Food is good.
Film is better.


 

MFG EVENTS

Update: We have taken a break from doing in-person events, but below are some from our archives.

For a description of the event formats we've done, please click here to jump to the bottom of the page.


October 2014 MFG Event: 'ELAN + Montreal Film Group Schmoozer'
Date & Time:
Tuesday, October 28, 2014, 5-7pm+ -- Event has passed
Location: La Drinkerie Ste-Cunégonde
Address:
2661 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal (metro Lionel-Groulx) Map
Cost:
Free.
Description:
Join fellow members of the English-Language Arts Network (ELAN) and the Montreal Film Group (MFG) at La Drinkerie, down by the Atwater Market, for a fall evening of lively networking in a relaxed environment, and maybe even win books, tickets, or works of art at the Minute Market. Let’s raise a glass to the tenth anniversaries of both ELAN and the MFG!

This event is sponsored by the English-Language Arts Network (ELAN) and presented by the Montreal Film Group.

MFG Members, please get to know ELAN if you don't already! Here is their latest Newsletter, packed with local arts news.

See photos from the event here.

June 2014 MFG Event: 'MFG Spring 2014 Film & TV Schmoozer'

Date & Time:
Tuesday, June 3rd, 2014, 5-7PM -- Event has passed
Location: McKibbin’s Irish Pub - St-Laurent Blvd. Location
Address:
3515 St-Laurent (Between Sherbrooke and Prince Arthur; Metro St-Laurent; Buses: 55, 80, 24)
Cost:
Free
Description:
Arrive early for free munchies and a free pint (first 50 guests only, after that, Happy Hour prices til 8)
Update: Thank you to the 100 or so who attended the event! See you at the next one... all MFG members will be emailed once the next one is announced. Please Join the MFG to be added to our mailing list.

Sponsored by the Quebec English-language Production Council (QEPC PDF with more info) with the participation of ACTRA-Montreal, AQTIS and DGC-Quebec.

The Quebec English-language Production Council represents over 5,000 people working in the English-language production industry in Quebec. Its members include major producers of English-language television programs, feature films, and other media, as well as ACTRA-Montreal, AQTIS, and DGC-Quebec. Its Co-Chairs are Janis Lundman, producer of popular TV drama series such as Durham County and Bomb Girls, and Daintry Dalton, head of ACTRA-Montreal. The QEPC objective is simple- increase English-language production in Quebec. Last year, ACTRA estimated QEPC generated more than $36 million in new production. Come to the schmoozer and find out more, or email: qepc@bell.net.


March 2013 MFG Event: 'Salon Officiel - Film/TV/Music Networking Event'

Date & Time:
Tuesday, March 26, 2013, 5-7PM -- Event has passed
Location: Salon Officiel
Address:
351 Roy E. (corner Drolet). Metro Sherbrooke. Map.
Cost:
Free
Description:
The Montreal Film Group is proud to team up with Genison, The Screen Composers Guild of Canada, La Société professionnelle des auteurs et des compositeurs du Québec, Muse Entertainment, L-A be - Let Artists Be, and Do It Your Way to bring you another exciting film/TV/music networking event.

Update: Thanks to everyone who came out to Salon Officiel for the event. We had close to 200 people attend and were happy to see you there! See you at the next one... all MFG members will be emailed once the next one is announced. Please Join the MFG to be added to our mailing list.




(Photo by MFG member Paul van den Boom)

March 2012 MFG Event: 'Santos - Film/TV/Music Networking Event'

Date & Time:
Tuesday, March 13, 2012, 5-7PM -- Event has passed
Location: Santos Tapas Bar
Address:
191 St. Paul Street West (corner St-Francois Xavier). Metro Place-d'Armes. Map.
Cost:
Free
Description:
Is winter making you stir crazy? Trapped in an editing room? Looking to connect with fellow filmmakers, TV creators and music industry professionals too?

The Montreal Film Group is proud to team up with the Screen Composers Guild of Canada, La Société professionnelle des auteurs et des compositeurs du Québec, and Third Side Music to bring you a not-to-be-missed film/TV/music networking event.

Update: Thanks to the nearly 200 people who attended the event!



