Whistler Film Festival’s Content Summit 2024 to Host Tatiana Maslany, Cobie Smulders
The Whistler Film Festival (WFF) is set to host its 2024 Content Summit from December 4 to 7 in Whistler, Canada, offering a diverse range of programming that connects industry professionals and emerging talent in an interactive and inclusive setting. Presented by Telefilm Canada and Creative BC, the event combines thought-provoking panels, masterclasses, and networking opportunities with an online extension running December 10 to 12.
Brendon Sawatzky, WFF Content Summit programmer, highlighted the importance of accessibility: “We didn’t want to limit that opportunity in any way if someone cannot attend in person.” The hybrid format allows participants from across the continent to engage in meaningful discussions and one-on-one meetings with industry leaders.
Signature Series Highlights
As part of the festival’s popular Signature Series, Tatiana Maslany and Cobie Smulders will take the stage for intimate career conversations. Smulders, attending with the Irish-Canadian feature Sharp Corner, will share insights on her multifaceted career on December 6. Meanwhile, Emmy award-winner Tatiana Maslany, a former WFF awardee and current Borsos Competition juror, will be featured on December 7.
Programming Overview
The summit’s 25+ sessions cover a spectrum of topics critical to today’s industry, including international collaboration, showrunning, audience engagement, and the rise of Indigenous language filmmaking. Workshops like "Creating Memorable Characters for Series" led by Ruth Atkinson offer screenwriters practical tools to elevate their craft.
Panels such as "The Power of Non-Fiction" and "Expand Your Audience: Turn Data Into Action!" provide insights into documentary filmmaking and leveraging data for audience growth. An especially notable session, "The Making of Star Wars (Anangong Miigaading): A New Hope," delves into the Anishinaabemowin translation of the classic film, highlighting the cultural importance of Indigenous language cinema.
Networking and Collaboration
With over 1,000 attendees expected at the Whistler Conference Centre, the summit provides unmatched opportunities for filmmakers and industry professionals to network and collaborate. The online portion, running from December 10 to 12, extends these opportunities further, offering roundtables and market meetings for those unable to attend in person.
WFF 2024 Dates to Note
- Dec. 4-8: WFF showcases 118 films, including 47 features and 71 shorts.
- Dec. 10-12: Online networking for Content Summit participants.
- Dec. 7: Rock the Fest fundraiser event.
Tickets and schedules for the Whistler Film Festival and its Content Summit are available through the official WFF website.