Schedule
We’re excited to announce the Making Waves Conference schedule for 2025.
Registration is now open! Secure your Conference Pass today via our Eventbrite page HERE.
Thursday, April 3
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Registration
Our Registration desk will be located at Cineplex Park Lane (5657 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax) on the mezzanine level near Box Office. Pick up your conference pass, purchase a pass in person, or get up to date information about conference scheduling.
7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
‘There, There’ Opening Night Gala, ft Atlantic Short ‘Welima’q’
The Opening Night Gala is taking place at Cineplex Park Lane (5657 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax).
Welima’q is a poetic doc witnessing a sweetgrass landscape on the shores of Mi’kma’ki. Between the salt water and forest line, a family weaves themselves within these grasses. It is the sweet scent that draws them in, and ultimately goes home with them. Still, this earth breathes and bends, continuing on after us.
There, There follows the parallel stories of Ruth, an elderly woman with dementia, and Shannon, her young, pregnant homecare worker who has been abandoned by the father of her child. Despite their different life stages, they find comfort in one another. Maritime filmmaker Heather Young’s second feature, following the award-winning Murmur, uses a fixed camera to explore the poignant loneliness of both women. With a quiet, austere approach, the film delves into themes of aging and everyday life, offering a moving reflection on life’s struggles.
Friday, April 4
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration
Our Registration desk will be located in the Georgian Room at Lord Nelson Hotel (1515 South Park Street, Halifax). Pick up your conference pass, purchase a pass in person, or get up to date information about conference scheduling.
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Breaking in, Breaking out: Finding your Screenwriting Voice
A three-hour intensive workshop on breaking barriers and making waves with your writing. How can we identify our voice? Should we write to the market or write what we want to see? When writers are siloed at home alone, how do we keep sane and keep writing? Professional screenwriter Tricia Fish answers these questions and more in this screenwriting workshop.
What rewriting skills are useful to keep inspiration and pages flowing? Is it better to be a ‘pantser’ or a planner? Tricia will touch on series, comedy, features, writers’ rooms, how to give and take notes, and how to keep your inner barrier-breaker alive.
Whether you have a feature project in progress, or you’re starting fresh, this encouraging free-ranging session is welcome to all and will develop valuable skills to write your best work. Tricia will also respond to audience questions and dive into examples of works in progress from local writers who have pre-submitted material.
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Rolling! The PA Playbook
This workshop is designed for aspiring production assistants (PAs) who are eager to learn the foundational skills required on a professional film set. Starting a career in film can feel overwhelming—whether it’s navigating the fast-paced environment or understanding set hierarchy.
This course is designed to break down those barriers and give you the tools to tackle your first day on set with confidence. Participants will learn the basic responsibilities of a PA, including set etiquette, the various departments that make up a film set, communication and terminology, how to read Production Paperwork and the role of the PA on a Film Set.
Whether you’re looking to start your career in film or build on existing set experience, this course provides an essential introduction to the world of film production, while helping you build the confidence to step into the field.
12:30 – 1:30 PM
Bell Fibe TV1 is on Fire
Come join an information session about Bell Fibe TV1 with Donna Cagnoli, Producer Fibe TV1 and Paul Gardner, Senior Producer Fibe TV1. Bell Fibe TV1’s lineup includes a diverse range of programming, including Everybody’s Meg, The 24 Before, Nature’s Cool, Roll With It, Vollies, Good Grief, and more.
Open to everyone, Donna and Paul will first introduce what Bell Fibe TV1 has to offer independent producers to create a short-form series. They will then be available to immediately schedule 1-2-1 pitch sessions with producers during this time slot and throughout the conference.
This is a perfect opportunity to learn about the network behind the first season of Good Grief, before the full case study is presented on Saturday morning at 10:30 am.
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
SAUCY: Unlocking the Secret Recipe of Post-Production
Step into the world of post-production with Amy Mielke and Brittney Gavin, co-founders of A+B Roll Films, in this fun and interactive 3-hour workshop. Perfect for curious creators and emerging filmmakers, this session is your backstage pass to the processes that bring a story to life.
