Canada’s film industry is at a pivotal moment.  It’s a time of great opportunity, but also a time to make strategic decisions that will secure the future of independent film in this country. That’s why today, we are announcing the Playback Film Summit: a two-day virtual event taking place November 9 and 10 which will foster new business partnerships, ignite future film projects, and provide a critically needed platform for conversations about the future of Canadian cinema on the global stage.

Playback is this country’s most relied-upon source for film business news and analysis. Our mandate is to provide the industry with trusted information that gives perspective, allowing for strategic decision making and access to new opportunities for growth. We are excited to now also bring a high level of interactivity and a whole new slate of content to the industry through this new virtual event.

We are honoured that some of the industry’s most influential players have joined our advisory board to help guide the content direction for our panels and networking sessions. These include (pictured above): Amos Adetuyi, CEO & executive producer, Circle Blue Entertainment; Hussain Amarshi, president & founder, Mongrel Media; Daniel Beckerman, producer, Scythia Films; Lauren Grant, producer, Clique Pictures; Lauren Howes, executive director, Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival; Shant Joshi, president, Fae Pictures; Laurie May, founder and co-president, Elevation Pictures; Charlotte Mickie, VP, Celluloid Dreams; Naveen Prasad, president & co-founder, Impossible Objects and Jesse Wente, executive director of Canada’s Indigenous Screen Office.

In addition to topical panel discussions and relevant case studies, delegates at the Film Summit will have access to 500-plus exclusive preset and drop-in networking meeting opportunities offering a direct line to distributors, producers, studios, streamers, agents, investors, funders and media stakeholders from Canada and around the world. In the coming weeks, we will be announcing Speed Meeting and Chat Room hosts as well as our panel lineups , including pivotal domestic, U.S. and international professionals.

The program will be hosted on our bespoke virtual platform, which has been hailed as the entertainment industry’s best online meeting and content environment.

Delegates will be able to gather virtually in our chat rooms – communal spaces where individuals can connect for special curated events and serendipitous networking.

Every delegate will also have access to a Project Lounge to upload or view scripts, development materials and screen trailers, full-length features and shorts.  Everyone will have their own customized, private video-conferencing room to take meetings within the platform. Integrated chat, messaging and scheduling tools will also assist to amplify the virtual meeting or pitching experience.

We can’t wait to see you there.

Liza Sardi, Editor-in-Chief, Playback