SEPTEMBER 7 | VIRTUAL + MARKET ACTIVITIES

​

TINFF@10 Nominees & Creators Forum

Meet the Storytellers: Projects, Creative Journeys & Open Industry Conversation

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

The Market opens with an interactive forum giving TINFF@10 nominees, filmmakers, actors, writers, producers and creative professionals an opportunity to introduce themselves, speak about their projects, exchange experiences and participate in an open Q&A.

​

Global Screen Industry Leaders Panel

The Future of Film: Storytelling, Industry & Global Collaboration

12:00 PM – 1:15 PM

​

An international conversation bringing together professionals from across film, television, streaming, production, distribution, publicity, finance and the wider screen industry.

Topics include:

​

• Storytelling & Independent Filmmaking

• Studios & Streaming

• Career Development

• Film Festival Strategy

• Audience Development

• Distribution

• Emerging Technologies

• International Partnerships

• Global Collaboration

 

AI and the Future of Independent Filmmaking

Presented by R.L. Lyone (Rose)​

1:45 PM – 2:30 PM

​

A forward-looking discussion examining how artificial intelligence is transforming independent filmmaking, production workflows, creative processes, ethics, intellectual property, audience expectations and the future of the screen industry.

​

KAVA Presents

​

Africa's Stories Streaming to the World

KAVA begins its Featured Industry Partner activation with programming focused on African storytelling, streaming, global audiences and opportunities for creators.

KAVA will also maintain an ongoing presence throughout the Market for industry engagement and networking.

​

SEPTEMBER 8 | VIRTUAL INDUSTRY DAY

Industry programming continues online with sessions exploring the business, financing, distribution and international development of film and television projects.

​

Program Highlights

• International Co-Production & Collaboration

• Financing Independent Film

• Global Distribution Connect

• International Market Access

• Producer & Filmmaker Business Development

• Virtual Industry Networking

 

KAVA Presents

The Future of African Content Distribution

An industry conversation exploring how theatrical distribution, streaming, digital platforms, licensing and emerging audience behaviours are reshaping the future of African content locally and internationally.

​

Creative Business & Financial Sustainability

Programming will also explore practical financial considerations for filmmakers, freelancers and creative entrepreneurs, including business protection, financial planning, risk management and long-term sustainability.

​

SEPTEMBER 9 | PRODUCERS, WRITERS & CONTENT DEVELOPMENT DAY​

Location

TINFF Market Pavilion
@ York Woods Library Theatre
1785 Finch Avenue West
Toronto, Ontario

The in-person Market begins with a full day focused on producers, writers, project development, distribution and content opportunities.

​

Producers Programming

• Producers Summit

• Financing Independent Productions

• International Co-Production

• Producer Lab

• Business Development & Networking

 

Writers Program​

Writers Lab

Story Development & Professional Screenwriting

An interactive development session designed to strengthen storytelling, project development and professional screenwriting skills while helping writers prepare projects for future pitching and production opportunities.

 

KAVA × TINFF MARKET | TELL OUR STORY!!

KAVA Story Development Pitch Session

Production companies, writers, producers and filmmakers with original feature-film concepts rooted in African heritage, culture, folklore, history, identity or the African diaspora are invited to participate.

Shortlisted participants will pitch their projects in person for the opportunity to receive a:

CAD $3,000 Development Grant

Submission Deadline: August 27, 2026

Primary Submission: admin@kava.tv
CC: cbdfmsummit@gmail.com

 

KAVA Content Ecosystem

Building African Stories for Global Audiences

A featured conversation examining the development of African stories for international audiences and the opportunities available across streaming, distribution, content development and global partnerships.

​

Distribution Connect

Presented through The Cinematic Box Distribution Canada (CBDC) and participating industry partners.

Programming includes:

• Distribution Consultations

• Project Discussions

• Film Acquisition Conversations

• International Market Strategy

• Canada–Africa Distribution Opportunities

• One-on-One Industry Meetings

 

SEPTEMBER 10 | CANADIAN SCREEN INDUSTRY DAY

York Woods Library Theatre & TINFF Market Pavilion

Canadian Screen Industry Day connects filmmakers and emerging professionals directly with organizations representing key areas of Canada's film and television workforce.

​

Participating Industry Organizations

• KAVA

• DGC Ontario

• ACTRA Toronto

• Writers Guild of Canada (WGC)

• NABET 700-M UNIFOR

• IATSE Local 667

• IATSE Local 873

• IATSE Local 411

 

KAVA

Introducing KAVA to Canada & the Global Diaspora

A featured presentation introducing KAVA's streaming vision, African content ecosystem and opportunities for engagement with Canadian, African and diaspora audiences.

​

DGC Ontario

Introduction to the Directors Guild of Canada – Ontario

Learn about DGC Ontario, the categories they represent, the benefits of joining and pathways into Membership, including their Apprenticeship.

