Hey there,
I just wanted to thank everyone for participating in The Vancouver Women in Film Festival!
Check back periodically for new updates, and more information about next years festival!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
French Cinema! Tres Manifique! L'Express du Pacifique!
This article has been translated from French to English, so, mind the grammar.
If you are one of the lucky who speak our other national language, click here for the french article!
Like every year for six years, the Women in Film Festival will honor women's 4 to 6 March the Vancity Theatre in Vancouver. French cinema will be present with three films in French.
Read more: Click here!
If you are one of the lucky who speak our other national language, click here for the french article!
Like every year for six years, the Women in Film Festival will honor women's 4 to 6 March the Vancity Theatre in Vancouver. French cinema will be present with three films in French.
Since 2004, the Women in Film Festival presents films made by women on women's issues. For the Women in Film & Television Vancouver (WIFTV) who created this festival, it is to showcase the film and women and give them professional recognition.
This nonprofit organization is part of the Women in Film & Television International has over 10,000 members worldwide. Its role is to promote the participation of women in key positions in the film industry and television. This sector is, in fact, still largely male.
"Women who work on movie sets are often relegated to positions of makeup, styling or catering. Those of them who are producers or writers have more difficulties to be employed than men and were also less likely to see their projects get funding, "says Roslyn Muir, Festival Director.
According to a study by Martha Dr. Martha M. Lauzen, director of research center on women in film and television from the University of San Diego, women represented only 16% of all directors, producers, scriptwriters and editors who worked on the 250 films that have the most money in the United States in 2009.
It is to help women climb the ladder in the area that WIFTV holds regular networking events, workshops and of course the festival, which attracts an average of 1,200 spectators. Give more visibility to directors allows them to advance their careers. For example, Katrin Bowen saw his short film selected by the festival a few years ago. Since then she has directed a feature film, Amazon Falls, it will present at the close of the festival Sunday, March 5.
45 short and feature films will be offered during the 3 days during the festival. They were chosen by a committee from among 150 films. To be eligible, films must have involved women on at least three of the following positions: director, lead actor, producer, screenwriter, editor and cinematographer.
This year the festival has focused on multiculturalism, including three short films francophones. Several indigenous films will also be presented on Sunday morning, one of them, The Cave, was selected at the last Sundance Festival. ■
Anne Emond, director Sophie Lavoie.This young filmmaker Quebec has already produced seven short films and is in post-production on his first feature film due out this year. If being a woman has not closed doors for now, Anne Emond is well aware that this may be more complicated in the future: "If I want to make movies bigger, perhaps it will be a problem in the minds of investors. She notes that women are still less present on the sets of commercials, television series and films with big budgets than on others. But she remains optimistic. "It will get better and better because there are more and more styles of women directors in Quebec and around the world, like Sofia Coppola or Mia Hansen-Love. "■Colette Balcaen, director of Mother Earth, shut up.In this short film, Colette Balcaen, who will attend the festival, talking about a subject dear to his heart: the environment. It shows the evolution of the land of his great-grandparents in Saskatchewan once rich and fertile, and now worn out and tired by oil wells which dot. The retired school teacher became an artist came to cinema by the art and the achievement of performances and installations that have often led to movies. Very surprised and happy that his first film to be selected at a festival, Colette Balcaen think this experience will lead him to further develop this aspect of its creation. ■
Caroline Monnet, director of Ikwe.Young Manitobans 25 years of Algonquin origin through his mother, Caroline Monnet presents 2 films at the festival Women in Film. Two short films that address the issue of indigenous people. Ikwe, which received the Jury Prize Contest Roots organized by Radio-Canada, is a conversation between Ikwe, a francophone, and the moon speaks Cree. Making sense despite differences in language, this dialogue will enable Ikwe to know where it comes from. Tashina said the isolation of a young Aboriginal come from northern Manitoba to Winnipeg to study. If Caroline Monnet feels no male dominance in the film industry as a brake, she recognizes that women of her generation owe to those who preceded them. "It's now easier for us than it was 10 or 20 years. [...] It's a passion, we will continue to do so even if it is ruled by men.
Just a little press!
Thank you to the Vancouver Sun and the Georgia Straight for keeping it awesome all the time!
