Welcome to Access Canada Summit, powered by The Hollywood Reporter!

For the first time in Canada, join editors and journalists from The Hollywood Reporter as they unpack key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping today’s entertainment industry. From evolving business models and shifts in production, to tariffs and global partnerships, to a behind-the-scenes look at covering festivals and awards, this conversation offers a front-row seat to how the entertainment industry is evolving – straight from one of the most trusted and revered teams in media.

Award-winning Executive Producer, Director and Writer, Jacob Tierney, sits down for an in-depth conversation on his journey from ‘The Trotsky’ to ‘Letterkenny’—the cult comedy that became a global phenomenon, and his diverse work across film and television. Tierney will share insights into building enduring hits, his creative career, and a look ahead at his upcoming projects including the much-anticipated series for Crave, ‘Heated Rivalry’, that continue to push Canadian storytelling onto the world stage.

Join us as we recognize The Canada 25: Top Decision and Dealmakers as selected by The Hollywood Reporter.

The Bell Media Opening Reception will not disappoint! Let’s toast the start of THR’s Access Canada Summit while making important connections with delegates and friends.

Join us as we kick-off the first full day of programming for Access Canada Summit, powered by The Hollywood Reporter.

Join Danielle Woodrow and Tara Woodbury, the Directors of Content – Canada, Netflix, as they take a deep dive into their content strategy for Canada. Hear their insights about developing shows and movies that audiences love, their content priorities and how they work with partners from across the industry.

The distribution landscape is evolving faster than ever, driven by platform disruption, changing viewer habits, and new global economics. This session brings together leaders in content distribution to examine how traditional models are being redefined—and what that means for rights, revenue, and reach. From windowing to worldwide access, join the conversation on the future of getting content in front of audiences, and the strategic shifts shaping what comes next.

Reinforce the essentials of effective pitching in this dynamic, hands-on workshop designed to sharpen your story, delivery, and overall impact with decision-makers. Guided by industry veteran Doug Smith, this session will offer practical insights and insider tips to help creators at every stage elevate their pitches and increase their chances of success.

‘Awards Chatter’ is a podcast that features in-depth interviews with the most interesting and accomplished people in show business. Created and hosted by The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg, join us for a live taping of the hit podcast — featuring actor and director William H. Macy.

The world of unscripted content is adapting to challenges and opportunities in equal measure. This panel discussion brings together top voices in the genre as they delve into the key issues facing unscripted content creators and platforms. From innovative formats, influencer-driven series, shifts in commissioning, and strategic partnerships — join us for a deep dive to help bring the future of unscripted content into focus.

With the breakout success of ‘The Studio’ — the most-nominated freshman comedy in Emmy history — and the Netflix series ‘The Hunting Wives’, Kevin Beggs is leading Lionsgate Television through an exciting chapter in a fast-changing TV environment. In this exclusive conversation, Beggs unpacks the creative and commercial strategies behind these hits, and how Lionsgate’s diversified business model enables the studio to succeed in today’s disrupted TV landscape.

This workshop gives emerging creators a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the full production journey — from the spark of an idea to a finished, market-ready project — guided by Shaftesbury’s senior creative and production leaders.

Artificial intelligence is opening new doors for creators and producers, transforming workflows, lowering barriers, and expanding the ways stories can be told and shared. In this pivotal Keynote Interview, Luma AI’s CEO Amit Jain will explore how emerging tools—from photorealistic 3D assets to immersive virtual environments—are creating fresh opportunities for efficiency, creativity, and monetization across film, television, and digital platforms. While addressing the questions AI raises around ethics and forms of storytelling, this forward-looking session highlights the potential for Canadian and global storytellers alike to harness these innovations in shaping a more dynamic and inclusive entertainment future.

Music isn’t just background — it’s a storytelling tool, a marketing driver, and a creative asset. In this conversation we explore how music decisions are made across film, TV, and digital content. From licensing strategies and rights management to finding the right sound for the right scene, this session is designed to help producers and broadcasters think more strategically about the role of music — both creatively and commercially.

Canada’s next wave of storytellers is breaking through with bold voices and global ambition. This workshop spotlights next-gen filmmakers like GRIN FILMS, a Toronto-based collective evolving from self-funded shorts to internationally recognized projects in partnership with funders, creators, and platforms. Discussion will explore how emerging creators are building audiences and ownership, what global partnerships reveal about scalable IP, how funders and streamers can future-proof their investments, and the evolving role of platforms in distribution and development.

