On Monday, November 20th, Screen Nova Scotia hosted their first annual Broadcaster & Distributor Forum, a two-day event for emerging and established producers in Nova Scotia to meet with influential Canadian and US broadcasters and distributors.
Formerly managed by Film & Creative Industries Nova Scotia, this event provided Nova Scotia producers with direct access to industry gatekeepers at the national and international level, across all genres.
As part of Screen Nova Scotia’s mandate to provide professional development initiatives, day one of the Forum (November 15th) was for emerging producers, who participated in a full day of information sessions and training programs, including an interactive pitch workshop by international consultant Jan Miller, and funding info sessions with Telefilm Canada and the National Screen Institute.
Day two (November 20th) saw more than 200 pre-scheduled 1-2-1 meetings take place between broadcasters, distributors and producers. The delegates in attendance included: AMC, Bell Media, CBC Drama, CBC Comedy, CBC Docs, D Films, Discovery Networks, eOne Television, Filmatique, IFC Films, New Form Digital, Pacific Northwest Pictures, Raven Banner Releasing / Northern Banner Releasing, Super Channel, SundanceTV, and VICE Media (read more about these delegates HERE).
This event was made possible thanks to support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Province of Nova Scotia.
Testimonials:
“As a veteran of a dozen Nova Scotia Producer Forums, I was thrilled with the ‘New’ 2017 event. The calibre of customer potential was deeper, more varied, and more well positioned to make significant investments in Nova Scotia production than any past event. The sense of opportunity and promise in the room from both the perspective of the Nova Scotia producers and the visiting broadcast and distribution customers was genuinely exciting. The future of Nova Scotia’s TV industry looks a little brighter today after this event.”
– John Wesley Chisholm, Producer/President, Arcadia Content
“The group of delegates assembled at this forum was the most relevant, diverse, and useful group I’ve been a part of. From new digital to traditional formats, both Canadian and US companies, Screen Nova Scotia’s Forum covered almost every outlet a producer needs to make content.”
– Michael Robson, SVP, Acquisitions and Business Development, D Films
“As an emerging producer, this was my first time attending a Broadcaster & Distributor forum. I was of course nervous but with the opportunity to participate in Jan Miller’s Interactive Pitch Workshop on Day One – and the consistent support of the Screen Nova Scotia team – I felt ready and prepared for the Forum. I feel grateful for the opportunity to have met and learned from this diverse group of broadcasters and distributors, as well as spent the day alongside the fantastic Nova Scotia film community.”
– Melani Wood, Producer