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.
NOTE: All general information for these programs is current (ex. content, length, criteria). If dates are not updated or not included, this is due to us awaiting funding information so that we can then put the program on our current calendar.
WIFT Indigenous Writers Program
A free career accelerator for Indigenous creators. This program will offer networking, industry insights, training and mentorship, all developed to help establish and elevate the careers of Indigenous creators.
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.
Leadership Development Series
This program is geared toward mid-level media professionals as well as those re-entering the work force or looking to transition within the industry into management.
Ontario Creates IDM Futures Forward 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.
Media Business Essentials Program
While open to all career stages, this program would be most beneficial to those in our Early Career and Emerging cohorts. It is also recommended for professionals looking to upgrade or sharpen existing skills, or change industry streams. The MBE program is open to women, men, and individuals of marginalized genders, WIFT Toronto members and non-members.
Business Booster
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 WIFT Toronto Business Booster Series is a series of 2 days (4 topics) that will provide practical information and instruction on building a business plan from an entrepreneurial perspective.
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!
Pitch Perfect (Advanced)
This program will take a small group of participants (8 max) through a very rigorous master class to be followed by an individual one-on-one intensive with Jan Miller. Workshop participants will take a deeper dive into pitch development.
Wealth Management 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.
Pitch 101 Workshop
This 3-day program will introduce participants to the elements of a successful pitch. Starting with a master class, moving to workshop their concept (using their required synopsis), participants will have the opportunity to “perform” their pitch in front of industry professionals selected to provide feedback on their delivery.
Media Leadership Program
The C-suite awaits you! The Media Leadership Program is a proven and successful 96-hour professional development intensive designed to enhance your strategic leadership skills. The Media Leadership 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.
Lights! Camera! Learn!
Our program, LIGHTS! CAMERA! LEARN!, created with our supporting partner WFW and in conjunction with our community partners NABET 700 and IATSE667, 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.
Intermediate Production Accounting & Tax Credits
This 3-day workshop provides you with in-depth and practical information on production financing and accounting. You will participate in interactive discussions and exercises covering the methods and procedures used by a media production accounting department.
Scripted Digital Series Incubator
The Scripted Digital Series Incubator is comprised of four consecutive days of in-classroom learning led by industry practitioners chosen for their expertise in each subject area.
Business of Budgeting
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.
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 trajection, our mentorship opportunities may be just what you are looking for!
2023 WIFT Connect
Through WIFT Connect, members of different experience levels will learn from, guide, and support each other through a series of focused one-on-one and group meet-ups over a six-month period. Read our handy FAQ for more details.
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!
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!
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 female 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!
Meridian Artists Agency Mentorship
Ever wondered how talent agencies work? Want to find out more about artist representation and career development? Apply for our Meridian Artists Agency Mentorship!
Networking Events
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 who joins. We are a community of members. Throughout the year we offer a number of events where members get a chance to meet and support other members.
Member Orientation
For new, current, and existing members- Learn how to get the best use of your membership.
Walk & Talk Series
Mix and mingle with other WIFT Toronto members while getting your steps in.
Special Events
WIFT Toronto offers 4 special events each year. Our special events are a part of making sure that our community is well represented by our boards, that the works of our members are showcased, that we let loose at one of the worlds 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
2023 WIFT Toronto Crystal Awards
We are thrilled to be back in-person for the second year in a row at our 36th anniversary of the incredible WIFT Toronto Crystal Awards. More details for 2023 to be announced.
**Foundation For WIFT – Annual Auction!**
Bid to Support & Win!
WIFT Toronto Reception @ TIFF
WIFT Toronto’s annual reception during the Toronto International Film Festival returns in-person for the first time in three years to celebrate the spirit and creativity of our screen-based community and raises funds to support initiatives of the Foundation for Women in Film & Television - Toronto.
WIFT Toronto Showcase
Our annual WIFT Toronto Showcase Highlights the creativity, talent, and diversity of our community.
WIFT Toronto AGM
Each spring, at our Annual General Meeting, we invite our members and community to 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.
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?