Go behind the laughs with the team from one of the world’s most iconic comedy brands. Join the BBC Comedy team as they break down their approach to commissioning, financing models, and creative strategy — what’s working, what they’re looking for, and how they’re building distinctive, globally relevant comedy. Hear how Canadian creators can engage with the BBC, and what it really takes to collaborate across borders.

Join us for a landmark celebration of the Canada Media Fund’s 15th anniversary — honouring a decade and a half of bold storytelling, innovative programs, and vital support for Canada’s screen-based industries. This special session will feature meaningful tributes and a look back at some of the most iconic projects made possible by the CMF. We’ll also look ahead to the Fund’s evolving role in a rapidly shifting media landscape — and how it plans to support the next generation of Canadian creators.

All delegates are invited to the end-of-day cocktail reception. Join colleagues and friends to discuss the topics of the day and make important new connections.

Join senior content executives from some of Canada’s top broadcasters and streamers for a strategic look at what’s driving commissioning and content investment today. From evolving audience demands to platform-specific priorities, this session offers the audience key insights into where the opportunities are — and what Canadian decision makers are looking for next.

With a bold vision, Brad Schwartz is reshaping The CW into a multiplatform, multi-genre destination for today’s audiences. In this candid conversation, Schwartz shares his approach to brand reinvention, what he’s looking for in partnerships and programming, and how Canadian talent and content fit into The CW Network’s evolving global strategy.

As traditional content funding models evolve, a new wave of private investors is responding to tremendous disruption — bringing with them hard-earned perspectives and strategic capital to bridge creativity and commerce. This forward-looking session explores alternative financing structures from the perspective of both investor and producer for an important conversation about what’s working, what’s shifting, and how to build content financing strategies that are future-ready.

Celebrate the career-spanning achievements of visionary storytellers Clement Virgo and Damon D’Oliveira of Conquering Lion Pictures in this candid fireside chat, moderated by Telefilm Canada. Marking the 30th anniversary of their groundbreaking debut, ‘Rude’ and fresh off the world premiere of ‘Steal Away’ at TIFF2025, this conversation will explore how they have built and nurtured audiences, their enduring and transformative impact on portraying the Black Canadian experience on-screen, and their continued leadership in shaping the future of the industry.

As traditional distribution models evolve, so do the ways content generates revenue. This session explores the new economics of entertainment — where FAST channels, AVODs, hybrid streamers, digital-first platforms, and global licensing deals are reshaping the value chain. Industry leaders will break down how monetization strategies are shifting in real time, what producers need to know to stay competitive, and how to tap into these new pathways to profitability.

Gennie is the leading AI content studio in the non-fiction space, working with producers to create detail-obsessed reenactments across history, true crime, and other genres. Co-founders Max Einhorn, Chelsea Durgin, and Tejas Shah reveal breakthroughs, hurdles, and lessons behind the world’s first televised documentary using fully AI reenactments. (WORKSHOP DURING LUNCH – GRAB LUNCH AND JOIN US IN THE MAIN STAGE BALLROOM)

Joining the Access Canada Summit lineup is acclaimed actor Paul Dano, who will sit down with THR’s Seija Rankin for a wide-ranging conversation about his career, body of work, and The Wizard of the Kremlin, his most recent film that premieres at TIFF on September 10 and recently had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

Despite tremendous change and tumult, Evan Shapiro actually believes the Media Universe has reached a new equilibrium. In this Keynote Presentation, with his singular methodology and a wealth of new data, media’s Cartographer maps out media’s new normal.

Canadian production companies and studios are playing a strategic role in the global content ecosystem — from IP development and co-productions to platform partnerships and international distribution. This session highlights some of the key companies at the forefront: the dealmakers, builders, and creative leaders driving growth at home and abroad. Gain insight into how they’re navigating market shifts and changing financing models — and why Canada is a key player in the business of content.

All delegates are invited to the ultimate celebration of the Canadian entertainment industry as we mark milestone anniversaries for several esteemed Canadian organizations — including the Canada Media Fund, Eagle Vision, the Reelworld Screen Institute, and Rezolution Pictures. Join us for wonderful food and drinks as we raise a glass to Canada!