Departure Q & A © 2019 David Spowart photography
C21 Media held its second annual Content Canada 2019 at the prestigious Four Season Hotel on September 10 and 11, 2019 alongside the Toronto International Film Festival 2019. Content Canada is a two-day event dedicated to producing next generation content for all platforms. This year’s conference program featured fireside chats, keynotes and sessions that explored the issues that matter to the Canadian television industry. Content Canada was of interest to producers, media, distributors, financiers, analysts, and others interested in the content business. This year’s conference introduced on the first day the Content Canada Screenings, a showcase of three shows and on the second day the business conference. Each day ended with a networking cocktail that provided access to speakers and attendees.
September 10 Day 1 Content Canada Screenings
The first day was devoted to screenings three upcoming shows.
- Departure
Global’s new series Departure was shown on the first day. Canadian star Christopher Plummer joined actor Archie Panjabi after the screening of the first episode in the Q&A session with director T.J. Scott. and creator Vincent Shiao, executive producer Christina Jennings, Chairman and CEO, Shaftesbury, and Rachel Nelson, director, original content, drama, Corus. Departure is a six-part drama that follows the disappearance of a passenger plane that vanishes over the Atlantic Ocean. It was hosted by ET Entertainment Report, Sangita Patel.
- Tallboyz
The first episode of the new CBC half-hour sketch comedy series Tallboyz was shown followed by a Q & A with Guled Abdi, Vance Banzo, Tim Blair and Franco Nguyen, as well as executive producers Bruce McCulloch (The Kids in the Hall, Young Drunk Punk) and Susan Cavan (The Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town, Young Drunk Punk). It was hosted by musician, Odario Williams.
- Dublin Murders: The premiere of the first episode of new British series Dublin Murders to be shown on Bell Media was presented with a Q. & A to follow with creator Sarah Phelps actor Killian Scott, and Noemi Spanos. Dublin Murders centers on three children who enter woods and only one returns – it “depicts a contemporary world of psychological mystery and tension, with roots that reach down deep within Ireland’s past.” Following the screening, Killian Scott, Sarah Phelps, and Noemi Spanos participated in a Q&A which was hosted by producer Julia Sereny.
September 11 DAY 2 Industry Conference
TRENDS: Family co-viewing programming
This panel discussed the trend and strategy of the movement toward programming to a family co-viewing audience.
BUSINESS BUILDER: International brand building
This panel of experts discussed how they build content strategies to achieve a successful international brand and hence build a global company.
SPOTLIGHT SERIES: Netflix
Michael MacLennan, Screenwriter and producer, who was successful in pitching to Netflick, interviewed, Lisa Hamilton Daly Director, original series, Netflix
OPPORTUNITY: National and International Buyers
This panel of content buyers discussed their priorities, strategies and programming needs.
That’s a Wrap Networking Cocktail
The wrap up networking cocktail was a great opportunity to chat with speakers and delegates from the conference.
Content Canada 2019 was an amazing conference for the television industry in Canada – check back here for next year’s event.
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