This series finale screening and exclusive Q&A panel features creator Joseph Kay, series finale director Stefan Pleszczynski, and lead stars, Hamza Haq and Laurence Leboeuf. Join the cast, creator, and director as they discuss creating the final episode and ending the hit CTV drama series produced by Sphere Media, Transplant.

SPEAKERS

Joseph Kay

Creator/Executive Producer, Transplant

Joseph Kay is a writer and creator of series television. He created TRANSPLANT, and has served as showrunner, writer and Executive Producer for each of its seasons, winning four Canadian Screen Awards in his roles as writer and producer. Prior to TRANSPLANT he adapted and Executive Produced the CBC drama THIS LIFE. Previous credits include the WW2 drama BOMB GIRLS for Global TV and CBC’s hit action/comedy REPUBLIC OF DOYLE. Joseph co-created the single-camera comedy LIVING IN YOUR CAR for HBO Canada. Before becoming a screenwriter, he worked as a transactional lawyer at one of Canada’s foremost securities law firm.

Hamza Haq

Performer, Transplant (Bashir “Bash” Hamed)

Hamza Haq stars as Bashir ‘Bash’ Hamed in the groundbreaking CTV/NBC medical drama Transplant for which won a Canadian Screen Award for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2021, 2022 and 2023. On the big screen, most recently Hamza starred in the Canadian independent feature films The Queen of My Dreams, With Love and a Major Organ and Viking. He spoke at the 2021 TEDxTORONTO Fall digital event series ‘Uncharted’ using his public platform to speak on issues important to him, including refugees’ rights, racial injustice, and combating stereotypes; and was honoured as Playback’s Breakout Star of the Year the same year.

Laurence Leboeuf

Performer, Transplant (Magalie “Mags” Leblanc)

Most recently, Leboeuf won Best Drama Actress for her work in “Transplant” at the Canadian Screen Awards for 2022. Additional award wins include the Gemeaux Awards (French Canadian Emmys) for Best Actress in the series “Les Lavigueur,” Best Supporting Actress for her role in the series “Musee Eden” and Best Actress for her role in the series “Marche A. L’ombre,” which also won her the Best Leading Actress award at the French Festival Séries Mania. She also won Best Actress for “Human Trafficking” (featuring Mira Sorvino and Donald Sutherland) at the ACTRA Awards (English Canadian SAG Awards). For her film work, Leboeuf won at the Prix Iris Awards (previously Jutra Awards) for Best Supporting Actress in “My Daughter, My Angel.” Her indie action-comedy film “Turbo Kid” was widely received at the Sundance Film Festival.

Stefan Pleszczynski

Executive Producer/Director, Transplant

Stefan Pleszczynski is a creative force behind some of the most successful and compelling television produced in North America as both Executive Producer and recurring Director.

A highly acclaimed filmmaker, Stefan brings stylish cinematic vision and powerful performances to an extensive collection of series, including TRANSPLANT (NBC/CBC), DOOM PATROL (HBO), FREQUENCY (WB), BEING HUMAN (SYFY), TRANSPORTER (HBO), 19-2 (CTV), KILLJOYS (SYFY), and THE FLASH (CW). His work as both a director and EP on TRANSPLANT earned him both a nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement and a Canadian Screen Award for Best Dramatic Series in 2022. He has also been nominated for Best Director awards for his stunning work on MOTIVE (ABC/CTV) and FLASHPOINT (CBS/CTV).

Stefan is also accomplished in longform film – his debut feature L’HOMME PERCHÉ screened to enthusiastic audiences and earned international attention. His made-for-TV movie, A LIFE INTERRUPTED won numerous awards internationally and his second theatrical feature L’ESPÉRANCE was shortlisted for the Cannes Film Festival.

Moderator: Jonas Chernick 

Actor/Screenwriter/Producer

Jonas Chernick is an actor, writer and producer whose films include “The Burning Season”, “The End of Sex”, “Ashgrove”, “Borealis”, “My Awkward Sexual Adventure” and “Lucid”. Recent credits include recurring roles on “Workin’ Moms” and “Rabbit Hole”, “Fargo”, and the upcoming films “Negative Capability”, “A Thousand Cuts” and “Surfacing”. He won a CSA for his lead performance on CBC’s “The Best Laid Plans”, was nominated for the CSA for Best Original Screenplay for “James Vs His Future Self”, won a Gemini Award for his work on the CBC series “The Border”, and has been nominated for three ACTRA Awards.

Check-in begins 12:30 PM

Complimentary food and drinks will be available for Academy Members as well as access to the Osteria Rialto space at Paradise Theatre.

All events are FREE for members of the Academy, CMPA, and DGC Ontario. Panels will be available for members to stream at a later date. More information regarding virtual access to follow.

Become a member to access Members Forum programming and events for free!

See the Members Forum 2024 programming and schedule list here (More TBA)
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Presenting Partner:
Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA)

Supporting Partners:
Directors Guild of Canada in Ontario (DGC – Ontario), Independent Production Fund

Hospitality Partners:
De’ Longhi Canada, Opimian Wine Club
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