Jennifer Shin joined CBC as Director of Development, Comedy. A film and television producer with over 15 years of experience in the industry including such acclaimed films as Rebecca Addelman’s Paper Year and Patricia Rozema’s Mouthpiece, Jennifer joins us from the Peabody Award-winning production company Banger Films, where she served as Head of Content and launched a scripted division. Prior to that, she was VP of Feature Film at First Generation Films, where she oversaw the development and production slate of their projects. Jennifer has also had a rich career in entertainment journalism, working as a producer on entertainment television shows including CBC’s George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight/The Hour. Jennifer is the co-chair of the Reel Asian Film Festival and presently sits on the Foundation board of WIFT-T (Women in Film & Television Toronto).

Area of Expertise: Scripted Television

Meeting Format: In-Person

Paige Murray has worked at the CBC for over eleven years within the content areas. She is currently the Executive in Charge of Development and drama on the Scripted Content team. In this role, Paige oversees the development of one-hour dramas and actively looks for creators and stories that reflect the spectrum of the Canadian experience to entertain and enlighten CBC audiences. Previously, she was Executive in Charge of Production, YA Digital Originals, overseeing production and development of short and mid-length series for CBC Gem.

Area of Expertise: Television, Scripted Development, Drama Content

Meeting Format: In-Person

Gurjeet Mann, affectionately known as “G” by colleagues and collaborators, seamlessly blends his roles as an Executive Producer and Director of Photography. G’s co-creation of distinctive and innovative shows such as We Bought a Funeral Home on Discovery Plus and Bollywed, with its 2nd season currently airing on CBC, has cemented his reputation as a creative powerhouse. His extensive portfolio includes contributions to hundreds of hours of programming. His creative vision is fuelled by a tapestry of rich, diverse experiences, drawing from a well of personal and professional encounters that inform his storytelling style.

Area of Expertise: Unscripted Television

Meeting Format: In-Person

Justin Cutler joined Ontario Creates as Ontario Film Commissioner in 2015. As Film Commissioner, Justin is responsible for promoting Ontario at home and abroad as a jurisdiction of choice for film and television production. In this role, Justin oversees a broad range of consultation and location services and works with a wide network of industry stakeholders and government partners to enhance collaboration within the industry. Justin’s team facilitates capacity building opportunities, particularly in the areas of studio infrastructure expansion, workforce development and environmental sustainability, including the Ontario Green Screen initiative, which he co-chairs.

Area of Expertise: Practicalities of filming in Ontario, location scouting support, financial incentives, access to film and television infrastructure and support services, environmental sustainability resources, tools and educational opportunities.

Meeting Format: In-Person

Steve Gamester is Vice President of Specialist Factual at Saloon Media/Blue Ant Studios. He has worked as a Broadcaster, Executive Producer, Producer, Development Executive, Showrunner, Writer, and Director.

Steve’s shows have been nominated for over 30 Canadian Screen Awards. The feature documentary 9/11 Kids won the Audience Award at Hot Docs and the Donald Brittain Award for Best Social or Political Documentary in 2020.

Steve has a master’s degree in public history.

Area of Expertise: Unscripted Factual – especially history, science, natural history

Meeting Format: In-Person

Andrew leads strategic communications and member outreach for the CMPA. This means he gets to tell the world about the phenomenal content created by Canada’s indie producers, and the impressive contribution the sector makes to the country’s economic growth and cultural identity.

A member of the CMPA’s senior leadership team, Andrew oversees media relations, marketing, member communications, advertising, sponsorship, professional development, and the organization’s social media and digital channels. He produces the CMPA’s annual Prime Time in Ottawa conference and the CMPA Indiescreen Awards—which recognize excellence among Canada’s feature film producers—and he is also editor-in-chief of the CMPA’s Indiescreen magazine.

Area of Expertise: CMPA, Membership, Industry Trends

Meeting Format: In-Person

Kelsey Espensen is the Senior Director of Unscripted Entertainment at Blue Ant Studios. She developed Race Against The Tide for CBC and CBC Gem, developed Drink Masters for Netflix, created Best In Miniature for CBC and Discovery+ UK & Ireland and created A Cut Above for Discovery Canada, Discovery US and A&E UK. Prior to working at Blue Ant Studios, Kelsey was the Director of Unscripted Development at marblemedia, she was part of the marketing team at Sony Pictures Canada and was an on-air radio reporter for 101.7 The One at Blackburn Radio.

