Workshop Registration

Introduction to Independent Filmmaking

This lecture-based course gives participants an overview of all the stages involved in independent filmmaking for non-union productions and is a must for beginning directors and producers. Learn about the writing process, planning your workflow, prepping for your shoot, crewing up, the fundamentals of production, the importance of cinematography and quality sound recording, getting all your shots, how to approach editing and the many options for finishing and exhibiting your film. This workshop is a general overview for new filmmakers and a great starting point for your filmmaking education.

NOTE: This is a foundational course and is necessary as a prerequisite for many of our workshops.

part 1: Mon 29 September 2025, 6 - 10 pm   
part 2: Wed 1 October 2025, 6 - 10 pm   
(Registration deadline is Mon 29 September 5:00 pm)

Instructor: Shehrezade Mian

Shehrezade Mian is a Pakistan-born, creative producer based between Toronto and Pakistan. In 2022, Mian’s feature film "Concrete Valley" premiered at TIFF 2022, followed by an international premiere at the Berlinale in 2023. Mian is an alumnus of the Toronto International Film Festival-Netflix Talent Accelerator, EAVE Access and Rotterdam Producers Lab. Mian’s films have played at festivals across the globe, receiving press from The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Criterion Daily, Mubi Notebook, CinemaScope, The Globe and mail and more. In 2021 Mian founded Markhor Pictures, a production company that seeks to champion unique voices from across the globe and places an emphasis on auteur driven cinema that explores innovative ways of storytelling. In her spare time, Mian runs a mentorship program for emerging South Asian/Muslim filmmakers who are immigrants like herself. https://www.markhorpictures.com



Location: 1137 Dupont Street, Toronto, Ontario M6H 2A3
Category: Introduction to Filmmaking
Maximum Capacity: 12
8 hours of instruction in 2 parts$125 /member$150 /nonmember
Registration opens
Tue 16 Sep at 10am