As a member of the Province of Manitoba’s Sector Council Program, Film Training Manitoba (FTM) spearheads a wide collection of innovative programming to build and develop Manitoba’s booming film industry. As FTM’s 2023-2024 programming year comes to an end, our staff came up with a list of outstanding top 24 training sessions for Manitoba’s growing film industry!
Here is FTM’s Top 24 List of 2023-24:
January 6, 2024 – SWIFT Keynote Speaker Session with the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean
Film Training Manitoba (FTM) held its second SWIFT Conference in 2023, which experienced remarkable growth with nearly 200 attendees. The distinguished Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean was the keynote speaker.
The feedback received was overwhelmingly positive, indicating a strong demand for future SWIFT conferences and events.
January 13 & 14, 2024 – Manitoba Film Expo 2024
For over 20 years, Film Training Manitoba and FRANK Digital have been conducting joint industry training. This two-day interactive Film Expo session featured an exciting new camera: the Red Digital Cinema’s V-Raptor 8K Camera with Anamorphic Lenses. Participants had the opportunity to set up the camera, engage in mock shooting, and review their footage during the post-production phase.
November 2023 to February 2024 – EmpowHer Program
FTM partnered with the Manitoba Construction Sector Council (MCSC) and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) to create the EmpowHer Program, which ran for 12 weeks starting in November 2023. This was a first-of-its-kind collaboration to support women workers in the construction, film, and manufacturing industries.
At the end of the program, 42 participants successfully graduated from this cross-sector initiative in February 2024. EmpowHer concluded with a gracious invite to Manitoba’s Government House from the Honourable Anita R. Neville, Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba.
February 10, 2024 – Rory Kennedy as 2024’s Master Series Instructor
FTM was honoured to have two-time Oscar-nominated director Rory Kennedy come in as an instructor for this year’s Film Master Series. Kennedy instructed three sessions: a Supporting Women in Film Trades (SWIFT) session with Beverlie Stuart specifically for women and women-identifying individuals; then she had the Master Class; and then a DOC Manitoba jury selected a group of advanced-level film professionals to have one-on-one coaching sessions on their active projects.
February 24 & 25, 2024 – SWIFT Camera Lab
The SWIFT Camera lab returned in 2024 for women and women-identifying people who wanted to experience hands-on training with various cameras and gear with established women instructors. FTM is the sole organization in Manitoba carrying out this important ongoing training to upscale and train women technicians.
March 26 & 27, 2024 – Career Coaching One-On-One Sessions with Ellen Rutter
FTM partnered with the Directors Guild of Canada—Manitoba District Council to provide a select group of individuals with one-on-one career coaching sessions led by film industry veteran Ellen Rutter. During these 40-minute sessions, participants gained invaluable personalized career guidance and explored ways to enhance their careers in the film industry.
May 1, 2024 – CODE Conference MCSC and the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce
FTM and the Manitoba Construction Sector Council partnered with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce to hold a one-hour panel session on supporting women and underrepresented workers at this year’s Commitment to Opportunity Diversity & Equity (CODE) Conference. The panel was inspiring and empowering.
May 23, 2024 – 48 Hour Film Festival
FTM partnered with the 48 Hour Film Festival to hold a panel about adding production values to a low-budget film for emerging filmmakers and other film professionals. The panellists discussed best practices when working in film and gave participants the opportunity to engage and learn from veteran film professionals.
May 24 & 25, 2024 – FascinAsian Film Festival Panel
FTM partnered with the FascinAsian Film Festival for two free panel sessions. The first session, held at the FTM office, was for emerging filmmakers or media creators looking to get their work seen, focusing specifically on festival strategies. The second session held the next day at the Qaumajuq—Inuit Art Centre at the WAG, focused on Asian representation in film and media. We were delighted to have hosted Warren P. Sonoda.
May 25-27, 2024 – IndigiLens Workshop with CSC
The Canadian Society of Cinematographers (CSC) partnered with FTM to launch the first IndigiLens training course in Canada. This initiative was designed specifically for Indigenous cinematographers in Winnipeg who aim to enhance their cinematography skills. Many thanks to Manitoba-based cinematographer Luther Alexander for leading and planning this initiative.
June 1, 2024 – Cinematic Fundamentals with John Paizs
FTM partnered with the Winnipeg Film Group for the Cinematic Fundamentals course, which was taught by Winnipeg Director, Writer, and actor John Paizs. This all-day course was for working film professionals, including filmmakers, screenwriters, producers, editors, crew members, or anyone wanting to learn how a cohesive film is planned and created. It focused on visual techniques and stylistic choices and included audience participation.
July 20, 2024 – Intro to Final Draft and Movie Magic with Aaron Graham
FTM partnered again with DGC-MDC to offer the “Intro to Final Draft and Movie Magic” course, led by Aaron Graham. This comprehensive full-day session introduced participants to both software programs while delving into specific techniques that can be used. The course was accessible to anyone wanting to learn about the programs or for those seeking shortcuts for current projects nearing final approval in film productions.
