WIFT+ Toronto Programming and Events
WIFT+ Toronto offers a packed calendar of programs and events, all of which provide opportunities to connect, learn, and grow at every stage of your career. Select from the options below to learn more about each program or event, and to see how we can help you shape your success, achieve your goals, and celebrate your accomplishments.
Professional Development
We offer a number of courses and certificate programs throughout the year to help you learn and grow at every stage of your career. Select from the options below to learn more about each program, and to see how we can help you shape your success, achieve your goals and celebrate your accomplishments.
*Important Note*
Unless otherwise stated on the individual program's webpage, all workshops take place IN PERSON.
Accommodations can be made for specific accessibility requirements where such requests are made in advance.
Scholarship Information
Thanks to the Foundation for WIFT+ Toronto, we provide at least one (1) scholarship for each of our programs! Read here for more information on how you can apply.
Pitch 101 Workshop
This one-day workshop, designed specifically for folks who are not really familiar with pitching, will introduce you to the “nuts & bolts” of the pitching process. You’ll learn how to answer the important questions being asked, how to approach your concept with focus and intention, and how to bring your authentic self to the process.
Pitch Perfect (Advanced)
Your project is ready to pitch? Fine-tune your pitch by fine-tuning your characters, storyline and more in this 2-day program. Hit ALL the right notes with this intensive pitching workshop. Identify the key components that contribute to a good pitch: the introduction, cut line, logline, synopsis, the heart, the package of pluses, all the way to the close. In this thorough, in-depth course, you will learn: how to research an audience before the meeting, improve story telling skills, clarity, structure, economy, visuals, review the essentials required for a pitch one sheet PLUS so much more, including an individual, one-on-one consultation!
Business of Budgeting
This workshop not only teaches you how to build a budget, but also the creative considerations involved. The Business of Budgeting workshop is a two-day workshop that imparts beginner-to-intermediate level knowledge into the process of creating a production budget for content in the Canadian market. Through the use of instruction and exercises, key topics of focus include (but are not limited to): understanding the breakdown,understanding the account codes and line-by-line dissection of the necessary elements, accommodating for contingencies, creating the cash flow and cost report documentation. Participants will also visit budget templates from a variety of funders (i.e. Ontario Creates, CMF, Bell Fund, IPF, etc.)
Lights! Camera! Learn!
Learn about the lighting, camera, electrical and grip departments in the form of instruction AND hands-on work in this 5-day program. Our program, LIGHTS! CAMERA! LEARN!, created with our supporting partner Sunbelt Rentals and in conjunction with our community partners IATSE 873, IATSE 667 and NABET 700, is designed to engage all those who identify as women with the departments (lighting, camera, grip) that historically have been male-dominated. This program will introduce them to the basics of their functions within the production process, to give them hands-on opportunities with equipment, and to give them the information that will help them to determine which (if not all!) of these areas they wish to pursue.
Second Draft: Screenwriting for TV Series
This four-day program will see participants bring their scripts through the process of development via instruction, workshopping, as well as group and one-on-one mentorship opportunities. This program will prepare the participant to bring in other stakeholders and move their project forward as a business opportunity. This course is an introduction to the techniques of screenwriting with an emphasis on dramatic structure, visual language, and character development. This workshop introduces participants to the fundamentals of screenwriting through speaker-led instruction, case studies, exercises and class-led workshopping of participants’ work.
Leadership Development Series
Discover and cultivate your leadership characteristics. Bring out the leader in yourself in this 4-day workshop. What do we mean by “leadership”? What are the experiences and attributes that make a good leader? This program introduces participants to the basics of moving into a leadership role. This series will introduce participants to the ideals of leadership. In conversation with subject matter experts as well as guest speakers, these sessions will help participants to set goals towards becoming a leader in their chosen career path. This career-building program focuses on developing leadership skills as opposed to focusing on "business". It is intended as an introduction to prepare participants to transition from a non-management position into an effective leadership role.
Ontario Creates IDM Futures Forward program
Learn how to prep your very best funding application for Ontario Creates with this 4-day program. The Ontario Creates IDM Fund Futures Program is a three-day program that provides potential funding applicants (companies and individuals) with the skills required to fast-track their knowledge acquisition and enhance the competitiveness of their company when applying to the Ontario Create’s Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund Concept Definition and Production programs. The curriculum focuses on application requirements and deliverables to provide less-experienced applicants with the knowledge and resources necessary to submit a complete and well-crafted funding application.
Intro to Entertainment Law
A 3-day workshop designed to demystify legal issues in media content production. Learn your rights, protect your IP, negotiate the best deal for YOU! Entertainment Law is multi-faceted and unusual in that it overlaps with so many other legal areas: intellectual property law, employment law, contract law, tax law, insurance law, and sometimes international law. This three-day course is designed to provide an introduction/overview of key legal considerations - Contracts and Negotiations, Intellectual Property and Regulations and Policies - in the screen-based media industry.
Scripted Digital Series Incubator
The Scripted Digital Series Incubator is an intensive four-day program that introduces emerging content creators to the key aspects required to ensure the successful development of an original scripted digital series. A small number of projects, represented by an individual or teams consisting of a producer and a writer, will be selected to participate in this program. Create a more polished and marketable script with stronger characters and a narrative arc that is ready for the next stage of funding applications. Gain the knowledge needed to create a strong funding application and learn about available funding options. Build a marketing and audience engagement strategy. Strengthen your industry network.
