Wondering how to network at festivals? Learn how to network and pitch your projects

Описание: Playback’s 10 to Watch (2020) and an alumna of Women in Director’s Chair and the TIFF Talent Lab, Asis Sethi is a passionate South Asian Canadian filmmaker, educator, and advocate with over 15 years of experience in broadcasting, film production, and mentorship. Her work has been supported by Netflix, Paramount, CFC, CBC, Citytv, OMNI Television, WIFT Toronto, and CineFAM. Featured in Playback Magazine, CTV, The Globe & Mail, and OMNI Television, Asis is dedicated to telling stories of those whose voices have been suppressed.

As the Founder and CEO of Fly Away Films Inc., Asis leads a production company with a diverse slate of features, television series, and children’s content. Her leadership extends to mentorship, where she supports emerging filmmakers through organizations such as WIFT Toronto, OYA Black Arts Coalition, CaribbeanTales, and the M Film Lab.

In 2024, Asis served as Director of Training at CTMG, overseeing training and market access programs. She also teaches Film & Television Production at Humber Polytechnic, where she nurtures the next generation of creators.

She is passionate about mentorship and currently serves as a Board of Directors for WIFT+ Toronto Foundation and is the Co-President of the South Asian Canadian Film Federation (SACFF).

Asis joins us today to share her experiences at the Netflix Diversity of Voices program and offer insights and advice for the Banff World Media Festival. We explore the importance of networking, building a diverse slate of projects, navigating market fit, and budgeting for industry events. Asis shares valuable insights on the filmmaking process, the significance of collaboration, and the necessity of thorough preparation for meetings and pitches. The conversation concludes with Asis discussing her upcoming projects and the importance of setting personal goals in the industry.

Chapters

00:00 What is the Netflix Diversity of Voices Program?
02:55 What is the Banff World Media Festival?
05:54 The Importance of a Diverse Slate of Projects
08:38 Navigating the Film and TV Industry as a Person of Color
11:36 Strategic Networking and Research for Filmmakers
14:39 Budgeting for Film Festivals and Markets
17:25 Advice for Filmmakers and Future Projects

Keywords

Asis Sethi, Netflix Diversity of Voices Program, Banff World Media Festival, Fly Away Films, filmmaking, production company, networking, project slate, budgeting, industry events, market fit, World Media Festival, Canadian Film Festival, Canadian Film Fest, Netflix