Canada's Supporting Women in Film Trades Conference (SWIFT) 2026

Saturday, October 24, 2026 (8:00 AM - 6:00 PM)

SWIFT 2026: Breaking Barriers. Building Careers.

Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026 (8:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
Location: University of Winnipeg (Riddell Hall – 411 Spence Street)
Registration fee: $70.00

Register Here

*This conference is exclusively for women, women-identifying and non-binary participants.
*Please note: Registrations are non-transferable. Registrations must be the attendees.

Film Training Manitoba (FTM) and our partners are proud to announce that Canada’s Supporting Women in Film Trades (SWIFT) Conference 2026 is open for registration! Our conference welcomes crew members, filmmakers, performers and anyone interested in film and media. This year, the SWIFT Conference is taking place on Saturday, October 24, 2026. 
This year’s conference theme is: ACTION!: Breaking Barriers. Building Careers.

This conference will provide customized learning and networking designed to champion the growth and development of our dynamic women-identifying and gender-diverse workers in the film industry. All speakers and panel sessions support improving the workplace culture to retain and attract more women-identifying workers within the film and media industry.  

FTM is a not-for-profit charity, and we are a member of the Province of Manitoba’s Sector Council Program, which supports economic development and jobs.  Canada’s SWIFT was founded in 2021 and created by a committee of 15 women film professionals.

SWIFT 2026 Program Overview:

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Registration and Breakfast

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM: Welcome and Opening Remarks

9:15 AM – 10:15 AM: Panel 1 – Action Starts Here: Women Building Careers in Film Trades (Sponsored by IATSE 856)
The film industry relies on highly skilled crews working behind the scenes to bring stories to life. Women are playing an increasingly vital role across the film trades, helping shape the future of the industry. This panel explores career pathways, what it’s really like to work on set, and the opportunities available in Manitoba’s growing screen industry.

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM: Networking Break

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Film Industry Connections: Rapid Networking Roundtables
Taking action to build strong professional relationships is an essential step toward breaking barriers and advancing careers in the film industry. During this dynamic networking session, the MC will rotate SWIFT participants through a series of facilitated roundtable discussions designed to foster meaningful connections with fellow film professionals from across Manitoba’s screen industry. By the end of the session, participants will have expanded their professional networks, strengthened relationships within the industry, and created new connections.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch

1:00 PM – 1:50 PM: Film Sets Aren’t Families: Creating Healthy Workplace Boundaries with Tory McNally, CPHR, TIPI Legacy HR | Vice President, Professional Services

1:50 PM – 2:00 PM: Networking Break

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Panel 2 – Action Behind the Camera: The Professionals Who Keep Production Moving
Every successful production depends on professionals whose work often happens away from the spotlight. From production offices and accounting to coordination, scheduling, and administration, these experts keep projects organized, on budget, and on schedule from prep to wrap. This panel highlights the rewarding careers that power the business of filmmaking.

3:00 PM – 3:10 PM: Networking Break

3:10 PM – 3:20 PM: Greeting

3:20 PM – 4:50 PM: Keynote Address: In Action with Pam Grier (Sponsored by RBC)
Join legendary actress and cultural icon Pam Grier for an inspiring keynote address and an in-depth learning session about breaking barriers, building a lasting career, and creating opportunities for the next generation.
Moderated by Ellen Rutter, this engaging session will explore our keynote’s groundbreaking career, her experiences in the film industry, and the power of resilience, leadership, and taking action.

4:50 PM – 6:00 PM: SWIFT Awards Presentation & SWIFT Reception

SWIFT 2026 Keynote Speaker 

Pam Grier (she/her)

The Keynote Speaker for this year’s SWIFT Conference is Pam Grier. Pam Grier is recognized as one of the most pioneering and influential figures in cinema, particularly in the action and blaxploitation genres. Widely regarded as the first woman of African descent to headline an action film—and described by Quentin Tarantino as “cinema’s first female action star”—Grier transformed Hollywood’s representation of women and Black performers through her commanding screen presence, subversive charisma, and ground-breaking performances.

Her entry into the film industry was unconventional. After moving to Los Angeles, Grier worked as a receptionist at American International Pictures, where she was encouraged to pursue acting and was discovered by director Jack Hill. She quickly appeared in a series of women-in-prison films, including The Big Doll House, Women in Cages, The Big Bird Cage (1972), and Black Mama White Mama. But it was her electrifying lead performances in Hill’s blaxploitation classics Coffy (1973) and Foxy Brown (1974) that catapulted her to international stardom and established her as a cultural icon.