From editing and sound design to color and finishing, you’ll learn how the pieces come together to create movie magic. Whether you want to break into the industry or just geek out about how it all works, this workshop promises hands-on learning and plenty of inspiration.
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Leading Role: Become the CEO of Your Acting Career
So you want to be an actor? How badly do you want to do that? ‘Cause if you don’t want it more than anything, you don’t want it bad enough! Join acclaimed actress Angela Moore for a masterclass in what it takes to make it in the industry with this Business of Acting workshop.
Explore the psychology of acting and how to take care of your mind, body and spirit before diving into the practical steps of perfecting your craft, including how to make a living as an actor and get to where you want to be in your career. From keeping track of auditions to creating meaningful business relationships and much more, learn what it means to be the CEO of your own career in this empowering and engaging workshop session.
5:30 – 7:30 PM
WIFT-AT Industry-Wide Birthday Celebration
15 years and we’re gonna celebrate! Everyone is invited to join the WIFT-AT Board for our Birthday party at the Lord Nelson Hotel.
You don’t need to be a WIFT-AT member or conference attendee, if you’re in the Industry – you’re welcome to attend!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to mingle, chat, and celebrate Making Waves and WIFT Atlantic. We would love to see you there!
Saturday, April 5
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration
Our Registration desk will be located in the Georgian Room at Lord Nelson Hotel (1515 South Park Street, Halifax). Pick up your conference pass, purchase a pass in person, or get up to date information about conference scheduling.
9:00AM – 10:15 AM
Breaking Barriers: A Keynote Conversation with Sasha Leigh Henry
Presented by the National Directors Division of the DGC
Sasha Leigh Henry is a writer, director and producer based in Toronto. In 2022, Sasha was named one of Variety’s ‘10 Canadians to Watch’, subsequently capturing audiences with her new series Bria Mack Gets A Life, which took home Best Comedy Series at the Canadian Screen Awards in 2024.
Having garnered universal acclaim in its first season, audiences were shocked to learn the series had been canceled. But within the same week, in what Sasha described as a roller coaster of events, the creator signed a multi-year contract with award-winning studio New Metric Media, joining Children Ruin Everything and Letterkenny.
As we dive into this year’s themes of breaking barriers and gaining access, we are thrilled to kick the day off with a keynote that encapsulates just that. Join us for a candid, insightful and joy-filled conversation with Sasha Leigh Henry as she shares her stories of making waves in the industry.
10:15 – 10:30 AM
Networking Break
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Comedy & Catharsis: A Good Grief Case Study
In this conversation led by Gil Anderson, co-creators Katerina Bakolias and Amy Trefry take a closer look into the creation and execution of the comedy series Good Grief. Through heartfelt and humorous storytelling, the local series follows an unlikely friendship formed through a bereavement support group.
In its first season, Good Grief took home Festival Favorite at the 2024 Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival, and has been nominated for awards including Best Newform Drama Series at the International Drama Awards. From pitch to production, Katerina and Amy examine the growth of the project and its journey to the screen.
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Disrupting Distribution: Direct Paths to Your Audiences
Why, in 2025, should we keep working with legacy film distribution systems that are obviously failing us? What are the alternatives? In a marketplace with overly competitive festivals, dwindling acquisitions, collapsed secondary markets, and post-pandemic audience malaise, Hobby provides us with fresh perspectives and a concrete discussion around emerging solutions and platforms for reaching audiences directly.
Included will be a look at the not-yet-released case study of the U.S. narrative film You, Me & Her who is experimenting with the Attend booking platform to connect with theaters without intermediaries, as well as using outside-the-box marketing techniques like brand engagement and micro-influencers. A second case study will dive into the release strategy for the documentary 1-800-ON-HER-OWN and how their path can inform both fiction and docs.
The session will also touch on the new direct-to-audience platforms (Kinema, Gathr, Eventive, Jolt) and include a robust Q&A.
12:30 – 1:30 PM
Facing Fears: A Conversation with Carolyn Taylor
“Shonda Rhimes said in a 2016 Ted Talk “A crazy thing happened — the very act of doing the thing that scared me undid the fear. It’s amazing the power of one word. ‘Yes’ changed my life. ‘Yes’ changed me.” This is the perfect quote to set the stage for the conversation between two award winning artists actor/writer/director Jackie Torrens and comedian/actor/writer and showrunner Carolyn Taylor.
