JULY 23, 2026 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM ET

IN PERSON | PARADISE THEATRE TORONTO

Co-presented by Shaftesbury Inc.

Moderated by Devki Patel (Industry Series Producer, FOFS)

What makes a comedy series resonate with audiences long after the credits roll? For Slo Pitch, it’s the perfect blend of sharp humour, heartfelt storytelling, authentic queer identity, and a deep sense of community.

This panel gathers the creators, cast, and crew behind the groundbreaking Canadian comedy series to dive into how Slo Pitch was developed and produced within Canada’s dynamic television landscape. From fostering queer representation and ensemble-driven narratives to navigating indie production challenges and building a dedicated audience, the discussion will unpack the creative vision and logistical realities behind bringing an original Canadian comedy to life.

We’ll also explore why investing in distinctly Canadian stories matter – how series like Slo Pitch carve out space for underrepresented voices while achieving both commercial success and cultural significance.

This event does not include an ASL Interpreter. If you have any accessibility requests, please email: equity@fofs.ca.

Featured Panelists:

Gwenlyn Cumyn (Actor & Executive Producer, Slo Pitch)

Karen Knox (Actor & Executive Producer, Slo Pitch)

Rachel Goldstein-Couto (Head of Development - Original Programming, Bell Media)

More information here.

JULY 23, 2026 | 7:30 PM ET

IN PERSON | PARADISE THEATRE TORONTO

Join the Future of Film Showcase as we kick off the 2026 Festival, fostering the future of emerging Canadian filmmakers. We're proud to present our 2026 Official Selection of narrative, nonfiction, and experimental short films. Celebrate short films created by Canadian emerging filmmakers across Canada.

A Q&A discussion will follow the screenings at the Paradise Theatre in Toronto.

Short films being featured:

Hyperlink

Touching Rocks

We Are Happy Fish

Compliment Sandwich

0004NGEL

Resistance Meditation

Softer, Softest

I Fear Blue Skies...

Jazz Infernal

As Long As We Are Immortal

More information here.

JULY 23, 2026 | 10:00 PM - 1:00 AM ET

IN PERSON | ARCHIPELAGO PRODUCTIONS (213 STERLING RD)

Relax and unwind at the Official FOFS 2026 Opening Night After-Party. Listen to sounds from SYDMEETSWORLD, a local Toronto DJ and enjoy light snacks and beverages.

Please note this is a 19+ event.

JULY 24, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM ET

ONLINE

Co-presented by ACTRA National & ACTRA Toronto

Moderated by Laura Mingail (Founder, Archetypes & Effects)

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence poses profound challenges for Canadian film-sector artists. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating content that mimics human creativity, the very nature of what we consider "art" is being called into question.

This panel will explore the urgent need for strong federal laws to protect the rights of performers, creators, and artists against the unchecked use of AI. Discussions will focus on the importance of obtaining consent, maintaining control, and ensuring fair compensation for those whose work and likenesses are being replicated.

The panel will also address the responsibility of regulatory bodies, like the CRTC, to stand with Canadian cultural institutions and safeguard domestic jobs threatened by the integration of AI technologies. Panelists will consider the philosophical implications of AI-generated "art" and whether such outputs can truly be considered a reflection of the human experience.

Ultimately, this conversation will position performers as the "canary in the coal mine," highlighting how the erosion of their rights and livelihoods could foreshadow the broader impact of AI on Canada's creative industries. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the ethical stakes involved and concrete strategies for advocating for meaningful policy change.

This event does not include an ASL Interpreter. If you have any accessibility requests, please email: equity@fofs.ca.

Featured Panelists:

Brian Doe Chua (Vice President, ACTRA National)

Jon Corbin (Founder & Producer/Director, Corbin Visual Ltd.)

Marie Kelly (Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, ACTRA National)

Mark Edwards (Managing Partner & Entertainment Lawyer, Edwards Creative Law)

Monika Dalman (Casting Director & Producer)

More information here.

JULY 24, 2026 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET

ONLINE

Co-presented by ACTRA Toronto

This workshop is dedicated to uplifting the careers of BIPOC actors by providing them with a 1-1 session with an industry-leading casting director. Each actor will prepare a monologue beforehand, perform the monologue for a casting director, receive feedback, and perform the monologue again. This is a great opportuity to perform live in front of a casting director and get a feel for what it's like in a real audition room! Each 1-1 session is roughly 15 minutes long and you are welcome to sign up for multiple sessions with different casting directors.

