Digi60 Filmmakers’ Festival 20th Anniversary
The Digi60 Filmmakers’ Festivals 20th Anniversary was held December 6th through December 8th 2024. Special programming happened leading to and throughout the festival to celebrate the milestone. Over the past 20 years Digi60 has proven to be not only a Filmmakers’ Festival but an asset to community art and filmmaking. We hope to continue on an upward trajectory of highlighting and amplifying Ottawa-Gatineau filmmakers and creatives.
Digi60 Filmmakers’ Festival 2025 - THREE DAY FESTIVAL RECAP
December 5-7, 2024
DAY 1: COMMUNITY DAY
The first day of the festival kicked off with a workshop for Francophone Youth that was moderated by Franco-Ontarian producer Kristel Viduka of ATO Media and veteran television and film director Jocelyn Forgues. Jocelyn spoke about his journey as a francophone director navigating a majority Anglophone-dominated industry. The workshop was presented fully in French.
We then had the Community Shorts program, presented by DARC, that showcased a curated program of short films by local filmmakers from the Ottawa-Gatineau region. The selected Filmmakers for the 20th Anniversary were Conor DeVries, Cheryl Pagurek, Emilie Azevedo, Nicole Blundell, Nickie Shobeiry, Madelyn Keys, Jennifer Mulligan and Deena A. Alsaweer. The shorts explored experimental, abstract and documentary storytelling.
The BIPOC Creators microgrant and mentorship program films were then shown. The filmmakers presented their films created through the 3-month mentorship, followed by a Q&A facilitated by bilingual mentor, Alexander Cruz. More details on the BIPOC Creators microgrant and mentorship program are detailed below.
Throughout the day, we also hosted With Us: Media Art & Film Conference at Club Saw. This was a unique program that ran alongside the annual festival, part of our special 20th Anniversary programming. More on that below.
The first day of the festival ended with an after party co-presented by Qu’ART, DARC and Digi60.
With Us: Media Art & Film Conference
Community Shorts Program
BIPOC Creators Program
DAY 2: 60-DAY CHALLENGE
The day began with a Masterclass on Pitching instructed by Teri Loretto. Teri drew on her decades of experience as program coordinator and professional screenwriter, to help 5 selected filmmakers hone their pitching skills. The selected filmmakers then used the skills they learned to pitch to a live panel of producers on the third day of the festival.
The second and last workshop of day 2 was ‘Development Packages: Getting your project ready’ with former producer and current development executive for Bell Media, Lauren MacKinlay. This workshop was for filmmakers who were ready to take the leap from indie filmmaking to the professional Canadian film industry. Lauren detailed what steps it would take to accomplish that.
Then followed the 60-Day challenge screenings. Each film was produced and shot within 60 days and followed the 20th Anniversary theme of Belonging. Each film was well crafted and we were amazed by the level of finesse each filmmaker exemplified. Once the films were screened, the awards were handed out to the filmmakers whom the jury felt not only best executed the theme but who also best translated their vision on screen.
The following were the 2024 Digi60 Fillmakers’ Festival award recipients:
DARC Emerging Filmmaker Award
Sponsored by DARC, Digital Arts Resource Centre
Sara Mihailescu
Best Story Award
Helen
Best Technical Award
I AM Canadian
Best Acting Award - Tie
Drew Hickey - Daddy’s Boy
Anton Zemmers - Daddy’s Boy
Spirit of the Festival Award
Sergei Vasilev - When the Motherland Is Knocking at Your Door
Festival Top 5
I AM Canadian
The Missing Piece
Across the Table
Your Verse
Daddy’s Boy
Best Film Award
Daddy’s Boy
Best Director Award - Tie
Foad Asadi - I AM Canadian
Tom Peters - Daddy’s Boy
Best Screenplay Award
Your Verse - Jessie Edwards
DAY THREE: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY
The last day of the festival kicked off with a workshop by producer Christopher Giroux. The workshop titled ‘Scream! Making Your First Horror Film’ covered how filmmakers can maximize their resources to create their first horror film. From detailed prep, streamlining production schedules, plans for post, pathways to distribution and grassroots marketing Christopher broke it down for the participants.
