Location National Film Board, 150 John Street (at Richmond Street West) map
Cost Free
Registration wift@wift.com
Notes Meeting followed by reception

WIFT-T’s Annual General Meeting will be taking place on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. This is a great time to meet board members and network with other WIFT-T members. The meeting and keynote speaker will be followed by a networking reception with wine and refreshments.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Caitlin Fisher
Dr. Caitlin Fisher holds a Canada Research Chair in Digital Culture in the department of Film at York University. The director of York University’s Augmented Reality Lab, her focus is on the future of storytelling including interactive storytelling and interactive cinema in augmented reality environments. She is also a co-founder of York’s Future Cinema Lab, dedicated to new stories for new screens. Caitlin has lectured, delivered keynote addresses and presented creative work internationally.

All are invited to attend the AGM, while full members of WIFT-T are entitled and encouraged to vote for the Board of Directors. This year, there are four positions to be filled.

How to Make a Nomination
If you are a full member and wish to nominate a candidate, please attend the AGM with the following information:

• A letter of support from one other member (if you are nominating yourself, include a seconding letter from a full member)
• A statement of interest by the candidate
• A resume and a brief bio that includes qualifications

2008 Nominated Candidates

Gaye McDonald
Gaye McDonald possesses over 15 years specializing in broadcast programming and brand partnership and is recognized as one of the country’s leaders in product integration and associative brand marketing – honing her skills over her 10 years running the Corporate Sponsorship division of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

McDonald is currently Vice President Marketing Ventures, Brand Partnership at Canwest. She specializes in creating revenue generating short format programming for broadcast and web designed to run across Canwest’s wide array of assets, and integrating Canadian advertisers brands into the hundreds of hours of Canadian programming produced annually by Canwest. Known for her keen creative sense, McDonald is a sought after media spokesperson regarding sponsorship, broadcast partnership and brand integration.

Kara Russell
Kara Russell is an Associate at Hall Webber LLP Entertainment & New Media Law, where she offers her wealth of experience to clients in all entertainment formats. Prior to joining Hall Webber LLP in 2006, Kara was Legal Counsel for Telefilm Canada. During that time she was involved in all aspects of film financing, both foreign and domestic, and was responsible for the successful completion of countless feature film financing underwritings. She has a fund of experience in the complexities of financing and contractual issues on an international level.  In addition to her professional credentials, Kara’s interest in the industry resulted in her presenting many papers, speeches and seminars relating to the Canadian film industry and its funding requirements.

Akhaji Zakiya
As Senior Consultant at Nordicity Group Ltd., Akhaji Zakiya is currently lead analyst and author of an economic profile of Ontario’s computer animation industry. Akhaji is recognized for her knowledge of corporate financial management issues as well as business strategy and policy development in media industries. Prior to joining NGL, Akhaji was a Business Analyst with CTVglobemedia and CHUM Television in the areas of content distribution, affiliate sales and marketing. Ms. Zakiya holds a B.Sc. from the University of Toronto, a B.Ed. from York University and a M.B.A. in Finance & Strategic Management from the Schulich School of Business.

Madeline Ziniak
Madeline Ziniak, O. Ont., is widely known as the principal driving force behind multilingual/multicultural television in Canada. She has been involved in ethnic media for over 30 years and is currently National Vice President of Rogers OMNI Television. Madeline has received numerous community, government and industry related honours. In addition to her professional accomplishments and responsibilities, Madeline is the current Vice‑Chair (Ontario Region) of the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council; Chair of The Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA) and the former Co‑Chair of the Task Force for Cultural Diversity on Television. She is on the Advisory Board of Ryerson University’s School of Radio and Television, a member of the Toronto Press Club and a founding member of the Strategic Alliance of Broadcasters for Aboriginal Reflection (SABAR).