2019 Speakers
Jamie Brown / CEO & executive producer, Frantic Films
As CEO and Executive Producer of Frantic Films, Brown has been proud to see the company become one of Canada’s leading film and television producers across multiple genres including lifestyle, factual, reality, sports, comedy and drama.
After beginning his career as an entertainment lawyer, Brown transitioned into producing and was the first recipient of the Lions Gate Innovative Producer Award. He was named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, received the I.H. Asper Broadcast Entrepreneur of the Future Award and was the CMPA’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Among his many creative achievements are numerous Canadian Screen Awards, Banff Rockies, Geminis and Golden Sheaf awards. He was also a member and later Chair of both the CMPA and National Screen Institute boards.
Over its 20 years in business, Frantic has won more than 100 awards for its work. Its film and television projects are seen in over 130 countries around the world on channels such as Food Network, HGTV, CBC, CTV, Discovery, History, IFC, CNBC and more. Recent productions include comedies ‘Still Standing’ and the ‘Baroness von Sketch Show’, unscripted series ‘Backyard Builds’ and ‘The Stats of Life’, one-off documentaries ‘Indictment – The Shelly Chartier Story’, feature films ‘Into Invisible Light’ and ‘Stand!’ and web series ‘Writers Block’.
Brown has created or co-created over a dozen series and has produced hundreds of hours of content. A complete list of his film and television work is available at www.franticfilms.com
As CEO and Executive Producer of Frantic Films, Brown has been proud to see the company become one of Canada’s leading film and television producers across multiple genres including lifestyle, factual, reality, sports, comedy and drama.
After beginning his career as an entertainment lawyer, Brown transitioned into producing and was the first recipient of the Lions Gate Innovative Producer Award. He was named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, received the I.H. Asper Broadcast Entrepreneur of the Future Award and was the CMPA’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Among his many creative achievements are numerous Canadian Screen Awards, Banff Rockies, Geminis and Golden Sheaf awards. He was also a member and later Chair of both the CMPA and National Screen Institute boards.
Over its 20 years in business, Frantic has won more than 100 awards for its work. Its film and television projects are seen in over 130 countries around the world on channels such as Food Network, HGTV, CBC, CTV, Discovery, History, IFC, CNBC and more. Recent productions include comedies ‘Still Standing’ and the ‘Baroness von Sketch Show’, unscripted series ‘Backyard Builds’ and ‘The Stats of Life’, one-off documentaries ‘Indictment – The Shelly Chartier Story’, feature films ‘Into Invisible Light’ and ‘Stand!’ and web series ‘Writers Block’.
Brown has created or co-created over a dozen series and has produced hundreds of hours of content. A complete list of his film and television work is available at www.franticfilms.com
John Brunton / CEO, chairman and producer, Insight Productions
Brunton thinks TV. All the time. As the Globe and Mail writes, he “has airwaves between his ears.”
A natural-born storyteller, Brunton is now celebrating over forty years at the helm of Insight Productions. As chairman and CEO, Brunton’s entrepreneurial ingenuity, creative vision and passion for television have enabled him to position Insight as an industry leader in the development, financing and production of world class television programs.
As the executive producer of compelling dramas and documentaries, ground-breaking award shows, record-breaking comedy and variety series, sports, music and other programs across all conventional and digital platforms, Brunton has worked with some of the most talented personalities in the world.
Brunton thinks TV. All the time. As the Globe and Mail writes, he “has airwaves between his ears.”
A natural-born storyteller, Brunton is now celebrating over forty years at the helm of Insight Productions. As chairman and CEO, Brunton’s entrepreneurial ingenuity, creative vision and passion for television have enabled him to position Insight as an industry leader in the development, financing and production of world class television programs.
As the executive producer of compelling dramas and documentaries, ground-breaking award shows, record-breaking comedy and variety series, sports, music and other programs across all conventional and digital platforms, Brunton has worked with some of the most talented personalities in the world.