‘Breaking Through’ was a workshop facilitated by actress Ann Pirvu. Ann presented how actors can break through to the entertainment industry with actionable steps. She emphasized the importance of self-starting techniques, the modern-day auditioning landscape, grass roots self marketing and content creation.
Professional Stuntman Dennis Lafond and Intimacy Coordinator Tammy Everett hosted a panel where they discussed the topics of safety on set, the jobs of stunt and intimacy coordinators and the future of set safety. The talk titled ‘Safety on Set – Stunts and Intimacy Coordination’ was a timely and important discussion on how filmmakers and crew can keep themselves and each other safe on set.
Noon brought in the ‘Speed Mentoring for Underrepresented Creatives’ lunch in which folks traditionally underrepresented by the film and tv industry (BIPOC, Women+, LGBTQ2SIA+, Persons with Disabilities and Francophones) met over a dozen decision makers and leaders in Ottawa’s film and tv industry. The participants asked the mentors questions regarding the industry and advice on how to navigate it. The Speed Mentoring lunch has become a staple at Digi60 and we hope it imparts knowledge and direction to all participants.
Eight filmmakers who participated in the 60-Day Challenge received feedback from Ottawa Director Max McGuire during the Directors Feedback workshop. Max gave the filmmakers constructive criticism on their films in a friendly peer environment and bestowed them with advice that they can then carry forward to their next projects.
Moms After Dark: Live was an Instagram live panel hosted by filmmaker and actor Maissa Houri. Maissa, in conversation with actress Joye Rivera and creative Amica Hewitt, discussed navigating the film industry as women and mothers.
The festival ended with The Live Pitch Panel. Five filmmakers were selected to pitch their projects to a panel of decision makers where they received industry feedback and constructive advice. The five filmmakers selected for the 2024 Digi60 Filmmakers’ Festival were Marie Jou (MJ) Comilang-Costales, Yahya Syed, Tyler Platt, Thomas Sa and Benjamin Shimwa and Anne Sophie-Jetté. We wish them the best of luck on their filmmaking journeys.
DIGI60 FILMMAKERS’ SUMMER ACCELERATOR
August 26-30, 2024
Screenwriting Stream participants, photo by Alexandra Doran
During the week of last week of August, over 40 emerging filmmakers under the age of 30 attended the Digi60 Summer Accelerator, a week-long workshop series for equity-deserving youth interested in filmmaking. There were 12 seats available in each stream; 10 seats in each stream were reserved for equity-deserving participants (BIPOC, Women+, LGBTQSIA+, youth with Disabilities and Francophone youth), continuing Digi60’s ethos of supporting underrepresented creatives. The workshops covered Directing, Producing, Acting and Screenwriting and allowed the participants to not only gain valuable knowledge from working professionals but to network and form relationships among themselves. This program was made possible with funding from the Canada Council for the Arts and in partnership with the Digital Arts Resource Centre, Ottawa Film Office and the CMPA.
The workshops consisted of both Daytime and Evening programming. The Daytime programming comprised of workshop sessions held at the Digital Arts Resource Center and the Ottawa Arts Council from 10 am to 5 pm. Workshops had guest speakers and presentations that mapped out how the participants can take their craft to the next level regardless of what stream (Directing, Producing, Acting or Screenwriting) they take.
Screenwriting and Acting Stream participants, photo by Alexandra Doran
The Evening programming was free to the registered participants however it was also open to the general public for a small admission fee. Evening programming consisted of panel discussions that covered topics such as accessing funding for first-time feature filmmakers, pitching projects to funders and broadcasters, case studies with produced creatives. A film screening and chat with the filmmakers were also held thanks to funders Ontario Creates and Canada Council for the Arts. An industry mixer was held allowing emerging filmmakers and artists to mingle and network with industry professionals and each other, sponsored by Up Light Academy.
The Summer Accelerator took some elements from the former SIFT program, last held by Digi60 in 2014 during Digi60’s 10th Annversary year. It was a great way to engage Ottawa filmmakers and expand on programming in a more in depth way through direct and hands-on mentorship, making Digi60 Fillmakers Summer Accelerator a success.