Celeb Sightings!
Great news! Sara Canning, the star of Black Field, is flying to Vancouver attended our opening night screening. Sara is currently in Atlantashooting her hit CW television series The Vampire Diaries. But she came to hang out in Vancouver at our festival! How exciting is that!
Read more about her here:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3048050/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sara_Canning
Read more about her here:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3048050/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sara_Canning
Spotlight Award Winners!
This year's Spotlight Award recipients include:
Woman of the Year
Producer Lynn Booth of Make Believe Media has worked extensively in documentary film and television, including shows such as The Whistleblower , Corporations in the Classroom , and The Devil You Know . She is being recognized for her commitment to hiring women in above-the-line positions, such as directors, writers, and editors.
Artistic Achievement Award
Katrin Bowen made her feature film directorial debut with Amazon Falls , about a fading B-movie actor (played by April Telek) who refuses to give up on her Hollywood dreams. Telek won the WIFTV Artistic Merit Award at last year's Vancouver International Film Festival.
WIFTV Artistic Innovation Award
Animator and filmmaker Ann Marie Fleming will receive this new award to recognize her body of work, which includes The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam , The French Guy , and her short film "I Was a Child of Holocaust Survivors", which was selected as part of Canada's Top Ten 2010.
Wayne Black Service Award
This year's award goes to Dusty Kelly for her extensive volunteer work for numerous industry organization, including her work on the BCIFP Women's Initiative Steering Committee and her mentoring of new filmmakers.
Honourary Friend
Alexandra Raffle will be honoured for her commitment to hiring women in above-the-line positions on her new TV series Endgame and her twenty years of mentoring women in the industry.
Sharon Gibbon Lifetime Member Award
Deb Sears wins this award for volunteering as host of WIFTV's Networking Breakfast over numerous years.
Kodak Image Award
This year's cinematography award goes to Lindsay George for her work on over 14 projects in the past five years, including A Night For Dying Tigers .
PleaseAdjustYourSet.com Award
The winner of this new award, Rina Fraticelli, created a national association of female professionals called Women in View and spearheaded the international conference SexMoneyMedia held in Vancouver last October. She has also worked as executive producer of both the National Film Board's Pacific and Yukon Studio and Studio D.
Read more here:
http://www.straight.com/article-375992/vancouver/women-film-and-televisions-2010-spotlight-award-winners
Woman of the Year
Producer Lynn Booth of Make Believe Media has worked extensively in documentary film and television, including shows such as The Whistleblower , Corporations in the Classroom , and The Devil You Know . She is being recognized for her commitment to hiring women in above-the-line positions, such as directors, writers, and editors.
Artistic Achievement Award
Katrin Bowen made her feature film directorial debut with Amazon Falls , about a fading B-movie actor (played by April Telek) who refuses to give up on her Hollywood dreams. Telek won the WIFTV Artistic Merit Award at last year's Vancouver International Film Festival.
WIFTV Artistic Innovation Award
Animator and filmmaker Ann Marie Fleming will receive this new award to recognize her body of work, which includes The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam , The French Guy , and her short film "I Was a Child of Holocaust Survivors", which was selected as part of Canada's Top Ten 2010.
Wayne Black Service Award
This year's award goes to Dusty Kelly for her extensive volunteer work for numerous industry organization, including her work on the BCIFP Women's Initiative Steering Committee and her mentoring of new filmmakers.
Honourary Friend
Alexandra Raffle will be honoured for her commitment to hiring women in above-the-line positions on her new TV series Endgame and her twenty years of mentoring women in the industry.
Sharon Gibbon Lifetime Member Award
Deb Sears wins this award for volunteering as host of WIFTV's Networking Breakfast over numerous years.
Kodak Image Award
This year's cinematography award goes to Lindsay George for her work on over 14 projects in the past five years, including A Night For Dying Tigers .
PleaseAdjustYourSet.com Award
The winner of this new award, Rina Fraticelli, created a national association of female professionals called Women in View and spearheaded the international conference SexMoneyMedia held in Vancouver last October. She has also worked as executive producer of both the National Film Board's Pacific and Yukon Studio and Studio D.
