Michael Naphan is an award-winning filmmaker, videographer, animator, and writer with over 20 years of experience across all stages of film and television production. His career spans CGI animation (What We Do in the Shadows, Watchmen, WandaVision), viral media (Solar Freakin’ Roadways), and music videos and shorts. With a background in design, animation, and screenwriting, Michael leads CION’s film and television programming, industry outreach, and resource development to grow and promote Northern Ontario’s film sector. Born in Sault Ste. Marie, he now calls Sudbury home.

Bruno Marino has produced over 60 films, including Gridlocked starring Dominic Purcell (Prison Break), Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon), Stephen Lang (Avatar), Vinnie Jones (Snatch) and Trish Stratus (WWE) available globally on Netflix and in over 150 countries, and, most recently, Fight Another Day starring Jim Belushi (The Principal), Martin Kove (Cobra Kai), Christina Ochoa (Animal Kingdom), and UFC legends Ken Shamrock, Chuck "the Iceman" Liddell and Michael Bisping.His films have premiered at film festivals worldwide and have garnered over 10 Best Feature awards, respectfully. He operates under his banner, High Star Entertainment., a production company that services and develops high-quality content for the domestic and international marketplace.

Gerry Lattmann is an accomplished Executive Producer and Producer with over two decades of experience in the Canadian and international film industry. As the President and Senior Producer of The Dot Film Company Inc., Gerry has developed and produced an extensive portfolio of feature films, short films, and media projects, earning a reputation for creative ingenuity and meticulous execution.

Cindy Hinds began her film career in the 1970s, starring in David Cronenberg’s The Brood and appearing in numerous film and television productions including The Littlest Hobo and King of Kensington. After a successful 25-year career in hospitality and real estate, she returned to the screen and film community, joining the Blood in the Snow Film Festival in 2016 and the Bay of Blood International Film Festival in 2024. A lifelong supporter of the arts, Cindy continues to champion Canadian film both on set and at festivals across the country.

Mansa Chintoh is a Toronto-based entertainment lawyer with over a decade of experience in film, television, and music. As VP of Business & Legal Affairs at Lionsgate Canada, she oversees complex global distribution, licensing, and partnership deals. Previously in private practice, she advised artists and creators across the industry. Mansa is known for her practical approach and passion for empowering creators through accessible legal insight.

Jessica Commanda is a lawyer and creative professional with a strong background in film, media, and entertainment law. A graduate of Queen’s University (BA Hons., Film & Media) and the University of Toronto (JD), she also holds a Certificate in Entertainment Law from Osgoode. Of mixed British-Canadian and Indigenous heritage and a proud member of Nipissing First Nation, Jessica has worked with Redcloud Studios Inc. and The Shine Network Institute. In 2025, she was selected for the inaugural Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada Mentorship program.

Michael Duboff is a Canadian entertainment lawyer specializing in music, film, television, publishing, and corporate matters. Based in Ontario with clients across Manitoba, he represents artists and creative businesses on projects, performances, and organizational needs. A former musician and filmmaker, Michael brings firsthand industry experience and a deep passion for supporting Canada’s arts community.

Jen Gorman is an independent producer, writer, composer and publicist. She was one of the lead producers of the film Late Night Double Feature and has worked with Blood in the Snow since 2013 in various roles, including past roles as Festival Coordinator and is the former President of the Board of Directors.

Martine Brouillet is a producer and retired entrepreneur who transitioned into film after a successful career building and leading businesses in financial software, education, and media. As founder of Black Elephant Productions, she develops and produces films that reflect her passion for storytelling, creativity, and meaningful collaboration. A proud McGill graduate and bilingual leader, Martine brings decades of strategic and creative experience to her work in the Canadian film industry.

Ryan Keller is a Canadian film producer, writer, and lawyer best known for producing the award-winning thriller Poor Agnes (2017), which earned the Barry Convex Award for Best Canadian Feature at the Fantasia International Film Festival. Originally from Northwestern Ontario, Keller combines a strong background in law with a passion for independent, genre-driven filmmaking. He has since gone on to produce and co-write projects such as Happy FKN Sunshine (2021) and the upcoming The Last Assassins, expanding his work across Canada’s regional production hubs.

