DIGI60 SUMMER ACCELERATOR
DIRECTING STREAM

DARC Workshop Room
Arts Court, Floor 1

The Directing Stream is designed to help filmmakers strengthen their creative vision and the skills needed to lead a project from script to screen. Through practical workshops, case studies, and conversations with industry professionals, participants will explore directing actors, communicating with collaborators, making creative decisions, and navigating the challenges of bringing a story to life.

Along the way, you'll connect with fellow filmmakers, mentors, and industry leaders while gaining practical insight into the creative and professional aspects of directing. Whether you're preparing to direct your first short film or refining your approach as a filmmaker, you'll leave with new tools, meaningful connections, and greater confidence in your next project.

Workshop program and mentors are subject to change based on availability. Mentor bios and headshots coming soon.

Morning
(10:00-1:00 PM)

Afternoon
(2:00-5:00 PM)

Evening (5:00-8:00 PM)
Optional Programming

Monday
August 24, 2026

Orientation & Welcome,
ACTRA MIPs, Arts Court + DARC Tour

Directing Actors
TBC

Cohort Welcome Reception
Albion Rooms
Cohort & Mentors only

Tuesday
August 25, 2026

Directing Actors
TBC

Dream Eater: Producing a Feature Film
Blind Luck Pictures

Dream Eater - Ottawa Premiere with Director, Writer & Actor Q&A
Co-Presented by the Ottawa Film Office
OAG Alma Duncan Salon
PWYC Tickets | Open to the public

Wednesday
August 26, 2026

Case Study: Telefilm Talent to Watch Applications
Kenza Derkaoui

Writing Grants / Funding with Arts Councils
Pixie Cram

Industry Mixer with Industry Leaders
Sponsored by ACTRA Ottawa
Club SAW Courtyard
FREE RSVP | Open to the public

Thursday
August 27, 2026

Case Study
TBC

Closing Plenary: Building Community and Sharing Ourselves
Conversation with Digi60 Alumni
Artengine
Cohort & Mentors only

MENTOR BIOS

BLIND LUCK PICTURES

Alex Lee Williams and Jay Drakulic have won numerous awards throughout their ten-year creative partnership. They are the co-writers and co-directors of the feature film Hellmington, starring Michael Ironside and Nicola Correia-Damude. In 2018, Mallory Drumm joined the collective, bringing an exciting new voice to the team.

In 2025, the trio took the genre space by storm with their first feature collaboration, Dream Eater, which went viral following a regional festival screening. The film was quickly acquired by Eli Roth’s The Horror Section and received a North American theatrical release in more than 200 theatres.

PIXIE CRAM

Pixie Cram is a filmmaker based in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. The format of her work includes stop-motion animation, live action fiction, and small-gauge film (super-8 & 16mm). Her films have screened at festivals across Canada and internationally. She teaches a course in screenwriting at Carleton University.