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PANELS & EVENTS
Panels and events are free to attend for industry pass-holders.
Some events may be open to the public for a fee at the door.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15
NETWORKING RECEPTION
CHFF 2025 Opening Toast
Presented by PEI Film Social
5:00 - 7:00 PM
October 15, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen Street
EVENT
OPENING NIGHT RETRO MUSIC VIDEO DANCE PARTY
10:00 PM
Get the party started following our opening night film Mile End Kicks by dancing along to iconic music videos you oughta know inspired by the film.
October 15, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen Street
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16
NETWORKING RECEPTION
HAPPY HOUR
Presented by Dairy Farmers of PEI
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
October 16, 2025
Founders Food Hall (Upstairs) - 6 Prince St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P5
EVENT
SOUNDTRACK KARAOKE
Presented by IPF
10:00 PM
Hosted by P.E.I. karaoke gods Devi & Devi, sing your heart out to songs from your favourite movie soundtracks! (Please note one Devi will be missing from this performance. Can you guess which one?)
October 16, 2025
Charlottetown Fire Department - 89 Kent St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 1M9
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17
INDUSTRY
WELCOME
9:00 - 9:15AM
October 17, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
NETWORKING EVENT
COFFEE WITH #1 - Presented by Receiver Coffee
9:15 - 9:45AM
Small table with big access. Industry pass holders can sign up for an exclusive roundtable featuring the industry’s leading decision makers. Sign up required.
Industry Guests:
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Chris Kelley - VP Development, Counterfeit Pictures
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Amy Saunders - AlphaPR
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Jenna MacMillan - Club Red Productions
October 17, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
NETWORKING EVENT
COFFEE WITH #2 - Presented by Receiver Coffee
9:45 - 10:15AM
Small table with big access. Industry pass holders can sign up for an exclusive roundtable featuring the industry’s leading decision makers. Sign up required.
Industry Guests:
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Li Yeh - Director, Strategic Planning, Original Programming - Bell Media
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Meaghan Brander - Film Industry Growth Specialist - Innovation PEI
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Richelle Charkot - Distribution Manager - Game Theory Films
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Caroline Habib - Content Producer - Encore Television
October 17, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
NETWORKING FOR INTROVERTS
Presented by Formfree Branding
10:15 - 11:00AM
Hardly anyone wants to, but we all have to do it. A conversation with industry leaders about breaking into the business and experts about how to do it.
Panelists:
Britt Campbell - Stand-up Comedian
Richelle Charkot - Distribution Manager - Game Theory Films
Bill Lundy - Chief Content Officer - Club Red Productions
Amy Saunders - CEO/Founder - Alpha PR
Moderator:
Justine Williamson - Actor/Writer
October 17, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
MY WORST MISTAKES & WHAT I LEARNED
Presented by DGC Maritimes
11:00 - 11:45AM
A lively and humorous discussion with screen professionals about the mistakes they’ve made along the way and how they learned from it and came out better on the other side.
Panelists:
Melani Wood - Producer
Jenna MacMillan - Founder - Club Red Productions
Jennifer Pun - Co-Founder/Producer - Edge Entertainment
Sarah Fowlie - Head of Production, Original Programming - Bell Media
Zac Thompson - Writer
Moderator:
Chris Kelley, Director of Scripted Television - Counterfeit Pictures
October 17, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
FILMING EN FRANÇAIS
Presented by CINEMANIA
11:45AM - 12:30PM
A state of the union with french creative producers on opportunities of producing french-canadian content in Canada.
Panelists:
Caroline Habib - Content Producer - Encore Television
Helene Lebon - Producer
Moderator:
Louise Lalonde - Louise Lalonde Productions
October 17, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
HATS ON HATS: BEING A MULTI-HYPHENATE IN CREATIVE ARTS
Presented by The Arts Hotel
12:30 - 1:15PM
With less and less buyers and shrinking budgets everyone, screen professionals are more and more having to turn into multiple disciplines to get by. A discussion with a few of those people thriving at doing just that.
Panelists:
Jenna MacMillan - Producer/Director
Justin Oakey - Editor/ Producer/ Director
Justine Williamson - Actor/Writer/Producer
Greg Vardy - Actor/Writer/Producer
Moderator:
Clara Altimas - Showrunner
October 17, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
REALITY CHECK: MENTAL HEALTH IN PRODUCTION
Presented by CreativePEI
2:00 - 2:45 PM
With some of the toughest working hours in any industry the screen industry has major challenges for their members finding a healthy work balance. A frank and honest discussion about being miserable at work.
