Past Workshop Descriptions

Analogue Filmmaking for Narratives

This panel brings together experienced filmmakers who continue to work with film in a digital-first industry. Through real-world examples and candid discussion, the panelists will explore why analogue formats still matter for narrative work—examining aesthetic intent, workflow considerations and storytelling impact. From creative discipline and on-set decision-making to the emotional texture of celluloid this conversation highlights when and why analogue filmmaking remains their narrative choice today, accessible equipment and available support resources.

LIFT is one of the few non-profit artist-run centres in Canada that offer rentals for analogue formats. From Regular 8mm to 35mm Motion Picture cameras, a darkroom, optical printers and flatbed.

Moderator:
Graham Foy is a writer, director based in Toronto, Canada whose films often explore themes of connection, nature and loss through the framework of magical realist drama, with work presented at festivals including Cannes, Venice, TIFF, NYFF and MoMA / Lincoln Center’s New Directors / New Films. His debut feature film The Maiden was awarded numerous prizes including the Cinema of The Future prize at the 2022 Venice film festival, the FIPRESCI Prize, Youth Jury Prize, Rainer Werner Fassbinder Prize (special mention) at the International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg, Grand Prize at Festival du Nouveau Cinéma and runner up for the International Cinephile Society award for best debut feature film of 2023. https://grahamfoy.com

Panelists
1. Candice Napoleone is a Toronto-based film and commercial producer. She began her career supporting artists at the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre (CFMDC) as the Membership and Acquisitions Coordinator, where her interest in working closely with filmmakers first developed. After leaving the CFMDC, she went on to work in-house at production companies within the documentary and commercial film spaces, learning the nuances and structure of those workflows. Her short and feature film work has screened at festivals around the world including Slamdance, Berlinale, TIFF, Venice. Jeonju IFF, Festival du nouveau cinéma and Viennale. She served as Associate Producer on the debut feature of Director Graham Foy, The Maiden, (premiere at the 2022 Venice International Film Festival, Giornate degli Autori) and most recently acted as Producer on Director Kazik Radwanski's 4th feature film Matt and Mara, which premiered at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival in the Encounters competitive section.Within the commercial space, she has worked for production companies such as Smuggler, Park Pictures, CANADA, Object + Animal, Radiokativefilm, Sanctuary, ANIMALS, Merchant, DENIM and Soft Citizen along with various ad agencies like FCB, Grey, Orchard Creative, Arnold, Leo Burnett, Wieden + Kennedy, Anomaly and Goodby Silverstein & Partners. A guiding principle within her producing practice is to support and develop new talent with the creative and practical perspectives gained from her diverse experiences in the industry. https://candicenapoleone.com

2. John Ker is a Toronto based cinematographer working in both narrative and commercial. After graduating from the Sheridan's Advanced Film and Televison program John spent many years working as a DIT and camera assistant for some of Toronto’s most respected cinematographers. Since becoming a cinematographer he has shot commercials for brands such as Mitsubishi, Budweiser, LG, Campbell’s, Tim Hortons and more. When not shooting commercials or feature films he enjoys shooting his passion projects on 16mm film! His narrative work has recently been selected at the Berlin International Film Festival, the Tribeca Film Festival, and the Toronto International Film Festival. In addition to film festivals his work has been featured in the Berlin Commercial Awards, One Point Four, and Vimeo staff picks. 01 Visa. Arri 435ES / Aaton XTR. https://www.johnker.com

3. Vanessa Magic is a Canadian Screen Award–winning director and filmmaker who loves to tell stories that focus on human connection, often exploring grief and overcoming loneliness through a surrealist lens. Drawing inspiration from her dreams, she crafts untold worlds filled with levity, strange beauty, and magic. She is an alum of Slamdance, the WBD Access x Canadian Academy Writers Program, and Women in the Director’s Chair. Her love of 16mm was cemented when she shot The Absurdity of the Black Female Experience (2022), which won Best Experimental Short at the Brooklyn Film Festival. Her most recent 16mm short, I Am Pleased (2025), earned her the Best Shorts Director award at the Reelworld Film Festival and a Writers’ Guild of Canada nomination for Best Short. Her other projects include How to Stay Awake (2024) and The Future Above Us (2023), the latter of which is available on CBC Gem. https://www.vanessamagic.com

4. Tess Girard is a filmmaker and cinematographer whose visually evocative work explores subject matter from a poetic and philosophical perspective. As filmmaker, Girard’s work lies somewhere between experimental and documentary, challenging audiences to engage on a personal level. Select titles include Benediction (TIFF, Norman McLaren Prize FFM, Best Cinematography Worldwide Shorts), Old Growth (TIFF, Canada’s Top Ten), A Simple Rhythm (Hot Docs, VIFF, BAFICI, Plus Camerimage), The Road to Webequie (TIFF, Audience Award at Melbourne International Film Festival, CSA Nomination), and Shelter (Hot Docs, CSC Nomination). She has also created live concert films for The Art of Time Ensemble, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Do Make Say Think, and The Weather Station, as well as written, produced, and directed four of Canada’s Heritage Minutes. As a cinematographer she has lensed not only her own work, but was also nominated for a Canadian Screen Award  for Achievement in Cinematography for the feature film Drifting Snow (dir. Ryan J Noth) and the CBC limited television series Swan Song (TIFF, CPH:DOX, BFI, CSC Nomination) following the National Ballet of Canada, directed by Chelsea McMullen. Girard is an associate member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers. https://www.tessgirard.com

Location: 1137 Dupont Street, Toronto, Ontario M6H 2A3
Category: Industry Panels
Maximum Capacity: 50
1.5 hours of instruction $0 or PWYC donation

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