How do filmmakers discern which stories serve as conduits for impactful storytelling? It is a fine art to delve into emotional realities while infusing fictional elements to craft storylines and these CFF filmmakers give it to us straight - Cheers Aisha Evelyna, Taylor Olson, and Christopher Yip - welcome to the fest! This crafty conversation shares insights on discovering the optimal medium to create resonant, innovative, and sensitive adaptations of these intricate subject matters.

What are you waiting for? It’s time to make a microbudget feature film right now! Get ready to soak up invaluable wisdom from a dynamic group of crafty CFF alumni filmmakers who just did it - Cheers Ingrid Veninger, Andrew Chung, Faran Moradi, and Jaqueline de Niverville - welcome to the fest! Whether you’re navigating Canada’s grant system, or considering raising funds on your own - this episode is a must-listen filled with unconventional tips for anyone who’s ready to dive in and do what it takes to get their film to the finish line.

We get to hear from some truly amazing CFF featured animators who give us valuable insights into the animation process, from initial conception to final fruition - Cheers Courtney Wolfson, Sam Chou, and Kjell Boersma - welcome to the fest! Join them on an imaginative journey to explore the dynamic relationship between content and form in the boundless world of animation.

The process of collaborating with a composer can be such a mystery, but let this panel conversation be your guide - cheers Fraser Collins, Shervin Kermani and moderator Richard Pierre - welcome to the fest! Join these toe-tapping talented composers and filmmakers who explore the art and business of music composition behind making your film truly sing.

Adapting a short form concept into a career-propelling feature film are steps that this episode's guests know all too well - cheers Ian Harnarine, Julia Lederer, Rebeca Love, and Eric Bizzarri - welcome to the fest! This group discusses the various ways to transform a calling card into a stepping stone towards a successful career in feature filmmaking and beyond.

This conversation is a no-holds-back one, where 3 of our festival-featured Canadian Directors - cheers Sean Cisterna, Samantha MacAdam, and Shane Belcourt - welcome to the fest! These forces discuss their career trajectories and indie filmmaking tricks that worked (or didn’t) for them.

Behind all those hair-raising heart stopping moments, there can actually be a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and lessons. The following conversation is a spotlight on some of Canada’s premiere indie talent who came up in thriller & horrors - cheers Cheryl Meyer, Gavin Micheal Booth, and Navin Ramaswaran - welcome to the fest! These thrilling talents cover it all, from script development, funding models, production, post. They share their tales from the trenches and beyond.

Not only have our guests for this show graced screens across the world, today they are going to treat us with their own words of wisdom too - cheers Katie Boland, Aisha Evelyna, and Sugith Varughese - welcome to the fest! These actors from some of CFF’s beloved films speak to their experiences on Canadian indie sets and the artistic and business practices that led them to where they are today.

Listen and learn from some of our favorite professionals from a variety of Comedy Writing formats here in Canada - cheers Jacob Tierney, Winnie Jong, and Ashley Cooper - welcome to the fest! They give us amazing insight around breaking-in and pursuing a career in writing and directing funny, both here at home and abroad.

Big thanks to Karen Walton of inkCanada for helping to put this panel together.

Meet three influential Canadian screenwriters who are also producers, directors and actors of some of our favourite films and shows - cheers Elan Mastai, Mina Shum, and Cory Bowles - welcome to the fest! They touch on advice for emerging writers in Canada, taking their careers into the US, how obstacles are often self-imposed, tips on following your creative instincts, and more.

Big thanks to Karen Walton of inkCanada for helping to put this panel together.