Susan Cavan / Executive producer, Tallboyz
President of Accent Entertainment, Cavan is one of Canada’s leading independent film and television producers and a WIFT Special Jury Award of Distinction recipient. Cavan is dedicated to developing, financing and producing high quality, talent-driven projects with an original point of view, ranging from the comedic to the dramatic and, more often than not, a combination of the two.
Through Accent Entertainment, founded in 1990, Cavan’s extensive credits include Take This Waltz, coproduced, written and directed by Sarah Polley and starring Michelle Williams, Luke Kirby, Seth Rogen and Sarah Silverman; many projects by Bruce McCulloch of Kids In The Hall (Young Drunk Punk, Death Comes To Town); Superstar for Paramount and Lorne Michaels, starring Molly Shannon and Will Ferrell; Twitch City starring Don McKellar and Molly Parker, and Mesmer coproduced with David Bowie and starring Alan Rickman.
A graduate of law from Queen’s University, Susan specialized in entertainment law before it was a specialty. She became Vice President of business and legal affairs for Cineplex Corporation, and later a founding partner and President of Alliance Communications. There she spearheaded international co-productions while executive producing television series, as well as the ground-breaking Gail Singer documentary about female comics, Wisecracks, featuring Ellen DeGeneres.
President of Accent Entertainment, Cavan is one of Canada’s leading independent film and television producers and a WIFT Special Jury Award of Distinction recipient. Cavan is dedicated to developing, financing and producing high quality, talent-driven projects with an original point of view, ranging from the comedic to the dramatic and, more often than not, a combination of the two.
Through Accent Entertainment, founded in 1990, Cavan’s extensive credits include Take This Waltz, coproduced, written and directed by Sarah Polley and starring Michelle Williams, Luke Kirby, Seth Rogen and Sarah Silverman; many projects by Bruce McCulloch of Kids In The Hall (Young Drunk Punk, Death Comes To Town); Superstar for Paramount and Lorne Michaels, starring Molly Shannon and Will Ferrell; Twitch City starring Don McKellar and Molly Parker, and Mesmer coproduced with David Bowie and starring Alan Rickman.
A graduate of law from Queen’s University, Susan specialized in entertainment law before it was a specialty. She became Vice President of business and legal affairs for Cineplex Corporation, and later a founding partner and President of Alliance Communications. There she spearheaded international co-productions while executive producing television series, as well as the ground-breaking Gail Singer documentary about female comics, Wisecracks, featuring Ellen DeGeneres.
Valerie Creighton / President and CEO, Canada Media Fund
Creighton is an industry leader in arts, culture and media, recognized for reenergizing some of the country’s most important organizations in the sector over the last 30 years. An expert in organizational change, Creighton has been recognized as a visionary in promoting Canada’s cultural wealth.
Currently serving as President and CEO of the Canada Media Fund, Creighton positions Canadian programming at the forefront in world markets advocating successful, innovative Canadian content and software applications for current and emerging digital platforms. Creighton has taken part in foreign trade missions, and been recognized with numerous awards nationally and from her home province of Saskatchewan, where she owns and operates the Red Horse Ranch.
Most recently she was invested into the 2016 Saskatchewan Order of Merit, was named one of 2016’s 20 most powerful women in global television by The Hollywood Reporter, and was awarded as the Honorary Maverick for the 2017 Female Eye Film Festival.
Creighton is an industry leader in arts, culture and media, recognized for reenergizing some of the country’s most important organizations in the sector over the last 30 years. An expert in organizational change, Creighton has been recognized as a visionary in promoting Canada’s cultural wealth.
Currently serving as President and CEO of the Canada Media Fund, Creighton positions Canadian programming at the forefront in world markets advocating successful, innovative Canadian content and software applications for current and emerging digital platforms. Creighton has taken part in foreign trade missions, and been recognized with numerous awards nationally and from her home province of Saskatchewan, where she owns and operates the Red Horse Ranch.
Most recently she was invested into the 2016 Saskatchewan Order of Merit, was named one of 2016’s 20 most powerful women in global television by The Hollywood Reporter, and was awarded as the Honorary Maverick for the 2017 Female Eye Film Festival.