Area of Expertise: Unscripted Development – creating, developing, writing, and pitching unscripted series

Meeting Format: Virtual via Zoom

Micah Kernan is the Development Manager for both Drama and Comedy. She coordinates the management, tracking and distribution of projects. She supports the team by evaluating pitches and being the point of contact for creators to connect with CBC. Micah is the current Programmer for Canada’s longest running short film showcase, Canadian Reflections. At the CBC, inclusion and representation are a priority. This means Micah works to reflect all of the regions and the country’s multifaceted nature, while programming for Canadian Reflections.

Area of Expertise: Development, Comedy, Drama, working with the CBC, and Short Film Acquisition

Meeting Format: In-Person

Shant Joshi is an award-winning producer and president of Fae Pictures, based in New York and Toronto, on a mission to decolonize Hollywood. His credits include award winners at Sundance (Framing Agnes), Red Sea (In Flames), Iris Prize (Scaring Women at Night), Durban (Runs in the Family), premieres at Cannes, Toronto, Canneseries (Streams Flow From A River), Aspen (I Live Here), Palm Springs (Diaspora), Hot Docs, Black Star (Noor and Layla), Bentonville, and BFI London, and nominees for the Canadian Screen Awards (Queen Tut).

He was also an executive producer on Nisha Pahuja’s Academy Award ® nominated film To Kill A Tiger, an impact producer on John Greyson’s TEDDY Award-winning film International Dawn Chorus Day, and an associate producer on Ingrid Veninger’s Canadian Screen Award-nominated film Porcupine Lake. Shant currently sits on CMPA’s Restructuring, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Committee, and previously was Co-Chair of the BIPOC TV & Film Board, and co-founder of the Future of Film Showcase.

He is an alum of the Canadian Film Centre, Rotterdam Lab, and Osgoode Hall Law School, and was named a MIPTV Producer to Watch, Reelworld Trailblazer, nominated for an Indiescreen Award, and to York University’s Top 30 Changemakers under 30.

Area of Expertise: Financing, Producing, Sales and Distribution

Meeting Format: In-Person

Melissa Amer is the Regional Feature Film Executive for Ontario and Nunavut at Telefilm Canada. Telefilm is a proud champion of Canadian talent and stories, both at home and abroad, with the mandate to foster and promote the development of the audiovisual industry in Canada.

Area of Expertise: Telefilm

Meeting Format: In-Person

Patricia Bebia Mawa is the co-owner and Executive Vice President of Silvertrust Media and Afroglobal Television, as well as the host of the Planet Africa. She has directed and produced over 15 television programs including The Visionaries and Standing Ovation. Patricia is the writer and director of the drama series Omobella Palace and the feature film, The Life Coach. She is the Associate Publisher of Excellence, Envision and Destiny Magazines. In 2008 Silvertrust Media, introduced the Discover magazine series, which has since released over 20 titles and editions for organizations and countries.

Patricia is the chair of the Reelworld Foundation. In 2021 she was appointed to the Advisory board of Trebas College, part of the World University System. Listed in the Who’s Who in Black Canada, she is a recipient of the BPPA Harry Jerome Award and a Queen Elizabeth’s 11 Diamond Jubilee Medal. Patricia has been featured on CNN International in a half hour special.

Area of Expertise: Television, Film, Marketing, Fundraising, Business

Meeting Format: In-Person

Stefania Scarfo is the Head of Content Strategy for Paramount+, Canada’s newest streaming service. As lead of the content team, she oversees the programming strategy. Scarfo is tasked with making strategic content acquisitions and commissioning decisions in alignment with the streaming services strategy to ensure Paramount+ offers a mountain of entertainment for Canadian audiences. Prior to joining Paramount, Scarfo worked for over 10 years in programming at Bell Media, working on both CTV And Crave.

Area of Expertise:Television, Film

Meeting Format: In-Person

Antonello Cozzolino has 22 years of experience in production of feature films, advertising, transmedia, and documentaries. He is currently VP of Feature Films and Scripted Producer at Attraction Images where he manages the film department from project selection to development phases, financing, and production.

His goal as a producer has always been to make films aimed to reach both critical and commercial successes. He strongly believes in a type of cinema that is intelligent and relevant, capable of touching millions of viewers. Films he produced include: Mafia Inc., 14 Days 12 Nights (Oscars contender for Canada), The Time Thief, One Summer (+2,3M$ GBO).

Area of Expertise: Production

Meeting Format: Virtual via Zoom