of Business, Film at York University; Broadcasting at Ryerson; and Virtual Production at Sheridan College.
PLATO FOUNTIDAKIS
Fast Motion Studios, Executive
LinkedIn | Company Website
An honours graduate of Seneca College/York University, Plato is the co-founder/ managing partner at Fast Motion Studios, one of Canada’s first independently operated motion capture and new media studio. Providing pre-vis, along with cutting edge action design and motion capture services to the entertainment and technology sectors. Bringing a vast wealth of experience from the worlds of gaming, film & TV productions, action design, and visual effects. In addition to managing the day-to-day operations he is responsible for project development, executive management and strategic finance planning.
Amongst other accomplishments, Plato has been accredited in the industry in an array of diverse roles, including: executive producer, producer, action director, performer and stunt/fight coordinator. This is evident in a number of production credits: EP/Producer: WISTERIA (Film); ENHANCED (Film); CONTROL (Film); Escalation (Film); EP:Lost Girl (TV Drama series: Seasons 1-6); more>IMDB
TANYA HSU
Press
YouTube | Personal Website | Facebook
Tanya is the blog owner & Editor-in-Chief of the website Fashion Ecstasy (both Chinese and English)! Over 9 years since its inception, Fashion Ecstasy is the go-to media outlet for residents in Toronto and Taiwan. After relocating to Taiwan, Fashion Ecstasy has immediately caught the attention across all industries, including Taiwan’s Tourism Bureau!
MIKE SORAGNESE
RenderDocs Director
LinkedIn | Personal Website | Company Website
An experienced Director, and Producer who has worked with Fortune 500 brands to promote and educate through Video, Digital Media, and Experiences; while also balancing his passion for Film, Television, and giving back to his community.
As an Award-Winning Director and Producer, Soragnese brings extensive video production experience in Communications, Marketing, and Advertising. From behind the camera, he has put his full creative skill set on display while working with brands such as: Ford, Yamaha, Magna, Panasonic, Conair, Cuisinart, Covergirl, Clairol, Sally Hansen, RoC, Staples, Canadian Club, Banff Ice Vodka, Sauza Tequila, The Federal Government of Canada, The Province of Ontario, and countless municipalities to name a few.
Mike continues to increase the work he does in the consumer content market, and is currently Directing and Producing numerous projects such as Talk Shows, Documentaries and Documentary Series for the National Canadian and US television markets.
SANTINA DARRELL
Filmmaker
Santina is an emerging producer from The Bahamas based in Toronto with a strong desire to share and highlight stories from BIPOC communities. Her passion for culture led storytelling started as an Entertainment Chairperson of the Bahamian student association of her university where she got to showcase her country’s story on a regional platform, it has since grown into an enthusiasm to create films that are culturally authentic and stirring.
SEAN CISTERNA
Director, Mythic Productions Inc
LinkedIn | Instagram | Company Website
Sean Cisterna is a multi award-winning and versatile film director. His latest film is the feature documentary The Long Rider (2022), the expansive and inspiring story of Filipe Leite’s journey from Canada to Brazil entirely on horseback, and filmed in 13 different countries. Cisterna found success with From the Vine (2020), an international coproduction starring Emmy winner Joe Pantoliano (The Matrix, Memento, The Sopranos), and distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films. Cisterna directed the acclaimed cancer drama Kiss and Cry (2017), which topped the Canadian box office, and is currently streaming on Netflix worldwide. His 2015 feature Full Out, starring Jennifer Beals (Flashdance, The L Word), is based on the true story of gymnast Ariana Berlin. The film was broadcast on NBC, now residing with Netflix Worldwide and Disney Europe.
MARK HOLDOM
Producer, Trimuse Entertainment
LinkedIn | Company Website
Mark Holdom is Head of Foreign Sales and Development at Trimuse Entertainment. Mark graduated from the University of Waikato, New Zealand, in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, Math, and German. He has many years of experience in finance, film and music production as well as marketing and distribution, and management, staffing, and company organization.
He was a financial adviser at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, and VP of Investments for UBS Paine Webber.
Mark has spent the past 17 years attending major festivals and film and TV markets worldwide.
