Blood in the Snow Film Festival presents

Deadly ExposureIndustry Conference 2026

Canada’s genre film industry conference · Nov 19–21 · Tranzac Club, Toronto

Get your pass What’s on
Blood in the Snow Deadly Exposure and Development Lab banner, with logos of funders and sponsors Blood in the Snow Deadly Exposure Conference, November 19 to 21, 2026, with logos of funders and sponsors

Passes

2026 Deadly Exposure Passes · On Sale Now
Most Inclusive Film Festival + Deadly Exposure

Deluxe Deadly Exposure Pass

  • Industry round tables (Nov 19–20)
  • Deadly Exposure industry panels (Nov 20–21)
  • Priority access to all 8 feature films Nov 16–21
  • All 5 short film programs — Dark Visions, Monsters & Martians, BITS and Bytes, Funny Frights & Unusual Sights, Bloody Spirits of Winter
  • Watch Dev Lab Micro Panels (Nov 16–17) — exclusive
  • Watch Dev Lab pitches (Nov 17) — exclusive
  • Industry Cocktails invite
  • 15% off all BITS merch
Festival Pass
$240
Get Pass →
Film Festival + Industry

Deadly Exposure Industry Pass

  • Industry round tables (Nov 19–20)
  • Deadly Exposure industry panels (Nov 20–21)
  • Priority access to all 8 feature films Nov 16–21
  • All 5 short film programs — Dark Visions, Monsters & Martians, BITS and Bytes, Funny Frights & Unusual Sights, Bloody Spirits of Winter
  • Industry Cocktails invite
  • 15% off all BITS merch
Festival Pass
$180
Get Pass →
Deadly Exposure Panels

Deadly Exposure Panel Pass

  • Entrance to all 5 Deadly Exposure panels, including the FX masterclass (Nov 20–21)
  • Live open captions at every panel
  • Industry Cocktails invite
  • 15% off all BITS merch
Panel Pass
$60
Get Pass →

See all BITS 2026 festival passes

Deadly Exposure 2026

Industry Conference · Nov 19–21 · Tranzac Club, Toronto

Venue info & what’s on Accessibility

Deadly Exposure is Canada’s genre film industry conference: three days of in-depth panels, power roundtables, and industry sessions, bringing together filmmakers, producers, and industry professionals at the Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave, Toronto.

Now in its 9th year, Deadly Exposure is where Canadian genre meets the industry. Each day is packed with candid conversations, practical workshops, and direct access to producers, distributors, broadcasters, and financiers who work across horror, sci-fi, action, and thriller. Whether you’re developing your first feature, bringing a series to life, or building your career in Canadian genre film, Deadly Exposure is where filmmakers and industry professionals connect, exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and move projects forward.

Conference Lineup

Full lineup announced

All times ET · Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave · Round tables open to Deluxe and Industry pass holders; panels also open with a Panel Pass · Panels and masterclass have live open captions

Plan your visit

Know before you go Plan your trip to BITS

What’s on, November 2026Deadly Exposure, the Lab, screenings, after-parties & Nightshift
EventWhenWhere
Deadly Exposure Industry Conference Daytime, – Tranzac Club
Horror Development Lab Daytime, – Tranzac Club
Blood in the Snow Film Festival Evenings, – Isabel Bader Theatre
ASL & open caption screenings & Isabel Bader Theatre
After-parties Nightly, – Tranzac Club
BITS Nightshift industry mixers 6–9 pm, – Tranzac Club

Thursday Nov 19

  1. 9:15–9:45

    Rise from the Coffin: coffee meet and greet

    Complimentary coffee from Coffin Creek and snacks with your fellow delegates.

  2. 9:45–12:15

    Power Roundtables: Session I

    • Goldenberg & Co. (Law Firm), Conor Fitzgerald, Associate
    • CMPA, Jakub Jasinski, Senior Manager, Events & Member Services
    • RBC, Yvonne Sung, Relationship Manager, Media and Entertainment
    • WIFT Toronto, Abigail Brockhouse, Senior Manager, Membership & Engagement
    • IPF, Mark Shapland, Program Manager and Climate Lens Facilitator
    • McCam Insurance, Rorie McIntosh, President

    More guests to be announced.

  3. 12:15–1:30

    Lunch

  4. 1:30–4:00

    Power Roundtables: Session II

    • Images in Sound, Brian Eimer
    • The Coven, Anelle Dehghani
    • Elevation Pictures, Emily Kulasa
    • Channel Zero Inc, Jennifer Chen
    • CGP Spotlight, Jen Scott

    More guests to be announced.

  5. 4:00–6:00

    Afternoon industry mixer

    A networking drink at the Tranzac Club before the screenings at the Isabel Bader Theatre.

Friday Nov 20

  1. 9:15–9:45

    Rise from the Coffin: coffee meet and greet

    Complimentary coffee from Coffin Creek and snacks with your fellow delegates.

  2. 9:45–12:15

    Power Roundtables: Session III

    • Jennifer A. Haufler, Producer
    • City Lights Media, Zarrar Kahn, Writer/Director/Producer
    • Ryan Keller, Producer/Lawyer
    • Shaftesbury Films, Dillon Taylor, Development Executive, Prime Time Drama
    • Scythia, Daniel Bekerman, CEO
    • First Slate International, Katisha Shaw, Producer
    • Edmon Rotea, Producer

    More guests to be announced.

