Get Your Tickets Now
Saturday
March, 2026
9 AM – 1 PM
Ottawa Art Gallery – Alma Duncan
50 Mackenzie King Bridge
Ottawa, ON K1N 0C5
The Ottawa Film Office is delighted to announce that the 2026 Film, Television, and Animation Career Fair is taking place Saturday, March 21 at the Ottawa Art Gallery – Alma Duncan 9 AM to 1 PM!
We are pleased to supplement the Career Fair with dedicated panels at Club Saw. More information regarding the lineup is forthcoming.
Attend and meet local production companies, animation studios, and other industry professionals to learn about current and future job opportunities and what they look for in new hires. You’ll also be able to chat with post-secondary institutions, associations, unions and guilds about the industry programs, resources, and training they offer.
Don’t miss this chance to discover how you can be involved in this fast-paced and exciting industry! This free event is geared to anyone interested in exploring a career in film and television, including:
— Secondary and post-secondary students, recent grads
— Current crew members looking for new opportunities
— Professionals working in a different industry and interested in transitioning to an exciting new career in Ottawa’s growing film and television industry.
Keynotes and Panel Announcement Coming Soon…
Panel #1
“How to Break Into the Industry with”
9:45AM – 10:45AM
Hoda Elatawi from GAPC Entertainment
Cory Morrison from Big Jump Entertainment
Filmmaker Lieselotte Soper
Atoosa Mohajer from Dark Slope
“Comment Percer dans l’Industrie avec”
Panel #2
“A Spotlight on the Unions”
Presentation and Q&A
DGC Ontario – 10:45AM
ACTRA Ottawa – 11:00AM
IATSE 411 – 11:15AM
IATSE 471- 11:30AM
IATSE 634 – 11:45AM
IATSE 667 – 12:00PM
NABET – 12:15PM
In Partnership With
The Career Fair is taking place during the International Film Festival of Ottawa (IFFO) which is being held at the Arts Court/Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG). See their programs and schedule of movies and shorts and get your tickets.
The International Film Festival of Ottawa is returning for their sixth edition from March 11th to 22nd, 2026, bringing acclaimed films from the global festival circuit to the capital. This year’s Festival provides cinephiles with an eclectic mix of films that have won awards and made waves in the international film circuit over the past year. In IFFO’s Official Selection, programmers curated 23 feature films as part of the Official Selections, with 30 features total. Other film programs in the Festival include the established CFI series Canadian Masters, getting in-depth discussions with some of Canada’s greatest and most prolific filmmakers, and IFFO series The Gaze, which brings the audience into the discussion about diverse representation on screen. IFFO’s industry conferences address emerging and mid-level film professionals at Screen Summit and examine issues of preservation, restoration, distribution, and exhibition at SAVE AS.
Sponsors Coming Soon…
We want to thank our sponsors. Your contribution is vital to continue our important work. We cannot succeed without the generosity of supporters like you.
Vladimir Jean-Gilles
Francophone Editor, Film Critic & Podcaster
Rédacteur Francophone, Critique de Cinéma, Podcaster
Vlad’s journey in media has been described as unorthodox and authentic. He started by reviewing movies on Snapchat, then became CBC’s weekly film columnist, and is now a certified Hollywood film critic with the Critics Choice Association. His passion for life and entertainment has provided him with many fulfilling experiences, ultimately leading him back to the city he loves and calls home: Ottawa. His work in media and with Ottawa Tourism has taken him from Paris to Washington, and from Puerto Rico to Istanbul, as he promotes Ottawa to media around the world.
Le parcours de Vlad dans les médias a été décrit comme peu orthodoxe mais authentique. Il a commencé par critiquer des films sur Snapchat, puis est devenu le chroniqueur cinématographique hebdomadaire de CBC, et est maintenant un critique de films hollywoodiens certifié par la Critics Choice Association. Sa passion pour la vie et le divertissement lui a permis de vivre de nombreuses expériences enrichissantes, qui l'ont finalement ramené dans la ville qu'il aime et qu'il appelle son chez-soi : Ottawa. Son travail dans les médias et avec Tourisme Ottawa l'a conduit de Paris à Washington, et de Porto Rico à Istanbul, où il fait la promotion d'Ottawa auprès des médias du monde entier.
