Filmmaker 101 series

Winning Filmmaker 2019 talk

Join us as we screen the top film of 2019 and talk to young filmmaker, Queena Liu, about what it takes to put a film together for the Forest City Youth Film Festival.

Learn How to Make a Winning Film

Watch samples of award winning shorts in this interactive seminar with Jordan Morris. This guided tour of all the festival categories for the 2019 Forest City Youth Film Festival will help you create your winning film. Students will also have an opportunity to ask questions to gain a deeper understanding of their entries and tackle any obstacles they may have throughout their process. Let us help YOU make a better movie!

Working with Talent

Join us for this fascinating look into how a professional director can elevate the performance of their talent and change the dynamics of a scene. Romy Goulem, Advanced Filmmaking, Fanshawe College will take a couple of actors through a table read/breakdown of a scene and then "put it on its feet" in front of a camera in a few ways that will including choices from the audience. A very interactive session great for future filmmakers, actors and writers alike.

Filmmaker Q&A with the 2019 FCYFF Best Film Winner

Learn all about the Forest City Youth Film Festival’s Filmmaker101 Series coming to your screens this Spring, where we chat with the best of high school talent, film industry professionals, and educators about making a film. Whether filmmaking is a new hobby or a lifelong passion of yours, this free seminar is the perfect guide for you to get filming on a budget, with tools already in your home.

Join us for a screening of the Best Film Winner from 2019 FCYFF and Q&A with Queena Liu.

Hollywood on a Budget: Creating the Classic Shot

Join London filmmaker Steve MacLeod, of News Knowledge Media Inc. as he explains how the basic elements of shooting a great scene, frequent mistakes to avoid, and achieving a classic Hollywood-worthy shot while making the most of limitations like small budgets and lack of equipment. Ask him your questions with a Q&A hosted by Film Festival Director, Dorothy Downs.

Is my film ready for festivals? How sound can change everything

A behind the scenes look at how films are assessed and critiqued by film festival sound jurors. Hint: films often don’t make the cut at festivals because of sound. Find out how to make it through the jury selection from independent to major festivals with award-winning Sound Designer, OIART faculty member and audio guru Mark Vogelsang and the top two Narrative Films from 2019 FCYFF.

Special screening of the top two Narrative films from 2019 FCYFF and Q&A with Filmmakers, Ethan Hickey (Night Moves) and Emma Tucker (Goodbye for now).

Documentary Magic - The elements of a great documentary

There are so many ways that you can tell a documentary story and your creativity can be let loose in this category. Let’s see last year’s top two winners and take part in a Q&A with the High School Filmmakers and Constanza Burucua, FCYFF2019 Documentary Judge and Western University Film Professor.

Special screening of the top two Narrative films from 2019 FCYFF and Q&A with Filmmakers.

The Pitch - selling your big idea in a small time

A concise verbal presentation of an idea for a film or TV series in the hope of selling the screenplay based on the idea or being offered work to write a screenplay. Join Jordan Morris, Screenwriter/producer and Screenwriting instructor as he walks you through elements of a good pitch and answers your questions live. Jordan will be joined by the 2019 winner of The Most Enterprising Young Filmmaker award , Ethan Hickey.

Lighting - How to make your film shine

Learn how to light a scene when you are dealing with limited equipment and limited time. Romy Goulem, Coordinator of Advanced Film Studies at Fanshawe College will speak with last year’s winner of the top Animation and will help you improve the lighting on your project.

Youth Festival Categories

Interested in submitting to the Youth Film Festival next year? Specific to the rules and categories for the 2020 Forest City Youth Film Festival, this session will dive into the fundamentals of how to create an effective short film. Join Youth Festival Director Laura Briscoe in this fun and interactive seminar where you can gain a deeper understanding of the Youth Film Festival entries and learn about our two NEW categories. Let us help you make a movie!

Careers in Film: Part One

Do what you love! In this session, we will discuss the wide range of career opportunities available to you in the film and creative industry. We'll dive into the possibilities behind-the-scenes, behind the camera and in production. Join us in the discussion by chat!

Experts: Glenn Cockburn, Meridian Artists, an established leader in the representation and management of Actors, Screenwriters, Directors, Authors and Key Creatives. Connor Kalopsis, Hollywood Youth actor. Winner of the Most Enterprising Young FIlmmaker Award, FCYFF 2020.

A Great Documentary Interview

What makes a great documentary interview? In this episode, you will learn how to ask those burning questions and make the most out of your documentary interviews. Let us help you tell your story!

Experts: Craig Thompson, Documentary Producer/director. Winner of Best Documentary FCYFF 2020.

Editing Tips and Tricks On A Budget

Let's talk editing! In this session, we will discuss the basics of good editing and all things software. Don't let the daunting task of editing discourage you from making a film. Sign up now to learn more about the editing process.

Experts: Scott Doerr, Fanshawe College Editing Professor. Winner of Best Feature Film FCYFF 2020.

Writing and Directing A Great Character

Want to learn how to portray the perfect villain on screen? Good news! Today, we're discussing character development. In this episode, you will learn how to properly translate your characters on screen using camera techniques, writing exercises and more.

Careers in Film: Part Two

In this second segment on Careers in Film, we will be discussing the evolving job opportunities available to you in the film and creative industry.

Basics In Animation for Every Genre

In this session, we will be discussing the basics of animation and how it can be used across all genres.