He has extensive experience in film production and financing including “Zombie Twon”, “Buckout Road”, “Ratchet & Clank” and “Blue Hill Avenue” and in sales with “The Brown Bunny”, Birds Like Us and classics “Dog Soldiers”, “Like Water for Chocolate” and Babette’s Feast”.
Mark served as a music/touring manager for major musical acts, including Frank Zappa, Metallica, Alanis Morissette and booked the Joffrey Ballet.
FRANCESCO GIANNINI
Producer, Franky Films
LinkedIn | Company Website
Italian – Canadian director, Francesco made his feature film directorial debut with Psychological film “Hall” now released in the USA, Japan, Korea, UK, Mexico amongst others (Distributed by 1091 and BlackFawn). With Hall, Francesco won the best Director award at the “Blood In The Snow” film festival and received a NEW YORK TIMES mention as “one of the Five Horror Films to Stream Now”.
In 2021 Francesco produced his second feature film “Woodland gray”, theatrically distributed across Canada with Cineplex.
In 2021 Francesco went back to Italy to his father’s home town to shoot a short film “The Golden City”, a co-production between Italy and Canada.
Francesco currently has two scripts in development, both finalists at the Academy Nicholl Fellowships Awards and official Black List entries in LA.
He is now working on multiple co-productions across Canada and Europe both in fiction, documentary and docu-series. Francesco holds a Master in Sociology from Concordia University, Montreal.
LINDA WONG
Director, Trimuse Entertainment
LinkedIn | Facebook | IMDb | Company Website
Xiaoling Wang (Linda Wong), an Asian-Canadian independent content creator, an CCA approved Independent Media Artist. She has produced 5 short films since 2019 and got various awards at international film festivals. Graduated from Toronto Film School in 2021, gained Bachelor of Creative Arts degree at Yorkville University in 2022, Linda founded Treasure Beth Pictures Inc. in 2021 and is working on developing three full feature length films and one TV series.
In the journey of bringing the stories to life, she plays a leadership role in content creation, production management, and post-production supervision. By these practical works, she became increasingly aware of the lack of connection with peers, business partners. Great movies made by great people, she eagerly seeks the connection with experts in various fields and territories.
DAVID CORMICAN
Producer, Fun Republic Pictures
LinkedIn | IMDb | Company Website
David Cormican is an Emmy®-nominated producer, film and television tastemaker. He is a Co-Founder and President of Washington Square Entertainment (2022) and Founder of Fun Republic Pictures (2016). He Co-Founded and served as President and CEO of Don Carmody Television (DCTV) from 2013-23 and is a co-founder of NFT marketplace and blockchain-based studio Mogul Productions (2019), as well as a member of the prestigious International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (where he currently serves as a member of the nomination committee), the Canadian Media Production Association (where he served as an elected member of the board from 2011-17), the Producers Guild of America (p.g.a.) where he is a member of the international committee, and the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC).
YUMA DEAN HESTER
Producer, Bawaadan Productions
LinkedIn | Company Website
Yuma Hester is half Anishinaabe (Neyaashiinigmiing), and half Ililowuk (Moose Factory). Yuma has spent the better part of the last 20 years in community development, working and consulting with over 30 First Nations communities. Specialized in consultation and facilitation skills, relationship development, open and effective communication, and solution-oriented discussion. Yuma is currently a founding member, and Creative Director with Bawaadan Collective.
MADELEINE SCHRIEFER
Actor/Casting
Growing up the word entrepreneur was in my blood, Madeleine’s dad paved the way with his passion in the world of film. She’s been spreading her zest for life across different platforms since a young age and doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon.
Madeleine thrives in the company of food & travel which has been the goal for her brand Maddy Goes some time now. Madeleine travels the world experiencing the beauty and cuisine of different cultures to then bring it home to share with family and friends in Niagara, Ontario. Sprinkling her zest for life one bite at a time.
MELINA ZEPPIERI
Vaughan Director, ICFF
LinkedIn | Personal Website
Planning, coordination and promotion of special events held in the city of Vaughan as part of the Italian Contemporary Film Festival held yearly in the months of June-July. Special attention paid to VIP guests in attendance from Canada and Abroad.