Hoda Elatawi
Senior Producer of STEAMS and Documentary President at GAPC
Productrice Principale de STEAMS et Documentary Présidente de GAPC
Hoda Elatawi, Senior Producer and President of Ottawa’s GAPC Entertainment, has created award-winning films and television shows in Canada and internationally for almost three decades. Hoda's passion for education, history, social issues, and children’s programming has united her with creators from around the world allowing her to produce a diverse range of projects across a multitude of platforms.
Her new documentary, So You Want to Be a Muslim, recently premiered on CBC’s documentary Channel and is streaming on CBC Gem.
Hoda Elatawi, productrice principale et présidente de GAPC Entertainment à Ottawa, a créé des films et des émissions de télévision primés au Canada et à l'étranger depuis près de trente ans. La passion de Hoda pour l'éducation, l'histoire, les questions sociales et les émissions pour enfants l'a unie à des créateurs du monde entier, ce qui lui a permis de produire une gamme variée de projets sur une multitude de plateformes.
Son nouveau documentaire, So You Want to Be a Muslim, a récemment été diffusé en avant-première sur la chaîne documentaire de la CBC et est disponible en streaming sur CBC Gem.
Mark Edwards
Entertainment Lawyer
Avocat Spécialisé dans le Divertissement
Mark Edwards is the founder and managing partner of Edwards Creative Law, LLP, an entertainment law boutique with offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver and a practice that extends to every common law province in Canada. Mark’s personal focus is live-action and animated films and series, video games, and digital media.
Mark Edwards est le fondateur et l'associé directeur d'Edwards Creative Law, LLP, un cabinet d'avocats spécialisé dans le droit du divertissement qui possède des bureaux à Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg et Vancouver et dont la pratique s'étend à toutes les provinces de common law du Canada. Mark se concentre sur les films et séries d'animation, les jeux vidéo et les médias numériques.
Patrick Paradis
Director at Atomic Cartoons
Directeur chez Atomic Cartoons
Patrick Paradis has spent the past 25 years working in the Canadian Animation Industry working on shows seen on Disney, Netflix, Universal, and others. His most recent credits include Animation Director on "Mermicorno: Starfall" with Atomic Cartoons and Tokidoki as well as Series Director on "Teenage Euthanasia" for PFFR and Adult Swim. When he grows up, he wants to be a dinosaur.
Patrick Paradis a passé les 25 dernières années à travailler dans l'industrie de l'animation canadienne sur des séries diffusées par Disney, Netflix, Universal et d'autres. Ses plus récentes réalisations comprennent la direction de l'animation de « Mermicorno : Starfall » avec Atomic Cartoons et Tokidoki, ainsi que la direction de la série « Teenage Euthanasia » pour PFFR et Adult Swim. Quand il sera grand, il voudra être un dinosaure.
Amir Zargara
Local Filmmaker
Cinéaste Local
Amir Zargara is an Iranian-Canadian filmmaker whose immigrant journey and stutter deeply shape his storytelling. His films explore the moral complexities of human character, emphasizing empathy over judgment. Distributed by Mongrel, CBC and Criterion Channel, he’s worked with talents like Oscar nominee Barkhad Abdi (CAPTAIN PHILIPS) and Mehdi Bajestani (HOLY SPIDER).
Amir Zargara est un cinéaste irano-canadien dont le parcours d'immigrant et le bégaiement façonnent profondément sa narration. Ses films explorent les complexités morales du caractère humain, en mettant l'accent sur l'empathie plutôt que sur le jugement. Distribué par Mongrel, CBC et Criterion Channel, il a travaillé avec des talents tels que Barkhad Abdi (CAPTAIN PHILIPS), nominé aux Oscars, et Mehdi Bajestani (HOLY SPIDER).