Panelists:
Melani Wood - Producer
Shelley Bibby - Business Agent - IATSE 849
Jeremy Larter - Writer/Director/Producer
Moderator:
Sharlene Kelly - Producer - Club Red Productions
October 17, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
YAY, NOW WHAT? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
BUSINESS & LEGAL AFFAIRS
2:45 - 3:30 PM
For emerging and established producers and creatives alike, a conversation about the things you absolutely need to know as your project moves forward into development and production.
Panelists:
Li Yeh - Director, Strategic Planning, Original Programming - Bell Media
Rob Aske - Entertainment Lawyer, Partner - Stewart McKelvey
Lucie Marion - Director, National Bank
Moderator:
Charlotte Engel (Rock Yenta Productions)
October 17, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
THE REJECTION PANEL: GETTING IT, GIVING IT, & GETTING OVER IT
3:30 - 4:15 PM
Getting told “no” is a way of life if you are working in the arts at any level. An insightful chat with people who have to say no, have to hear no, and the best tips on how to deal with both.
Panelists:
Rachel Goldstein-Couto - Head of Development, Original Programming, Bell Media
Andrew Kelly - Vice President, Scripted Development, Lionsgate Canada
Clara Altimas - Showrunner
Zach Marcovici - Executive in Charge or Development, CBC Drama
Moderator:
Jenna MacMillan - Founder, Club Red Productions
October 17, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
PITCH, PATIENCE, & PRODUCTION - WHAT IT’S LIKE MAKING CDN TV
4:15 - 5:00 PM
We’ve assembled a group of some of Canada’s top TV producers to go behind the scenes on what it's like making and trying to make TV in 2025.
Panelists:
Virginia Rankin - Executive Producer, Rankin File
Chris Kelley - Director, Scripted Development, Counterfeit Pictures
Andrew Kelly- Vice President, Scripted Development, Lionsgate Canada
Caroline Habib - Content Producer, Encore Television
Moderator:
Bill Lundy - Chief Content Officer, Club Red Productions `
October 17, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
NETWORKING RECEPTION
DRY HAPPY HOUR
Presented by PEI Cannabis Management Corporation
5:00 - 7:00 PM
October 17, 2025
Founder’s Food Hall - 6 Prince Street
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18
INDUSTRY
WELCOME
9:00 - 9:15AM
October 18, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
NETWORKING EVENT
COFFEE WITH #3 - Presented by Receiver Coffee
9:15 - 9:45AM
Small table with big access. Industry pass holders can sign up for an exclusive roundtable featuring the industry’s leading decision makers. Sign up required.
Industry Guests:
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Zach Marcovici - Executive in Charge of Development, CBC Drama
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Andrew Kelly- Vice President, Scripted Development, Lionsgate Canada
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Clara Altimas - Showrunner
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Michael Robson - Senior Director, Theatrical Sales, Elevation Pictures
October 18, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
NETWORKING EVENT
COFFEE WITH #4 - Presented by Receiver Coffee
9:45 - 10:15AM
Small table with big access. Industry pass holders can sign up for an exclusive roundtable featuring the industry’s leading decision makers. Sign up required.
Industry Guests:
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Rachel Goldstein-Couto - Head of Development, Original Programming, Bell Media
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Virginia Rankin - Executive Producer, Rankin File
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Shelley MacDougall - Feature Film Executive, Indigenous Content and Development, Telefilm
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Sandy Hunter - Producer, Cazador Inc.
October 18, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
PR FOR THE REST OF US
Presented by AlphaPR
10:15 - 11:00AM
You’ve made the thing, it’s great, but you’ve got low or no budget. Welcome to PR in 2025. Learn the hacks and habits that help small projects punch way above their weight in a challenging media market.
Panelists:
Amy Saunders, AlphaPR
Jeremy Larter, Writer/Director
Moderator:
Greg Vardy - Actor/Producer
October 18, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
BELL MEDIA EAST - ON MAKING HITS IN THE ATLANTIC
11:00 - 11:45AM
With breakout hits like Sullivan’s Crossing, The Trades, and Revival, Bell Media has proven the east coast is ready for prime time. Join the senior leadership team at Bell Media, for conversation about why that’s working, what they’re looking for from PEI storytellers ready to break through.