June 2011 MFG Event: 'Summer 2011 Cinq à Sept'

Date & Time:
Thursday, June 11, 2011, 5-7PM -- Event has passed
Location: HELM Broue-pub
Address:
273 Bernard West, corner of Av. du Parc
Cost:
Free
Description: The MFG and Third Side Music would like to invite you to our Summer 2011 Cinq à Sept.
Come on down to HELM and spend some time with some of your fellow MFG members. Enjoy drink specials (amazing HELM micro-brews), free entry, and that famous MFG networking serendipity! -- Thanks to the 150+ MFG members who attended this event!

June 2010 MFG Event: 'The "Socalled" Movie' Screening and Networking Event

Date & Time:
Monday, June 7, 2010, 6PM -- Event has passed
Location: CinemaSpace and ArtLounge at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts
Address:
5170 Cote St. Catherine Rd. (corner Westbury, 2 blocks West of metro Cote-Sainte-Catherine; Bus 129 or 17).
View map.
Cost:
$8/$6 students (with ID) and Seniors (65+). Seating is limited. Reserve your tickets in advance by calling the Segal Centre's Box office at 514-739-7944 before the event sells out. -- Update: SOLD OUT!


Description: Join fellow MFG members at CinemaSpace at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts for a screening of the new NFB/reFrame Films music documentary 'The "Socalled" Movie' along with a networking party before and after the film in ArtLounge at the Segal Centre. Meet the film's director, MFG member and veteran doc filmmaker, Garry Beitel ("Chez Schwartz") and participate in a Q&A with him and Josh "Socalled" Dolgin after the film.

For those who can't get tickets or who aren't available on June 7th: The film also plays at CinemaSpace on June 5 (9:30PM) and June 6, 8 & 10 (7PM). More info. (Note: These dates will not have the MFG networking component.)

Visit the film's official web site here: www.nfb.ca/socalled

This event is presented as a collaboration between The Montreal Film Group, CinemaSpace and the National Film Board.



March 2010 MFG Event: "MFG 'Surprise' Party"

Date & Time:
Monday, March 1st, 2010, 7PM-10pm -- Event has passed
Location: ArtLounge at The Segal Centre for Performing Arts
Address: 5170 Cote St. Catherine Rd. (corner Westbury, 2 blocks West of metro Cote-Sainte-Catherine; Bus 129 or 17).
View map.
Cost:
Free admission. No RSVP required.
Description:
Surprise! Just like that, we felt like throwing a party to celebrate the warmer weather, so we'll be having a film/TV networking event at the Segal Centre's ArtLounge. An excellent opportunity to meet others in our fine city's film & TV industry. The MFG has over 2000 members so you never know who you'll meet for the first time or reconnect with... Cash bar and yummy food available for purchase at the counter (sandwiches, soups, desserts, etc.)

Bonus: Free bottle of Dr. Bronner's Magic organic hemp soap for all who show up!

November 2009 MFG Event: "MFG '5' Party!"

Date & Time:
Tuesday the 10th of November, 2009, 7pm-11pm -- Event has passed
Location: CinemaSpace and ArtLounge at The Segal Centre for Performing Arts
Address:
5170 Cote St. Catherine Rd. (corner Westbury, 2 blocks West of metro Cote-Sainte-Catherine; Bus 129 or 17).
View map.
Cost:
Free admission.

Description:
The MFG has just turned 5 years old! And we are now 2000+ members strong!

Over 200 MFG members attended the "MFG '5' Party" at CinemaSpace and ArtLounge at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts.

This event was proudly presented by the MFG in partnership with Muse Entertainment.



Since opening in early 2008, CinemaSpace has hosted many sold out MFG member screenings, Cineclub/Film Society classic film nights and has collaborated with many of Montreal's film festivals. This was a fun evening of catching up, meeting new people, tasty free organic snacks from EcollegeY, and samplings of 34 MFG members' short films and film clips on the big screen.



See the full list of all films screened in CinemaSpace during the party.


Thank you to our Door Prize suppliers: Muse Entertainment; The MediaWorkshop at the Segal Centre; The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre; CBC's Routes Montreal Concert Series; Metropole Films Distribution; and CinemaSpace sponsors Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods & Oils and Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps.



November 2008 MFG Event: "Neva’ Say Neva’: Doc Talk With Geva"

Date & Time:
Thursday, November 20th, 2008, 7PM -- This event has passed
Location: CinemaSpace at the Segal Centre
Address:
5170 Côte St. Catherine, corner Westbury. 2 blocks West of Métro Côte-Sainte-Catherine
Cost:
Free! RSVP required to esoiferman@segalcentre.org -- SOLD OUT!