Margaret Dean / Head of Studio, Crunchyroll
Emmy-Award winner Margaret Dean is the Head of Studio for Crunchyroll, the world’s most popular anime brand. In this role, Dean is responsible for the development and production of original content, operating from studios in Los Angeles and Tokyo. Dean is also the President of Women in Animation.
Prior to Crunchyroll, Dean was the General Manager of Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, the largest stop motion studio in Southern California, where she supervised production of Emmy award-winning Robot Chicken (Adult Swim) and Buddy Thunderstruck (Netflix) as well as expanded Stoopid Buddy’s range of work to include 2D and 3D CGI.
Known for building studios and animation pipelines, Dean has been responsible for the design or re-design of several studios large and small, including Columbia-TriStar TV, Warner Bros. Animation, Mattel’s Playground Production, Omation (Steve Oedekerk), Technicolor Animation and Wildbrain Entertainment.
Emmy-Award winner Margaret Dean is the Head of Studio for Crunchyroll, the world’s most popular anime brand. In this role, Dean is responsible for the development and production of original content, operating from studios in Los Angeles and Tokyo. Dean is also the President of Women in Animation.
Prior to Crunchyroll, Dean was the General Manager of Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, the largest stop motion studio in Southern California, where she supervised production of Emmy award-winning Robot Chicken (Adult Swim) and Buddy Thunderstruck (Netflix) as well as expanded Stoopid Buddy’s range of work to include 2D and 3D CGI.
Known for building studios and animation pipelines, Dean has been responsible for the design or re-design of several studios large and small, including Columbia-TriStar TV, Warner Bros. Animation, Mattel’s Playground Production, Omation (Steve Oedekerk), Technicolor Animation and Wildbrain Entertainment.
Cyrus Farrokh / President, Propogate, International Distribution
A seasoned sales and acquisitions executive, Farrokh launched Propagate’s International Distribution arm at the beginning of 2017. As President, Farrokh cultivates meaningful international partnerships, manages content acquisitions and distribution, and oversees format development and sales. Farrokh joined Propagate after serving as SVP, head of
sales for Electus International where he was responsible for the company’s first production/format deals in China. Prior to Electus, Farrokh worked on the international sales team at Shine International, where he initiated the company’s Asia Pacific business.
A seasoned sales and acquisitions executive, Farrokh launched Propagate’s International Distribution arm at the beginning of 2017. As President, Farrokh cultivates meaningful international partnerships, manages content acquisitions and distribution, and oversees format development and sales. Farrokh joined Propagate after serving as SVP, head of
sales for Electus International where he was responsible for the company’s first production/format deals in China. Prior to Electus, Farrokh worked on the international sales team at Shine International, where he initiated the company’s Asia Pacific business.
Lisa Godfrey / VP, original content, Corus Entertainment
Godfrey has 25 year’s experience in the television industry both in production and broadcasting. As VP of Original Content at Corus Entertainment, Godfrey oversees Original Content development and production for Drama, Lifestyle, Factual and Kids content for Corus’s portfolio of channels including, Global, HGTV Canada, FOOD Network Canada, W Network, Slice and History, YTV, Teletoon and Treehouse.
Godfrey’s career in television began working on Canada’s first daytime talk show, The Shirley Show. Following that she spent several years working in the United States producing Universal Television’s Sally Jesse Raphael, Paramount Pictures’ The Montel Williams Show and was development producer for Telepictures and Pearson Television.
In 2001 Lisa transitioned to broadcasting, joining Specialty broadcaster Alliance Atlantis as Director of Original Content for a number of their specialty channels including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, Slice, History Television, and National Geographic Channel. In 2010 her focus shifted when she took on the role of Director of Programming and Scheduling at Shaw Media, developing programming and scheduling strategies for some of the country’s biggest specialty services.
As a mother, wife, television executive and TV enthusiast, Godfrey approaches her personal and professional life with passion, vigor and unwavering commitment.
Godfrey has 25 year’s experience in the television industry both in production and broadcasting. As VP of Original Content at Corus Entertainment, Godfrey oversees Original Content development and production for Drama, Lifestyle, Factual and Kids content for Corus’s portfolio of channels including, Global, HGTV Canada, FOOD Network Canada, W Network, Slice and History, YTV, Teletoon and Treehouse.