Executive Leadership in Media Certificate Program
The C-suite awaits you! The Executive Leadership in Media Certificate (previously our Media Leadership Program) is a proven and successful professional development intensive designed to enhance your strategic leadership skills. This program is recommended for screen-based professionals with a minimum of ten years of management or entrepreneurial experience in the media industry, with a desire to develop their leadership skills. The Executive Leadership in Media Certificate offers a unique immersive learning experience that combines business school teaching from Schulich MBA faculty with best practices from high-level industry executives. Schulich School of Business is consistently ranked as one of the top business schools in the world.
Media Business Essentials Program
Our Media Business Essentials (MBE) program is a career-enhancing learning experience for emerging media professionals who want to deepen their knowledge of the business of film, television, and interactive media production. Modules focus on financing and business affairs, production management, production accounting and tax credits, and marketing and distribution. Courses are taught by industry professionals who are currently active and working in the sector. This program is recommended for recent graduates and/or emerging professionals looking for applied learning.
Business Booster
This program is geared to participants who are not new to the screen-based industry but might be new to producing and/or building a production company. The Business Booster Series is a 2-day program that will provide practical information and instruction on building a business plan from an entrepreneurial perspective. Each session will build the participants knowledge and understanding of the importance and process of building an effective and impressive business plan. Topics of each session are: Understanding and Building Documentation; Understanding and Building Financial Components; Understanding and Building Marketing Components; Business Affairs.
Intermediate Production Accounting & Tax Credits
Our Intermediate Production Accounting and Tax Credits Workshop delves deeper into the role of the Production Accountant and the staff of a typical production accounting department. In this workshop series, you will participate in interactive discussions and exercises covering the methods and procedures used by a media production accounting department. You will also learn about business structures, budgets, cash flows, controlling costs through cost reports, the workflow of the accounting department, applying for and estimating the refundable tax credits, and the eligibility requirements and application processing for funding agencies such as the Canada Media Fund.
Corus Media Management Accelerator Program
This 56-hour intensive program is designed to provide screen-based media professionals with the skills needed to excel as managers and entrepreneurs. Jointly developed by WIFT+ Toronto and Toronto Metropolitan University’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, the Corus Media Management Accelerator delivers essential management training focusing on six core competency areas: communications, financial literacy, marketing, organizational behaviour, project management, and strategic planning.
Financing for the Creative Industries
Are you nervous about having to deal with the bank to help get your production made? Let the professionals at National Bank's Creative Industries Group help you to feel confident in building that relationship.
Mentorships
At WIFT+ Toronto we offer a number of mentorships to help you learn from the best (or enable you to share your own knowledge as a mentor). These mentorships are run with Industry Partners as well as through our own unique mentorship program, WIFT+ Connect. If you are looking to start, grow, or change your career trajectory—our mentorship opportunities may be just what you are looking for!
Banff World Media Festival Scholarship
Are you an emerging Canadian content producer who is passionate about production and development, with a focus on scripted broadcast content? This is the perfect opportunity for you!
CBC Business of Broadcasting Mentorship
Are you an emerging Canadian content producer who is passionate about production and development, with a focus on scripted broadcast content? This is the perfect opportunity for you!
WIFT+ Connect
WIFT+ Connect is WIFT+ Toronto’s internal mentorship program, matching members with members 1:1.
Formosa Group Sound Mentorship
During the Formosa Sound Mentorship, you will expand your knowledge of the Sound Editing and Sound Mix production cycle by interacting with key team members, observing and learning best practices for sound editing workflow and creative sound design, sound mix preparation, sound mixing, and final mix layback & transfers.
William F. White Mentorship
Are you an emerging Canadian production manager or producer? Are you open to learning new skills and diving into new experiences? Then the William F. White Production Manager Mentorship is the perfect next step for you!
Company 3 Post-Production Mentorship
To be a stand-out producer, you need to understand every aspect of the production timeline. Take a dive into post production with this exciting mentorship!
Networking Events
We are a community of members. A well-trained, driven, and respected workforce that values diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion—WIFT+ Toronto is where it’s at, and your membership puts you directly into a pre-built Networking Social Group that grows with each member. Throughout the year we offer a number of events where members get a chance to meet and support other members.
Networking at Rhino for PRIDE! 🦏 🌈
Network with Pride!
In Person Member Orientation
Learn all about WIFT+ Toronto!
Cheer on the Blue Jays with WIFT+ Toronto ⚾💙
Cheer from the stands with WIFT+ Toronto!
Special Events
WIFT+ Toronto offers four special events each year. Our special events are a part of making sure that our community is well represented by our boards, that our member's works are showcased, that we let loose at one of the world's largest film festivals, and that we celebrate the achievements of women in the screen-based media industry.
Note: Members receive 1 free ticket to our yearly Reception @ TIFF, voting in our AGM is for FULL members only
2025 WIFT+ Toronto Showcase
Our annual WIFT+ Toronto Showcase Highlights the creativity, talent, and diversity of our community.
2025 WIFT+ Toronto AGM & Proxy Voting
Join us in celebrating and reviewing the achievements of the previous year. We also take this opportunity to share our vision for the current and upcoming year.
2024 WIFT+ Toronto Reception @ TIFF
Annual reception during the Toronto International Film Festival celebrating the spirit and creativity of our screen-based community
2024 WIFT+ Toronto Crystal Awards
WIFT+ Toronto members are invited to nominate exceptional leaders in the screen-based industry for a 2024 Crystal Award.
Check Out Our Events Calendar
Looking for discounts on our programs & events?
Did you know that if you are a WIFT+ Toronto member, among many other benefits, you also receive advanced purchase windows and discounts on our programs and select events?