SCREENWRITING STREAM

Alexander Cruz
Directing Stream

Alexander (b. 1985)  is an award-winning filmmaker based in Hull, Quebec. 

To Alexander, storytelling is more than entertainment: it’s a means to make sense of the world. Although English is his mother tongue, he’s worked in French and Tagalog, determined to capture the people he knows and the places he’s lived. This was no better reflected than in the feature drama, Pur laine (2018), about Quebecois and Filipino families fighting over an estate after a patriarch dies. Alexander showed the shades of grey between adversaries and how in the end, both want the same thing: a home. The film headlined and premiered at the Ottawa Canadian Film Festival in 2018 and had a successful run internationally winning over 15 awards.

Le genre qui tue (2023) is a thriller about a young addict in search of her missing sister during the COVID era. It premiered to a sold-out crowd at the Festival du film de l'Outaouais in 2023 and won Canadian Indie of the Season at the Montreal Independent Film Festival. Alexander avoids clichéd and oversimplified narratives pumped out by political extremes, approaching issues with non-judgement, empathy, and of course, humour.

Caitlin Delaney
Producing Stream

With over 17 years of dedicated experience in the film industry, Caitlin Delaney is a seasoned producer committed to nurturing talent and fostering innovation. As the driving force behind UP LIGHT ACADEMY, Caitlin brings a wealth of expertise, having produced an impressive portfolio of 15 films and movies each year. Her passion for storytelling and commitment to excellence have earned her recognition for delivering compelling narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide. Caitlin's journey in film production began with a deep-seated passion for cinema and a vision to empower aspiring filmmakers. Over the years, she has championed numerous successful projects, each reflecting her distinctive blend of creativity and business acumen. Her extensive industry knowledge and hands-on approach ensure that UP LIGHT ACADEMY remains at the forefront of film education, offering students unparalleled opportunities to learn and grow in a dynamic and competitive field.

Caitlin's journey in film production began with a deep-seated passion for cinema and a vision to empower aspiring filmmakers. Over the years, she has championed numerous successful projects, each reflecting her distinctive blend of creativity and business acumen. Her extensive industry knowledge and hands-on approach ensure that UP LIGHT ACADEMY remains at the forefront of film education, offering students unparalleled opportunities to learn and grow in a dynamic and competitive field.

Élise Beaudry-Ferland
Producing Stream

Élise Beaudry-Ferland is a graduate of the University of Regina Film program and a producer at her co-owned company Prairie Cat Productions. In 2018, Élise produced her first feature film Talent which was a selection of the 2016-2017 Telefilm's Talent to Watch program. She has also produced work for the Accessibility Network, SK Arts, Canada Council for the Arts, SGI, Safer Roads Canada, and CBC, including the Canadian Screen Award-nominated documentary Humboldt: The New Season, which premiered August 2019 and was nominated for Best Documentary Program at the 2020 Canadian Screen Awards.

In 2022, Élise produced the short comedy Pen Pals before starting the development of the feature One Perfect Date and being one of the recipients of the Telefilm Production fund. She is currently working on a series titled We Were Broncos for Accessible Media Inc., following Humboldt Broncos survivor Ryan Straschnitzki pursue to wheelchair basketball. Élise has also served as a festival coordinator with Digi60 as well as a director for the Regina International Film Festival.

Fitch Jean
Directing Stream

I am Fitch Jean, a filmmaker based in Ottawa and the head of production and development at Lenz Films. My work focuses on creating powerful and engaging visual content, ranging from commercials to documentaries and web-series. I have won over 30 awards and been selected in over 80 film festivals for my past work. My most recent project, It Comes in Waves, is my feature film debut and will be starting its festival run very soon.

My journey in directing has seen me move from short films to feature-length projects, with a strong emphasis on elevating unheard voices and telling compelling stories with purpose.

Gayle Nakamoto-Jancewicz
Producing Stream

Gayle Nakamoto-Jancewicz has worked in broadcast television, digital content, business affairs for over 15 years. Her expertise covers budgeting, finance plans, reviewing license agreements, Canada Media Fund applications, film and television tax credits, and digital media tax credits. She has teaching credits in production and business management for Algonquin College’s Broadcast Television and developed courses and taught in the Film and Media Production programs.

Additionally, Gayle makes Affinity Production Group a part-time home where she adds to the team of creatives who make and support Ottawa’s vibrant production industry. With line-producing credits for over 275 Broadcast shows that have aired on HGTV Canada, W Network, OWN, APTN, and Cottage Life, Gayle has also contributed to digital media projects for CBC Comedy, and the children’s website Totally Random.