Panelists:
Rachel Goldstein-Couto - Head of Development, Original Programming, Bell Media
Li Yeh - Director, Strategic Planning, Original Programming - Bell Media
Sarah Fowlie - Head of Production, Original Programming - Bell Media
Moderator:
Chris Kelley, Director of Scripted Television - Counterfeit Pictures
October 18, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
WORKING WITH CBC
11:45AM - 12:30PM
A conversation with CBC on what’s actually working for our public broadcaster, what’s not, what’s not for them, and how PEI creatives can get their next big idea on screen.
Panelists:
Zach Marcovici - Executive in Charge or Development, CBC Drama
Natalie Dobbin - Senior Producer, Creative Content, CBC Atlantic
Moderator:
Charlotte Engel - Rock Yenta Productions
October 18, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
MAKING THINGS ON PEI
12:30 - 1:15PM
What does it really look like to make film and TV on the Island right now? A local funder and a producer sit down for a candid chat about where the industry’s at and where it’s headed.
Panelists:
Meaghan Brander - Film Industry Growth Specialist - Innovation PEI
Jenna MacMillan - Founder, Club Red Productions
October 18, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
GETTING IT MADE AND SEEN: FILMS AT THE FEST
2:00 - 2:45 PM
Ever wondered what it takes to get a film from the idea to the Charlottetown Film Festival? Producers and distributors from some of this year’s ChFF films share stories and tips on how to get their their work made and in front of audiences.
Panelists:
Sandy Hunter - Producer, Cazador Inc.
Richelle Charkot - Distribution Manager, Game Theory Films
Michael Robson- Senior Director, Theatrical Sales, Elevation Pictures
Justin Oakey - Director, Hangashore
Moderator:
Jennifer Pun - Co-Founder/Producer - Edge Entertainment
October 18, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
WORKING WITH TELEFILM
2:45 - 3:30 PM
This interactive session breaks down how Island producers and creatives can navigate funding, applications, and relationships with Canada’s biggest
film backer.
Panelists:
Shelley MacDougall - Feature Film Executive, Indigenous Content and Development, Telefilm
October 18, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
EVENT
PAGE TO PITCH
3:30 - 5:00 PM
Seven PEI creatives pitch their original film and TV executives to some of Canada’s most influential producers and decision makers. One will go home with a grand prize of $10,000 to take their project to the next level.
Panel:
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Sarah Fowlie - Head of Production, Original Programming - Bell Media
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Michael Robson - Senior Director, Theatrical Sales, Elevation Pictures
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Jon Taylor - CEO, IPF
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Virginia Rankin - Executive Producer, Rankin File
Pitching:
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Greg Alsop
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Shane Mountain
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Amy Sobol
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Lauren Jean Lawlor
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Robin Anne Ettles
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Ben Hartley
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Tanya Davis
October 18, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
NETWORKING RECEPTION
HAPPY HOUR
Presented by National Bank
5:00 - 7:00 PM
October 18, 2025
NightCap (Above Hunter’s Ale House) - 185 Kent Street
LIVE COMEDY
Charlottetown Film Festival Presents:
Chris Locke Live
Award-winning comedian Chris Locke is coming to Charlottetown!
Described by Vice as "one of Canada's most staggeringly original comedians,” Chris Locke has performed at the Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, as well as headlined the JFL42 festival in Toronto. He appears regularly on CBC Radio’s The Debaters and stars in the feature film
Who's Your Father?
Opening sets from special guests.
October 18th, 2025
Doors at 6pm / show at 7pm
The Comedy Cave (Downstairs at The Factory, 189 Kent Street)
EVENT
THE CAPE BRETON PARTY
Presented by Hunter's Corner
10:00 PM
Celebrating the wonderful world of Cape Breton following our sold out screenings of Little Lorraine and Tracy & Martina: Goin' Out West with special guests.
$10 at the door (Free for Industry pass holders)
October 18, 2025
The Factory - 189 Kent Street
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19
INDUSTRY
WELCOME
9:00 - 9:15AM
October 19, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
NETWORKING EVENT
COFFEE WITH #5 - Presented by Receiver Coffee
9:15 - 9:45AM
Small table with big access. Industry pass holders can sign up for an exclusive roundtable featuring the industry’s leading decision makers. Sign up required.
Industry Guests:
-
Sarah Fowlie - Head of Production, Original Programming - Bell Media
-
Jon Taylor - CEO, IPF
-
Jennifer Pun - Co-Founder/Producer - Edge Entertainment
-
Shelley MacDougall - Feature Film Executive, Indigenous Content and Development, Telefilm
October 19, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
NETWORKING EVENT
COFFEE WITH #6 - Presented by Receiver Coffee
9:45 - 10:15AM
Small table with big access. Industry pass holders can sign up for an exclusive roundtable featuring the industry’s leading decision makers. Sign up required.