We hope all participants gained valuable knowledge and experience.
2024 BIPOC CREATORS MICROGRANT & MEntorship Program
September 1-December 1, 2024
The 2024 BIPOC Creators Microgrant Recipiants, photo by Zac Emery
The BIPOC Creators is a microgrant and mentorship program for five emerging filmmakers who identified as Black, Indigenous or Person of Colour. As part of the 20th Anniversary programming, both English and French language submissions were accepted.
Each Filmmaker received $2,000 in artists fees to support the creation of their films and were provided mentorship throughout their filmmaking process. The films were then screened during the 2024 Digi60 Filmmakers’ Festival Community Day along with a Q&A that allowed the filmmakers to reflect on their experience, led by their mentor Alexander Cruz.
The program screening was held December 6, 2024 and the following filmmakers participated in the mentorship program and were the recipients of the microgrant.
JUAN MANUEL HUERTA GALICIA - THE CONTINUITY ERROR (2024)
MARIE JOU (MJ) COMILANG-COSTALES - DUWENDE D'ILOG (2024)
NANA BONCANO - THE SANDS OF TIME (2024)
NICK GRAY - DEAD WEIGHT (2024)
LADANE ALI - FLUSH (2024)
We wish the filmmakers continued success on their creative journey!
WITH US: MEDIA ART & FILM CONFERENCE
December 5, 2024
With US: Media Art & Film Conference was a one day conference that was held on December 6th 2024 at Club Saw. The conference held many talks and presentations with various industry professionals that focused on creating an inclusive ecosystem for storytellers in film, media and art. The objective of the conference was to inspire storytellers to approach their art in an authentic and inclusive way.
The conference was presented with the Digital Arts Resource Centre and Qu’ART as well as Community Partners Accessible Media Inc. and Pass the Vibes.
The conference consisted of the following programming:
Building an Arts Ecosystem in Ottawa (presented by the Digital Arts Resource Center) with speakers Cassandra Olsthoorn, Nicole Milne (Arts Ottawa) and Emily Ramsay (DARC)
Focus on Accessibility: Disability storytelling in film and media with speakers Karen Magee, Dave Brown (AMI-tv) and Elise Beaudry-Ferland
Ethics of Documentary Filmmaking with documentary filmmaker Gabriela Warrior Renaud
Thinking Community: Regional storytelling through community television with speakers Christine Maki (CBC Creator Network), Jason Levy (Bell Fibe TV1) and Nickie Shobiery
Visual AIDS: Day With(out) Art “Red Reminds Me” (Co-presented by Qu’ART and DARC) with speaker Ash Barbu presenting “Narrative Closure and the End of AIDS”
The conference culminated with an after party held in Club Saw.
FRANCO-YOUTH MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
January-April, 2024
The Franco-youth mentorship program held four sessions with Francophone Filmmakers. Each filmmaker met with students from De la Salle secondary school. The sessions were held in French allowing the students to engage with francophone working professionals in the film industry and get a feel of how they can forge a path of their own.
The first session was with Quebecois writer-director Sara Ben-Saud where she discussed her documentary À Toi Jeddi and advised the students on how they can create their own documentary for their class projects.
The second session was held with award-winning Congolesse-Canadian filmmaker Patrick Kabeya. He spoke to the students about his recent documentaries championing his Congolese heritage. Patrick had the students do a creative exercise in storyboarding. Allowing the students to learn how to map out their own projects.
The third session was held with Haitian-Canadian writer-director Fitch Jean. He spoke to the students about his journey from creating short films to making feature films. Fitch also designed a production exercise that the students could then work on in their Cinema and Television program at De la Salle.
The last session was held with Franco-Ontarian screenwriter and producer Sophie Roy. Sophie gave the students a presentation on screenwriting and world building within a screenplay. She then led the students in an exercise on elevator pitches, allowing them to gain insight and confidence on how to successfully pitch their stories.
We hope the event was fruitful for the students and wish them the best of luck on their journeys!
