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The VIFF 21ST Annual Film and Television Forum Featuring New Filmmakers’ Day at the Rogers Industry Centre

Emerging filmmakers and seasoned pros look forward to a full program of industry seminars and networking opportunities at the Vancouver International Film Festival’s 21st Annual Film and Television Forum, September 27 – 29. September 30 wraps the Forum with ever-popular New Filmmakers’ Day (NFD). The only event of its kind in western Canada, NFD provides BC’s next generation of filmmakers with both the creative and financial tools necessary to further their careers.

“ New Filmmakers’ Day is always a standing-room-only event,” says Forum Program Director Helen duToit. duToit adds, “NFD presents an inspiring mix of information on developing creative content, as well as the survival guide to thrive in the industry.”

One of Canada’s hottest exports, Writer/Director Jeremy Podwesa ( Fugitive Pieces, The Five Senses, Eclispe) helps filmmakers of all levels to map out a master plan for success in NFD’s Career Fast Track. Podeswa has also directed such critically acclaimed episodic television shows as: Commander in Chief, Six Feet Under, Nip/Tuck, Carnivàle, Queer as Folk and The L Word. Joining Podeswa is another of Canada’s finest, Jason Reitman (Thank You For Smoking) who has gone on to forge a hugely successful career directing episodic shows as Deadwood and 6 Feet Under.

A New Filmmakers’ Day highlight this year is the The Actor/Director Relationship moderated by Writer/Director/ Producer Trent Carlson (Fido, The Delicate Art of Parking). Joining Carlson to explore the vital relationship between actor and director is: Charles Martin Smith (The Snow Walker), one of the most prolific actors in the industry; Actor/Director Sarah Polley who is attending theVIFF festival with her directorial feature debut Away from Her and Sook Yin Lee, Toronto-based musician/ actor/filmmaker and radio and television broadcaster. She is currently appearing in John Cameron Mitchell's controversial Shortbus screening at this year's VIFF.

Writer/Director Andrew Currie, (Fido, The Delicate Art of Parking) and Writer/Director Richard Glatzer, (Quinceañera) provide inspiration and innovative alternatives to up-and-coming screenwriters in Writing Low Budget Screenplays, while Slice & Dice : Anatomy of a Scene peels off the layers of a scene, providing creative and technical solutions to the many different challenges that directors face.