Read more here:
http://www.straight.com/article-375992/vancouver/women-film-and-televisions-2010-spotlight-award-winners
David Suzuki kicks off his acting career at the Women In Film Festival in Vancouver
Check out this sweet article in the Calgary Beacon!
David Suzuki, Canada’s venerable environmentalist, is passionately pursuing a surprising new venture. He is acting in a movie called TORA, a film about Japanese internment camps in B.C. during World War II. The 75-year-old signed up for his first acting role ever when filmmakers Wendy Ord and Glen Samuel approached him with their script.
The story follows a woman who inherits a lakeside property in BC’s interior and eventually discovers it was a Japanese Internment camp during WWII. Suzuki plays a guilt-ridden, grieving father still hoping to find out what happened to his 9-year-old daughter who disappeared from the camp in 1942. “Suzuki had always been our first choice for the role and he himself had been interned as a small boy,” Ord says. “So he had a connection to the story.”
During the war Canada interned over 22,000 people of Japanese descent, three-quarters of them Canadian Citizens, “just because we looked like the enemy” as Suzuki’s character says in the film. “It’s one of the darkest chapters in our history,” says Samuel. “There’s a scene or two that may cause some controversy but to David’s credit he didn’t back away.”
A year and a half in the making, the 30-minute film’s a feast for the eyes with stunning scenery and gorgeous cinematography. Produced by Mountain Lake Films and co-starring Kate Bateman, Kevan Ohtsji and Krista Shepard, TORA will simultaneously make its Canadian, Australian and US Festival premieres the first week in March with its world premiere at Women In Film Festival in Vancouver. View the trailer here:http://www.torathemovie.com/web/Trailer.html.
Read more here:
Ahorn TV! Leave them Laughing!
If you can read German, this article is for you!
http://ahorntv.com/archive/episoden-21-bis-30/episode-25-26-2-2011
Auf der Berlinale 2011 sprechen wir mit Alan Franey, Direktor des Vancouver International Film Festivals und mit Peter M. Boehm, Botschafter von Kanada in Deutschland. Wir trafen Filmregisseur Michael Verhoeven und seine Ehefrau, die Schauspielerin Senta Berger.
Frank Tönsmann, WDR Redakteur Film & Serie, berichtet über die neuen deutschen Filme auf der Berlinale.
Wir konzentrieren uns auf die internationale Organisation Women in Film and Television. In Berlin sprachen wir mit der stellvertretenden Vorstandsvorsitzenden Alexandra Georgi, die früher einmal in Vancouver gearbeitet hat. Auch Edith Forster und Kiki Binnberg, Vorstandsmitgliederinnnen des WIFT, schildern ihre Eindrücke. Zudem entdeckten wir den Münchner 3D-Spezialisten Michael Coldewey bei einem Gastvortrag.
In Vancouver findet vom 4.-8. März das Women in Film Festival statt. Katja De Bock sprach mit der deutschstämmigen Produzentin Montana Berg, deren Genie-nominierten Film „Leave them Laughing“ am 5. März im Vancity Theatre zu sehen sein wird.
http://ahorntv.com/archive/episoden-21-bis-30/episode-25-26-2-2011
Auf der Berlinale 2011 sprechen wir mit Alan Franey, Direktor des Vancouver International Film Festivals und mit Peter M. Boehm, Botschafter von Kanada in Deutschland. Wir trafen Filmregisseur Michael Verhoeven und seine Ehefrau, die Schauspielerin Senta Berger.
Frank Tönsmann, WDR Redakteur Film & Serie, berichtet über die neuen deutschen Filme auf der Berlinale.
Wir konzentrieren uns auf die internationale Organisation Women in Film and Television. In Berlin sprachen wir mit der stellvertretenden Vorstandsvorsitzenden Alexandra Georgi, die früher einmal in Vancouver gearbeitet hat. Auch Edith Forster und Kiki Binnberg, Vorstandsmitgliederinnnen des WIFT, schildern ihre Eindrücke. Zudem entdeckten wir den Münchner 3D-Spezialisten Michael Coldewey bei einem Gastvortrag.