Ilona Smyth
Acting Stream

With over 20 years of experience, Ilona's proven ability to discover rising talent, successfully book notable talent by leveraging good relationships with top agencies worldwide, negotiate and advocate for both productions and performers while remaining mindful of budgets and union rules, and neatly handle the tightest deadlines, has led to the successful casting of over 160 projects. Providing invaluable firsthand knowledge and insight, Ilona’s casting experience stretches from feature films to TV series, national commercials, reality TV, print campaigns, corporate videos, and events — both in Canada and internationally. She has her finger on the pulse of the best and upcoming talent available for projects of any size. As a regular guest speaker, Ilona has been able to share her experience in casting and entrepreneurship worldwide, and as a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion she has served as a mentor for the Reelworld Screen Institute’s Diversity Initiative and the Black Theatre Workshop Artist Mentorship Program.

Ilona Smyth is a Casting Society of America member, Casting Director Society of Canada Executive Member, and is the founder and CEO of Smyth Casting and Background Work.

Karen Cliche
Acting Stream

Karen Cliche has been an actress for 25 years, starring in over 50 films and TV shows, producing and hosting her own cooking show in French, and ending her voice to various brands, audiobooks and multi media campaigns for 15 years. Her most recent film is Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving, starring Patrick Dempsey and Rick Hoffman.

Karen has been an acting teacher and coach for 4 years specializing in on-camera training, improv, and working with people who have very little experience, to veteran actors. She finds a lot of joy in helping people come out of their shell and becoming the great actors she knows they can be!

Kingsley Swim
Directing / Producing Stream

Kingsley Swim (she/her) is a community connector, independent curator, and the driving force behind her agency, The Framework. Her efforts encompass collaborating with multidisciplinary artists, collectives and art service organizations through forward-thinking program development, spearheading funding proposals, and event curation. To date, Kingsley has secured seven figures in public funding to support and empower Canadian-based creatives and artist-centred initiatives. 

Kingsley will be presenting on grant applications to the directing and producing streams.

During this two-hour workshop, Kingsley will share best practices to strengthen your grant applications while demystifying the world of public funding. Through the presentation and Q&A session, you will learn how to craft a compelling written proposal, effectively budget for your project, and assemble impactful support material. 

Lindsay Peters
Directing/Producing Stream

Lindsay Peters (she/her) is a program officer in Explore and Create at the Canada Council for the Arts. Prior to joining Council, Lindsay worked in genre film development and festival management.

Lindsay will be presenting on the grant application process for the Exlpore and Create grant!

The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s public arts funder. The Canada Council contributes to the vibrancy of a creative and diverse arts and literary scene through grants, services, prizes and payments to Canadian artists and arts organizations.   

Join us to learn how to put together a grant application for the Canada Council for the Arts. A program officer from the Canada Council’s Explore and Create program will walk you through how to create an applicant profile on the Council’s portal, what types of grants are available, what to expect through the application process, and how to put your best foot forward. 

Manon St-Jules
Acting Stream

Manon has lead a bilingual career since graduating from the National Theatre School. Whether in classical or contemporary pieces, she’s collaborated with companies in Toronto (Canadian Stage, Festival of Classics, Theatre Direct, Pleiades), Montreal (Denise-Pelletier, Centaur, Segal Centre, Usine C) and Sudbury (STC, TNO).  In Ottawa, she’s performed for French and English Theatre at the NAC, GCTC, Arts Court, la Catapulte, Rouge Écarlate and Créations InVivo. She’s hosted concerts with the NAC Orchestra, the GG’s Performing Arts Awards Gala and several corporate events throughout the country.  Her work on-camera includes dramatic as well as comedic parts in film, television, commercials and various multimedia projects. Recent credits include: Et maintenant? (feature), Pour toi Flora (SRC), Eaux Turbulentes (SRC), Noël en boîte (feature) as well as three seasons of Amélie et Compagnie (TFO). 

Along with regular voice work, Manon has done extensive work in translating and adapting plays and librettos, as well as having been on the script writing team of 3 youth tv series. With her teaching experience at the University of Ottawa’s Conservatory, as well as coaching both student and professional actors alike, Manon is now transitioning into directing. She’s directed some readings, a production of Aéroportée ( TNO), as well as assistant-directed at the GCTC. She’s currently working alongside French actor Caroline Raynaud to develop a one-woman show; its first incarnation was presented at the TNO in February 2024.