As per the FOFS mandate, we work to elevate work by emerging creatives from traditionally marginalized communities and foster their futures with professional development opportunities.

This workshop does not include an ASL Interpreter. If you have any accessibility requests, please email: equity@fofs.ca.

Featured Mentors:

Colleen Rush (Casting Director)

Glenda Clarke (Casting Director, GC Casting)

Lindsay Christopher (Casting Director, The Casting Master)

Lisa Parasyn (Casting Director, Lisa Parasyn Casting)

Millie Tom (Casting Director)

Monika Dalman (Casting Director & Producer)

More information here.

JULY 24, 2026 | 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM ET

ONLINE

Co-presented by the Indigenous Screen Office

Sustainability is often framed as a luxury... something only large productions with dedicated green teams can afford. This panel challenges that assumption.

Land First explores how sustainable filmmaking can be approached through practical, community-centred methods informed by Indigenous knowledge systems, environmental stewardship, and responsible production practices. It centres the idea that sustainability is not budget-contingent, but a mindset and methodology that can be integrated into productions of any scale.

Designed specifically for independent and low-budget filmmakers, this conversation will examine how meaningful environmental responsibility can be embedded into productions with limited resources. Rather than focusing on costly certifications or large-scale infrastructure, panelists will highlight accessible, scalable strategies that emerging filmmakers can implement immediately.

Drawing on perspectives from Indigenous filmmakers, sustainability practitioners, producers, and industry leaders, this panel will explore how Indigenous principles of respect for the land, reciprocity, and relational accountability can inform a more sustainable future for the Canadian screen industry. Together, the discussion will demonstrate that environmental responsibility is not a niche practice, but an essential part of how stories can be made with care for people, place, and future generations.

This event does not include an ASL Interpreter. If you have any accessibility requests, please email: equity@fofs.ca

Moderated by Kerri Coombs (Energy Strategy Architect, TheGreenShot)

Featured Panelists:

Mary Anne Waterhouse (Producer)

Melina Laboucan-Massimo (Executive Director, Sacred Earth)

Olivia Marie Golosky (Producer, Writer, Director)

Samantha Leigh (Sustainability Consultant & Production Team Lead, Green Spark Group)

Tanis Parenteau (Producer)

More information here.

JULY 24, 2026 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM ET

ONLINE

Co-presented by Coffee House Hours

This event is dedicated to providing valuable insight regarding specific areas of film & television production for emerging filmmakers in varying stages of their careers. Participants will have the opportunity to register for breakout rooms with representatives from various organizations, ask questions, and receive integral knowledge from industry mentors about how they can best make an impact in the career they aim to pursue.

This event does not include an ASL Interpreter. If you have any accessibility requests, please email: equity@fofs.ca

Featured Mentors:

Ashley Sherwood (Producer)

Barbara Mamabolo (Executive in Charge of Production - Drama, CBC)

Christina Ienna (Cinematographer & Filmmaker)

Edward “Fast Eddy” Mikolič (Lighting Director, Head of the Lighting Dept.)

Jake Burling (Production Executive, Elevation Pictures)

Jennifer Mesich (Producer)

Melissa Bessey (Production Designer)

Nicole Guile (Senior Coordinator Development, Shaftesbury Inc.)

Zach Marcovici (Executive in Charge of Development - Drama, CBC)

More information here.

JULY 24, 2026 | 7:30 PM ET

IN PERSON l PARADISE THEATRE TORONTO

Join the Future of Film Showcase for the Toronto Premiere of our National Spotlight Feature Film, Thanks to the Hard Work of the Elephants, from director Bryce Hodgson, which celebrated its World Premiere at the 2025 Vancouver International Film Festival

Based on a true story…Elephants is a queer love fantasy that follows two teenage boys who escape an abusive youth lockdown detention center while high on LSD. They steal the center’s van and drive 400 km to a big-box store parking lot, determined to start an alternative youth commune in a nearby suburban forest.

Preceding the feature film will be the Toronto Premieres of short films The Sphinx directed by Jesse Padveen
and The Trial, directed by Luvleen Hunjan.

A Q&A with filmmakers from the film will follow.

JULY 25, 2026 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM ET

IN PERSON | POV FILM (32 LISGAR STREET)

Powered by Shotdeck
Co-presented by POV Film

Six emerging Canadian filmmakers will pitch their short film to an esteemed jury for a chance to win a $5K cash grant, along with over $30K in in-kind services from our industry partners.