TAISA DEKKER
Executive, ACTRA Toronto
Company Website
Taisa Dekker is passionate about the screen-based industry and the promotion of Canadian artists and content creators. As the Manager: Industry Initiatives & Outreach at ACTRA Toronto, Taisa advocates for the engagement of union performers on film, television, web series, video games, audiobooks, and commercial productions. Ms. Dekker has worked with ACTRA in multiple cities and across various facets of the organization for over 17 years, with experience in commercial, long-form, and interactive digital media content.
MOIRA ROMANO
Producer, Founder ETV Film
IMDb | Company Website
Moira Romano, an acclaimed producer, is actively engaged in crafting multiple original projects currently in the script development phase. With a keen interest in TV series and adapting books for the screen, Moira seeks projects that go beyond financial involvement, emphasizing a collaborative approach that allows for creative input and artistic contributions.
NATTY ZAVITZ
Director
Natty Zavitz has written and directed two short films – JOHN & ANNIE (‘13), ONTO US (‘15) – and two feature films – EDGING (‘17), ACQUAINTED (‘19) – which have played festivals around the world. Most recently, ACQUAINTED had a great critical response that has led to several more film & television opportunities. Including a limited series adaptation of Jane Jacobs’ THE DEATH AND LIFE OF GREAT AMERICAN CITIES currently in development with Jackson Pictures in the US and a half hour comedy MACK with Sphere Media in Toronto
ANNA NEWALLO
Anna Newallo has three decades of experience in the Film and Television industry. As a Program Consultant at Ontario Creates, her portfolio contains a wide range of programs and initiatives including the Film Fund (Production and Development), Marketing and Distribution Initiative and Industry Development Program. As a producer, her award-winning independent films have played major international festivals, and as a writer, her short stories have appeared in numerous publications. Prior to joining Ontario Creates, she worked on projects for The Disney Channel, CTV, Discovery Channel, CBC, TMN (now Crave), CityTV and BRAVO
AUDREY LISKAUSKAS
Sales
LinkedIn | Company Website
Audrey Liskauskas is passionate about championing both local and international films, translating the inspiration drawn from them into the realm of advertising. For her, actively engaging in and attending in-person events is the most impactful way to contribute to the arts and bolster our industry.
SARA TIMLICK
Director of Sales Distribution & Development, Elevation Pictures
Company Website
Sarah Timlick is the head of theatrical Distribution & Development for Elevation Pictures, the largest Canadian Independent Distributor behind notable and award-winning titles EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, BLACKBERRY, MOONLIGHT, IMITATION GAME and PAW PATROL. Following completing a Bachelor degree in Fine Arts, Cinema and Visual Studies from the University of Toronto, she began her career at Alliance Films overseeing in-theatre marketing through to Entertainment One after its acquisition of Alliance. With over a decade of experience in the industry, she has become a champion for Canadian content and a respected veteran. Holding board directorial positions for: Canadian Association of Film Distributors & Exporters, Canadian Picture Pioneers, Italian Contemporary Film Festival and was the youngest executive to be elected as the chair for the Ontario Classification board. In fall of 2022 and again just last week for 2023 Sarah was honored being selected as one of the top women in Global Distribution by Celluloid Junkie.is the head of theatrical Distribution & Development for Elevation Pictures, the largest Canadian Independent Distributor behind notable and award-winning titles EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, BLACKBERRY, MOONLIGHT, IMITATION GAME and PAW PATROL. Following completing a Bachelor degree in Fine Arts, Cinema and Visual Studies from the University of Toronto, she began her career at Alliance Films overseeing in-theatre marketing through to Entertainment One after its acquisition of Alliance. With over a decade of experience in the industry, she has become a champion for Canadian content and a respected veteran. Holding board directorial positions for: Canadian Association of Film Distributors & Exporters, Canadian Picture Pioneers, Italian Contemporary Film Festival and was the youngest executive to be elected as the chair for the Ontario Classification board. In fall of 2022 and again just last week for 2023 Sarah was honored being selected as one of the top women in Global Distribution by Celluloid Junkie.
TONY CIANCIOTTA
President and Owner, T.C. Film Marketing and Distribution.
Throughout his extensive and distinguished career in the film industry, Tony Cianciotta has held senior executive positions with Cineplex Odeon Corporation; Twentieth Century Fox, Canada; and Alliance Releasing, (now eOne), among others.
