– KCFF and Queen’s University’s CREATIVE INDUSTRIES DAY features panels, info sessions, and mixers with top Canadian leaders –
– Tourism Kingston Film & Media hosts familiarization tour of Kingston’s many filming locations, including Kingston Penitentiary –
KINGSTON, ON (Feb. 20, 2025) – Canadian film and media leaders descend upon Kingston next week for industry events at the Kingston Canadian Film Festival (KCFF25), it was announced today. Representatives from the Canadian Academy, TIFF, Telefilm, DGC Ontario, Playback, ACTRA Toronto, and WIFT+, among others, along with acclaimed directors, writers, and producers from companies like Amaze Film + Television, New Metric Media, and Project 10 Productions, will participate in two days of industry events at the world’s largest all-Canadian film and cultural festival, running Feb. 26 – March 2.
The second annual KCFF / Queen’s Film & Media CREATIVE INDUSTRIES DAY (Feb. 28) welcomes students, emerging filmmakers, and industry veterans to multiple panels focused on directing, writing, television, video games, and music at the Isabel Bader Centre and the Tett Centre for Creativity & Learning. Supported by the City of Kingston Arts & Culture Services as part of their ongoing investment in the creative industries, the event also features info sessions and a networking mixer with dozens of KCFF25 guests, industry pros, Queen’s alumni, key unions, and organizations. Nearly 1,000 people participated in last year’s inaugural event.
“As KCFF continues to grow, industry development and networking is becoming an integral part of attending the Festival, and we’re delighted to provide this amazing access to our students,” said Alex Jansen, Continuing Adjunct Lecturer, Queen’s University Film & Media. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome so many top industry insiders, including Queen’s alumni, to an event that is more popular than ever.”
The following day (March 1), Tourism Kingston’s Film & Media Office hosts a VIP brunch for invited guests featuring a presentation about Kingston’s burgeoning production sector. Later, location scouts and managers, producers, and directors will participate in a locations highlight tour of downtown Kingston, including an extended tour of Kingston Penitentiary, which in recent years has hosted multiple crews from productions like Mayor of Kingston and Star Trek: Discovery to John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise.
“We are proud to welcome industry insiders attending KCFF to our film-friendly city,” said Joanne Loton, Film & Media Officer, Tourism Kingston. “KCFF is a unique opportunity for us to showcase the many diverse assets we provide including our crown jewel, Kingston Penitentiary.”
Some of the leaders attending KCFF industry events include:
- Hussain Amarshi, President, Mongrel Media
- Melissa Amer, Ontario Regional Feature Film Executive, Telefilm Canada
- Andrew Barnsley, CEO & Executive Producer, Project 10 Productions, and President, Toronto Film School
- Keith Bennie, VP of Public Programming, TIFF
- Meaghan Brander, Film Commissioner, Prince Edward Island Film Office
- Karen Bruce, Executive Director, WIFT+ Toronto
- Louis Calabro, Vice President, Programming & Awards, Canadian Academy
- Patrick Chan, Senior Account Manager, Sony of Canada
- Karen Chapman, Director, THE VILLAGE KEEPER
- Matt Code, Producer, PAYING FOR IT, YOUNG WERTHER
- Jordan Dawson, Actor & Co-Founder, Rutledge Films
- Taisa Dekker, Director of Outreach & Industry Development, ACTRA Toronto
- Tammy Frick, CEO, Canadian Academy
- Dylan Gamble, Composer, PAYING FOR IT
- Karen Granados-Mitchell, Training Manager, IATSE Local 873
- Richard Goddard, CBC
- Kara Haflidson, Producer, New Metric Media
- Teri Hart, Film Critic
- Richard Hanet, Producer & Entertainment Lawyer, Lewis Birnberg Hanet, LLP
- Alex Harrison, Cinematics Director, Ubisoft
- Christian Kelley, Director of Scripted Television, Counterfeit Pictures
- Sook-Yin Lee, Director, PAYING FOR IT
- Elan Mastai, Writer
- Michelle Michals, Director of Member Services, DGC Ontario
- Samantha Morris Mastai, Producer, Roundabout Pictures
- Beth Nobes, Training Coordinator, IATSE Local 667
- Anne Paynter, Business Agent, IATSE Local 411
- Allie Pearse, Writer, Letterkenny & Shoresy
- Ryan Pogue, President, NABET 700-M Unifor
- Michael Souther, Executive Producer and Co-President, Amaze Film + Television
- Olivia Stadler, Writer, Letterkenny & Shoresy
- Kelly Townsend, Editor, Playback
- …and more.
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES DAY is presented by KCFF and Queen’s University, and supported by the City of Kingston Arts & Culture Services as well as the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning and SCC Hospitality. Panels are sponsored by ACTRA Toronto, Crave, DGC Ontario, Playback, Queen’s University Office of Advancement, Tourism Kingston Music Office, and St. Lawrence College.
The 2025 Kingston Canadian Film Festival is presented by TD and Tourism Kingston. Major supporters include Kingston Accommodation Partners, Cogeco, Amherst Island Radio, the Slaight Family Foundation, Downtown Kingston BIA, the Norman and Margaret Jewison Charitable Foundation, and Diane Blake and Stephen Smith. Join the KCFF Circle of Supporters here or donate here.
About the Kingston Canadian Film Festival
The Kingston Canadian Film Festival is the largest festival in the world dedicated exclusively to Canadian film. Founded in 2001, KCFF is a charitable cultural organization that provides access to Canadian film in a dynamic festival setting. Transforming traditional and unconventional venues across Kingston’s historic downtown, KCFF is an annual whirlwind of movies and special events that spark curiosity, ignite discussion and provide a fresh experience of Canadian film. Each year, long-time festival goers and first-time enthusiasts can explore screenings, Q+As, parties, workshops, networking events, live music, stand-up comedy and exhibitions.
Previous visiting filmmakers include Atom Egoyan, Deepa Mehta, Alanis Obomsawin, Don McKellar, Mina Shum, Matt Johnson, Brigitte Berman, Jeff Barnaby and many more. Past performers attending KCFF include Gerry Dee, Cathy Jones, Bif Naked, Gordon Pinsent and casts from BARONESS VON SKETCH SHOW, LETTERKENNY, MR. D, TRAILER PARK BOYS, KIDS IN THE HALL and THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES, among others.
– KCFF –
For more information: [email protected]
Social Media:
Instagram: @kingcanfilmfestival
Facebook: @kingcanfilmfestival