Natalie Honshorst
Location Manager, Scouting and Consultant
Directrice de Tournage et Consultante
Natalie Honshorst is a highly sought-after location manager and consultant, known for her exceptional ability to transform scripts into immersive, real-world settings. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of cinematic storytelling, she seamlessly bridges the gap between creative vision and logistical execution.
Natalie Honshorst est une directrice de tournage et une consultante connue pour sa capacité exceptionnelle à transformer des scénarios en décors immersifs et réels. Dotée d'un sens aigu du détail et d'une connaissance approfondie de la narration cinématographique, elle fait le lien entre la vision créative et l'exécution logistique.
Sandrine Pechels de Saint Sardos
Moderator
Modératrice
As the Ottawa Film Commissioner, I am passionate about promoting Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, as an affordable boutique destination and experience for filmmakers, developing the local film industry and its infrastructure, and supporting the diverse and talented producers, crew, and talent. With over 20+ years of experience in the entertainment sector, I have an extensive illustrative career in film, broadcasting, production, co-production, creative development and distribution with impressive global relationships and deep experience in deals & negotiations, 360° all covered.
En tant que commissaire au cinéma d'Ottawa, je suis passionnée par la promotion d'Ottawa, la capitale du Canada, en tant que destination et expérience abordable pour les cinéastes, par le développement de l'industrie cinématographique locale et de son infrastructure, et par le soutien aux producteurs, aux équipes et aux talents divers et talentueux. Avec plus de 20 ans d'expérience dans le secteur du divertissement, j'ai une longue carrière dans le cinéma, la radiodiffusion, la production, la coproduction, le développement créatif et la distribution. J'ai d'impressionnantes relations mondiales et une grande expérience des accords et des négociations, à 360°.
Participating Companies
Maximize your time at the Career Fair by familiarizing yourself with the exhibitors in advance.
1Department Entertainment Services
1Department Entertainment Services is an Ottawa-based film and television production company.
ACTRA
ACTRA Ottawa represents the interests of more than 500 talented, professional performers in the National Capital Region and is one of the nine branches of ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists), the national union of over 28,000 professional performers working in English-language recorded media in Canada.
Algonquin College | Film & Media
Live your passion for modern digital filmmaking with a career in the film production industry.
The two-year Film and Media Production Ontario College Diploma program, delivered in a compressed format over 42 weeks, gives you hands-on experience with the equipment and processes used in the film and screen-based media production industry.
ATO Média Inc.
ATO Média Inc. est une compagnie de production francophone d’Ottawa. La compagnie se consacre principalement sur les productions de long métrage, série télé, jeunesse et websérie francophones.
Recrutement: ATO Média Inc. cherche à combler plusieurs postes variés de production (coordination, craft, techniciens de plateau).
Atomic Cartoons
Atomic Cartoons (a division of Thunderbird Entertainment) is an internationally renowned, award-winning independent animation studio with offices located in Vancouver, Ottawa and Los Angeles. The studio employs more than 1,000 talented artists and production crew members. It is known for its artist-driven culture that attracts, retains and promotes the best talent in the business. Atomic produces high-end animated content across both 2D and CG pipelines that spans preschool, comedy, action-adventure, adult and commercial genres, and everything in between. And they have developed a stellar global reputation for their ability to translate big brands like LEGO, Star Wars, My Little Pony, Cocomelon and many more into top-notch animation. Established in 1999, quality remains its North Star.
Collège La Cité
Collège Francophone offrant plus de 140 programmes de formation.
CPAC
CPAC is an independent, not-for-profit, commercial-free, bilingual media organization that connects Canadians to their democracy. On our broadcast television channel, website, and social media platforms, CPAC delivers the most comprehensive coverage of the people and events that shape Canadian public policy. Our core programming includes the complete televised proceedings of Canada’s Parliament and in-depth coverage of key political events and public policy debates.
