Making Waves 2025 Conference Celebrates 15 Years Supporting Women and Gender Diversity in Atlantic Canadian Screen Industry
Passes and select Tickets now on sale: wift-at.com/makingwavesconference/
(Halifax, NS) – For 15 years, The Making Waves Conference has been a platform for elevating women/gender-diverse voices, and an incredible opportunity for all professionals in the Film and Television space. From Thursday, April 3 to Saturday, April 5, WIFT Atlantic invites screen industry professionals from Atlantic Canada and beyond to unite in Kjipuktuk/Halifax for three days of stimulating conversations, workshops, and celebratory events.
Breaking Barriers—pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and creating space for underrepresented voices in the screen industry is the theme of this year’s anniversary conference. Making Waves has grown into a space for knowledge-sharing and mobilization—where professionals come to support one another, nurture their passion, and draw inspiration from the voices and journeys that push the industry forward.
“Making Waves creates a remarkable space to shine a light on the voices of women and gender-diverse professionals who are transforming the audiovisual industry,” says Jan Miller, WIFT-AT Founder and Board member. “From the unique line-up of workshops, to candid and authentic conversations and closing with the WAVE Awards, our programming spotlights our Breaking Barriers theme.”
2025 Programming Highlights
The Making Waves 2025 Opening Night Gala showcases two powerful films on Thursday, April 3, 7:00 pm, at Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane:
Witnessing a sweetgrass landscape on the shores of Mi’kma’ki, the Atlantic short Welima’q from director shalan joudrey is followed by a feature presentation of There, There, from award-winning Maritime filmmaker Heather Young (Murmur, FIPRESCI Award winner). Utilizing a fixed camera this feature explores the poignant loneliness of Ruth, a dementia-stricken elder, and her young pregnant caregiver Shannon as they navigate life’s challenges and find solace in each other – offering a truly moving reflection on life’s struggles.
Starting Friday, April 4, 9:00 am, the conference will host two days of programming designed for the whole industry at the Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites, including:
Hands-on and immersive workshops such as award-winning actress Angela Moore’s Becoming the CEO of Your Acting Career; and Canadian Screen Awards nominee Tricia Fish’s Breaking in, Breaking Out: Finding Your Screenwriting Voice.
Essential conversations including Breaking Barriers keynote with Variety’s “10 Canadians to Watch” creator Sasha Leigh Henry (Bria Mack Gets A Life, CSA Best Comedy series) and Facing Your Fears, a conversation with Carolyn Taylor (Baroness Von Sketch Show) focused on her hit figure-skating docu-comedy I Have Nothing.
Informed discussions such as Disrupting Distribution: Direct Paths To Your Audience with Academy Award-nominated, Emmy, and Peabody Award-winning producer Amy Hobby; and a nationally live streamed session Cast, Crew & Care: Who’s Looking After the Industry – 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.
An Anniversary Edition – Celebrating Diversity in the Screen Industry
Making Waves is an industry must-attend event where the journeys of women/gender-diverse screen professionals are celebrated, and emerging industry members are provided opportunities and funding for growth.
In support of this Making Waves will host its 2nd annual Online Auction, with funds raised supporting WIFT-AT’s annual programming. This years catalog includes career advice from Canadian comedy icon Rick Mercer, two hours of creative consulting with acclaimed writer/director Ashley McKenzie (Queens of the Qing Dynasty), sound mixing services from VillageWorks Content Co. (Moonshine, This Hour Has 22 Minutes), script coverage from four-time Vanity Fair’s “Downtown 100” appointee Vanessa King and two passes to Area 506 Festival, an incredible weekend of music on the Saint John’s waterfront. A complete catalog will be revealed Tuesday, March 25 with bidding remaining open from March 28 – April 5.
A conference audience favourite, Saturday, April 5, 3:30 pm the CBC Pitch This! Competition will bring together five finalists to present their short film projects to a jury of industry professionals for the coveted $10,000 grant cash prize along with significant in-kind services.
Our 15th Anniversary year comes to an end Saturday, April 5, 6:30 pm where the 2025 WAVE Awards will honor three remarkable recipients from the Atlantic Canadian region who have made a lasting mark on the screen.
About WIFT Atlantic
With nearly 200 members from across Atlantic Canada, WIFT Atlantic (WIFT-AT) is a non-profit professional association supporting women and gender-diverse individuals through mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and initiatives that promote equity in the film and television industry.
Follow Making Waves 2025 and WIFT-AT:
Conference Website: wift-at.com/makingwavesconference/
Instagram: @wift_at
Facebook: @WIFT-Atlantic
#MakingWaves2025 #WIFTAT
For Media Inquiries:
Shayna Young, WIFT-AT Communications Chair
shayna.young@wift-at.com