The Digi60 Filmmakers’ Festival is grateful to the Association des Communautès Francophones d’Ottawa (ACFO)’s Ottawa Bilingual Ottawa Propulsion grant for the funding to host this project.
International Women’s Day
March 8, 2025
[Eng]
Our final 20th Anniversary program.
Digi60’s International Women’s Day event, which was the final programming event of the season. Held on 8 March at the National Arts Centre, nearly a hundred people—from cis and trans women to nonbinary folks and male allies - joined us to grab a drink, network, pin a vision for the future or a message to their past self on our community vision board, and of course to hear our wonderful panelists speak.
The IWD event, entitled “Celebrating Women+ in Screen-Based Media,” featured two panels focused on women+ creatives working in film, television, and broadcast media, and empowering women to rise up and tell intersectional and diverse stories. The first panel, in English, focused on women media leaders, unpacking how they got to the top of their game, industry trends they’re seeing, how to tackle today’s ever-changing media landscape, and their hopes for the future. The second panel, in French, highlighted the robust Francophone film and TV community in Ottawa and the women who are leaders in it.
We would like to thank our facilitators Nickie Shobeiry and Maissa Houri and our speakers Amy Ede, Sharon Nyangweso, Nicole Blundell, and Sandrine Pechels de Saint Sardos, and thank you to our photographer Oluchi Eze for capturing it all. We’re so grateful to the NAC and ACTRA Ottawa for helping us make this event happen, and to the volunteers who helped it run smoothly. Thank you to all who came out to our event, and we’ll see you all again in the fall!
[Fr]
"Avec la saison 2024 officiellement terminée, nous souhaitons prendre un moment pour souligner notre événement de la Journée internationale des femmes, qui était le dernier événement de la saison. Le 8 mars, au Centre national des Arts, près d'une centaine de personnes – allant de femmes cisgenres et transgenres aux personnes non binaires et à leurs alliés masculins – se sont jointes à nous pour prendre un verre, réseauter, accrocher une vision d'avenir ou un message à leur soi passé sur notre tableau de vision communautaire, et bien sûr, écouter nos formidables intervenants.
L'événement de la JIF, intitulé « Célébrons les femmes+ dans les médias sur écran », comprenait deux tables rondes axées sur les femmes+ créatives travaillant dans le cinéma, la télévision et les médias audiovisuels, et sur la façon dont elles encouragent les femmes à s'affirmer et à raconter des histoires intersectionnelles et diversifiées. La première table ronde, en anglais, était axée sur les femmes leaders des médias, expliquant comment elles sont parvenues au sommet, les tendances qu'elles observent dans l'industrie, comment s'adapter au paysage médiatique actuel en constante évolution et leurs espoirs pour l'avenir. La deuxième table ronde, en français, mettait en lumière la dynamique communauté francophone du cinéma et de la télévision d'Ottawa et les femmes qui y sont leaders.
Nous voulons remercier nos animatrices Nickie Shobeiry et Maissa Houri, ainsi que nos oratrices Amy Ede, Sharon Nyangweso, Nicole Blundell et Sandrine Pechels de Saint Sardos, et notre photographe Oluchi Eze pour avoir immortalisé l'événement. Nous sommes extrêmement reconnaissants au CNA et à l'ACTRA Ottawa pour leur soutien à la réalisation de cet événement, ainsi qu'aux bénévoles qui ont contribué à son bon déroulement. Merci à tous ceux qui ont participé et au plaisir de vous revoir à l'automne !"
Happy 20th Anniversary Digi60! WE DID IT!
The Digi60 Filmmakers’ Festivals 20th Anniversary was a huge success and we are honoured to be a part of a wonderful community of filmmakers and lovers of film. The event would not have been as triumphant without community participation. We hope to continue to grow as a festival and organization and we look forward to more programming in the future.
Special thanks to our 2024 Sponsors, Funders and Partners: City of Ottawa, Canada Council For the Arts, Ontario Creates, Employment Ontario, Ross Video, Digital Arts Resource Center, Affinity, Ottawa Film Office, Ottawa Art Gallery, Arts Court, Ottawa Arts Council, Media Arts Network Of Ontario and Ottawa Festivals.
