Manitoba’s film industry training and workforce development organization, Film Training Manitoba (FTM), is pleased to announce Iris Ng as our distinguished masterclass instructor for 2026 in partnership with DOC Manitoba and FascinAsian Film Festival.
FTM annually conducts special masterclasses with highly innovative film industry professionals. These sessions help develop the skills of Manitoba’s film industry by allowing the instructors to share advice and insights on their careers and experiences.
Dates:
Saturday, February 14, 2026 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM) – In-depth Discussion on Documentary Cinematography
Saturday, February 14, 2026 (1:00 PM – 2:25 PM) – One-on-Ones
Sunday, February 15, 2026 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM) – One-on-Ones
Location:
245 McDermot Ave (2nd floor)
Registration Fees:
In-Depth Discussion on Documentary Cinematography
$40.00 – General Public
$30.00 – DOC Members
In-Depth Discussion on Documentary Cinematography and a One-on-One Bundle
$100.00 – General Public
$90.00 – DOC Members
*Participants must purchase the bundle to get the one-on-one session
About the Sessions:
Saturday, February 14, 2026 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
In-Depth Discussion on Documentary Cinematography with Iris Ng
During this in-depth moderated discussion, Iris Ng will illuminate her experience and process in documentary cinematography and how she applies skills across different genres. Ng will be speaking in a moderated session with Manitoba filmmaker Kevin Nikkel an participants will gain a strong theoretical understanding of Ng’s approach and have the opportunity to ask questions in a supportive environment.
Using clips from select projects, she will explore the creative considerations that shape the image—from pre-production planning to shooting and post-production, with an emphasis on being in the present as an operator. Drawing on her own work, Ng will share her creative process and demonstrate how ethics and authenticity play into her approach.
She will additionally offer practical advice and personal insights to help inspire and guide participants in their careers as well as share about forming positive working relationships.,
Saturday, February 14, 2026 (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
One-on-Ones
During the one-on-one sessions, each participant will receive the opportunity to meet with Iris Ng for a 25-minute interactive discussion to discuss career advancement in cinematography.
Sunday, February 15, 2026 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
One-on-Ones
During the one-on-one sessions, each participant will receive the opportunity to meet with Iris Ng for a 25-minute interactive discussion to discuss career advancement in cinematography.
About the Instructor:
Iris Ng is an award-winning cinematographer known for work that focuses on human rights, marginalized communities, and auteur perspectives. Known for her close collaborations with directors on critically acclaimed documentaries, she has been concurrently lensing films for contemporary artists, scripted shorts, prime time TV, and digital series.
Her most notable work includes Academy shortlisted films Stories We Tell (dir. Sarah Polley, 2012) and Netflix Original Shirkers (dir. Sandi Tan, 2018), as well as the Primetime Emmy award-winning series, Making A Murderer (2015, 2018). Award-winning feature documentaries, The Last Of The Sea Women (Sue Kim, 2024), There Are No Words (Min Sook Lee, 2025), Twice Colonized (Lin Alina, 2023), Category: Woman (Phyllis Ellis, 2022), One Of Ours (Yasmine Mathurin, 2021), Push (Fredrick Gertten, 2019), Subjects Of Desire (Jennifer Holness, 2021), A Better Man (Attiya Khan, Lawrence Jackman, 2017), Migrant Dreams (Min Sook Lee, 2016), and The Apology (Tiffany Hsiung, 2016). The scripted CBC series spin-off of Kim’s Convenience, Strays (2021, 2022), and the Sundance-premiered digital series, Hey Lady! (2020), are some standouts of her nearly two decades in the film industry. This work has premiered at Sundance, TIFF, Venice, CPH:DOX, Sheffield, True/False, Telluride, DOC NYC, Doxa, and Hot Docs, where her cinematography has been in three of the festival’s opening night films. Many have also been commissioned for broadcasters BBC, CBC, A&E, PBS and major streaming platforms Apple TV+, Netflix, Paramount +, NFB, and The Criterion Channel.
Beyond her creative work, Iris is deeply engaged in the film industry as an advocate for diversity and inclusion. She serves on the Committee On Racial Equity (C.O.R.E) with IATSE 667, is Co-Chair of the Field of View Mentorship Committee with the Canadian Society of Cinematographers, and is a founding member of the Documentary Cinematographers Alliance (DCA).
About the Moderator:
Kevin Nikkel is an independent filmmaker/educator based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. His artistic practice has focused primarily on documentary film for the last two decades. Kevin taught high school courses to adults at the St Norbert Adult Education Centre for 25 years. He’s also taught courses at Red River Polytechnic (RRC Polytech), University of Winnipeg, and the Winnipeg Film Group.
FTM is a member of the Province of Manitoba’s Sector Council Program funded through the Manitoba Business, Mining, Trade & Job Creation. 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.