Carolyn knows all about facing her fears – from leading edge comedy sketches as one of the one of the creators, executive producers and stars of the hit comedy The Baroness Von Sketch show to creating and starring in the hit figure-skating docu-comedy I Have Nothing. An IMDB reviewer wrote “Binged the whole thing straight through. Now I’m sitting on my couch in stunned silence, wondering if I can find another show that can ever match what this show just gave me (I’m not even being hyperbolic).” Join Jackie and Carolyn in this candid conversation of “facing fears”.
1:45 – 3:15 PM
Cast, Crew & Care: Who’s Looking After The Industry
A Co-Production with Balancing Act Canada and WIFT- Toronto.
Join us for a powerful and thought-provoking conversation with artist parents, caregivers, and industry leaders as they tackle the urgent need for care-centered policies and practices in the Canadian screen-based industry. This dynamic discussion will confront challenges, share bold strategies, and envision pathways to transformative support. Together, we’ll explore amplifying the voices of mothers in media, and cultivating collective care across the sector.
The webinar will feature a Q&A session, offering in-person and online attendees the opportunity to submit questions to the panelists for discussion. Don’t miss this inspiring and essential conversation about building a more inclusive and care-focused industry.
1:45 – 3:15 PM
The Sound of Storytelling: A Composer’s Perspective
Music has the power to transform a story by amplifying emotions and shaping cinematic experiences. Interested in finding new ways of pairing music and visuals and learning about the process behind crafting your dream film score?
Join us for a lively panel on creating original music for the screen. Seasoned composers will share insights on their creative process, choosing a musical approach, and tips to effectively communicate your artistic vision. Whether you’re working on your first short film or preparing for a feature, this discussion will provide essential knowledge on the creative and technical aspects of film music. You’ll hear real-world examples, and discover how the right score can make your film unforgettable.
3:15 – 3:30 PM
Networking Break
3:30 – 5:00 PM
CBC Pitch This! Competition
The CBC Pitch This! competition, our annual programming highlight, is back!
Join our host, Development Executive at Bell Media Lauren MacKinlay for an event you don’t want to miss. Five finalists will take the stage to pitch their short films to a panel of industry professionals and a live audience for the chance to turn their script into silver screen magic.
One lucky finalist will be the recipient of a $10,000 grand-prize and additional in-kind services.
Selected panelists and workshop leaders will make up the jury who will have to arrive at the tough decision of one winner. Come show support for these brave individuals owning the room!
5:00 – 6:00 PM
Lights, Camera, Trivia!
The jury is tucked away deciding who of the 5 finalists will win the $10,000 cash and in kind services for their short film. The Lord Nelson is transforming the Imperial Ballroom to prep for our famous Indian Buffet – what are you gonna do?
Join Nancy Kenny for some mind noodling trivia questions. Will you and your team walk away with the title of Trivia Team Supreme?? Come join us to play or to cheer on the players plotting the answers.
6:30 – 8:30 PM
WAVE Awards Dinner
Join us for this signature event to celebrate our local talent, with our incredible host, actress and WIFT-AT board member Martina Kelades.
We will begin the night with the Jury announcing the winner of the CBC Pitch This! Competition. Next up is our conference highlight, the 2025 WAVE awards!
These awards are presented annually to honor remarkable women and gender diverse folks working in film, television, and screen based media in Atlantic Canada.
WIFT-AT is honored to celebrate these talented individuals for their outstanding contribution to the screen industry.
9:00 – 11:00 PM
902 Post After Party
The conference would not be “Making Waves” without closing out with the
classic/legendary Making Waves party at 902 Post, nearby on Spring Garden
Road.
A warm and relaxed event with drinks and snacks provided by our awesome hosts Kathy Hilchey and Doug Woods, there will be lots of opportunity to flow through the rooms, chat, and mingle as folks settle in and pick up on those conversations started earlier in the day.
While doing that, raise a glass of cheer inside Atlantic Canada’s boutique post facility. The WIFT-AT Board looks forward to seeing you there!
*For Making Waves ticket and pass holders only.