Grier deliberately expanded into more varied film, television, and stage roles, including appearances in Fort Apache, The Bronx, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Miami Vice, and Above the Law.

After overcoming a cancer diagnosis, Grier experienced a major career resurgence when Quentin Tarantino cast her in the title role of Jackie Brown (1997), a film adapted from Elmore Leonard’s Rum Punch and written specifically for her.

The performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination and widespread critical acclaim, reaffirming her status as one of America’s most compelling screen actors.

Grier has continued to work steadily in film and television, with memorable recurring roles as Kit Porter in Showtime’s The L Word (2004–2009), Amanda Waller in Smallville, and Connie Terry in Bless This Mess (2019–2020). Her career accolades include nominations for a Golden Globe, Emmy, Screen Actors Guild, Satellite, and Saturn Award.

Beyond acting, Grier is the author of the memoir Foxy: My Life in Three Acts and has received numerous honours celebrating her enduring legacy, including a lifetime achievement award from the Toronto Black Film Festival.

SWIFT Speaker:

Tory McNally (she/her) CPHR-TIPI Legacy HR + Vice President, Professional Services – Workplaces Aren’t Families: Boundaries Within the Workplace 

Tory McNally has spent her career at the intersection of people, workplaces, and the occasionally awkward conversations that keep organizations running well. Currently the vice president of professional services at TIPI Legacy HR+ (formerly Legacy Bowes), Tory works closely with organizations to build strong, functional workplaces — and to help leaders navigate the messy, human side of work when things get complicated. She’s known for her practical, relationship-first approach to human resources, and for reminding clients that policies only work when people trust the process behind them.

Before moving fully into HR consulting, Tory spent a decade as director of operations at McNally Robinson Booksellers, her family’s business. Growing up in a family enterprise shaped how she sees work: as something built on consistency, communication, and treating people like adults. Watching her parents create a workplace people genuinely wanted to be part of left a lasting impression — one that later drew her to formal human resources training and leadership.

Tory writes a weekly column on human resources and careers for the Winnipeg Free Press, in which she explores workplace trends, leadership challenges, and the realities employees and employers are navigating in a changing world of work.

Guest Speakers:

Panel 1 – Action Starts Here: Women Building Careers in Film Trades

(Sponsored by IATSE 856)

The film industry relies on highly skilled crews working behind the scenes to bring stories to life. Women are playing an increasingly vital role across the film trades, helping shape the future of the industry. This panel explores career pathways, what it’s really like to work on set, and the opportunities available in Manitoba’s growing screen industry.

Jenni Waldner  (she/her) – Grip Department, IATSE Local 856

Jenni Waldner has 8 years of on-set experience in the Manitoba film industry, beginning in 2019 as a trainee in the Lighting department. She has since worked full-time across the Lighting and Grip departments in a variety of different positions. 

While she has experience in both, she finds herself most at home within the grip department, where she is drawn to the active, physical nature of the work and loves the problem-solving and teamwork aspects of the job. 

Morgran Traa (she/her) – IATSE 856

With ten years of experience in motion picture, visual arts and advocacy. Morgan serves as the Chair of the Set Decorating and Props Department for IATSE 856. An advocate for artists’ rights and fair practices, Morgan also serves as Chair of CARFAC Manitoba. Alongside their work in the motion picture industry, they are an exhibiting painter and filmmaker. 

Tamara Roshka (she/her) – Cinematographer and Filmmaker

Tamara Roshka is a second-generation Indo-Canadian multidisciplinary artist and cinematographer based in Winnipeg. Her work spans documentary and union film production, bringing together a strong visual sensibility, technical expertise, and experience working across a range of production environments. Alongside her work behind the camera, Tamara is an elected member of Film Training Manitoba’s Board of Directors and a member of the SWIFT committee. She has also instructed three women’s camera labs and is committed to expanding opportunities, mentorship, and representation within the film industry.

Moderator: Emily Labby (she/her) – Training and Partnerships Manager, Film Training Manitoba

Emily Labby is a Manitoba-based production manager, filmmaker, and emerging producer. As the Training and Partnerships Manager at Film Training Manitoba, she is dedicated to fostering growth in the local film community. Her producing credits include the short film Smoke Break, which has screened at festivals including the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, the Calgary Underground Film Festival (CUFF), and the Gimli International Film Festival (GIFF).