Godfrey’s career in television began working on Canada’s first daytime talk show, The Shirley Show. Following that she spent several years working in the United States producing Universal Television’s Sally Jesse Raphael, Paramount Pictures’ The Montel Williams Show and was development producer for Telepictures and Pearson Television.
In 2001 Lisa transitioned to broadcasting, joining Specialty broadcaster Alliance Atlantis as Director of Original Content for a number of their specialty channels including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, Slice, History Television, and National Geographic Channel. In 2010 her focus shifted when she took on the role of Director of Programming and Scheduling at Shaw Media, developing programming and scheduling strategies for some of the country’s biggest specialty services.
As a mother, wife, television executive and TV enthusiast, Godfrey approaches her personal and professional life with passion, vigor and unwavering commitment.
Tom Hastings / Director, original programming, Drama, Bell Media
As the Director of Drama in Bell Media’s Original Programming Unit, Hastings supervises the development and production of original Canadian dramatic series across Bell Media’s family of channels, including CTV, Space, Bravo, Crave.
Hastings has extensive relationships with Canada’s independent production community and is especially known for his respected relationships with Canadian writers and producers.
He holds a doctorate degree, having obtained his Ph.D. in English Literature.
As the Director of Drama in Bell Media’s Original Programming Unit, Hastings supervises the development and production of original Canadian dramatic series across Bell Media’s family of channels, including CTV, Space, Bravo, Crave.
Hastings has extensive relationships with Canada’s independent production community and is especially known for his respected relationships with Canadian writers and producers.
He holds a doctorate degree, having obtained his Ph.D. in English Literature.
Kevin Healey / SVP of Alternative Comedy and Worldwide Formats, Propogate Content
Healey has created, written, developed and produced a diverse array of shows including Syfy’s Megahit Scare Tactics, Tru TV’s hit comedy show Fameless with David Spade, Scare Pewdiepie for YouTube Red, Betty White’s Off Their Rockers for NBC, the FOX comedy reality hit Mobbed with Howie Mandel, The Carbonaro Effect for TRU TV, Animal Planet’s Fool’s Gold and Prank Encounters with Gaten Matarazzo for Netflix. Healey is the SVP of Alternative Comedy and Worldwide Formats for Propagate Content in Hollywood.
Healey has created, written, developed and produced a diverse array of shows including Syfy’s Megahit Scare Tactics, Tru TV’s hit comedy show Fameless with David Spade, Scare Pewdiepie for YouTube Red, Betty White’s Off Their Rockers for NBC, the FOX comedy reality hit Mobbed with Howie Mandel, The Carbonaro Effect for TRU TV, Animal Planet’s Fool’s Gold and Prank Encounters with Gaten Matarazzo for Netflix. Healey is the SVP of Alternative Comedy and Worldwide Formats for Propagate Content in Hollywood.
Meghan Hooper White / SVP, original movies, co-productions and acquistions, Lifetime and Lifetime Movies
Hooper White is Senior Vice President, original movies, co-productions and acquisitions, for Lifetime and Lifetime Movies (formerly LMN). Based in New York, Hooper White oversees the development and production on both original films and original co-production film commissions, international co-productions and all program acquisitions for Lifetime and Lifetime Movies. She joined the networks in 2011 as vice president co-productions and acquisitions and was responsible for overseeing all co-productions and program acquisitions. Hooper White has overseen a wide variety of projects during her tenure including the slate of movies for It’s A Wonderful Lifetime, the pop culture sensation A Deadly Adoption starring Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig, the remake of cult classic, Mother, May I Sleep with Danger? for its 20th Anniversary from executive producer James Franco, the critically-acclaimed and provocative 2018 scripted series, Mary Kills People, and Lifetime’s highly acclaimed 2017 movie Story of a Girl marking Golden Globe winner Kyra Sedgwick’s directorial debut and starring Kevin Bacon.
