Join us for a special big-screen presentation of “The Cottage” (episode 6) from the global TV phenomenon Heated Rivalry, followed by the must-see panel Beyond the Cottage: Inside the Heated Rivalry Revolution. The internationally acclaimed series follows the fierce rivalry-turned-romance between two professional hockey players, becoming an overnight sensation for its electric chemistry, emotional depth, and groundbreaking portrayal of queer love in the world of elite sport. 

Moderated by super-fan and podcaster Liz Duff (Late Night Scrolling With Liz), the panel traces how Heated Rivalry has sparked change across multiple corners of contemporary culture, including:

– how the series is changing the game for independent Canadian producers with Heated Rivalry producer Lori Fischburg
– how the music featured in the series has launched emerging artists into the spotlight with CBC host Elamin Abdelmahmoud
– how modern fandom helped propel its rapid international ascent from beloved underground novels into the TV stratosphere with University of Toronto pop culture professor Angie Fazekus
– its influence on LGBTQ+ athletes and the game itself with sports professor Kyle Rich of Brock University. 

Whether you’re already obsessed or finally ready to discover what the buzz is about, this is a rare chance to experience the world’s hottest TV series in a packed theatre—swooning, cheering, and discovering why Heated Rivalry has become a cultural obsession.

Attendees will have the opportunity to win official Heated Rivalry merchandise! SCORE!

Elamin Abdelmahmoud

Elamin Abdelmahmoud is the host of CBC’s daily arts, entertainment, and pop culture show Commotion. He is an award-winning culture writer who has written for the New York Times, BuzzFeed News, the Globe and Mail, and others. Elamin is the author of the No. 1 best-selling memoir Son of Elsewhere, a New York Times notable book and a Globe and Mail 100 book. Please don’t ask him about his second book yet.

Liz Duff 

Liz Duff (@ProducerLiz) is a Canadian pop-culture expert, comedian and host of LATE NIGHT SCROLLING (@latenightscrollingpod), the only Gen-Z, Canadian pop culture podcast. A staple on red carpets and a favourite on press tours across the country, Liz’s signature East Coast hospitality and wit resonates with pop culture fanatics around the world. Since 2022, when Liz appeared in Time magazine’s Most Viral of 2022 for her coverage of the film Don’t Worry Darling, Liz has quickly become one of Canada’s leading pop culture voices as she seamlessly blends insight, humour, and cultural relevance. Her work and commentary have been featured on CTV, CBC, Yahoo.com, and more. Liz produces her podcast from Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Angie Fazekas

Angie Fazekas is an Assistant Professor at the Women and Gender Studies Institute at the University of Toronto. Their research focus is queer adolescent online engagement and behavior, fandom and fanfiction, social media, sex education, and popular culture. In their doctoral dissertation, they considered how teenaged fans interact with fanfiction as a mechanism for exploring their sexuality, identity, and desires. 

Lori Fischburg

Lori Fischburg is a Canadian line producer with extensive experience across scripted television and film in both Canada and the U.S. Her work centers on building sustainable productions that balance creative goals, budgets, and schedules. Lori was the Line Producer for Heated Rivalry Season 1, and is returning to the “cottage” for Season 2.

Kyle Rich

Kyle Rich is Associate Professor in the Department of Sport Management at Brock University. Kyle’s research looks at the impact of policy, community, inclusion, and exclusion on experiences in sport, recreation, and physical activity programs. His most recent work is focused on the role of queer sport organizations in driving change in sport and their broader communities.