Most recently, he has been collaborating with content providers to produce long-form TV series for the international market, most notably the six-part, award-winning TV series, “Business or Blood” (Netflix), which is based on the book by Antonio Nicaso, best-selling author and one of the world’s leading experts on organized crime. Currently, Cianciotta serves as an executive producer on “Bessie” (in development), a true crime limited series about the world’s first female mob boss, which draws from the book “Rocco Perri: The Story of Canada’s Most Notorious Bootlegger,” by Antonio Nicaso.
JOSHUA DAVID PIVATO
Writer, Director.
Projects | IMDb | Company Website
The great, great, grandson of a movie projectionist who was killed by a stack of film reels falling on him, Joshua David Pivato is an Italian-Canadian writer and director who has cinema in his blood. He studied Theater Arts and Film Studies at the Toronto Metropolitan University. At the age of 14, his short film “Murk” won Best Drama at the York Region Film Festival. Later, he produced and released his independent short fiction film “SCUZZY WILDLINGS” in 2017.
Joshua’s vision took a turn, being deeply impacted the suicide of a dear friend. This ignited a profound fire in him and has led him to use his art to share hope. He is now working on his first feature film “The Great Method” with Oscar Nominated producers Purattu Film (Hanging Gardens: Red Sea Fest Winner, Biennale Selection).
Joshua has been featured in Canada’s most widely read Italian-Canadian magazine, Panoram Italia, and on Canada’s CHIN International for his performance of the song, ”Bella Ciao”.
CARMELO DODARO
Producer.
YouTube | Company Website
Carmelo Dodaro, a seasoned filmmaker, boasts a diverse portfolio with numerous projects spanning various stages of development. Immersed in the Canadian film industry since 1980, he is a proud member of IATSE Local 667 Cinematographers Guild. Dodaro has made significant contributions, having produced, shot, and directed a multitude of commercials, several feature films, numerous TV shows, a variety of music specials, and orchestrated multiple-camera live-to-air transmissions on CBC and CPAC. His extensive experience reflects a rich and multifaceted career in the dynamic world of filmmaking.
ALFIO FOTI
Director.
Alfio Foti, a Toronto-based filmmaker, funded his feature film “Mouthful” with $15,000 on Kickstarter and has directed various short films, commercials, and music videos with support from the Canada Council for the Arts. His internationally screened short film “Cafard” is set for distribution by 7 Palms Entertainment. As a co-producer, Foti contributed to the feature film “Pulk,” distributed by Gravitas Ventures. Currently, he’s in post-production for the Canada Council for the Arts-funded short documentary “SUGO!” exploring the cultural and culinary richness of Italian regions Calabria and Abruzzo, as well as Toronto.
DOMINIC SCIULLO
Executive.
LinkedIn
Today, Dominic is the Executive Producer of The Bespoke \\ Wellness and Media Group along with an international film exhibit from the CineCitta Studios in Rome, Italy which includes over 1500 authentic artifacts, 203 film reels, a virtual 3D museum and a documentary currently in production with never before seen film footage surrounding one of the world’s top 10 film directors, Federico Fellini.
ALBERTO DIAMANTE
Director.
LinkedIn
Alberto Diamante is an award-winning writer-director. Born in Italy and raised in the Middle East and Canada, he identifies as Italian-Canadian. His films include Ulysses, Love…and other reasons to panic, and The Bookstore. His screenplay for the film “Skin” garnered awards and accolades all over the world and was made into a $2M film produced by Carlo Liconti. The Road to Devil Island is his fourth feature film.
EMILIJA DAVIDOVIC
Emilija, a Toronto-based production manager, producer, and supervisor, has amassed international experience through collaborations on high-budget projects across Europe. Her portfolio includes major commercial productions and a focus on sociopolitical issues in Canada. Dedicated to supporting marginalized artists, Emilija works closely with federal and provincial Arts Councils. While maintaining her international presence, she provides consultations to European production companies operating as service productions for North American content. Formerly Supervising Producer at the Canadian Film Centre, Emilija now serves as a Consulting Producer. Alongside her industry contributions, she teaches at George Brown College and Toronto Film School.
ELIE MALKA
Producer
Elie was an associate Producer and distributor in the past. She was also involved in the sales of these documents. She raised the required funds to procure them, then got involved to market these documents through different events.
