NOVEMBER 7-9, CHARLOTTE STREET ARTS CENTRE

SPONSORED BY BELL FIBE TV1 AND CBC

BY APPOINTMENT

Book a 15 minute session with:

CBC producers Natalie Dobbin and Katie Rowe

Bell Fibe TV1 producers Donna Cagnoli and Paul Gardner

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 10AM-12PM, CHARLOTTE STREET ARTS CENTRE, UPSTAIRS AUD

SPONSORED BY CART BEFORE HORSE MEDIA

MASTER CLASS

Writing the Short-Form Series: Storytelling for 5–10 Minute Episodes

Join writer-director Vanessa King (The Slack) for a two-hour masterclass on writing the short-form scripted series. Learn how to create emotional arcs, build strong visual storytelling, and design stories suited to platforms like Bell Fibe TV1 and CBC Gem. Perfect for emerging writers, filmmakers, and storytellers looking to develop their own short-form series.

BIOGRAPHY

Vanessa King is a New Brunswick producer, story editor, and screenwriter. Her scripts have been recognized by the Oscar® Nicholl Fellowship and Sony. She cofounded the New York Screenwriters Co-Op and teaches screenwriting in New Brunswick and online. She has earned industry awards, judged festivals, and leads film education initiatives in New Brunswick. Vanessa serves on the Executive Board of Media NB, and is a member of WIFT-AT, the NB Film Co-op, and AIFF’s filmmaker advisory board. She lives in Smithtown, NB.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 12PM-12:45PM, CHARLOTTE STREET ARTS CENTRE, UPSTAIRS AUD

SPONSORED BY BELL FIVE TV1

PANEL

Your Community, Your Story: Getting Your Show on Fibe TV1

Join the Fibe TV1 teamforan inside look at how local creators can turn community stories into broadcast-ready productions. Learn who we are, what kinds of projects we support, and how to craft a compelling pitch that stands out. Whether you’re a first-time storyteller or an experienced filmmaker, this session will guide you through the submission process and show you how to make your idea shine on TV1.

BIOGRAPHY

Paul Gardner, Senior Producer, and Donna Cagnoli, Producer at Bell Fibe TV1, develop and oversee original community programming across Canada. With over 25 years in the industry, Paul has produced award-winning content for TVO Kids, Kids CBC, and independent projects.

Donna brings a background in marketing and screenwriting from Concordia University and four years of experience guiding creators from pitch to production.

Together, they support diverse voices and help bring local stories to life on screen.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1PM-2PM, CHARLOTTE STREET ARTS CENTRE, UPSTAIRS COMMUNITY ROOM

SPONSORED BY TELEFILM CANADA

PRESENTATION

Connect with Telefilm at Silver Wave!

Join Shelley MacDougall, Feature Film Executive, Indigenous Content and Development for an indepth Q & A about Telefilm’s wide variety of programs/streams.

BIOGRAPHY

With more a than twenty-five year career in film and television, Shelley is known for her passion and dedication to screen-based media. Prior to joining Telefilm in 2025, she worked at APTN as a production executive, where she was responsible for multiple formats including documentary, scripted, children’s, and Indigenous language programming. Previously, Shelley worked in the Vancouver audiovisual industry in production, development, and business affairs. She is now based out of Halifax and leads Indigenous content at Telefilm. Shelley is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1PM-2PM, CHARLOTTE STREET ARTS CENTRE, UPSTAIRS AUD

SPONSORED BY BELL FIBE TV1

SCREENING

1. Jimmy Saves the World

Comedian Jimmy MacKinley explores New Brunswick, learning from experts on how to tackle climate change.

2. Car Wash Wars

Kayla Polley inherits her father's car wash, but when a wealthy oligarch launches a car wash of his own, the war begins.

3. That Kind of Worked

Twin sisters Samantha and Rebecca take on challenges they have no experience with.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2:30PM-3:30PM, CHARLOTTE STREET ARTS CENTRE, UPSTAIRS AUD

SPONSORED BY BELL FIBE TV1

PANEL

Panelists Sandy Hunter, Jimmy MacKinley, Rebecca Tinsley, Steven Suntres, and host Jon Blizzard discuss their series Car Wash Wars, That Kind of Worked, and Jimmy Saves the World.

Host: Jon Blizzard has been a part of New Brunswick's filmmaking community for over 20 years, building a career defined by creativity, storytelling, and a deep connection to Atlantic Canadian life. As the founder of Steam Powered Studios Inc., Jon has produced a wide range of corporate projects and creative narrative projects with his most recent work as the writer, director and producer of the Bell Fibe TV1 series Jimmy Saves The World!, a docu-series about the complex realities of climate change, with a humorous, heartfelt, New Brunswick perspective.

BIOGRAPHIES

Sandy Hunter is a veteran film and TV producer, former head of Apple TV Canada, and co-founder of Soft Citizen. His recent credits include Drop the Needle, Wabanaki Modern, and What We Dreamed of Then. He is currently developing new projects and serves on the board of Media New Brunswick.

Jimmy MacKinley is a New Brunswick performer and comedian. He’s appeared in Trailer Park Boys, CBC’s Laugh Out Loud, SYFY’s Revival, and co-created Bell TV1’s O’Don’s. Currently, he stars in Bell FibeTV’s “Car Wash Wars” and hosts “Jimmy Saves The World.”

Rebecca Tinsley is a producer and editor with eight years’ experience across video editing, audio engineering, and motion graphics. She produces and co-hosts the Fibe TV1 series That Kind of Worked.

Steven Suntres is a Saint John screenwriter and producer (Paratactic Pictures), known for CAR WASH WARS. He combines creative and market insight to develop scripted projects. Since founding Paratactic Pictures in 2024, Steven launched the comedy series CAR WASH WARS (Bell Fibe TV1 & Trailer Park Boys+). He plans to produce more scripted projects and collaborate with creators across industries.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 4PM-6PM, CHARLOTTE STREET ARTS CENTRE, UPSTAIRS AUD

SPONSORED BY HEMMINGS FILMS

Join Media NB President Steve Foster for brief remarks and a fun connect social.

Cash bar and complimentary food provided.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 10AM-1PM, CHARLOTTE STREET ARTS CENTRE, UPSTAIRS GREEN ROOM

SPONSORED BY JAN MILLER

MASTER CLASS

Perfecting the Project, Perfecting the Pitch

Do you have a fiction feature film script that you’re really excited about but it’s hard to share in a short pitch?  Are you thinking of applying to Talent to Watch? Are you uncomfortable talking about yourself and why you are the right person for the project?  How can you set yourself apart from so many other great ideas? Then we highly recommend you sign up for “Perfecting the Project, Perfecting the Pitch” with Jan Miller. In an interactive 3-hour workshop where everyone in the room has the chance to rehearse their first pitch, Jan will ask questions to help clarify your story, characters, and tone. She will also offer insightful feedback to highlight the strongest elements of the project and help to structure your pitch so that it is at its very best when looking for the right partners.  

BIOGRAPHY

Jan co-founded the National Screen Institute and WIFT-AT, launched key programs for filmmakers and underrepresented groups, and is an international pitch consultant and mentor.