An exclusive conversation with some of North America’s top executives about their current mandates and preferred approaches. We’ll hear from each of these top execs about how to successfully pitch them, what they are looking for right now, a view to the funding structures that tend to be most successful for the green light, and how Academy Members can be best prepared for their next development deal.
Moderator:
Jenn Kuzmyk | Executive Director Banff World Media Festival, Playback
As Executive Director of the Banff World Media Festival and Playback, Jenn oversees all aspects of the renowned international event and commercial stewardship of Canada’s premier national media industry publication.
Now in its 41st year, BANFF is recognized globally as a one of the most important markets for creatives and executives working in the media industry with a focus on the development, production, distribution and monetization of screen-based content. With delegates from over 25 countries in attendance annually, BANFF is one of the most effective marketplaces for co-production and co-venture partners. Playback magazine and playbackonline.ca are Canada’s go-to sources for media industry breaking news and in-depth analysis.
Jenn is also course director of a 4th year course at York University entitled The Business of Film, Television and Digital Media. Previously as Director of International Distribution at Proper Rights, she specialized in finished program and format sales to broadcasters around the world. She also led the company’s OTT and digital distribution strategy as well as seeking out third party acquisitions. Jenn worked closely with independent producers on presales, co productions, financing and advising on projects for the international market.
As VP, Development at Cream Productions from 2008-2013, she created, developed and co executive produced television series for top channels worldwide. Select projects greenlit under her guidance include: Emmy nominated series Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan (OLN, BBC Worldwide, Travel US), international TV format Know-It-All (Discovery), Treasure Trader for History Television, and Breathing Fire: Battle of the Somme (History Television, Channel 4).
Prior to joining Cream, Jenn spent a decade as Canadian Bureau Chief and an Editor for C21Media.net, a leading UK-based trade publisher focused on the global business of television and digital media content. She launched and edited C21′s Factual Week, an online news and analysis source concerning the world of documentary and factual programming.
Panelists:
Vanessa Case | SVP, Studio, VICE Canada at VICE Media
Vanessa Case is SVP, Studio, Canada at VICE Media Group, the world’s largest independent youth media company. Vanessa heads all of VICE Studios’ productions in Canada including development, production, financing, sales and licensing, as well as overseeing VICE’s production and post-production facilities in Toronto.
A senior media executive with a career spanning two decades, Vanessa has deep expertise in content strategy, delivering business growth and development and execution for global companies, including owned intellectual property (IP), co-productions and international financing.
Prior to joining VICE, Vanessa was EVP Content at Blue Ant Media. She was a critical player in the launch and development of several world-renowned brands landing in Canada and abroad, including BBC Earth, Smithsonian Canada and Love Nature. Prior to her role at Blue Ant, Vanessa held positions at Shaw, CanWest and Alliance Atlantis, where she launched new services, commissioned hundreds of hours of original content, developed original production slates and led scheduling and acquisition strategies for some of Canada’s top specialty channels.
Vanessa is a member of WIFT and a WIFT Connect Mentor, Women Against MS (WAMS), Cabinet, sits on the Banff World Media Festival’s Advisory Board and has sad on the CWC Board of Directors.
James Farr | VP Development, Cream Productions
James is dedicated to finding and developing unique projects that connect and resonate with audiences hungry for exciting content. In his time at Cream, James has led the development on specials and series in a broad variety of unscripted genres, including history projects Age of Samurai for Netflix and The World Without Canada for History Canada; true crime series Fear Thy Neighbor, Murder U and If I Should Die for Investigation Discovery; and paranormal series Paranormal Emergency for Travel Channel and Evil Encounters for T&E. Previously, James served as a development writer at TIFF.
Athena Georgaklis | Head of Development, Nelvana Enterprises, Corus Entertainment