Panel 2 – Action Behind the Camera: The Professionals who Keep Productions Moving

Every successful production depends on professionals whose work often happens away from the spotlight. From production offices and accounting to coordination, scheduling, and administration, these experts keep projects organized, on budget, and on schedule from prep to wrap. This panel highlights the rewarding careers that power the business of filmmaking.

Heather Madill (she/her) – IATSE 856

Heather has been a Casting & Background Casting Director for 10 years and has worked on more than 60 union productions, including features such as The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Normal, Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice, The Long Walk and the upcoming November 1963.  With a B.Sc. in Communications and Dramatic Arts and her background in theatre creation and production, plus various administration roles, she has dovetailed her arts and admin backgrounds with film. Working both independently and as part of a two-person team (with Libid Zyla Harder) under the umbrella of MadLib Casting & Film Services, Heather places a strong emphasis on communication and developing solid relationships with producers, crew, and talent

Kerri Webster (she/her) – 1st Assistant Director

Kerri Webster was a stay-at-home mom before discovering her passion for the film industry. Her journey began when her kids were asked to be on set, and she was their guardian. On that set, she was asked to work as a background performer, which led to more background work and eventually frequent stand-in roles. With her growing experience and knowledge of set life, she was asked to wrangle background performers, opening the door to the Assistant Director department. Kerri has now worked as an Assistant Director for seven years and currently works as a 1st AD. Above all, Kerri’s family is the most important part of her life and the foundation behind everything she does.

Leanne Darke (she/her) – President of MDC-DGC

Leanne Darke has been in the film industry in Winnipeg since 2008.  She has worked her way up from accounting clerk to Head of Department as a Production Accountant. Her experience covers over 30 projects including feature films, TV series, and documentaries, working for independent producers as well as studios and networks such as  A24, Netflix, Amblin Entertainment, Lifetime, Bell Media, the CBC and  NBC Universal. Leanne currently sits as the President of the Manitoba District Council for the Directors Guild of Canada.

Moderator: Lisa Nelson-Fries (she/her) – Assistant Director, Producer, Actor

Lisa Nelson-Fries is an Assistant Director, Indie Producer, and Actor who has been working on and off in the film industry for over 25 years. Her journey started at the age of 14, when she began her film acting career.

Lisa has worn many different hats in the entertainment industry, having made her start in theatre – working as an Actor, as a Stage Manager, and as the General Manager at Shakespeare in the Ruins (SIR).

Lisa’s first foray into film production was in 2014 as the Production Manager on the NFB short film The Measure of a Place. The pandemic allowed her to use her film-producing skills again. In response to the times, SIR turned to the screen. Lisa was an important catalyst in shifting the theatre company’s focus and resources to produce three feature-length films for SIR between 2020 and 2021: Macbeth, The Winter’s Tale, and Shakespeare’s Will. One of her greatest accomplishments in film is accepting the Best Feature Film award for Macbeth at the Carmarthen Bay Film Festival in 2023.

In 2021, Lisa made a shift in her career from theatre to working full-time as an Assistant Director in film. She’s worked as an AD on numerous high-profile movies and series, including Love Hurts, Clown in a Cornfield, Little Bird, Acting Good, Silent Night Deadly Night, and Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

Keynote Address and Moderated Discussion: In Action with Pam Grier

(Sponsored by RBC)

Pam Grier (she/her)

Join legendary actress and cultural icon Pam Grier for an inspiring keynote address and a moderated in-depth learning session about breaking barriers, building a lasting career, and creating opportunities for the next generation.

Moderated by Ellen Rutter, this engaging session will explore Grier’s groundbreaking career, her experiences in the film industry, and the power of resilience, leadership, and taking action.

