Workshop Registration

Technical Orientation 2026: Introduction to the Darkroom

Please note: This event is part of our Technical Orientation series, not part of our regular Winter 2026 Workshop Season.
  
February 10, 2026—The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is happy to announce our Technical Orientation series, specifically designed to assist our membership to gain experience with our wide range of equipment and facilities.

Join LIFT’s Technical Department and Finnish Visiting Artist Lotta Hurnanen for an introduction to our Darkroom. The LIFT Darkroom is our most popular facility, but it’s also our most mysterious! Have you wanted to rent the darkroom, but weren't sure where to start? Do you need a refresher after taking a processing workshop? This is the perfect opportunity for you!

This is an opportunity for members to get hands-on experience in LIFT’s Darkroom and learn the necessary skills in order to book this facility and successfully develop their own motion picture films. This Technical Orientation will cover all the basics of darkroom etiquette and how to develop a roll of 16mm black and white motion picture film in a Lomo tank.

Details:
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
LIFT Facility
1137 Dupont Street
12:00pm - 4:00pm

Cost:  $50.00 per participant.
Space is limited to 5 participants.

The orientation is only open to LIFT Individual Members (any level).
Any non-renting members will have to upgrade their membership to a renting level in order to rent the Darkroom after the Orientation is completed.

Must register in advance via our online system. No drop-ins.

Please read full requirements of this Technical Orientation before registering:
https://lift.ca/programming-home/technical-orientation-2026-introduction-to-the-darkroom

Wed 18 February 2026, 12 - 4 pm   
(Registration deadline is Wed 18 February 11:00 am)

Instructor: Robin Riad

Robin Riad is an Egyptian-Canadian experimental filmmaker. Robin works primarily with analogue mediums, and likes to find new ways to mess with film. As one LIFT’s technicians, she supports many artists and independent filmmakers with their arts practice, and enjoys hearing about all their fun, exciting projects. When not at LIFT, Robin can be found making potions in the darkroom. https://www.instagram.com/robinriad


Instructor: Lotta Hurnanen

Lotta Hurnanen (b. 1995) is an artist and a gardener working in Helsinki, Finland. She graduated with a Master of Arts degree from the Time and Space department of the Academy of Fine Arts in Helsinki in 2024. She works in the fields of analogue filmmaking, photography, and printmaking. Her practice revolves around the theme of connecting with landscapes and the more-than-human world, delving into questions of agency, materiality, and representation. https://www.instagram.com/lottahuhhuh



Location: 1137 Dupont Street, Toronto, Ontario M6H 2A3
Category: Technical Orientation
Maximum Capacity: 5
4 hours of instruction $50 /member$50 /nonmember