TIFF Kids Industry Conference returns in 2014 with a four-day programme t
hat runs from April 14–17 during the TIFF Kids International Film Festival (April 8-20). The only event of its kind in Canada, the TIFF Kids Industry Conference provides an opportunity for filmmakers, television producers, interactive producers, game designers and researchers to converge and discuss the latest creative and business trends in the children’s film and entertainment industry. The conference will include one day of keynote sessions and panel discussions, and three days of workshops and seminars.
“We are excited to present this unique opportunity to industry professionals interested in immersing themselves in our inspiring and engaging programming,” said Justin Cutler, Senior Manager, TIFF Industry Office. “We can’t wait to turn TIFF Bell Lightbox into a community hub, think tank and project launch pad, for children’s content creators.”
This year’s Opening Keynote speaker is Graham Annable, director (along with Anthony Stacchi) of the upcoming film The Boxtrolls, currently in production at renowned animation studio LAIKA. He has previously worked as a storyboard artist on LAIKA’s first two films Coraline and ParaNorman, and he is the creator of the hit comic-book series Grickle. Patricia Rozema (writer, Paper Bag Princess) and Michael Hirsh (producer, Paper Bag Princess), are among the confirmed speakers to participate in a discussion of The Art of Long-Form Storytelling. The Closing Keynote Speaker this year will be film producer Caroline Baron, whose previous credits include the Oscar-winning film Capote and who is the co-founder of the new children’s media company yummico.
TIFF Kids also welcomes back Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street, for a second year. The popular Sesame Workshop “Pitch” Session also returns, and applications to participate are open from now until February 21, 2014. Space is limited to a maximum of 15 successful applicants, each of whom will have the opportunity to pitch Sesame Workshop producers for a chance to make a short film for this much-loved children’s show.
Industry professionals can start registering for the TIFF Kids International Film Festival and the TIFF Kids Industry Conference on Thursday, February 20 attiff.net/industry.
Highlights of the TIFF Kids Industry Conference include:
Opening Keynote Session with LAIKA
Graham Annable, co-director of the upcoming film The Boxtrolls, provides insights into character and story development and the production process at renowned animation studio LAIKA, known for such groundbreaking films as Coraline and ParaNorman.
The Art of Long-Form Storytelling
Experienced screenwriters, filmmakers and producers break down the writing and development process for children and family feature films in Canada and abroad. Confirmed speakers include Patricia Rozema (writer, Paper Bag Princess) and Michael Hirsh (producer, Paper Bag Princess), among others.
Kids’ DIY Media Project: The Opportunities and Challenges of Supporting Kids’ Making and Sharing Media Online The Kids’ DIY Media Project is a cross-sector partnership composed of academics, media professionals, policy makers, child-advocacy groups and non-profit organizations, as well as parents, educators and children. Working together to
strengthen knowledge of do-it-yourself (DIY) media creation amongst kids, these stakeholders seek to help children develop many of the skills they will need to be participants, innovators and leaders in the digital economy. Spearheaded by Dr. Sara Grimes, Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto, this panel will showcase the results from the first year of research of this groundbreaking project, with a focus on the initial opportunities and challenges faced
by children’s website and content developers when it comes to supporting kids’ making and sharing media online.
Closing Keynote Session with Caroline Baron
Oscar-nominated film producer Caroline Baron (Capote) will lead a discussion about the power of film and digital media to inspire and educate children and families in their daily lives. Baron is the co-founder of yummico, a new kind of children’s media company, and is also the founder of FilmAid International, an aid organization whose mission is to educate and inform through media. She spearheads fundraising at yummico, as well as overseeing production and writing children’s books.
Workshops and Seminars
TIFF Industry presents Sesame Workshop Pitch
After a successful launch at last year’s TIFF Kids International Film Festival, the Industry Office will once again be facilitating a unique pitch opportunity for Canadian filmmakers with Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street. The
pitching sessions will occur during the 2014 TIFF Kids International Film Festival, April 8 – 20.
A maximum of 15 successful applicants will have the exclusive opportunity to pitch Sesame Workshop producers for the chance to make a short film for this much-loved children’s television show.
Application deadline is Friday, February 21.
Meet With… Sessions
Our series of intimate industry sessions returns, again allowing emerging professionals an opportunity to meet influential figures in both the creative and business sides of the children’s film, television and digital media industry.
Workshops
New for 2014, these in-depth sessions will give delegates insight into a variety of crafts and creative processes in the
children’s entertainment industry. In a classroom setting, delegates will learn from established industry professionals about specific issues and topics relevant to their professional development.
Additional sessions and guests, as well as dates and times, for the TIFF Kids Industry Conference will be announced on The TIFF Kids International Film Festival takes place at TIFF Bell Lightbox from April 8 through April 20. The TIFF Kids school programme runs April 8–11 and April 14–17, and public programme from April 12–13 and April 18–20.