Additionally, Hooper White oversaw the acquisitions of films such as Return To Zero which earned Minnie Driver an Emmy nomination, Custody starring Viola Davis and the Critics’ Choice nominated film, Stockholm, Pennsylvania starring Cynthia Nixon, Jason Issacs and Saoirse Ronan.
Prior to joining Lifetime, Hooper was director, program acquisitions and administration for NBC Universal, where she managed acquisitions and inventory of all films and series for USA Network and its emerging sister networks Cloo and Universal HD.
Hooper White is Senior Vice President, original movies, co-productions and acquisitions, for Lifetime and Lifetime Movies (formerly LMN). Based in New York, Hooper White oversees the development and production on both original films and original co-production film commissions, international co-productions and all program acquisitions for Lifetime and Lifetime Movies. She joined the networks in 2011 as vice president co-productions and acquisitions and was responsible for overseeing all co-productions and program acquisitions. Hooper White has overseen a wide variety of projects during her tenure including the slate of movies for It’s A Wonderful Lifetime, the pop culture sensation A Deadly Adoption starring Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig, the remake of cult classic, Mother, May I Sleep with Danger? for its 20th Anniversary from executive producer James Franco, the critically-acclaimed and provocative 2018 scripted series, Mary Kills People, and Lifetime’s highly acclaimed 2017 movie Story of a Girl marking Golden Globe winner Kyra Sedgwick’s directorial debut and starring Kevin Bacon.
Additionally, Hooper White oversaw the acquisitions of films such as Return To Zero which earned Minnie Driver an Emmy nomination, Custody starring Viola Davis and the Critics’ Choice nominated film, Stockholm, Pennsylvania starring Cynthia Nixon, Jason Issacs and Saoirse Ronan.
Prior to joining Lifetime, Hooper was director, program acquisitions and administration for NBC Universal, where she managed acquisitions and inventory of all films and series for USA Network and its emerging sister networks Cloo and Universal HD.
Cathie James / Co-president, Proper Television
James is Co-President of Proper Television, which is part of the Boat Rocker Media family. Since joining the company in 2010 as Creative Director, she has more than doubled Proper’s production slate and built its reputation as a producer of blue chip international formats.
James executive produces MasterChef Canada, The Canadian Baking Show, Iron Chef Canada and Mary’s Kitchen Crush, as well as overseeing Proper’s original development slate. She created the CBC format Redemption INC with Kevin O’Leary, and as an executive at CBC Factual Entertainment was instrumental in developing Next Great Prime Minister, a format which sold in several territories around the world. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and began her career in news and current affairs.
James is Co-President of Proper Television, which is part of the Boat Rocker Media family. Since joining the company in 2010 as Creative Director, she has more than doubled Proper’s production slate and built its reputation as a producer of blue chip international formats.
James executive produces MasterChef Canada, The Canadian Baking Show, Iron Chef Canada and Mary’s Kitchen Crush, as well as overseeing Proper’s original development slate. She created the CBC format Redemption INC with Kevin O’Leary, and as an executive at CBC Factual Entertainment was instrumental in developing Next Great Prime Minister, a format which sold in several territories around the world. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and began her career in news and current affairs.
Bruce McCulloch / Executive producer and showrunner, Tallboyz
McCulloch is a Canadian actor, comedian, writer, and director. Perhaps best known for his work with the award-winning sketch troupe, The Kids in the Hall, McCulloch has since had a career spanning television, film, and the stage.
He has written and performed in Young Drunk Punk (a series inspired by his own life), Death Comes to Town, and This Blows (web series) also for CBC, and he created Carpoolers for ABC. He has directed such shows as SNL, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Schitt’s Creek, and Trailer Park Boys.
As an actor, he has appeared in numerous Canadian and American television shows such as Saturday Night Live, Arrested Development, Gilmore Girls, Comedy Bang Bang, Workaholics, Nobodies, and even Anne of Green Gables.
McCulloch has also written and/or directed several films including Dog Park starring Luke Wilson, Superstar starring Molly Shannon and Will Ferrell, Stealing Harvard starring Jason Lee, Leslie Mann and Tom Green, and Comeback Season starring Ray Liotta.