Description:
Les RIDM (Les Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal) and CinemaSpace at the Segal Centre present a Documentary Master Class Workshop with Dan Geva: “Neva’ Say Neva’: Doc Talk With Geva”

Better ways to make better docs. Inspired Israeli filmmaker and film scholar Dan Geva presents fragments from his 15 years of documentary filmmaking using different approaches, techniques, and cinematic languages. From direct to verité, portrait to poetic, thesis to thematic, essay to process, and situation to journey film. During the illustrated discussion, Geva will discuss the crucial theoretical and pragmatic dilemmas that constantly challenge and define documentary filmmaking. A lively master class sure to address and answer vital questions about the genre that has taken audiences around the world by storm in recent years.

This exclusive workshop will be conducted at the Segal Centre’s new 77-seat, state-of-the-art CinemaSpace screening room. Come discover the work, words and wisdom of this celebrated Israeli filmmaker in the comfort of CinemaSpace’s unique plush hemp fabric cinema seats. The workshop will be given in English.

Neva’ Say Neva’ is presented in association with the Montreal Film Group.


Dan Geva

October 2008 MFG Event: "NFB: MM3 from A-Z"

What:
Mingle and network with emerging filmmakers and musicians, find a partner to apply to Making Music 3 or just come and learn more about the program. An excellent way to get MM3 info before the project's submission deadline on November 10th.
Date & Time:
Thursday, October 30th, 2008, 7:00pm - 9:30pm -- This event has passed
Location: Le Centre St-Ambroise
Address:
5080 St-Ambroise (in St-Henri)
Cost:
Free!

Description:
MM3 from A-Z! Come and make your short experimental film with the NFB! Are you a filmmaker or a musician? Do you have some experience making films or music? Are you ready to collaborate, think outside the box, unleash your creativity and redefine what films about music are supposed to be? Then check out Making Music 3! Visit the MM3 Facebook Group "Making music with the NFB" and come to MM3 from A-Z an event presented in association with the MFG on Thursday, October 30th at le Centre St-Ambroise (5080 St-Ambroise), 7pm - 9:30pm. Come meet local emerging musicians and filmmakers! Network with other artists, watch some previous ‘Making Music’ films and meet the NFB staff. It's an evening of mingling and talking about Making Music (and making films!). If you couldn’t make it to Jem Cohen’s master class at Pop Montreal, then you can’t miss MM3 from A-Z. Don’t have a partner to apply to Making Music yet? Simply bring your business card and samples of your work and we’ll help you find a match!

Presented by the NFB in partnership with Pop Montreal and in association with Third Side Music, The Montreal Film Group and CKUT.

Note: Teams of 1 filmmaker and 1 musician/band will need to apply to MM3 together by the Nov. 10th, 2008 deadline. The event on Thursday, Oct. 30 is designed to help pair up teams. For more info on the full MM3 program, please click here (NFB PDF document) and visit the MM3 Facebook group.


April 2008 MFG Event: "The DGC Mash Bash!"
(version franÁaise)
Date & Time:
Wednesday, April 9th, 2008, 8PM++ -- This event has passed
Location: La Sala Rossa
Address:
4848 St. Laurent (just south of St-Joseph)
Cost:
Free!
Description:
A chance for Montreal Film Group members to have their films be part of a massive 'mash up' on Sala Rossa's big screen. It's your hottest film clips smashed, swirled and blended with other film clips ... then set to a DJ's original soundtrack. All this, plus loads of networking with fellow MFG'ers and Directors Guild of Canada staff and members. Join the fun as the DGC hosts the April 2008 Montreal Film Group party. Come have a drink, catch up with industry friends and watch your clips flowing from the screen & speakers. Live DJ, VJ and no cover charge! On April 9th, get mashed...

Check out the Mash Bash Facebook page.

Visuals by: Pink Rubber Lady
Music by: DJ Guapo

Update: Thanks to the 200+ MFG and DGC members who attended and partied until 1:30AM! See you at the next party to be announced soon.