Moderator: Ellen Rutter (she/her) – Line Producer and Producer (DGC-MDC ex officio)

SWIFT 2026 Executives:

Ellen Rutter (Chair)
Tanya Mazur (Co-Chair)
Allison Bile (Director of SWIFT)

Tanya Mazur and Ellen Rutter holding the Spirit of Winnipeg Award for the SWIFT Conference

Sponsors

Funding provided by Winnipeg Foundation

Gold 

Bronze

Supporting Sponsors

Government Sponsors

Education Partner

Location: University of Winnipeg (Riddell Hall – 411 Spence Street)

Click this link to view a map of the location and parking maps: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/maps/

Respectful Conduct While Attending SWIFT 2026:

Film Training Manitoba (FTM) is committed to creating arespectful, inclusive and safe learning environment. We value diversity and expect all participants, volunteers, and FTM staff to treat each other with dignity, communicate openly and respect differences. We believe in active listening, showing consideration for others, offering support and cooperation, and addressing conflicts constructively and professionally. 

Our goal is to foster psychological safety, productivity, and a sense of belonging. All participants are entitled to a learning and working environment that is: 

  • Free from discrimination
  • Free from harassment and sexual violence
  • Collegial and conductive to learning

Respectful Guidelines: 

  • Everyone has the right to participate, learn, and work in a harassment-free environment. 
  • Photography is allowed, but please do not record or live stream the conference.
  • Keep cell phones silent during panels and speaker sessions. If you need to take a call, quietly leave the room and return when finished.
  • During Q&A sessions, please wait your turn before asking questions.
  • Avoid oversharing personal experiences that could be sensitive or triggering. If you or someone else is struggling with mental health or trauma, please refer to Manitoba 211 for resources.


Conduct:

FTM does not tolerate behavior that undermines the dignity, self-esteem, or productivity of any participant, this includes discrimination, harassment, and other inappropriate behavior. 

Participants are encouraged to notify staff if they witness disrespectful or inappropriate behavior. FTM staff may ask a participant to leave the conference if their behavior is disruptive, aggressive, or otherwise prevents a productive and safe learning environment.

FTM is committed to ensuring that everyone can learn, collaborate, and engage safely at SWIFT 2026.  

Please note:

  • Registrations are not transferable. E.g. you cannot have someone else attend in your place. Participants must register in advance of the conference. We are not accepting drop-ins 
  • When checking in you will be provided a SWIFT lanyard with a name tag. Everyone attending and participating in the SWIFT conference must visibly wear their SWIFT lanyard at all times. 
  • The conference is being held in Ridell Hall. We have access to  public washrooms. Please do not venture into other areas within the university 
  • Everyone attending must sign in. In case of an emergency, the muster station will be at the front lawn of the university. The security desk is on the main level. 
  • You are free to leave at any time but please do not leave unless you have reported it to an FTM staff member. 
  • Masks are optional, but will be available on-site. 
  • Sanitizer will be provided on-site, but feel free to bring your own. 
  • A light breakfast and lunch will be provided at the conference. If you have issues regarding consumables, please feel free to bring your own. 
  • Panelists and speakers must check in at the front entrance of Riddell Hall and also wear a name tag 
  • The views expressed by the conference speakers, panelists, and participants may be their personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Film Training Manitoba. 
  • When you attend this event, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition or reproduction. 
  • In an effort to reduce waste, please bring your own reusable water bottle. There are many water refill stations located on-site.  

Parking around the University of Winnipeg: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/maps/parking-map.html

Third-party parking lots are conveniently located around the University of Winnipeg. These lots can be Hourly parking is also available on many of the surrounding streets. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with FTM during office hours Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, at 204-989-9669 or by email info@filmtraining.mb.ca

Bus Service:

For those traveling by Winnipeg Transit, there are bus stops on either side of Portage Avenue in front of the University of Winnipeg.

The bus stop numbers are as follows:

  • Portage Avenue westbound  at Spence – stop # 10546
  • Portage Avenue eastbound at Balmoral – stop # 10579

Bus stops on Ellice Ave:

  • Westbound Ellice at Spence- stop # 10533
  • Eastbound Ellice at  Balmoral- stop# 10533
  • Northbound Balmoral at Ellice North- stop# 10835
  • Southbound Balmoral at Ellice- stop# 17016

You can obtain directions for Winnipeg Transit travel at the Navigo website: https://winnipegtransit.com/navigo?mode=depart_after&dateTime=now

Cancellation Policy
Participants must cancel up to 4 full business days prior to the course start date to receive an 80% refund. No refund will be given to participants who cancel within 4 full business days before the course start date, or if they do not attend the course.
FTM reserves the right to cancel or postpone any session where a minimum registration level has not been met. Participants registered for a course that is canceled will receive a full refund.

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.