In Vancouver findet vom 4.-8. März das Women in Film Festival statt. Katja De Bock sprach mit der deutschstämmigen Produzentin Montana Berg, deren Genie-nominierten Film „Leave them Laughing“ am 5. März im Vancity Theatre zu sehen sein wird.
A MoMa Moment! The Neighbor!
Telefilm and MoMA bring eighth Canadian Front to New York audiences Montréal, March 2, 2011 – The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, in association with Telefilm Canada, will present the eight annual Canadian Front showcase from March 16 to March 21, 2011. This year’s festival features films coming from a variety of regions in Canada and showcase a variety of genre.
“The 2011 edition of the Canadian Front is a great illustration of the richness and the diversity of Canadian cinema. Canada is presenting eight new films in six different genres coming from different regions of Canada”, said Carolle Brabant, Executive Director of Telefilm.
“This annual showcase has given Telefilm many terrific opportunities to promote Canadian cinema with American audiences and key industry players”, she added. “New York City is the heart of the independent filmmaking and media community in the United States, so MoMA’s continued interest in our movie-making is extremely rewarding.”
“Over the past eight years Canadian Front has introduced narrative, documentary and experimental filmmakers from most provinces north of the border to New Yorkers, bringing to the attention of a discriminating audience eager to spread the word about films it likes beyond The Museum of Modern Art, the works of artists that deserve to be better known in the U.S. The selection of these films may be as personal and idiosyncratic as the curator who makes it, but the organization, the spirit and the commitment to this national adventure is Telefilm Canada's, and its participation in this cultural event is both welcome and critical. Telefilm is an essential partner ,” said Laurence Kardish, Senior Curator, Department of Film, The Museum of Modern Art.
The Neighbor (Canada-USA, Director: Naghmeh Shirkhan; Production Companies: Mehr Studio, British Columbia, Close-Up Videos, British Columbia, Cinemaeidos, New York) In Vancouver’s Iranian immigrant community, an older woman befriends a young mother whose husband spends more time in Tehran than with his wife and young daughter in Canada. Despite its bare-bones narrative, the film is a rich exploration of foreignness, loneliness, and how women adapt to alien surroundings. Shirkhan, who immigrated to America from Iran at the age of five, transferred the setting of her film from the Iranian expatriate community of Los Angeles to that of Vancouver at the suggestion of the film’s producer, fellow émigré Amir Naderi. East Coast Premiere.
“The 2011 edition of the Canadian Front is a great illustration of the richness and the diversity of Canadian cinema. Canada is presenting eight new films in six different genres coming from different regions of Canada”, said Carolle Brabant, Executive Director of Telefilm.
“This annual showcase has given Telefilm many terrific opportunities to promote Canadian cinema with American audiences and key industry players”, she added. “New York City is the heart of the independent filmmaking and media community in the United States, so MoMA’s continued interest in our movie-making is extremely rewarding.”
“Over the past eight years Canadian Front has introduced narrative, documentary and experimental filmmakers from most provinces north of the border to New Yorkers, bringing to the attention of a discriminating audience eager to spread the word about films it likes beyond The Museum of Modern Art, the works of artists that deserve to be better known in the U.S. The selection of these films may be as personal and idiosyncratic as the curator who makes it, but the organization, the spirit and the commitment to this national adventure is Telefilm Canada's, and its participation in this cultural event is both welcome and critical. Telefilm is an essential partner ,” said Laurence Kardish, Senior Curator, Department of Film, The Museum of Modern Art.
The Neighbor (Canada-USA, Director: Naghmeh Shirkhan; Production Companies: Mehr Studio, British Columbia, Close-Up Videos, British Columbia, Cinemaeidos, New York) In Vancouver’s Iranian immigrant community, an older woman befriends a young mother whose husband spends more time in Tehran than with his wife and young daughter in Canada. Despite its bare-bones narrative, the film is a rich exploration of foreignness, loneliness, and how women adapt to alien surroundings. Shirkhan, who immigrated to America from Iran at the age of five, transferred the setting of her film from the Iranian expatriate community of Los Angeles to that of Vancouver at the suggestion of the film’s producer, fellow émigré Amir Naderi. East Coast Premiere.
I'm Back!
Hello friends and followers!
