Toronto-based LGBTQ2S+ media and content organization Pink Triangle Press (PTP) has appointed Daniel MacIvor as its creative development consultant.

MacIvor (pictured) joined the company on Nov. 1 and has been tasked with the development of new television, digital and podcasting projects, working alongside PTP’s chief content officer Jennifer McGuire.

“It is our hope that with Daniel in this development role, we are poised to work with others in the industry to bring some really interesting and impactful LGBTQ2S+ content to audiences,” said McGuire in a statement.

MacIvor is an experienced writer, performer, filmmaker and producer. He won a Canadian Screen Award in 2017 for his original screenplay Weirdos, and has also written feature films such as Marion Bridge, Wilby Wonderful and Trigger.

Discovery returns for more Pets & Pickers

Tyson Media is in production on a second season of the docuseries Pets & Pickers following its renewal by Bell Media-owned specialty channel Discovery Canada. The 8 x 60-minute series is produced by Tyson Media, with founder Tyson Hepburn (Rust Valley Restorers) serving as executive producer. 

Pets & Pickers is filmed at the Regional Animal Protection Society in Richmond, B.C., and follows the challenges and triumphs of the staff who work at the no-kill animal services agency. Season one premiered on Discovery Canada on May 12.

Reelworld Screen Institute selects eight delegates to attend Content London

Reelworld Screen Institute has selected eight racially-diverse and emerging filmmakers to attend Content London.

The eight filmmakers include Toronto-based director-producer-writer Adrian Wallace, who is a 2022 Playback 10 to Watch alum; producer Umang Antariksh Sagar; writer-producer Keda Edwards Pierre; and director-producer Alfons Adetuyi.

Other delegates include Toronto-native writer-producer Allison Wilson-Forbes; producer Chibie Louis-Okoye; producer-director Sheldon Shaw; and Vanessa Mitchell, producer, creator and the co-founder of Madden & Mitchell Media.

Reelworld will provide the filmmakers with passes and a travel stipend, as well as training on how to navigate the marketplace before attending Content London, which runs from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1. Professionals will also review their pitch materials in advance.

Additionally, the eight filmmakers will be connected with U.K.’s Dare Pictures CEO Derren Lawford, who will “provide additional support in facilitating delegate relationships in the U.K. market,” according to a news release.

Ontario government grants $185K of funding to WIFF

The Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) has received $185,000 from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport through the Reconnect Ontario grant.

The funding is “crucial” in supporting WIFF’s return to an in-person annual fall festival after a two-year hiatus, according to a press release. The festival, which ran from Oct. 28 to Nov. 6, held more than 300 screenings and presented 177 feature films.

Andrew Dowie, MPP for Windsor-Tecumseh, said in a statement that WIFF serves as a “key cultural destination in our community’s vibrant arts and culture space… through its diverse programming and a devoted commitment to film education.”

Vincent Georgie, executive director and chief programmer of WIFF, added that the support enables the festival to emerge “strongly post-pandemic as we reconnect with our loyal and large audience over an expanded 11-day festival.”

With files from Kelly Townsend

Image courtesy of Pink Triangle Press