The FOFS Director Development Incubator is supported by Sunbelt Rentals, Alter Ego Inc., AstroLab Inc., Keslow Camera, 2D House, Charles Street Video, and ShotDeck, with each contributing in-kind services to the grand prize, including a gear rental package, colour consultation, studio space, and subscription to one of the world’s leading tools for treatment development.

More information on our Director Development Incubator can be found here.

Our 2026 DDI Finalists are:
Ashley Frück Siomos, The Good Listener
Elizabeth Winstanley, Bounce
Erin Lum, Just By Existing
Hirra Farooqi, Multiple Choice
Jackie Batsinduka, Run Bitch Run
Tanzeil Moustapha, al mushata

More information on our Director Development Incubator can be found here.

JULY 25, 2026 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET

IN PERSON | POV FILM (32 LISGAR STREET)

Co-presented by Elevation Pictures & Creative Arts Financial

Moderated by Zachary Goldkind (Director of Programming, FOFS)

The rules of indie film financing in Canada have quietly transformed. Once reliant on pre-sales and broadcaster commitments, producers now face a fragmented and uncertain landscape as traditional models, especially pre-sales, fade.

This panel brings together Canadian producers and experts to discuss these shifts. Why have pre-sales declined? How have broadcaster strategies, streamers, and global markets affected early financing? And what new models are emerging?

Through candid discussion, panelists will explore adaptations like co-productions, private equity, gap financing, brand partnerships, and new distribution pathways. They’ll also examine how these changes impact budgets, storytelling, and who gets to tell stories in Canada.

For emerging and mid-career filmmakers, this panel offers a reality check and a roadmap: an honest look at what’s changed, what’s evolving, and how to build sustainable financing strategies today.

This event does not include an ASL Interpreter. If you have any accessibility requests, please email: equity@fofs.ca.

Featured Panelists:

Cornelia Principe (Producer)

Kazik Radwanski (Filmmaker)

Ryan Bobkin (Producer)

Temesghen Naizghi (Production Executive, Elevation Pictures)

More Information here.

JULY 25, 2026 | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM ET

IN PERSON | POV FILM (32 LISGAR STREET)

Co-presented by DGC National & Fae Pictures

Moderated by Shant Joshi (President, Fae Pictures)

Cinema is not neutral, every frame reflects power. This panel confronts the reality that filmmaking is inherently political, and that BIPOC/racialized directors have long used cinema and television as tools of resistance, survival, and reclamation. From Indigenous sovereignty to Black resistance to migrant justice, racialized filmmakers are reshaping the political imagination through storytelling.

No Neutral Frame centres directors who refuse passive storytelling. It explores how BIPOC creators challenge dominant narratives, disrupt institutional gatekeeping, and push back against industry pressures to dilute or depoliticize their work.

This event does not include an ASL Interpreter. If you have any accessibility requests, please email: equity@fofs.ca.

Featured Panelists:

Anthony Q. Farrell (Showrunner)

Marwa Siam Abdou (Director of Communications, DGC)

Vanessa Magic (Writer, Director)

Zarrar Kahn (Writer, Director, Producer)

More information here.

JULY 25, 2026 | 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET

IN PERSON | POV FILM (32 LISGAR STREET)

Co-presented by Alter Ego & DGC Ontario

Moderated by Michelle Szemberg (Picture Editor)

Post-production is where a film truly comes to life. It's the stage where raw footage is transformed into a compelling story through editing, sound design, music, and finishing touches that shape the audience's experience. This panel brings together picture editors, sound editors, and directors to discuss the creative decisions that define a film in post.

From pacing and performance to soundscapes and emotional impact, we'll explore how choices made in the editing suite can completely transform a scene. Panelists will share behind-the-scenes stories, discuss their collaborative process, and offer practical insights into crafting a cohesive final product. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or a seasoned creative, discover how the artistry of post-production can elevate a film from good to unforgettable.

This event does not include an ASL Interpreter. If you have any accessibility requests, please email: equity@fofs.ca.

Featured Panelists:

Anna Catley (Picture Editor)

Dashen Naidoo (Sound Designer)

D.W. Waterson (Director & Producer)

Kayla Stewart (Sound Effects Editor)

Lindsay Allikas (Picture Editor)

More information here.

JULY 25, 2026 | 6:00 PM ET

IN PERSON | PARADISE THEATRE TORONTO

Join the Future of Film Showcase for the Canadian Premiere of our Centrepiece Feature Film, Tycoon, from director Charlotte Zhang.