I am frightfully sorry! Three days before the festival I had a massive fail with my computer.
but I'm back!
and here are a million words to read about how awesome this years film festival truly was!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
It's Here! It's Finally Here!
STARTS TOMORROW!
Friday, March 4th to Sunday, March 6th.
Now is the time to pack up your desk, throw on your most comfortable movie-going clothes, and set up a tent outside the VanCity Theatres (take some helpful advice from fans of George Lucas). Tomorrow is the official opening of the 2011 Vancouver Women in Film Festival!
Join the conversation from 9:30AM - 5:30PM at the VanCity theatre. Tickets available at the door.
Some notable screenings include:
Genie-nominated Leave Them Laughing -- Saturday at 9:30PM.
TORA ft. David Suzuki in his first acting role -- Sunday at 1:00PM in the THE ONES WE LOVE | Narrative Short Films series.
Sisters in Arms -- Sunday at 6:00PM screening with A Window Looking In directed by Tara Hungerford.
Amazon Falls ft. Spotlight Award-winning Director Katrin Bowen -- Sunday at 8:00PM
For a complete listing of films, visit: http://www.womeninfilm.ca/Fest_Schedule.html
TORA ft. David Suzuki in his first acting role -- Sunday at 1:00PM in the THE ONES WE LOVE | Narrative Short Films series.
Sisters in Arms -- Sunday at 6:00PM screening with A Window Looking In directed by Tara Hungerford.
Amazon Falls ft. Spotlight Award-winning Director Katrin Bowen -- Sunday at 8:00PM
For a complete listing of films, visit: http://www.womeninfilm.ca/Fest_Schedule.html
Visit the website for more information!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Hungry for Connections?
Get ready for the greatest lunch date you will ever have!
As well as being an amazing outlet for great films, the Vancouver Women in Film Festival also hosts an excellent forum for meeting and mingling with all interested in the industry.
Saturday, March 5th | VIFC Atrium | 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Free EntryConcession will be open for purchasing lunch items if you are hungry!
ARE YOU READY TO MAKE YOUR FIRST FEATURE FILM?A panel of directors and producers including Katrin Bowen, Tracy D. Smith, and Robyn Wiener will reveal their low budget filmmaking secrets and discuss the ultra low-budget feature film trend.
 | Katrin Bowen Director, AMAZON FALLSKatrin Bowen was born in England and moved to Linden, Alberta at the age of 5. From growing up in the Mennonite community of Linden, to acting in b-movie kickboxing films in Los Angeles, to writing and directing independent films in Vancouver, director Katrin Bowen has led a colourful life. Katrin just finished directing her first feature film AMAZON FALLS based on her b-movie experiences in Los Angeles. AMAZON FALLS premiered in 2010 at both TIFF and VIFF. Lead Actor April Telek was the winner of WIFTV's 2010 Artistic Merit Award. |
 | Tracy D. Smith Director, THE HOMESTEADTracy D. Smith's first short film SANDRA GETS DUMPED (2005 Crazy8s) won Leo Awards for Best Screenwriting and Best Female Performance. Her feature film debut, TAMING TAMMY, premiered at the 2007 Vancouver International Film Festival. Some of her other films include UNBEARABLE LOVE (2007 Montreal World Film Festival), THE BRUTE (2008 VIFF), NO MEANS NO (2008 Bloodshots Grand Prize Winner), and CURSE OF THE JADE FALCON (Winner of the 2008 VAFF Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon). |
 | Robyn Wiener Producer, Synergy CinemaA seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in the film and television industry, Robyn has worked in many aspects of production and holds over 40 professional credits to her name. As a Producer, Robyn has been producing and developing projects since 2002 and has been attached to several award winning short films and a Leo award winning music video. Most notably, Robyn recently Line Produced two indie feature films that include the ‘bromance’ comedy THE WINGMAN and the TIFF/VIFF 2010 selected feature film, AMAZON FALLS, as well as the presentation pilot KITS for CityTV. Her company, Synergy Cinema, currently has several projects in development. Robyn also teaches budgeting and scheduling part-time at VFS for the Entertainment & Business Management Program. |
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Pitchin' it!
Do you have a great idea that needs to be heard?