February 2008 MFG Event: "Triptyque at les Rendez-vous!"
Date & Time:
Friday, February 22nd, 2008. -- This event has passed
Show at 10PM (Come grab a drink from 8:30pm at the Cinématheque too!)
Location: Bistro SAQ at the Cinemathèque Québécoise (Part of Les Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois)
Address:
335 de Maisonneuve East, near the corner of St-Denis. (Berri-UQAM metro)
Cost:
The show at 10pm is $10 at the door
Note:
There is no cover charge to come have a drink and a schmooze at the "Luce Guilbault" lobby bar from 8:30-10:00pm.

Description:
A great big night of experimental films and live musical accompaniment. Come network with fellow MFG members too!

Full event details: TRIPTYQUE: Three improvised performances, three encounters of experimental cinema and live musical accompaniment! POJBD (Practise of Joy Before Death) vs. Volatile Works followed by an all-star band playing with the talented Double-Negative Collective filmmaker and MFG member Karl Lemieux. To finish, Glaces, a live improvisation of Pierre Hébert, the great animation film artist and the musician Pierre Duchesne. A must-see! Presented in association with the Montreal Film Group. Part of Les Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois.

Description at the Rendez-vous site.


October 2007 MFG Event: "Film Pop Opening Night!"
Date & Time:
Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007, 7PM++ -- Event has passed
Location:
The Portuguese Association
Address:
4170 St-Urbain (just south of Rachel)
Cost:

7pm - Film Pop opening event: "What Happened to Analog" (program of short analog films) - $7 ($5 students)
9pm - "Film Pop One Take Super 8" show (short super 8 films program) - $7 ($5 students)
10:30PM - Film Pop Opening Party! - Free!

Description:
Hey, MFG'ers! Come out to Film Pop 2007's opening night. Featuring two great short film programs and a free party presented by the Montreal Film Group and Film Pop. Great shorts, great networking, cheap beer and lots of fun.

About Film Pop: In its 4th year, Film Pop is the action-packed film festival section of Pop Montreal International Music Festival. Co-produced by the MFG's Ezra Soiferman, Film Pop promises to be a great time for all. The 5-day fest will present over 40 features, shorts and music videos from countries including: Canada, the USA, Norway, Mexico, Australia and Japan. Many films by Montreal filmmakers too, including the MFG's own: Evan Beloff, Mika Goodfriend, Carina Garcia Casanova, Omar Majeed, Brett Story, Kaveh Nabatian, Simon Lacroix and Adam Azimov. October 3-7th, 2007 at the Portuguese Association, 4170 St-Urbain (just south of Rachel).



Update: Thanks to all who attended! The One Take Super 8 event was packed and the party afterwards was a hit too. See you at our next event to be announced in the coming weeks...

September 2007 MFG Event: "MFG Endless Summer Party II"
Date & Time:
Monday, September 10th 2007, 8PM+ -- EVENT HAS PASSED
Location:
B side
Address:
3616 St-Laurent Blvd. (corner Prince Arthur, where Sugar used to be)
Cost:
$5 at the door
Description:
Come one and all for another edition of the party that won’t let summer go without putting up a good fight. Last year's Endless Summer Bash was at Café des Éclusiers, this year’s indoor/outdoor party will be at B side on St. Laurent. Expect a good crowd and a great vibe! There's a big patio on the roof but even if it's raining, the party will still take place. Plenty of party space inside B side! Drink specials too! See you there...

Update: Thanks to all who attended! Close to 100 MFG'ers were there to bid adieu to the summer. We loved seeing you all out there. Merci! -Ezra and Val


June 2007 MFG Event: "MFG Music Party! (A Presque-Summer Kickoff)"
Date & Time:
Tuesday, June 12th, 2007, 7pm+ - EVENT HAS PASSED
Location:
Balroom (formerly Le Swimming)
Address:
3643 St. Laurent
Cost:
$5 at the door
Description:
Big MFG party featuring a sound system happily crammed with MFG members' original music and lots and lots of cool members like you. Prizes too. A big ol' presque-summer kickoff.

Wrap-up: Thanks to all who came to the big MFG Summer Kickoff Party at Balroom!!! Close to 175 MFG members were there to ring in the summer in style with some amazing music created by MFG composers, musicians and bands playing over the stereo. The playlist is now available here for all to see what was playing at the party and to get in touch with composers whose music played.

Big thanks to our party partners for their support and all the prizes they gave out during the raffle: Tremblant Film Festival, Third Side Music and Film Pop (October 3-7, submit your shorts and feature films soon using this form).