Los Angeles on the cusp of the 2028 Summer Olympics: a series of devastating livestock viruses have wiped out meat and poultry production across the nation, leaving genetically-modified cockroaches the most viable alternative. Meanwhile, a cockroach infestation of biblical proportions overwhelms the city, triggering a rash of eminent domain abuses. Two young grifters dream up their next big score in a paranoid landscape perpetually reshaped by the collapse between legitimized and illegitimate forms of celebration and theft.

Preceding the feature film will be the Canadian Premiere of the short film Cimes, from director Charlie Marois.

JULY 25, 2026 | 9:00 PM ET

IN PERSON | PARADISE THEATRE TORONTO

Join the Future of Film Showcase for the Ontario Premiere of our Special Presentation Feature Film, Never Get Busted!, from directors Stephen Mccallum and David Anthony Ngo, which celebrated its World Premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

Barry Cooper was a highly decorated Texas narcotics officer - until he turned on the police force, busting crooked cops and teaching drug users how to hide their stash.

Preceding the feature film will be the short film A Wolf in the Suburbs, directed by Amélie Hardy.

A Q&A with filmmakers from the film will follow.

JULY 26, 2026 l 10:00 AM ET

IN PERSON l PARADISE THEATRE TORONTO

Co-presented by George Brown College

A collection of student-made short films directed by emerging Canadian talent. These filmmakers prove they're some of Canada's leading talent to watch, with a variety of stories spanning drama, comedy, and experimental genres.

We have partnered with George Brown College to platform this educational programme, where we’ll be presenting 4 short films: two from our submissions pool and two from the capstone projects of George Brown’s graduating class. We’ll view and discuss the projects live with the filmmakers and audiences, discerning why these projects are chosen, how criticism works as a function of curation, and what the student filmmakers are able to discern through their interactions with festival institutions.

The films being featured are:
Luke Donovan, Come Out, Lazarus
Willem Duff, Crying Over Dead Cats 
Abby Boyd, Hold Still 
Lucia Fella Pellegrino, I’ll Try to Explain it 

JULY 26, 2026 | 1:00 PM ET

IN PERSON | PARADISE THEATRE TORONTO

Co-presented by Shotdeck

Join us for an exclusive masterclass with Natasha Braier ASC, cinematographer of The Neon Demon and I Love Boosters. In this talk, Braier will walk audiences through her approach to visual storytelling, from developing a film’s lookbook to shaping tone, texture, and mood through lighting, framing, and collaboration. She'll also share the creative process behind some of her work, offering insights into working with directors, navigating large-scale productions, and translating emotion into image. Braier will also speak about how Shotdeck is changing the way filmmakers conceptualize and communicate visual ideas. Learn how cinematographers, directors, designers, and editors use ShotDeck as a creative and practical tool throughout the filmmaking process.

More information here.

JULY 26, 2026 | 3:00 PM ET

IN PERSON | PARADISE THEATRE TORONTO

Co-presented by Shotdeck

FOFS x Shotdeck present a special screening of I Love Boosters, directed by Boots Riley.

A group of shoplifters take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven by stealing her clothes and reselling them at a lower price, what they call "fashion-forward philanthropy."

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film's cinematographer, Natasha Braier.

JULY 26, 2026 | 6:30 PM ET

IN PERSON | PARADISE THEATRE TORONTO

Co-presented by ACTRA National

Join us for a candid and inspiring conversation with two of Canada’s most exciting rising stars: Nina Kiri (Undertone, The Handmaid’s Tale) and Maddy Kelly (This Hour Has 22 Minutes, The New Wave of Standup), as we celebrate their achievements as this year’s FOFS Rising Star Award recipients.

In this special talk, they'll reflect on their creative journeys, their experiences navigating the film and television industry, and the power of representation on screen. From early breakthroughs to recent roles, they’ll share insights on building a sustainable acting career, staying true to their voices, and creating space for others along the way.

Designed to motivate and empower emerging artists, this session is a must for anyone curious about the path from passion to profession.

This event does not include an ASL Interpreter. If you have any accessibility requests, please email: equity@fofs.ca.

More information here.

JULY 26, 2026 | 8:30 PM ET

IN PERSON | PARADISE THEATRE TORONTO

Join the Future of Film Showcase for the Toronto Premiere of our Closing Night Gala Feature Film, Otium, from director Christopher Beaulieu.

A young photographer living with her parents drifts between precarious jobs and an unfinished art project as she struggles to find a place of her own in an increasingly unaffordable Toronto.

Preceding the feature film will be the Ontario Premiere of the short film Brute, from director Jeremy Comte.