McCulloch has two spoken word/comedy/music CDs; Shame-based Man and The Drunk Baby Project. On stage, he has written or performed several one-man shows including Two-Headed Roommate, Jazz Stenographers, Slightly Bigger, and is currently performing Tales of Bravery & Stupidity, which he is turning into his next book. His first book, Let’s Start a Riot was released by Harper Collins.
McCulloch is a Canadian actor, comedian, writer, and director. Perhaps best known for his work with the award-winning sketch troupe, The Kids in the Hall, McCulloch has since had a career spanning television, film, and the stage.
He has written and performed in Young Drunk Punk (a series inspired by his own life), Death Comes to Town, and This Blows (web series) also for CBC, and he created Carpoolers for ABC. He has directed such shows as SNL, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Schitt’s Creek, and Trailer Park Boys.
As an actor, he has appeared in numerous Canadian and American television shows such as Saturday Night Live, Arrested Development, Gilmore Girls, Comedy Bang Bang, Workaholics, Nobodies, and even Anne of Green Gables.
McCulloch has also written and/or directed several films including Dog Park starring Luke Wilson, Superstar starring Molly Shannon and Will Ferrell, Stealing Harvard starring Jason Lee, Leslie Mann and Tom Green, and Comeback Season starring Ray Liotta.
McCulloch has two spoken word/comedy/music CDs; Shame-based Man and The Drunk Baby Project. On stage, he has written or performed several one-man shows including Two-Headed Roommate, Jazz Stenographers, Slightly Bigger, and is currently performing Tales of Bravery & Stupidity, which he is turning into his next book. His first book, Let’s Start a Riot was released by Harper Collins.
David Zitzerman / Partner and head of the Entertainment Law Group, Goodmans
Zitzerman has exclusively practised entertainment law for over 25 years. His practice focuses on the film, television and on-line industries in Canada and the United States. His clients include independent producers, Canadian networks, Hollywood studios, US networks, cable services and OTT services, film and TV distributors, writers and performers. He was named one of the 30 leading entertainment lawyers in the world by Euromoney’s 2019 The Best of the Best , one the leading 500 lawyers in Canada by Lexpert/American Lawyer and is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.
Zitzerman is a Canadian arbitrator for the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA), an Adjunct Professor teaching entertainment law at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, a guest lecturer at Osgoode Hall Law School and is a frequent commentator on entertainment industry issues for Bloomberg BNN and other media outlets. He is a co-author of Entertainment Law in Canada published by LexisNexis.
Zitzerman is a director and serves on the Executive and Investment Committees of the Canadian Film Centre, is a director of the Canadian Screenwriters Collection Society, is on the Program Advisory Committee of the Ryerson School of Radio & Television Arts, is a Gold Patron of the Toronto International Film Festival and is a member of Film Ontario, the Canadian Media Production Association, Women in Film and Television-Toronto and the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.
Zitzerman has exclusively practised entertainment law for over 25 years. His practice focuses on the film, television and on-line industries in Canada and the United States. His clients include independent producers, Canadian networks, Hollywood studios, US networks, cable services and OTT services, film and TV distributors, writers and performers. He was named one of the 30 leading entertainment lawyers in the world by Euromoney’s 2019 The Best of the Best , one the leading 500 lawyers in Canada by Lexpert/American Lawyer and is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.
Zitzerman is a Canadian arbitrator for the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA), an Adjunct Professor teaching entertainment law at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, a guest lecturer at Osgoode Hall Law School and is a frequent commentator on entertainment industry issues for Bloomberg BNN and other media outlets. He is a co-author of Entertainment Law in Canada published by LexisNexis.
Zitzerman is a director and serves on the Executive and Investment Committees of the Canadian Film Centre, is a director of the Canadian Screenwriters Collection Society, is on the Program Advisory Committee of the Ryerson School of Radio & Television Arts, is a Gold Patron of the Toronto International Film Festival and is a member of Film Ontario, the Canadian Media Production Association, Women in Film and Television-Toronto and the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.
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