July 27 & 28, 2024 – Gimli International Film Festival (GIFF) 2024 Partnership
FTM had two sessions at the Gimli International Film Festival this year: This was an in-depth discussion featuring filmmaker Karsten Wall, moderated by veteran natural history documentary producer Merit Jensen Carr, in collaboration with GIFF and DOC Manitoba. In addition, we held a SWIFT Industry Panel session for women film professionals where the panellists provided in-depth learning for the attendees.
July 31, 2024 – Pathways into the Industry: Industry Training Session
FTM hosted an industry training session aimed at aspiring film professionals eager to start their careers. This session featured experienced professionals who shared their insights and answered participants’ questions. The event was a resounding success, concluding with a small mixer that provided attendees with the chance to engage with the panellists individually and access additional resources to help begin their film industry journeys.
August 17, 2024 – ARRI Training
FTM, ARRI, and Sunbelt Rentals partnered for this one-day sold-out training session, which focused on the new ARRI Alexa 35 camera. The Alexa 35 was released in 2022 to meet the demands of the streaming era and to give us the first new sensor in over a decade. The new ARRI Alexa 35 is a 4K cinema camera capable of frame rates of up to 120fps out of the box. Film industry veteran Francois Gauthier instructed the course.
August 24, 2024 – Kultivation Festival Session with Joanne Roberts
This special partnership between FTM and the Kultivation Festival was designed to ensure that more members of Manitoba’s Filipino community undertake film-related learning and skills development. This session was instructed by filmmaker/reporter Joanne Roberts, who taught the participants how to develop a short film and allowed them to collaborate with each other and share their ideas.
September 19, 2024 – Filmmakers’ Mixer in Partnership with the African Movie Festival in Manitoba (AMFM)
This filmmakers’ mixer session was organized by the African Movie Festival in Manitoba, and Film Training Manitoba was honoured to partner with them and give them the space to hold it in FTM’s office. The mixer gave young black filmmakers the opportunity to meet experienced black filmmakers and hear from the keynote speaker, Lorraine James. The mixer was a positive place for everyone to network and watch some Rwandan, black and Indigenous film screenings.
September 24, 2024 – Ukrainian Partnership – Newcomers Welcome Sessions
This year, FTM and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress—Manitoba Provincial Council (UCC-MPC) partnered to launch a new four-part series of welcoming panel sessions for Ukrainian newcomers. FTM has already held two sold-out sessions this year, and a third sold-out session is happening on January 16, 2025.
September 25, 2024 – Reel Pride Partnership and Panel
FTM and the Reel Pride International Film Festival partnered again for an emerging filmmakers panel in the evening. This year, the cast of Alter Boys was on the panel, with FTM’s Director of Workforce Development, SWIFT, and Operations, Allison Bile, as the moderator. The panel was inspiring and well-received by the audience.
October 23, 2024 – Super 6 Panel at the UWPG Film Festival
FTM partnered with the UWPG Film Festival to present the Super 6 Panel, which launched the festival. This year marks the third anniversary of both the partnership and the panel. It provides aspiring and current filmmakers with an opportunity to learn from and engage with seasoned film professionals. Following the panel, the UWPG Film Festival featured films created by students.
October 26, 2024 – Comiccon Panel
FTM returned to Comiccon following its first panel at the convention last year. The panel attracted a substantial number of attendees and received overwhelmingly positive feedback.
The panel had a variety of panellists working in different departments in the film industry: Andrew Yankiwski, the owner of Precursor Productions; Tamara Roshka, a director and filmmaker; Ashley Hyra, a makeup artist; Terence Fuller, a grip and member of IATSE 856; and moderator Aaron Graham, a production manager, writer and member of the DGC-MDC.
November 1, 2024 – Phantom of the Paradise Panel
FTM partnered with the Phantom Committee to host a special case study training session, “Lights, Camera, Phantom!” in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Brian DePalma’s iconic film, Phantom of the Paradise, which became a smash hit in Winnipeg. The movie has a dedicated fanbase, prompting many to travel to Winnipeg for the screenings organized by the Phantom Committee, where attendees also registered for FTM’s session.
November 2024 (Ongoing) – DEEP Dive Program
DOC Manitoba and FTM have partnered again for the second year of the DEEP DIVE Training Program. In this initiative, chosen individuals collaborate with a seasoned mentor to receive customized training tailored to their specific needs. Applicants were selected between October 30, 2024, and November 30, 2024. All spots are filled out and are currently in progress for participants until their sessions are completed.
November 30 & December 1, 2024 – SWIFT 2024 with Keynote Speaker Tina Keeper
On November 30 and December 1, 2024, FTM hosted its third annual Supporting Women in Film Trades (SWIFT) Conference. This year, the remarkable Tina Keeper served as our keynote speaker, sharing her experiences with SWIFT participants, who were able to engage with her and pose questions. The feedback for SWIFT 2024 was overwhelmingly positive.
FTM is a non-for-profit charity and member of the Province of Manitoba’s Sector Council program funded through the Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources. 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 industry to identify training needs to support workforce development.