SANTIAGO CEPEDA
Entrepreneur
Website
Santiago Cepeda is a Colombian lawyer specializing in business affairs, content development, and production. Based in Toronto, he is actively seeking opportunities to collaborate with filmmakers in Canada for the development and production of films and TV series in both Canada and Colombia.
JULIA RANIERI
Government Official, Academic Fellow York University
MARJAN VERSTAPPEN
Producer, Bawaadan Productions.
Personal Website | Company Website
Marjan Verstappen is a visual artist and filmmaker who explores biological, economic, and social interventions into natural systems, in order to understand their meanings, machinations, habits, and failures. Often speculative, her work imagines future ecologies, ambiguous in place and time. Verstappen is a member of Bawaadan Productions, an Indigenous-led production company. Verstapeen grew up in Aotearoa New Zealand and moved to Canada in 2012 where she lives in Toronto.
TIZIANA TEDESCO
Deputy Director, The Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario Canada
Personal Website | Company Website
Tiziana Tedesco works as a Deputy Director at the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario.
CHRISTOPHER BEAULIEU
Director
Instagram | Company Website
Christopher Beaulieu is a neurodivergent filmmaker based in Toronto. He holds an MA in Media Production from Toronto Metropolitan University and a BA in Film Studies and English Literature from Western University. Working with themes of mental health and vocational identity, his films are poignant character studies that use formal elements to link characters to their urban environments. Christopher is currently working on a feature film with support from Canada Council for the Arts and Ontario Arts Council.
CARLO SALEM
Head of International FIlm, Leone Film Group.
Carlo Salem is the head of international film at Leone Film Group. Salem’s experience in the film industry brings a plethora of knowledge and experience. He first started out as an assistant director at Taodue Film Production, following that holding a position at Lucky Red where he worked as a script reader. In 2014, he joined Leone Film Group in film acquisition and marketing. Leone film group manages a library of about 500 titles and is constantly growing due to their strong relationships with US independent producers. In the film acquisition and marketing department, he worked on social and website platforms as well as the marketing campaign during 2015-2016. In this role he also discovered and evaluated projects, discussed and negotiated deals with sales agents for Italian Film Distribution Licenses and supported in project management. Based out of Los Angeles, he currently operates as the head of international film.
MICHAEL PASZT
Managing Partner, Raven Banner Entertainment Inc.
Michael Paszt is one of the most respected names in the arena of independent film. A Managing Partner in Raven Banner Entertainment, Michael has focused on building a brand that represents unique genre driven films including The Autopsy of Jane Doe, Gaspar Noe’s Climax, Tigers Are Not Afraid and the Oscar® nominated, Embrace of the Serpent. Michael has also Executive Produced over 30 feature films including the Sundance Film Festival hit, Turbo Kid and SXSW hit PG: Psycho Goreman. Michael originally began his career as a director on music videos working mostly with metal bands such as Sacrifice and Anvil. Nail in the Coffin: The Fall and Rise of Vampiro is his feature documentary debut.
IAN WEBB
Executive
LinkedIn
Ian Webb is an experienced producer that has had the opportunity to work alongside some of the top production companies and Directors around the globe. Webb is currently working as an Executive producer at Merchant Studios that he co-founded in 2020 with Tim Godsall.
PATRICK VERLIN
Producer
Personal Website
Patrick is a producer and director from Melbourne, Australia. His previous works have been BAFTA student shortlisted, BSC Cinematography nominated, and screened at premiere international BAFTA and Oscar qualifying film festivals .He majored in film studies in his undergraduate degree, working as a DJ on radio before moving to London to train at the London Film School and National Film & TV school. He recently opened a production company, Courageous Donuts, with his long term collaborator, Antonio Donato. Their mission is to create a home for the cinema and filmmakers we are passionate about.
JESSICA EDWARDS
Director
Personal Website
Jessica is an established film, series and commercial director based in Toronto, Canada. Her film work has been featured on Netflix, Amazon Prime and Apple TV. More recently, Jessica directed campaigns for global brands such as Adidas, Air Canada, Stella Artois and Huawei. She was named a ‘filmmaker to watch’ post the premiere of her feature film Stay Awhile.
