Cheers & Chats

CHEERS & CHATS, the official podcast of the Canadian Film Fest, delivers festival buzz and insider insights from the heart of Canada’s film industry. Through candid conversations with Canadian filmmakers, we explore the highs, lows, and everything in between as they navigate their creative journeys. Join us for stories that inspire, inform, and celebrate the art of filmmaking—your front-row seat to the stories behind the screen.

Cheers & Chats is a tv podcast hosted by Canadian Film Fest, with 11 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Canadian Film Fest hosts Cheers & Chats, a tv show with 11 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #24

  CFF Legacy Spotlight: 20 Years in Motion

  Sep 16, 20261h 11m

  As CFF marks 20 years, Legacy Spotlight: 20 Years in Motion brings alumni together to reflect on what really builds a career — the pivots, the setbacks, the breakthroughs, and everything in between. It’s an honest look at momentum, longevity, and what they wish they knew starting out… with eyes firmly on what comes next. Cheers Warren P. Sonoda, Gloria Ui Young Kim, Jeremy Lalonde, Christopher Yip, Audrey Cummings – welcome to the fest! Special thanks to xoTO and the City of Toronto, and IATSE Local 58, for making this conversation possible.

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  Episode #23

  Indie Pathways: From (Slo) Pitch to Series

  Sep 9, 202657 min

  One of the most anticipated Canadian comedy television premieres of 2026, the Crave Original Series Slo Pitch is already generating buzz. This panel breaks down how an indie idea becomes a series – from development and financing to showrunning and broadcaster relationships. A candid look at playing the long game, and what it takes to go from Slo Pitch…to series. Cheers Aisha Evelyna, Karen Knox, Gwendolyn Cumyn, and Lauren MacKinlay — welcome to the fest! ️ Episode 23 on CFF’s Cheers & Chats Podcast is now streaming! Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. Special thanks to xoTO and the City of Toronto, and IATSE Local 58, for making this conversation possible.

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  Episode #22

  Producers Therapy: 20 Years of Holding it Together

  Sep 2, 20261h 4m

  As part of CFF’s 20th anniversary, Producers Therapy: 20 Years of Holding it Together gets insights from leading producers to talk about what it really takes to build films - and careers - over time. From scrappy financing and grassroots distribution to today’s world of co-productions, streamers, funders, and constant change, this panel digs into how the role has evolved - and what’s stayed the same. Consider this an honest, resilient group session for anyone who’s ever had to hold it all together, while keeping projects and teams moving forward. Cheers Lauren Grant, Coral Aiken, Karen Harnisch, Stephanie Sonny Hooker, Sonya Di Rienzo, and Paula Devonshire – welcome to the fest! ️ Episode 22 on CFF’s Cheers & Chats Podcast is now streaming! Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. Special thanks to xoTO and the City of Toronto, and IATSE Local 58, for making this conversation possible.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #21

  Small Crews, Big Worlds: Evolving Tools for Indie Filmmakers

  Jul 29, 20261h 4m

  CFF kicked off our 2026 Industry Series with Small Crews, Big Worlds: Evolving Tools for Indie Filmmakers - a conversation about how creators are building ambitious work with lean teams in a rapidly shifting industry. From new production pipelines to the creator economy, this panel dives into real strategies for working smarter, scaling creatively, and sustaining a career in today’s landscape. Cheers Jordan Walker, Tanya Stemberger, Jordan Crute, Navin Ramaswaran, and Rhys Yorke – welcome to the fest! ️ Episode 21 on CFF’s Cheers & Chats Podcast is now streaming! Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. Special thanks to Screen Arts Institute, xoTO and the City of Toronto, and IATSE Local 58, for making this conversation possible.

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  Cheers & Chats

  Pitching the Unknown

  Feb 18, 202630 min

  Every great unscripted project begins with a leap of faith — you might not know where the story will go, but you know it’s worth following. Turning that uncertainty into a sellable pitch is both an art and a strategy. In PITCHING THE UNKNOWN, our guests break down how to build trust, shape story arcs in real time, and pitch a project when the ending hasn’t been written yet. Cheers 🥂 to Billie Mintz, Mike Lobel, Yasmine Abbasakoor, Steve Gamester, and moderator Paul Gratton for sharing their sharp insights and behind-the-scenes expertise. 🎙️ Episode 20: Pitching the Unknown on CFF’s Cheers & Chats Podcast just dropped! Listen now on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

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Recent guests on Cheers & Chats. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.