CION News – September 2025

CINEMA SUMMIT 2025: ONLINE & AT YOUR CONVENIENCE

One week until showtime. Cinema Summit is coming back, better than ever. In fact, we’ve had to close accreditation after hitting capacity in record time!

But there are still ways you can join the action. CION and Cinéfest Sudbury, with tech-savvy support from Points North Media, are happy to extend online viewing options for all who want to catch the panels live: No accreditation required!

Head to cionorth.ca/cinema-summit-2025 for the livestream link, and check CION’s YouTube channel in the coming weeks for the recordings.

So, what’s coming up? And who’s on the mic?

Thursday, September 18

3:30pm – EMPOWERING AMBITION: FUNDING AND CAREER MODELS

You’ve got a vision, a script, an assembled crew — so how do you get your project funded? Then, how do you grow from Grassroots to Next Level in Northern Ontario? This panel provides funding insights from top level funding insiders Melissa Amer (Telefilm Canada), Barbara Gilbert (Ontario Arts Council), and Anna Newallo (Ontario Creates), with priceless career wisdom from Edge Entertainment producer Rosalia Chilelli.

Friday, September 19

1pm – HIT YOUR MARK OUTTA THE PARK: AVENUES FOR NORTHERN ACTORS

Whether background or principal, supporting or star, Northern actors have long been known to steal the show. This multi-perspective panel aims the spotlight on the opportunities, experiences, challenges, and triumphs of acting in the North. Featuring Kate Ziegler (ACTRA Toronto), joined by Ilona Smyth (Smyth Casting/Background Work), Jordan Gavaris (THE LAKE), and Joshua Bainbridge (NOBEL & THE KID).

3:30pm – HONED AT HOME: SELF-EDUCATION LEADS TO ON-SET SUCCESS

The tools to sharpen your craft, widen your knowledge, or spark your career have never been more readily available thanks to online training and community support. Put your film journey into a higher gear by joining this talk between Caitlin Delaney (Up Light Academy), Jessica Jennings (Ontario Green Screen), and moderator Jack Blum (REEL CANADA) who will discuss at-home remedies for stifled progress.

Saturday, September 20

2pm – ONLINE IN MIND: DIGITAL CREATION AND DISTRIBUTION

Filmmaking and technology go hand-in-hand, production and distribution models are ever-changing. This digital creator-focused panel will help illuminate how modern careers have embraced the limitless internet landscape. Featuring Tope Babalola, (filmmaker with 2.6 million online followers), Katie Uhlmann (WebSeries Canada), Mariah Owen (GTE Productions), Zach Ramelan (The 4 Week Filmmaker), and moderated by Scott Benzie (Digital First Canada).

3:30pm – NICKEL MINES TO SILVER SCREENS: SUDBURY’S CINEMATIC RISE

Home to industrial might, rural bliss, bustling streets, lush wilderness – whatever the script has called for, Sudbury has dressed to impress onscreen for 25 years and counting. Its citizens have made incredible careers, won awards, and screened all over the world. Now it’s time now to bring it home and toast the history, future, and Blueberry Bulldogs, of the Greater Sudbury Area.

MORE ABOUT CINEMA SUMMIT 2025
TIFF SPOTLIGHT. NORTHERN ONTARIO: ABOVE & BEYOND

On September 5, 2025, CION, along with a roster of committed partners, sponsors, and industry delegates, hosted the 3rd annual Northern Ontario breakfast event at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Recognized as a productive kickstart to the TIFF industry conference, this year’s event attracted a record number of guests interested in learning more about Northern Ontario’s potential for film and television development, made possible through steadfast support from key industry players and sponsors, including:

The City of Greater Sudbury, The City of North Bay, The City of Timmins, The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), DGC Ontario, Enterprise Mobility, IATSE 634, IATSE 667, New Metric Media, Ontario Creates, Reel Books Financial, Rolling Pictures North, and Sling-Choker.

Also in attendance were members of the Cinema Ascent cohort, who forged new industry inroads, and exchanged knowledge with maxine bailey, Executive Director of the Canadian Film Centre (CFC) during a dedicated mentorship session on the rooftop of the TIFF Lightbox.

Good views, better people. Thank you to all who made the 3rd annual Northern Ontario breakfast event a hit (including the cast and crews of official TIFF 50 selections that filmed in the North: AKI, AMOUR APOCALYPSE, BLOOD LINES, and FRANKENSTEIN).

See you again next year!

See what’s going on in Northern Ontario’s Cultural Industries
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Browse the 400+ motion picture projects from across the North, and start planning movie night!

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