Friday, March 4th | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
The Women in Film Festival is not only an excellent venue for amazing shorts and excellent feature length films, but it also is an amazing opportunity for your voice to be heard!A pitch session is a one-on-one non-public session that is conducted in an open room in a "speed dating" style. You may book one-on-one 10 minute pitching sessions and pitch your project directly to these leading film industry professionals.2011 VWIFF Pitch Professionals
Bill Hurst
Stacey Landers
Caroline Coutts
Maureen Levitt
Tracey Friesen
Click for more information on:
Do you have a great idea that needs to be heard?
Friday, March 4th | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
The Women in Film Festival is not only an excellent venue for amazing shorts and excellent feature length films, but it also is an amazing opportunity for your voice to be heard!
A pitch session is a one-on-one non-public session that is conducted in an open room in a "speed dating" style. You may book one-on-one 10 minute pitching sessions and pitch your project directly to these leading film industry professionals.
2011 VWIFF Pitch Professionals
Bill Hurst | Stacey Landers | Caroline Coutts | Maureen Levitt |
Tracey Friesen |
Click for more information on:
Monday, February 28, 2011
Amazing deals from Miss604.com and Rossoee Indian Kitchen!
Do you like blogs? Do you like food?
Do you like reading blogs that offer wicked free food?
Well, my goodness, are you in for a treat!
Rebecca Bollwitt, the awesome blogger behind the website http://www.miss604.com has written a blog about the Vancouver Women in Film Festival that recaps all of the awesome that will happen from March 4th to 6th.
Teaming up with Rebecca is Rosoee Indian Kitchen. Rasoee is a new eat-in or take-out Indian restaurant on Robson Street (at Hamilton) and they are also the caterers/sponsors of the Women in Film Festival’s opening reception.
Together they have created the most excellent way to celebrate VWIFF, which is offering some free food and free tickets to events!
They are offering:
Spotlight Gala
Two tickets to the Opening Night screening of Black Field, gala reception tickets
Saturday March 5, 2011 – Schedule
Two tickets to a screening of The Neighbour
Two tickets to a screening of Leave Them Laughing
Sunday March 6, 2011 – Schedule
Two tickets to a Our Journeys – Narrative Shorts Part 2 with Talkback
Two tickets to a screening of A Window Looking In & Sisters in Arms
Two tickets to a screening of Amazon Falls
Two tickets to the Opening Night screening of Black Field, gala reception tickets
Saturday March 5, 2011 – Schedule
Two tickets to a screening of The Neighbour
Two tickets to a screening of Leave Them Laughing
Sunday March 6, 2011 – Schedule
Two tickets to a Our Journeys – Narrative Shorts Part 2 with Talkback
Two tickets to a screening of A Window Looking In & Sisters in Arms
Two tickets to a screening of Amazon Falls
All winners will also receive a gift certificate for lunch or dinner at Rasoee. Here’s how you can enter to win tickets and a complimentary meal at Rasoee:
I entered to win @VWIFF2011 tickets from @Rasoee & @Miss604 http://ow.ly/40AJj
Rebecca will draw all 6 winners (at random, from all combined entries) on Friday, February 25th at 12:00pm.
HOW EXCITED ARE YOU RIGHT NOW?
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Wanna know who your talking to?
Here is some more info on the hottest things to come to digital media since slice bread (as seen on an iPad)!
Clare Hodge, Programmer, Digital Media Forum
Clare Hodge is a Producer and Project Manager in film, television and interactive with more than 20 hours credited as producer. Hodge produced the feature film “Love and Other Dilemmas” (Maple Pictures) which was theatrically released across Canada in 2008. She acted as Multi-platform Project Content Manager of “Ice Pilots NWT” website and Creative Manager of two online video venues affiliated with Super Channel, producing the cross-platform production “Super U Winners Showcase”. She has produced numerous award-winning short dramas and acted as Associate Producer on the film “Saint Monica” and the network TV series “Alice, I Think” (CTV/Comedy Network). Hodge has held positions including Business Analyst at British Columbia Film’s Tax Credit Program and Operations Manager of Women in Film.
