Digi60 Chair of the Board Emily Ramsay opens the 2026 Digi60 Filmmakers’ Summer Accelerator.

This August, we welcomed 46 emerging filmmakers to the 2026 Digi60 Summer Accelerator. Across acting, directing, producing and screenwriting, participants spent an intensive four days learning from industry professionals, developing their skills, meeting fellow creatives and gaining a better understanding of what it takes to bring a film from an idea to the screen.

At the end of the week, participants left with a stronger sense of what they could do, who they could do it with, and where they might fit within Ottawa's filmmaking community.

Turning ambition into possibility

The Summer Accelerator is designed to give emerging filmmakers practical knowledge, professional perspectives and opportunities to build relationships across the filmmaking process. The feedback we received showed just how meaningful that combination can be.

Participants talked about gaining confidence through practical experience, mentorship and being surrounded by other people who were also learning, creating and trying to make things happen.

“It helps build your confidence in the industry.”
— Acting participant

For many, the experience helped make filmmaking feel more attainable. They had the opportunity to see how projects are actually developed, produced and brought to life — and to recognize the skills and potential they already bring with them.

The relationships behind the work

Community was another major theme throughout the week.

The Accelerator brought together people who might otherwise encounter one another only occasionally, if at all. Actors met directors and producers. Writers connected with people who could help bring their stories to the screen. Producers developed relationships with creative talent. Participants also had the opportunity to learn directly from mentors, guest speakers and working professionals.

“It was a great way to meet other creatives as well as gaining various perspectives from very different industry professionals.”
— Directing participant

This cross-disciplinary connection is what makes the Summer Accelerator more than a series of workshops.The Accelerator helped participants see that larger filmmaking ecosystem — and find their place within it.

Beyond the workshops

The Accelerator didn't stop when the afternoon sessions ended. Each evening offered participants opportunities to connect with the wider film community, experience local work and continue the conversations that started during the day.

The week included an Ottawa premiere of Dream Eater, presented in partnership with the Ottawa Film Office, as well as opportunities to connect socially with fellow participants, mentors and members of Ottawa's creative community. These evenings gave the cohort a chance to step outside their individual streams and experience the city’s film culture together.

For many participants, these informal moments were just as important as the scheduled sessions. They created space to meet new people, continue conversations with mentors and peers, and build the kinds of relationships that can continue long after the Accelerator ends.

Learning happened in the workshops, but community happened everywhere.

Learning by doing

Each stream brought a different perspective to the program.

Actors explored confidence, industry knowledge and screen performance. Directors developed their understanding of cameras, creative decision-making and production. Producers explored the resources, logistics, pitching and relationships that bring projects together. Screenwriters developed their craft while receiving professional feedback and learning how their work connects to the larger filmmaking process.

Across all four streams, participants consistently valued the opportunity to learn from people who are actually doing the work.

“I gained so much more than expected in 4 days, technical + networking!”
— Producing participant

And while participants had plenty of positive things to say, their suggestions for the future were equally encouraging: more time, more hands-on experience and more opportunities to collaborate across streams.

The strongest critique wasn't that the Accelerator missed its mark. It was that four days wasn't enough.

The work starts here

The 2026 Summer Accelerator brought together 46 emerging filmmakers with different backgrounds, disciplines and ambitions.

They arrived as actors, directors, producers and screenwriters. They left with new knowledge, new connections and, for many, a greater belief in their ability to make work and find their place within the industry.

One participant described the experience as:

“A nurturing environment to learn, develop your projects, receive professional feedback and connect with other filmmakers.”

That may be the best description of what we hoped the Summer Accelerator could be.

Not simply a place to learn how to make films, but a place to build the confidence, skills and relationships to actually make them.

We're incredibly proud of the 46 filmmakers who joined us this summer, and grateful to every mentor, guest speaker, volunteer and community partner who helped make the week possible.

The work doesn't end here. In many ways, it's just beginning.