  3. 12:15–1:30

    Lunch

  4. 1:30–2:45

    Panel 1

    Beyond the Blood: Storytelling That Sticks

    Live open captions

    Panel 1 graphic: Beyond the Blood: Storytelling That Sticks, with photos of Pascal Trotter, Jen Walden, Casey Walker, Bil Antoniou and moderator Dre Boulet.

    Strong genre films live or die by character. This conversation focuses on how filmmakers balance concept, tone, and audience expectation with emotionally grounded storytelling. Panelists will discuss development strategies, notes processes, and common pitfalls when building character-driven horror and thriller projects intended for both festivals and the marketplace.

    Moderated by Dre Boulet, Filmmaker and BITS jury member

    • Bil Antoniou, Blogger, Podcaster, Film Reviewer
    • Pascal Trotter, Writer of Ithaqua
    • Jen Walden, Writer (and Director) of LUMI
    • Casey Walker, Director of Ithaqua
  5. 3:00–4:00

    Panel 2

    No Single Way Out: Navigating the New Distribution Landscape

    Live open captions

    Panel 2 graphic: No Single Way Out: Navigating the New Distribution Landscape, with photos of Michael Paszt, Mercy Lam, Greg Rubidge and moderator Kells McNells.

    The genre distribution landscape is shifting rapidly. This panel examines current and emerging pathways including AVOD/FAST channels, boutique theatrical, hybrid releases, international sales, and direct-to-audience strategies. Panelists will share what buyers are actively seeking and how filmmakers can future-proof projects in an unpredictable market.

    Moderated by Kells McNells, Black Fawn Distribution

    • Mercy Lam, Films We Like, Publicity & Marketing, Acquisitions, Digital Deliveries
    • Greg Rubidge, Syndicado, President
    • Michael Paszt, Raven Banner Entertainment, Managing Partner
  6. 4:00–6:00

    Afternoon industry mixer

    A networking drink at the Tranzac Club before the screenings at the Isabel Bader Theatre.

Saturday Nov 21

  1. 9:00–9:30

    Rise from the Coffin: coffee meet and greet

    Complimentary coffee from Coffin Creek and snacks with your fellow delegates.

  2. 9:45–11:00

    Panel 3

    Budgeting & Cash Flow for Indie Productions

    Live open captions

    Panel 3 graphic: Budgeting & Cash Flow for Indie Productions, with photos of Michael James Regan, Margaret Lewis, Natalie Remplakowski and moderator Emily Dix.

    From development through delivery, cash flow remains one of the most challenging aspects of independent production. This panel breaks down practical budgeting strategies for genre projects, including contingency planning, managing deferred fees, navigating gaps between financing tranches, and keeping productions viable without sacrificing safety or quality.

    Moderated by Emily Dix, BITS Industry Coordinator

    • Margaret Lewis, RBC, Senior Relationship Manager
    • Natalie Remplakowski, Citrine Presents, Producer
    • Michael James Regan, Backlash Pictures, Producer
  3. 11:15–12:30

    Panel 4

    Digital Pathways for Independent Filmmakers

    Live open captions

    Panel 4 graphic: Digital Pathways for Independent Filmmakers, with photos of Mariah MacDonald, Bronwyn Aanaguniak Szabo, Mark Shapland, Ali Akbar Akbar Kamal and moderator Jess Blackwell.

    The digital landscape continues to create new opportunities for independent filmmakers to develop projects, connect with audiences, and explore innovative ways of bringing their stories to life. From web series and digital-first content to emerging platforms, online communities, and new approaches to production and audience engagement, this panel explores how filmmakers can adapt to a changing industry. Hear from industry professionals working across the digital space and discover new possibilities for developing projects, building creative partnerships, expanding your reach, and finding opportunities beyond traditional filmmaking models.

    Moderated by Jess Blackwell, TOWebFest, Festival Director and series creator

    • Mark Shapland, Independent Production Fund
    • Bronwyn Aanaguniak Szabo, Director (It Doesn’t Show)
    • Ali Akbar Akbar Kamal, Director (The Great Amherst Haunting)
    • Mariah MacDonald, Producer (The Great Amherst Haunting)
  4. 12:30–1:45

    Lunch

  5. 1:45–3:45

    Masterclass

    Producers & Directors Working with Practical and CGI FX

    Live open captions

    Masterclass graphic: Producers & Directors Working with Practical and CGI FX, with a behind-the-scenes photo of Dallas Harvey on set.

    Presented by Special FX Artist, Director & Producer Dallas Harvey

    How do you decide when an effect should be practical, digital or a combination of both?

    SPX Artist, Director and Producer Dallas Harvey takes filmmakers behind the process of planning and executing practical and CGI effects from the earliest stages of development through post-production.

    Designed for emerging producers and directors, the session will explore how FX decisions affect budget, schedule, performance, camera work, production design and post-production, and why the best FX workflows begin long before the cameras roll.

  6. 4:00–6:00

    Afternoon industry mixer

    A networking drink at the Tranzac Club before the screenings at the Isabel Bader Theatre.

Every evening, Nov 16–21: Blood in the Snow screenings at the Isabel Bader Theatre, then after-parties back at the Tranzac.

See the 2026 film lineup Last year’s conference

BITS Horror Development Lab

Running alongside Deadly Exposure, Nov 16–18, the BITS Horror Development Lab supports BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, women, and underrepresented Canadian genre filmmakers. Meet this year’s 12 projects, lab leads and jury.

Meet the 2026 Lab Program info

Our Sponsors

BITS 2026 funders, sponsors and festival partners (full list follows)

Deadly Exposure is supported by Ontario Creates and the Independent Production Fund.