Justin Rebelo is the CEO of Vortex Media, a boutique studio known for movies such as Anything for Jackson, Eli Roth's Dream Eater, The End of Sex and last year's Blood in the Snow world premiere, Pins and Needles. Previously he's worked at companies such as eOne, EPIX, Super Channel, HBO Canada and the Toronto International Film Festival.

Katisha Shaw is a producer, actor, and consulting member of First Slate International, contributing to a newly announced AFM project slate. A founding member of DTRM Inc. and partner at Spaceman Films, she has produced acclaimed features including Backspot, The Martini Shot, and the upcoming Hysterical and Scratch House. Her work also includes Don’t Mess with Grandma (Tubi). Known for championing diverse voices, Katisha bridges creative storytelling with strategic global partnerships.

Kassy Gascho is a Toronto-based filmmaker, film programmer, and production coordinator with experience across development, production, post-production, business affairs, and film festivals. She programs Canadian features and curates the Funny Frights and Emerging Screams short blocks for the Blood in the Snow Film Festival. Her previous roles span Hot Docs, Fantasia, TIFF, Hangar 18 Media, The Image Centre, and PurpleDOG Post Production. As a filmmaker, her short #BOSSBABE won the Bronze Audience Award at the 2023 Fantasia International Film Festival.

Cam Maitland Cam Maitland is the Film and Content Specialist for the Canadian movie channels Hollywood Suite. A producer, writer, and filmmaker originally from Edmonton, Alberta, he received a fine arts degree in filmmaking from Simon Fraser University. His work, on top of spotlighting classic films in documentary programming, also includes consulting alongside the development and acquisitions team on original films and series at Hollywood Suite.

Sarde Hardie is a Toronto based writer, producer, community organizer and film executive acquiring new content and securing sales on broadcast and digital platforms for Photon Films. Prior to joining Photon Films, she was at Entertainment One as a Sales Executive within the Film and Television division. In 2018 she helped launch Entertainment One’s Diversity & Inclusion council. She is a long-time advocate for marginalized voices within the industry and has spoken on panels for the Canadian Academy, TIFF Next Wave, Black Youth Pathway 2 Industry and Black Women Film Canada and more.

Michael Paszt is one of the most respected names in the arena of independent film. A Managing Partner in Raven Banner Entertainment, Michael has focused on building a brand that represents unique genre driven films including The Autopsy of Jane Doe, Gaspar Noe's Climax, Tigers Are Not Afraid and the Oscar® nominated, Embrace of the Serpent. Michael has also Executive Produced over 30 feature films including Psycho Goreman, the Sundance Film Festival hit, Turbo Kid and Shudder Original, VHS94. Michael originally began his career as a director on music videos working with metal bands such as Sacrifice and Anvil. His feature documentary debut, Nail in the Coffin: The Fall and Rise of Vampiro premiered at Austin, TX’s Fantastic Fest and was Nominated Best Sports Documentary by Film Threat's AwardThis!

Heidy Morales is the founder of Hye’s Musings, an alternative media website covering film, theatre, along with other arts and culture features. She is also a programmer with the Blood In The Snow Film Festival, and a Rotten Tomatoes approved film reviewer. Born in Guatemala, Heidy now resides in Toronto, Canada where she has been supporting and discussing the film scene locally and abroad for 15 years..

Michael Jari Davidson is an accomplished cinematographer whose work spans award-winning features, series, and music videos. His credits include the acclaimed digital series I Will Bury You (Season 2) nominated for Best Cinematography at die Seriale Giessen and Shareable Fest LA and the upcoming sci-fi feature Den Mother Crimson. He also shot Lowell Dean’s SuperGrid (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment GmbH), which won Best Cinematography at the Blood in the Snow Film Festival. Michael’s past work includes 2nd unit DOP credits on The Void, Another WolfCop, and Anthony E. Zuiker’s Cybergeddon, as well as previs work for Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim and camera operating on American Gods and Fahrenheit 451. Beyond film and television, Michael’s cinematography has reached millions of viewers through music videos for major artists such as GRAMMY nominees Alice In Chains (Capitol Records), Juno Award nominees Wake (Metal Blade Records), and Juno Award winners Tegan and Sara (Warner Bros Records). He is a member of the International Cinematographers Guild (IATSE 667) and an Associate Member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers.