See where blue-sky thinking can take you!
Set in a stunning location, the inaugural Creative Forum of the Blue Mountain Film Festival 2022 took attendees on a wild ride exploring essential techniques in creative producing, sound design, creating haunting imagery, putting a new spin on genre films, eco-activism, and how to shoot in a forest. All forum sessions were focused on industry-leading speakers and designed to maximize attendee’s creative potential across genres and platforms. Through various fun activities, BMFF’s Creative Forum provided multiple opportunities for filmmakers to build lasting relationships with senior industry figures, collaborators, and decision-makers.
We have exciting plans underway for 2023. If you’d like to feel refreshed, connected and inspired, join us this June.
2023 Creative Forum Pass IncludeD:
- 5 Industry Sessions over 2 Days
- Opening Night Film & Launch Party June 1
- Industry Party on June 2nd plus Special Activities & Hospitality
- Location Tour
- 4 Day Film Pass June 1-4
- Preferred Room Rates at Blue Mountain Resort
Creative Forum Prices
Early Bird: (until March 31st): $300 + tax
Regular: $400 + tax
Creative Forum Attendees receive a special hotel rate of $179/night. Once you’ve purchased your Forum Pass you’ll receive hotel booking information.
Last Year's Main Stage Film Talks
Creative Forum Sessions are panel discussions and masterclasses with prominent industry leaders and include Q&A’s.
The Art of Sound presented by DGC Ontario
Thursday, June 2nd 10 – 11:30 AM
Featuring master sound designer Jane Tattersall (Halo, Vikings:Valhalla) and Executive Producer Sheila Hockin (The Handmaid’s Tale, Halo). Jane will reveal how she creates post-production magic through sound while Sheila will discuss the essential art of collaboration and the role she plays in weaving all the elements of a film-including amazing sound design-into award-winning productions.
Female Genre Mash Up presented by Telefilm
Thursday, June 2nd 2 – 3:30 PM
In conversation with writer-directors Danis Goulet (Night Raiders, Barefoot) and Nyla Innuksuk (Slash/Back, Kajutaijuq). These ground-breaking filmmakers will share their experience of encroaching on established mainstream cinematic storytelling.
Creative Producing in a Destabilized Industry presented by Canada Media Fund
Friday, June 3rd. 10:15 – 11:45 AM
Prolific producer Dan Bekerman (The Witch, Falling) will lead. Along with top creative producers Allison Black (Giant Little Ones, Mean Dreams), Shant Joshi (Porcupine Lake, Last Car), and Karen Harnisch (Sleeping Giant, The Oxbow Cure). This in-depth session will explore the challenges and rewards of a producer’s fight for their artistic vision while working within the system.
Haunting Visions presented by DGC Ontario
Friday, June 3rd 2 – 3:30 PM
We often talk about “the magic of the movies” in mystical terms. Cinematic visions achieved through production design can range from dark conjurings of disturbing imagery which is forever implanted in the mind’s eye, to utopian imagery that allows viewers to escape into a blissful alternative reality. Or, in perfect simplicity, production design can represent the eternal consciousness of ordinary life. This session will explore the spectrum with two of the masters.
Speakers: Elisa Sauvé (Luckiest Girl Alive, Sneakerella, Zoom, Grand Army, The Lie) and Phillip Barker (Where the Truth Lies, The Sweet Hereafter, Reign, Redacted, The Wicker Man)
Moderator: Tara Woodbury, Netflix Canada
Afternoon hike “Into the Forest” w/ Patricia Rozema
Friday, June 3rd. 4 – 5:30 PM
Take an afternoon hike “Into the Forest” with award-winning filmmaker Patricia Rozema. From a picturesque spot in the trees, Patricia will share behind the scenes stories that will crack you up or curl your toes!
Film & Eco-Activism presented by Canada Media Fund
Saturday, June 4th 10AM – 12:15PM
The Creative Forum will conclude with a screening of Into the Weeds and extended Q&A featuring director Jennifer Baichwal (Anthropocene: The Human Epoch, Manufactured Landscapes) and producer Danny Iron (The Red Violin, Away From Her, Fido).
This documentary explores the story of a groundskeeper who took on a multi-national agrochemical corporation after his terminal cancer diagnosis.
2022 schedule
| 1PM | Access to Film Screenings: June 1 – June 4th at noon | Village Conference Centre (VCC) |
| 7PM | Opening Night Film: Slash/Back | Huron (Grand Ballroom) in VCC |
| 9-11PM | Festival Launch Party | Water Street in BM Village |
| 8-8:45AM | Rise & Shine Yoga | Village Pond, BM Village |
| 8:30-9:45 | Registration & Grey County Breakfast | Silvercreek, VCC |
| 10AM-11:30 | The Art of Sound: Sheila Hockin & Jane Tattersall | Georgian Bay, VCC |
| 12-1:45PM | Lunch break | attendees buy their own lunch in Village |
| 2 – 3:30PM | Female Genre Mash Up: Slash/Back & Night Raiders, Nyla Innuksuk & Danis Goulet | Georgian Bay, VCC |
| 4-7PM | Blue Mountains Location Tour (+ Spy Cider House & Distillery sampling!) | via Bus. + Spy Cider House & Distillery |
| 4-7PM | Symphony In The Village | Subaru Stage in Events Plaza, BM Village |
| 8:30-10AM | Toronto Film School Forum Breakfast | Silvercreek, VCC |
| 10:15-11:45 AM | Creative Producing in an Evolving Industry: Daniel Bekerman, Allison Black, Karen Harnisch and Shant Joshi | Georgian Bay, VCC |
| noon – 1:45 PM | The Sutton Lunch | Silvercreek, VCC |
| 2-3:30PM | Haunting Visions: Elisa Sauvé + Phillip Barker | Georgian Bay, VCC |
| 4-5:30PM | Afternoon hike “Into the Forest” w/ Patricia Rozema – behind the scenes stories | up the mountain |
| 6:30-9PM | Filmmakers On Top party | Summitview, VCC |
| 9PM | Ron Sexsmith Live Concert | Subaru Stage in Events Plaza, BM Village |
| 10AM – 12:15PM | Into the Weeds + discussion re Film & Activism: Jennifer Baichwal + Danny Iron | Petun Ballroom (part of screening sched) |
| 3-6PM | Concert on the Pond featuring Orangeman | Floating stage , BM Village centre |
2022 Schedule
Wednesday, June 1
Arrive early and enjoy daytime film screenings and mountain attractions (included in your Forum Pass)
7pm Opening Night Film & Launch Party in the Village.
Thursday, June 2
8 am Rise & Shine Yoga
8:30 am Registration & Breakfast
10 am The Art of Sound – Sheila Hockin & Jane Tattersall
2 pm Female Genre Mash Up – Nyla Innuksuk and Danis Goulet
4 pm Blue Mountain Location Tour
4-7 pm Symphony in The Village
Friday, June 3
8:30 am Toronto Film School Breakfast
10:15 am Creative Producing in an Evolving Industry
Noon The Sutton Lunch
2 pm Haunting Visions
4 pm Afternoon Hike “Into the Forest”
6:30 pm Filmmakers On Top Party
9 pm Ron Sexsmith Live Concert
Saturday – Sunday
Saturday 10 am screening of Into the Weeds with extended Q&A on eco-Activism with Jennifer Baichwal and Danny Iron
Saturday 3 pm Concert on the Pond featuring Orangeman
Option to stay and enjoy the remainder of the festival
Thanks to our 2022 Forum Sponsors