FOCUS ON INNOVATION
Moderator: Justine Bizzocchi
Panellists: Rochelle Grayson, Rae Hull
As a Technology Manager at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia Canada, Justine Bizzocchi works with faculty researchers specializing in new media, entertainment technology and e-learning systems. Justine is a graduate of the University of Michigan in Film and Television. She has over 30 years experience working in film, television and new media both independently and with such organizations as the Banff New Media Institute (HorizonZero), the National Film Board of Canada, KCTS Television, and the Centre for Image and Sound Research. She was a key member of the start-up team for both Vancouver Coop Radio and Cineworks Film Production Coop.
Rochelle Grayson, CEO of BookRiff, is a consumer and digital media executive with 20 years of business, technology, and entertainment experience. She has led and launched several innovative digital media initiatives, working with a combination of both highly analytical and creative individuals. Rochelle is equally comfortable discussing digital media business models, social media trends, online community building, and internet and mobile technologies. Since 2008, Rochelle has been nominated as one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women, named “The New Executive Cool Hunter”, awarded Vancouver’s Top Forty Under 40, and listed as one of Vancouver's Top 10 Technology Women.
Rae Hull is a media expert whose extensive career has seen her in both front of - and behind the camera – and as a senior executive leading the development of new television and online content. She has worked for CBC and CTV, on projects for PBS, Discovery and the History Channel and most recently as Creative Director of CODE, the Cultural Olympiad’s digital edition where she developed an unprecedented series of digital content projects for the 2010 Winter Games, working with several teams to see them realized. In 2001, she led the development and production of ZeD for CBC Television, one of the world’s first multi-platform interactive series. Her work has been recognized with several awards and she is a recipient of WIFVV Woman of the Year.
NEW TRENDS IN SOCIAL MEDIA
Moderator: Sarah Muff
Panellists: Nadia Aly, Rebecca Coleman, Nimisha Mukerji
Sarah Muff describes herself as a transdisciplinary creative. Her work experience intersects art, audience, education and change through the public sector. Her current projects include MAX: Metro Vancouver’s new online arts and culture guide and programming for Knowledge. Sarah has worked as a curator, manager, marketer and educator for Canadian Images at the Vancouver International Film Festival, Reel 2 Real International Film Festival for Youth and Cineworks Independent Filmmakers Society. She holds a Bachelor of Media Arts from Emily Carr University and a Master of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University.
Nadia Aly says she “can’t let Vancouver go”. Born in Toronto, the 26-year-old self-described social-media guru is an online community manager for Microsoft. She works out of the computing giant’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington, but resides in both Vancouver and Seattle. Aly also sits on the board of W2 Community Media Arts, whose website she developed, and runs People Vancouver, a Ning-based community site. Her latest projects are Canada Cheers 2012, a site for Canadian bloggers covering the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and London Games 2012. In 2009, Aly earned a master’s degree in digital media from the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, and B.C. Institute of Technology after studying at Great Northern Way Campus.
Rebecca Coleman has been a freelance arts publicist for 10 years, primarily in theatre. An actor, writer and producer, she is also very passionate about helping artists to be better businesspeople. A blogger and writer, she has written a book called The Guide to Getting Started With Social Media for Artists and Arts Organizations, which helps newbies create a marketing plan using social networking as a tool. She is the publicist for The Beast of Bottomless Lake, an independent feature film, and administrator for The Babz Chula Lifeline for Artists Society.
Nimisha Mukerji is a Gemini nominated producer/director based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. Her debut feature was the critically acclaimed documentary 65_RedRoses, which was officially selected for Oprah Winfrey’s Documentary Club and will have its American broadcast premiere on OWN. For her work on the film Nimisha was awarded the 2010 Don Haig Award for Emerging Filmmakers, the 2010 Mendocino Award for Emerging Filmmakers and the 2009 Artist Merit Award from Women in Film Vancouver. Nimisha also received a nomination for Best Direction in Documentary Program at the 2010 Gemini Awards. 65_RedRoses is currently being distributed by PBS International Worldwide, and won the 2010 Banff World Television Award for Best Canadian Program, following its broadcast premiere on CBC’s The Passionate Eye. Nimisha’s latest documentaries, The Coconut (recipient of the 2009 Omni Cultural Diversity Award) is currently in development and Blood Relative (Canadian broadcaster Knowledge) has an anticipated release date in fall 2011.
