The Toronto-headquartered Canadian Film Fest (CFF) has announced its 2025 Masterclass and Industry Series of panels and programs.

The festival runs from March 24 to 29 at the city’s Scotiabank Theatre, screening 16 features and 50 shorts.

The program includes a four-hour masterclass, ‘Fix it in Prep’ from Violator Films’ Iori Iozinski (Little Bird) and Clique Pictures’ Lauren Grant (Riot Girls). The class, set for March 24, will focus on guiding filmmakers through preproduction on a greenlit feature.

The panels begin with six on March 25, starting with ‘Global Voices, Canadian Heart: International Storytelling in Film.’ Moderated by Connekt Films founder and CEO Anya Vagabova, the panel looks at international filmmakers who have made an impact on the Canadian screen industry. Panelists are director Yazmeen Kanji, writer Amir Kahnamouee and director and producer Celestina Aleobua.

Next is ‘Scouting TO: Finding the Perfect Location,’ moderated by Magali Simard, Cinespace’s director of industry and community relations. Panelists are location scout and composer Dason Johnson and Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) locations manager Richard Hughes, with more to be announced.

Moderated by Webseries Canada president Katie Uhlmann, ‘Funded and Seen: Untapped Support for Canadian Creators’ examines strategies for financial backing and securing broadcaster relationships. Panelists are Bell Fibe TV1 producers Donna Cagnoli and Paul Gardner; Melissa Amer, Telefilm Canada’s regional feature film executive for Ontario; Mitch Geddes, VP, development and current, Neshama Entertainment; Suzanne Marshall, senior manager of programming, Hollywood Suite; and Mark Shapland, program manager and climate lens facilitator for the Independent Production Fund.

‘Breaking In: The Transition to Directing’ is moderated by director Shawn Gerrard, with panelists Nick Butler, Joanna Tsanis, Meelad Moaphi and actor and filmmaker Dan Abramovici.

‘Branding, Hustling and Thriving: The Future of Film in Canada,’ examines how to navigate the business side of the industry while staying true to one’s craft. It is moderated by Future of Films Showcase co-founder and CEO, Eric Bizzari. Panelists include Project Four Public Relations founder Amira de Vera, director of photography Christina Ienna, Fae Pictures president Shant Joshi and actor and filmmaker Aisha Evelyna.

Lastly, ‘Behind the Lights: The Art and Craft of Cinematography’ is moderated by DGC president Warren Sonoda. Panelists are cinematographers Rico Moran and Gayle Ye, with more to be announced.

There are three panels set for March 27, starting with ‘Dressed to Tell: Costumes and Makeup as Storytelling Tools,’ moderated by Joanna Syrokomla, chair of the Canadian Alliance of Film and Television Costume Arts and Design Awards. Panelists are costume designer Kristin Somborac and wardrobe stylist Darynel Weekly, with more to be announced.

‘Beyond the Red Carpet,’ moderated by Rakhee Sapra, the Canadian Film Centre’s senior manager of marketing and communications, examines the future and changing landscape of film promotion. Panelists are yet to be announced.

Lastly, ‘The Art of Adaption,’ moderated by inkcanada founder Karen Walton, looks at the process of adapting Darkest Miriam (Younger Daughter Films, Low End, Through the Lens Entertainment), which had its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. Panelists are the film’s writer and director Naomi Jaye and author of the original novel, Martha Baillie.

The sole panel on March 28, ‘Pitching the Unknown: How to Sell Your Unscripted Show,’ features filmmaker Billie Mintz as a panelist, with more to be announced.

Also included in CFF’s programming are the previously announced comedy film program for women and non-binary filmmakers launched in January 2024, and the You-CAN Pitch Competition for emerging Black Canadian filmmakers.

“Through industry-relevant panels, conversations, and events, we foster learning, collaboration, and knowledge sharing to empower storytellers, helping them succeed at home and make an impact globally,” said Jen Pogue (pictured), CFF director of industry, in a statement.

Photo by Lauren Vandenbrook of LV Imagery