Past Workshop Descriptions

Canadian Filmmakers’ Toolkit for National Reach and Engagement

This workshop is designed to empower Canadian filmmakers, particularly Anglo-Canadian filmmakers, by offering practical strategies, tools, and resources to address the distinct challenges of securing a theatrical release, audience identification and engagement, and national reach for Canadian content. Participants will gain insights into overcoming the core obstacles that affect access, visibility, and the overall success of Canadian films in theatres nationwide.

The session will feature a combination of case studies, informed guidance, peer discussion, and tested examples. Whether a distributor is attached to their project or not, filmmakers will benefit from shared experiences and actionable advice tailored to the Canadian landscape.

The workshop will provide actionable solutions and strategies to help filmmakers meet and overcome significant hurdles, including:

Audience Engagement Challenges: Canadian audiences possess diverse tastes shaped by regional, cultural, and linguistic differences. This diversity can make it challenging for films to achieve broad appeal across various communities.

Competition with Global Content: Canadian films consistently compete with international productions, particularly those from the United States, which dominate theatre screens and capture audience attention with higher budgets and greater visibility.

Limited Marketing Budgets: Smaller marketing resources restrict the visibility and reach of Canadian films. As a result, filmmakers often rely on word-of-mouth promotion and support from niche communities to build momentum.

Accessibility Issues: Limited screening venues and distribution channels reduce opportunities for audiences to engage with Canadian films, impacting overall reach and success.

Algorithmic Biases: Digital platforms frequently prioritize mainstream or international content, making it more challenging for Canadian films to surface organically and reach potential viewers.

Lack of Centralized Promotion: The absence of a unified national platform or promotional campaign for Canadian films diminishes discoverability and hampers efforts to build a broad audience base.

Through targeted discussion and collaborative problem-solving, the workshop aims to equip filmmakers with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate these barriers and increase the presence of Canadian films in theatres across the country.

Location: 1137 Dupont Street, Toronto, Ontario M6H 2A3
Category: Producing
Maximum Capacity: 12
8 hours of instruction in 2 parts$125 /member$150 /nonmember

Wait List
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