Industry Guests:
-
Bill Lundy - Chief Content Officer, Club Red Productions
-
Jon Taylor - CEO, IPF
October 19, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
WORKING WITH IPF
10:15 - 11:00AM
PEI punches above it’s weight when it comes to web series and the IPF. Jon Taylor, CEO of the Independent Production Fund, joins local producers to talk about producing web series on the island, what makes a great web series pitch, and how your idea can make an impact.
Panelists:
Jon Taylor - CEO, IPF
Logan Fulford - Producer
Jeremy Larter - Writer/Director
Moderator:
Luc Trottier - Writer/Producer
October 19, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
YOUR MUSIC ON TV
Presented by CYMBA Music Publishing
11:00 - 11:45AM
Local songwriters and composers discuss how film and tv work fits into the scope of their careers.
Panelists:
KINLEY - Musician
Greg Alsop - Composer/Musician
Logan Richard - Musician
Sam Langille - Musician
Moderator:
Patrick Bunston - CYMBA Music Publishing
October 19, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
MUSIC VIDEOS ON A BUDGET
11:45AM - 12:30PM
When the importance of a musician’s visual identity is paramount, how can we help our fellow artists without breaking the bank? Sit down with four music video producers as they discuss doing the most with less.
Panelists:
Griffin O'Toole - Director/Editor
Brendan Lyle - Director/Editor
Moderator:
Erin Costelo - Producer, CBC
October 19, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
WORKING WITH EAST COAST MUSIC HOUR
12:30 - 1:15PM
Q&A with Erin Costelo, CBC Producer of East Coast Music Hour and Natalie Dobbin, Senior Producer, Creative Content, Atlantic. Discover more about the development of the East Coast Music Hour "On Air" Series and how it has combined music creation, live performance and film to create opportunities for collaboration and cross
genre connection.
Panelists:
Erin Costelo - Producer, CBC
Natalie Dobbin - Senior Producer, Creative Content, CBC Atlantic
October 19, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
NETWORKING EVENT
EAST COAST MUSIC HOUR LUNCH MIXER
1:15 - 2:00PM
Come for a pizza party and enjoy the video content created for East Coast Music Hour’s “On Air” series. CBC's East Coast Music Hour highlights the music and musicians of Atlantic Canada and airs on CBC Radio One and CBC Music.
In addition to the radio program, East Coast Music Hour launched the East Coast Music Hour 'On Air' YouTube Series in 2023. This video series is dedicated to the creation of live recordings of East Coast artists like you've never experienced before including unique collaborations, original songs and extraordinary covers of East Coast songs you know and love.
October 19, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
MAKING SHORTS THAT GET SEEN
2:00 - 2:45 PM
What makes a short film stand out? How do you get it seen? Hear from the filmmakers behind this year and past ChFF festival selections and the programmer who picked them for a conversation about what works and what doesn’t.
Panelists:
Zac Thompson - Head of Programming, Charlottetown Film Festival
Logan Fulford - Producer
Jessica Gallant - Producer
October 19, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
WORKING WITH IRELAND
2:45 - 3:30 PM
A conversation with the director of Horseshoe, about the creative collaboration behind the film and the growing potential for PEI–Ireland co-productions and how these two islands can build something big together.
Panelists:
Adam O’Keeffe - Director, Horseshoe
Moderator:
Meaghan Brander - Film Industry Growth Specialist - Innovation PEI
October 19, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
PANEL
THE MAKING OF LITTLE LORRAINE
3:30 - 4:15 PM
Join the producer of ChFF selection Little Lorraine for an insightful behind the scenes look at the story of the film that turned Cape Breton into a crime epic.
Panelists:
Tim Doiron - CEO, Wango Films
Moderator:
Zac Thompson - Director of Programming, Charlottetown Film Festival
October 19, 2025
The Guild - 111 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4B3
NETWORKING RECEPTION
HAPPY HOUR
Presented by IATSE Local 849
5:00 - 7:00 PM
October 19, 2025
The Oak - 156 Great George St
EVENT
THE 2008 CLOSING NIGHT PARTY
Presented by CBC
9:00 PM
Dig out those Ed Hardy hats and skinny jeans, we’re time travelling back to 2008 in the spirit of our closing night film Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie. Also featuring our closing night awards (with host Heidi Brander) and a very special announcement about the future of ChFF.
Free
October 19, 2025
Trailside Music Hall - 155 Kent Street
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