WINNIPEG, October 3, 2024 – Manitoba’s film industry is set for a major national conference this fall as Canada’s Supporting Women in Film Trades (SWIFT) Conference is taking place November 30 and December 1, 2024, at Red River College Polytechnic’s Manitou a bi Bii daziigae building.
The SWIFT Conference takes place in Winnipeg, Manitoba and it is for women-identifying workers within the film and media industry to grow their workplace skills and advance in jobs and careers. SWIFT welcomes crew members, filmmakers, performers and anyone interested in film and media. All panels and training sessions are designed to support improving the workplace culture to retain and attract more women-identifying workers within the film and media industry. The event is set to feature ten standalone learning sessions including the final keynote address from Tina Keeper.
“Canada’s SWIFT Conference is a flagship event for skills development and capacity building in the film industry.” Said Ellen Rutter, the vice-chair of the SWIFT Committee and Film Training Manitoba. “Tina Keeper’s lifetime of accomplishments and work in the arts, politics, and advocacy, make her a role model and source of inspiration to all Canadians. We can’t be more honoured to have her as the SWIFT Keynote speaker.” She added.
Tina Keeper is a film, television, and theatre producer; actor; advocate; and former Member of Parliament. In 2024, Keeper was appointed to the Order of Canada.
Select past SWIFT Conference speakers have included: The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Oscar-nominated Filmmaker Rory Kennedy, and the first woman to serve as the Mayor of Winnipeg Susan Thompson.
FTM’s SWIFT 2023 Conference was a significant success, with nearly 200 participants, a significant increase from SWIFT 2022 with 85 participants.
Using the feedback from the participant evaluations and the SWIFT committee, the format of the upcoming conference will consist of five in-depth sessions on how to advance your career, a few moderated panel discussions with highly accomplished speakers and a nationally renowned keynote speaker. FTM will contract women-identifying senior-level film crew workers and senior leaders from other industries to participate in the moderated panel discussions and speaker sessions.
“There is no other conference that exists that is targeted specifically for women workers within the film industry. We aim to support more diversity and inclusion within Canada’s film industry.” Said SWIFT’s Program Manager Allison Bile.
Confirmed sponsors and funders are the Province of Manitoba’s Economic Development, Investment and Trade and Natural Resources, the Province of Manitoba’s Department of Gender Equality, IATSE 856, Hub Insurance, Red River College Polytechnic, Director’s Guild of Canada – MB District Council, On Screen Manitoba, Manitoba Construction Sector Council, Manitoba Film and Music, and Manitoba Hydro, Shippam, Royal Bank of Canada, the Gimli International Film Festival, and Original Pictures Inc.
About Film Training Manitoba:
Film Training Manitoba (FTM) is a non-for-profit charity and our goal is to develop a highly skilled and adaptable workforce to support the activities of Manitoba’s film industry. FTM partners with Manitoba’s secondary and post-secondary schools, Manitoba film festivals, unions, production companies, associations, and a wide collection of industry stakeholders. FTM collaborates with members of the film industry to identify the training needs within the community. With this information, we offer practical, skill-based training that is targeted where labour gaps occur.
Tina Keeper and Film Training Manitoba’s Executive Director Adam Smoluk will be available for in-person and remote interviews.
Media are invited to attend the Conference on Saturday and Sunday.
For further information or to book an interview, contact:
Jenna Paterson-Coutts
Communications and Outreach Coordinator
Film Training Manitoba
204 – 245 McDermot Ave
jenna@filmtraining.mb.ca
204-989-9669 Ext.3