 

​ACTRA Toronto

• From Audition to Set: Building a Professional Acting Career in Canada

 

Writers Guild of Canada

• From Script to Screen: The Professional Screenwriter in Canada

​

NABET 700-M UNIFOR

• Behind the Screen: Building a Career in Film & Television Production

​

IATSE Local 667

• Behind the Lens: Careers in Cinematography & Camera

​

IATSE Local 873

• Inside the Production: Careers in Film & Television Crafts

​

IATSE Local 411

• The Production Office: Careers That Keep Film & Television Moving

​

Hollywood Connect

From Independent Filmmaker to Major Studio Professional

Featuring Destiny D. Owens, MFA

Drawing from professional experience that includes HBO, Warner Bros., New Line Cinema, Netflix and Oprah's production team at WW, Destiny shares insights into career development, networking, independent filmmaking and navigating major studio and streaming environments.

​

TINFF Market Pavilion

Open Industry Engagement & Networking

The Pavilion operates alongside Canadian Screen Industry Day programming, providing:

• Industry & Partner Tables

• One-on-One Conversations

• Career & Membership Information

• Professional Consultations

• Business Introductions

• Industry Networking

 

SEPTEMBER 11 | MENTORSHIP, TECHNOLOGY, WRITERS & INDUSTRY CONNECT

​

TINFF Market Pavilion

Women in Film Panel

Building Audiences: Festival Strategy, Publicity & Community Engagement

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

Women working across film and the creative industries share perspectives on publicity, audience development, community engagement, professional relationships and building sustainable careers.

Featuring industry perspectives including Jennifer Whitney, Public Relations Director & Film Festival Strategist, Motivate Pictures.

​

​

AI for Independent Filmmakers:

From Story to Screen Practical Workshop with R.L. Lyone

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM

An interactive workshop examining how AI can support narrative filmmaking from development through production and post-production.

Using the AI short film Snow Colored Ashes as a real-world case study, the workshop explores AI-assisted story development, image generation, video creation, sound, post-production, festival preparation and responsible creative workflows.

​

The Creative Journey

Fireside Chat with Maurice “Mō” Moore

1:00 PM – 1:15 PM

A focused conversation exploring Maurice's journey from being cast by Steven Spielberg in The Color Purple to becoming an actor, writer, producer, filmmaker and founder of Motivate Pictures.

The conversation will touch on independent filmmaking, international production, the festival circuit and moving projects toward distribution.

​

Hollywood Connect with Destiny D. Owens

Career Coaching, Mentorship & Industry Networking

An interactive mentorship session providing filmmakers and emerging screen professionals with practical guidance on career pathways, professional networking, freelancing, studio environments and building sustainable careers within film and television.

​

Writers Pitch Forum

Writers Meet Producers

Writers present selected concepts and projects directly to producers and industry professionals in a focused pitching environment designed to strengthen pitching skills, encourage new creative relationships and create potential development opportunities.

​

KAVA Connect

Project Consultation Sessions & Industry Networking

KAVA representatives engage directly with filmmakers, producers and creators through project discussions, consultations and professional networking.

​

Distribution Connect

One-on-one project consultations continue throughout the Market, providing filmmakers with opportunities to discuss distribution strategy, market positioning, acquisitions and international release opportunities.

​

TINFF Industry Connect

Global Filmmakers, Writers, Talent & Industry Networking Reception

7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

York Woods Library Theatre

An evening networking reception bringing together filmmakers, writers, actors, producers, directors, distributors, broadcasters, investors, festival programmers, buyers, exhibitors and international industry professionals.

​

Theme

Connecting Stories. Inspiring Talent. Building Global Partnerships.

​

FEATURED MARKET PROGRAM STREAMS

​

Across September 7–11, delegates can participate in:

​

• TINFF@10 Nominees & Creators Forum

• Global Screen Industry Leaders Panel

• Hollywood Connect

• The Creative Journey

• Women in Film

• AI & The Future of Independent Filmmaking

• AI for Independent Filmmakers Workshop

• Producers Summit

• Producer Lab

• Writers Lab

• Writers Pitch Forum

• KAVA Story Development Pitch Session

• KAVA Connect

• KAVA Content Ecosystem

• Canadian Screen Industry Day

• Distribution Connect

• Global Distribution Connect

• International Co-Production & Collaboration

• Creative Business & Financial Sustainability

• Fireside Chats

• Professional Consultations

• Market Exhibitor & Partner Activations

• One-on-One Meetings

• Business Networking

• TINFF Industry Connect

 

KAVA — FEATURED INDUSTRY PARTNER

​

KAVA will participate throughout the TINFF Market from September 7–11, with additional participation during the TINFF@10 Prestigious Red Carpet Closing Gala Awards on September 12.

​

KAVA programming includes:

​

• Africa's Stories Streaming to the World

• The Future of African Content Distribution

• KAVA Story Development Pitch Session

• KAVA Content Ecosystem – Building African Stories for Global Audiences

• Introducing KAVA to Canada & the Global Diaspora

• KAVA Connect – Project Consultation Sessions & Industry Networking

• Special Industry Address at the TINFF@10 Closing Gala Awards

 

REGISTRATION & PROGRAM INFORMATION

​

Full session schedules, speaker announcements, registration information and additional Market programming will continue to be published as we approach the event.

Market Program & Registration:
www.canadafilmmarket.com/tinff-market-program

TINFF Market | Canada Black & Diversity Film Market Summit 2026
September 7–11, 2026

Introduce. Educate. Mentor. Connect. Celebrate.