Date: May 23, 2024 (6:00 PM – 8:30 PM)
Location: Film Training Manitoba (204-245 McDermot Ave.)
In partnership with the 48 Hour Film Festival, Film Training Manitoba is proud to jointly present this panel about adding production values to your low-budget film for emerging filmmakers and other film professionals. This panel will feature knowledgeable film industry professionals who have worked in a variety of different positions and roles within the film industry. This panel has been designed to be collaborative and positive in nature and the panellists will share how you can put your best foot forward as a professional in the film industry.
During this session, the panellists will share best practices when working in film and the attendees will be given the opportunity to ask questions in a supportive group dynamic. Once the session is completed, there will be a mixer session for people to meet and there will be light refreshments served curtesy of the 48 Hour Film Festival.
Panellists:
Ben Williams (Bendrix) is the founder and Executive Director for the The 48 Film Festival, a Canada-wide film challenge that serves as a catalyst for fresh, unknown and rising independent voices. For six years he was the first Black senior staff member in the Winnipeg Film Group’s 48 year history — in Fall 2021, he was the 16th person awarded a WFG Lifetime Honourary Membership. Ben has been a leader, teacher and mentor to filmmakers in Canada for the past ten years; including being a co-founder of the Afro Prairie Film Festival (2017-2020) and a co-founder of the Indigenous Filmmakers Collective (2014-current). Born in Livingston, New Jersey, Ben studied digital editing at New York Film Academy and graduated, with honours, with a BA in Graphic Design from Central State University in Ohio. Prior to Canada, Ben worked for over 15 years in digital media studios in NYC, Chicago and Shanghai. Most notably, he worked for JWT/New York in the broadcast and entertainment division and for Wieden+Kennedy in Shanghai on an award winning, groundbreaking Nike campaign featuring the late NBA superstar Kobe Bryant. Ben is also among the first generation of vLoggers, Youtubers and Podcast pioneers to emerge in the mid-2000s.
Charles Konowal is an award-winning filmmaker with over 40 years of experience in fiction and non-fiction production, specializing in cinematography. He has also directed and produced over 20 documentaries and music videos, including the NFB’s first Peabody award-winning feature documentary, “Fat Chance.” He has also worked for the IMAX Corporation and photographed network documentaries in the US, Canada, and the UK. Since 1989, he has been producing, directing, and photographing award-winning documentaries through his own company, KonoFilms.
Shelly Anthis has been a filmmaker and professional crewmember since 1999. Working in various capacities from Production Assistant to Director and much is between, as an Extras Casting Director and Location Scout this allowed Shelly to work closely with creative teams while growing her skills as a film technician to share with others.
Working in production has aided Shelly to develop and instill a solid work ethic, while supporting and helping to create a harmonious set where filmmakers can flourish. With a passion to learn all facets of production, Shelly has enhanced her directing and producing skills in the Manitoba independent film scene and in 2021 joined the City of Winnipeg’s Film and Special Events Office as the City Film Liaison facilitating films with all technical logistical aspects.
Shelly is a proud member of the film community and loves to network with filmmakers of all genres and budgets.
John Barnard’s award-winning feature debut Menorca opened in cinemas across North America, and later sold to Netflix. His music documentaries featuring Randy Bachman, The Sheepdogs, and many others have won awards and screened on television and festivals internationally. His work in television can be seen in hundreds of hours of genres ranging from comedy to travel, food, reality, and children’s programming, distributed globally. His latest award-winning feature, Wintertide, is distributed by Gravitas Ventures.
Sydney Sabiston has a distinguished film and television career and is both an actress and filmmaker. She started developing her career in the film industry after having received her Bachelor of Arts in Acting in Theatre and Film from The University of Winnipeg’s Theatre & Film program by working on set as an Assistant Director.
With a special interest in acting in and producing horror films, she then made her way on screen and has notable acting credits, including: All Fun and Games, Time Cut, Psycho Killer, Acting Good, Levels, Under the Christmas Sky, Etc. While Sydney continues to pursue her passion and growing career as an actress and filmmaker, she works at Film Training Manitoba as their Training and Partnerships Manager. Sydney is passionate about building strong relationships with Manitoba’s local crew and talent here in the province’s growing film industry and tries to support and champion those around her who share her same love for cinema.
Moderator:
Adam Smoluk has been with Film Training Manitoba since 2006 and was promoted six times to the senior executive position. Adam graduated with a Business Administration diploma from McMaster University and with honours from Red River College Polytechnic’s Human Resource Management and Management Development programs. He earned a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation and a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP) Senior Certified Professional designation. He completed micro-credential certificates in career and employment coaching from the University of Winnipeg and Leading Through Conflict, Emotional Intelligence, and French Essentials from Western University.
He currently serves as the Vice-Chair for the Advisory Board for Essential Skills Manitoba, The Manitoba Construction Sector Council’s Educators Working Group, and the board of directors for the Westland Foundation, which provides post-secondary scholarships for inner Winnipeg students. He also currently serves on the Advisory Committee for REEL Canada, which promotes Canadian Cinema.
His debut film, HORSETHIEVES was awarded the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film at the Winnipeg International Film Festival. His second feature film, FOODLAND was acquired by Shaw and premiered on the Independent Film Channel (IFC). The film was broadcast on Super Channel and designated to the Gem selections for critically acclaimed films. He served as a director for the Frantic Films and Discovery Channel’s true-crime series IN PLAIN SIGHT. Adam contributed profiles of the Right Honourable Edward Schreyer and Manitoba Film & Music’s former CEO Carole Vivier for THE HEART OF WINNIPEG, a book that profiles community leaders.
FTM is a member of the Province of Manitoba’s sector council program funded through the Department of Economic Development and Training. FTM builds a highly skilled and adaptable film industry workforce to support the activities of Manitoba production companies. FTM collaborates and partners with members of the film and television industry to identify training needs to support workforce development output.