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Forum gets Canadian filmmakers rolling

Whistler Filmmaker Forum hosts seminars, networking, one-on-one meetings and pitch sessions

What: Whistler Film Festival

What: Whistler Filmmaker Forum

When: Nov. 28 to Dec. 1

Where: Whistler

Info: whistlerfilmfestival.com

The Whistler Filmmaker Forum hosts 12 dynamic sessions to equip Canadian filmmakers with the tools, knowledge and the contacts they need to get their films rolling.

Along with sessions, the forum also includes networking lunches, one-on-one meetings with industry professionals, breakout sessions, panels, pitch sessions and invaluable networking events to connect filmmakers with commissioning editors, broadcasters, sales agents and distributors.

The forum follows the format of panel discussions and pitch sessions of years past, with two new workshops developed in collaboration with the Canadian Film Centre which focus on writing and directing.

DOC Talk returns as part of the forum, hosting a two-day documentary conference on Nov. 28 to 29. Select panel discussions include Selling to the U.S. Market, and Passion, Politics and Process. The highlight of DOC Talk is the Pitch Fest West Nov. 28 when eight Western Canadian filmmakers pitch their documentaries to a round table of Canadian and international broadcasters, including CBC The Lens, Global Currents and CTV.

In addition to DOC Talk, the forum dedicates a day to international sales and distribution for feature film projects Nov. 30. Filmmakers will learn more about the industry marketplace in Show Me the Money and Selling Your Film seminars. They can then discuss their upcoming projects at a networking lunch.

Filmmakers looking to break into the world’s fastest growing film market will gain invaluable insight from Working With China Roundtable & Break Out Sessions. Pre-registration and selection for the networking meeting, lunch and roundtable are required for this session.

The forum will also focus on the growing field of new media production with a focus on maximizing distribution in the New Media Panel and Breakout Sessions on Dec. 1.

A Canadian Film Centre director partners with a working actor/actress for an in-depth conversation about the actor-director relationship in the Director/Actor Master Class: The Art of The Performance.

Pitch sessions are hosted throughout the weekend with the MPPIA Short Film Award Pitch Session putting four pre-selected emerging filmmakers head to head to win $115,000 in cash and services to produce their film.

You can check what industry professionals are coming as well as register for forum seminars by visiting whistlerfilmfestival.com.

Tickets are now on sale online or by visiting ticket headquarters at the Blackcomb Lodge. For more information, call 1-877-913-3456.