DGC Ontario
The Directors Guild of Canada in Ontario (DGC Ontario) is a provincial labour organization representing key creative and operational specialists in the screen-based industry, in the following categories: Directors, Assistant Directors, Production Managers, Location Managers, Production Designers & Art Directors, Accountants, Picture & Sound Editors, Post Production Supervisors, and their respective departmental assistants.
DGC Ontario is a sponsor of this year’s Film, Television, and Animation Career Fair.
Digital Arts Resource Centre
Digital Arts Resource Centre (formerly SAW Video) is a not-for-profit, artist-run media art centre that fosters the growth and development of artists through access to equipment, training, mentorship, and programming. Its mission is to support a diverse community of media artists empowered by technology, programming and the exchange of ideas.
Its core principles are independence of expression, affordable access to all, and paying artists for their work. Digital Arts Resource Centre values diversity and actively promotes equity for all artists regardless of race, age, class, gender, sexual orientation, language, or ability.
Hiring: DARC will be looking to fill two Canada Summer Jobs Positions – Communications Assistant and Technical Assistant.
Edwards Creative Law
Canada’s Entertainment Law Boutique™
They are entertainment lawyers who understand the business of creative industries. They guide creators and business professionals as they navigate the legal complexities of working with others—purchasing, financing, creating, licencing, and protecting creative properties; buying and selling creative services. They act for clients from across Canada and around the world – working in Canada with Canadians. They advise on and structure their commercial transactions, their employment and independent contractor relationships. They incorporate and administer their corporations. And, if necessary, they resolve their disputes.
Edwards Creative Law is a sponsor of this year’s Film, Television, and Animation Career Fair.
Gusto TV
Gusto TV is an international food channel with exceptional production values and sophisticated storytelling. With hundreds of hours of proprietary content, Gusto TV offers a culturally diverse lineup that is a feast for the eyes and connects emotionally with viewers. Gusto TV’s award-winning titles can be viewed in English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese across 160+ countries on 40+ platforms. Check out the Watch Now page to get all of Gusto TV’s delicious culinary programming.
Hiring: Gusto TV is currently recruiting a Writer and a Streaming Channel Scheduler.
Hot Shoe Productions
Hot Shoe Productions is a youth-led social enterprise offering high-quality, professional video and photography services. As a team of talented, young creative professionals, they work with you to deliver your vision in an efficient, polished manner whether on site or in studio. They highly pride themselves on working effectively with their clients and promoting creative youth.
IATSE Local 634
IATSE Local 634 represents artists, technicians, and craftspeople working primarily in film, television, and stage production in Ottawa and Northern Ontario.
IATSE Local 634 is a sponsor of this year’s Film, Television, and Animation Career Fair.
Mercury Filmworks
Mercury Filmworks is an independent entertainment company that collaborates with partners across the globe to produce world-class content.
Productions Prestigo
Entreprise à vocation culturelle dont la mission est de produire, promouvoir et mettre en marché des contenus éducatifs, intelligents et divertissants destinés à la jeunesse et au grand public.
SLALOM
SLALOM est une compagnie de production télévisuelle franco-ontarienne qui se spécialise en jeunesse et en documentaire. Depuis 2007, SLALOM ose, innove et réunit des créateurs de talent autour d’une même mission : aller à la rencontre du public avec des contenus de qualité. Sous la gouverne de sa présidente et fondatrice, Marie-Pierre Gariépy, SLALOM se veut une pépinière de talents et d’idées. Des élans de folie, des coups de cœur, mais aussi des quêtes réfléchies qui deviennent sur vos écrans, des projets rassembleurs et reconnus.
Smyth Casting
Smyth Casting offers casting and actor coaching services.
The Mensour Agency
Canada’s first bilingual talent agency with agents representing writers, actors, voice artists, translators, speakers and masters of ceremonies.
The Meus
Meus Talent Agency: Elevating Stars, Crafting Success.
Meus Talent Agency takes pride in representing some of the finest and most sought-after principal actors in the world of television, film, and commercials. The agency is dedicated to nurturing the talents that illuminate screens and captivate audiences, ensuring that its clients not only secure meaningful roles but also thrive in their careers.