START UP UPSTARTS
Moderator: Danika Dinsmore
Panellists: Kirsten Forbes, Angel Pui, Moyra Rodger
Danika Dinsmore is a writer, filmmaker, and educator with a diverse creative background. She is also inexplicably attracted to producing and managing events. A former WIFTV President, she was Chair of the 2007 & 2008 Women in Film Festivals, BC, as well as coordinator for their inaugural New Media Forum.
Kirsten Forbes, C.O.O., Silicon Sisters Interactive Inc.
Kirsten Forbes has been making videogames since 1997. As Executive Producer at Radical Entertainment she led teams of up to 100 developers to ship 11 high-profile console titles including the multi-million sellers CSI and Crash Bandicoot. Known as an advocate for girl gaming preferences, Kirsten recently partnered with Brenda Bailey-Gershkovitch to launch Silicon Sisters Interactive, Vancouver’s first female led game development studio. Silicon Sisters’ mission is to develop high quality, inspirational games with a decidedly female focus - games for us. The Silicon Sisters team is currently working on their first game, to be released this spring.
Angel Pui has launched various innovative products and tools in the wedding vertical: My Wedding Notes, first online collaborative wedding planning application, The Wedding Notebook, online customization design tool, Wedding Soiree, an interactive wedding showcase that's formatted like a wedding. Our newest product, Weddingful, is the most comprehensive search and information on wedding vendors, connecting brides to vendors through relevant detailed search and quick communication system.
Moyra Rodger has always been a “Digital Dame” even in the coal-burning years before the Internet became a proper noun. Prior to launching her newest entrepreneurial venture, MAGNIFY Digital, Moyra trotted the globe producing award winning television programming via her first company, Out to See Entertainment. eMarketing strategies, web content, and measurable online accountability and profitability are all part of the suite of offering at MAGNIFY. Now, Rodger is pulling back the curtain on ALERT™, the system her team developed to produce high impact strategies for clients including the 2010 Cultural Olympiad Digital Edition, Whistler Film Festival, and a wide range of corporate brands. ALERT™ is the world's first turn key solution for PR, Marketing and Ad Firms looking to grow their bottom line by providing digital strategy services. Magnify’s newest web app, ALERT™-TV enables broadcasters and producers to drive audience engagement online and off.
NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT
Moderator: Dina Grskovich
Panellists: Bryna Dabby, Bonnie Jean Mah, Melissa Wood
Dina Grskovich, CHRP
Strategic Change Consultant
Founder of DMG Business Strategy, Dina studied Information Technology and Management Systems at BCIT. In 2008 she obtained her CHRP designation from the BCHRMA. Working with Creative Design Firms she likes to apply organizational development and strategic change plans in order to further facilitate sustainable growth patterns. A strong advocate for community involvement Dina is a 2 time member of the Board of Directors for Wired Woman Society and a Workshop Facilitator for Business Mentoring for the Arts.
Bryna Dabby, Producer, has been working in the video game industry for the past 12 years, beginning at Electronic Arts Canada working on multiple projects, including the NHL, FIFA and Need for Speed franchises, and Def Jam Vendetta. Following EA, Bryna was a Producer on The Bourne Conspiracy for High Moon Studios (Activision-Blizzard). Bryna has also worked with local studio United Front Games as a project manager, as a Senior Producer for iPhone developer Genius Factor Games, and most recently as a Producer at Smoking Gun Interactive working on Kinect Adventures, a first-party XBOX Kinect launch title for Microsoft.
Bonnie Jean Mah is a Narrative Designer and writer at Relic Entertainment, which is part of international game publisher THQ. Before joining Relic, she worked as a writer, producer and director on diverse projects in the television and film industry. Bonnie Jean is now working on the AAA action title WARHAMMER 40,000: SPACE MARINE, launching on Xbox360, Playstation 3 and PC later this year.
Melissa Wood is a web content editor and social media marketer based in Vancouver, BC. Graduating from Langara College’s Journalism diploma program, Melissa used her print-based education as a catapult for a career in digital media. With almost ten years’ experience working in online environments, Melissa looks forward to continuing to find the most efficient ways to communicate through digital technology.
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