Robert Bockstael
Acting Stream

An award-winning actor, Robert Bockstael has played lead roles in a multitude of television series and films. As well as being a prolific voice and stage actor, he is also a director, teacher, and much sought after acting coach. Robert has written for TV, film and theatre and has been published in literary magazines across North America. His debut novel – the ‘Propulsively cinematic thriller’ Willow’s Run - is garnering accolades internationally. Check out robertbockstael.com for more.

Rolla Tahir
Directing & Screenwriting Stream

Rolla Tahir is an independent filmmaker and film weaver based in Toronto. She’s lensed short, narrative and experimental films, which screened across Canada and internationally. Obsessed with the durability, longevity and spontaneity of the analog film medium, Rolla has worked with Super 8, 16mm and 35mm to explore the analog process and its possibilities.

Rolla's first short experimental film Sira was selected to screen at the 43rd Toronto International Film Festival. Rolla is currently in post-production of her first feature film - Jude and the Jinn, funded by Telefilm’s Talent to Watch & New Dawn. She is also the co-founder and the artistic director of the Toronto Arab Film Festival.

Sergio Navarretta
Directing Stream

Sergio Navarretta is an internationally award-winning director who is fiercely passionate about bringing meaningful content to the screen. He draws inspiration from Italian neo-realism and is fascinated by the human condition. Notably, Navarretta helmed The Cuban, starring Ana Golja, Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr. (in one of his final principal roles), Oscar nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo, Lauren Holly, and Giacomo Gianniotti. The Cuban was shot in Canada and Havana, Cuba and won Best Narrative Feature and Audience Awards at the L.A. Pan African Film Festival, has been featured at several film festivals, and was nominated for three 2021 Canadian Screen Awards.

Most recently, Navarretta directed the dark comedy Yuppie starring Lauren Holly and Brennan Clost (Tiny Pretty Things), currently in post-production. He is attached to direct the epic TV series L’America and the groundbreaking feature documentary on A.I., The Humanity Project. He will also be helming S.N.A.P.’s latest feature film What We Have Left, scheduled to shoot in fall of 2024.

Navarretta is the executive producer of Lamborghini (the movie) starring Frank Grillo and Gabriel Byrne and is proud to have executive produced the animated theatrical feature Arctic Dogs, now on Netflix, featuring Jeremy Renner, Heidi Klum, Omar Sy, Anjelica Huston, Alec Baldwin, and John Cleese. He was also an executive producer of the film Andron starring Danny Glover. He was also a consulting producer on Trading Paint, starring John Travolta and Shania Twain.

He is the co-founder of S.N.A.P Films Inc and sits on several charity boards including the Ethnic Mosaic Alliance and served as a mentor for Being Black in Canada and Reel Works in New York. He splits his time between Toronto and Los Angeles. He is a member of the Directors Guild of Canada. He hosts a podcast entitled ‘Creativity Unleashed’ available on all platforms.

Teri Loretto
Screenwriting Stream

Teri is the Coordinator for Scriptwriting, a Graduate Certificate Program at Algonquin College. She holds a BA and a Master’s in theatre and dramaturgy, respectively. She has written for magazines, newspapers, online formats, theatre and film. She has produced over 40 stage plays and 15 radio dramas for live audiences and worked almost two decades at CBC Ottawa in both radio and television as producer, writer and host before moving to the college full time in late 2019.

She was the artist in residence for the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity in 2017 and serves as the current Vice President on the ACTRA Ottawa board. She also coordinates Performing Arts at the college. She is a member of EQUITY, The Canadian Media Guild and The Playwrights Guild of Canada. She is a firm believer in the promotion and mentoring of the next generation of writers and artists.

Zainab Muse
Producing Stream

Zainab Muse is an award-winning entrepreneur, design strategist, author, educator and filmmaker. She is the founder of Creatorland Inc., a Canadian media company that produces scripted and unscripted film & television.

Some of her productions include documentaries and short films for Canadian broadcasters, along with feature-length films, television series, and a film and philosophy podcast. In addition, she supports many productions as a consulting producer and works on international co-productions with Canada.

In 2022, she was a fellow of the Netflix - BANFF Diversity of Voices Initiative, and a fellow of the Black Screen Office (BSO) and Directors Guild of Canada (DDGC)'s Black Women Directors Accelerator. She currently sits as a Programming Committee member for the Black Screen Office (BSO).