Special thanks to all the volunteers who helped put on the show! Merci MFG'ers!

Photos bientot!




May 2007 MFG Event: "The Art & Business of Film Festivals"
Date & Time:
Monday, May 28th, 2007, 7PM - 9:30PM - EVENT HAS PASSED
Location:
NFB CinéRobotheque
Address:
1564 St. Denis, corner de Maisonneuve (Metro Berri-UQAM, St. Denist St. exit)
Cost:
$9 at the door
Description:
Incredible speakers, award winning (The Big Thing by Carl Laudan) and Oscar winning (The Danish Poet by MFG member Torill Kove; edited by MFG member Phyllis Lewis) shorts to be shown and a great way to learn the ins and outs of the film festival world. Invaluable if you're in the game of getting your shorts and features into festivals. Prepare to be inspired!

Wrap-up: Thanks to all MFG members who attended our official MFG event called "The Art and Business of Film Festivals" at the NFB Cinerobotheque. Big thanks to our special guest panelists too: Mitch Davis (Fantasia), Francois Rodrigue (Tremblant) and Paul Ronca (Comedia/Just For Laughs). Extra special thanks to Phyllis Lewis (editor, The Danish Poet) for answering questions about the film and to MFG photographer par excellence Alvaro Pacheco for documenting the event in photos to be posted soon at the Gallery section of this site. More thanks go out to the NFB staff who helped set up the event and who put on the show at the cinema last night too. Finally a big thank you to MFG members Torill Kove (The Danish Poet) and Carl Laudan (The Big Thing) who allowed us to present their films at the event. See you all at the next MFG event, a big summer kickoff party at Balroom on St. Laurent on Tuesday June 12th at 7pm. Details to follow.




 

April 2007 MFG Event: "Bring Your Own Shorts! II"
Date & Time:
Tuesday, April 10th, 2007; Doors: 7:30pm, Films: 8:00pm. - Event has passed.
Location:
Shaika Café
Address:
5526 Sherbrooke St. West (Corner Old Orchard in NDG; Metro: Vendome; Bus: 105 - two stops from the metro)
Cost:
$5 at the door
Description:
Wanna party? Wanna network? Wanna show your best short comedy!?...

On Tuesday, April 10th, the MFG will be presenting the second edition of "Bring Your Own Shorts!" We did this once in 2005 when we only had about 30 members. The night was exhilarating and the feedback was amazing. We now have over 1000 members so this evening should be that much more fun.

Here's how it works...

-The theme of the films shown will be COMEDY this time round... bring your BEST comedy short on DVD (NTSC)
-Any genre, any shooting format, any year, any language, any budget... it just needs to be funny!
-Films under 10 minutes please
-When you arrive with a film, put your name in the MFG hat. If your name is picked, your film goes on!
-You don't need a short to attend! Come for the fun, the films and to meet other great MFG'ers
-Beer, wine, coffee and very tasty food available

Recap: Over 75 MFG members and members of the public crowded in to Shaika to watch this fun event where 13 MFG filmmakers had their short comedy films shown. The great photos by Alvaro Pacheco are below. Big thanks to all the fantastic MFG volunteers who helped the evening run so smoothly.

Films shown:

Drama Of The Doctors - Ryan Harper-Brown
The Rip-Off - Kun Chang
Nike "Puck" - Joel Miller
Slice Of Life - Val Lonergan/Alec Matthewson
Ne Me Quitte Pas - Doug Kropla
The Apartment - Vanessa Delsooz
Picnic - Phil Johnston
In 60 Seconds Flat - Marla Pachake
Viewer Discretion - James Malloch
Show U Show - Sohrab Falahatkar
It Girl - Mary Jane
Vomit Boy - Christos Sourligas/Ezra Soiferman
On The Lot Entry - Robert Higden
Gumble To Gumble - Dawn Ford

January 2007 MFG Event: "Montrealfilmgroup.com's 1 Year Anniversary Party!"

Date & Time:
Monday, January 29th, 2007, 8pm - Event has passed.
Location:
Club Lambi
Address:
4465 St-Laurent Blvd., just below Mont-Royal, 2nd floor
Cost:
$4 at the door
Description:
The MFG was founded in July, 2004, but our web site was launched in January, 2006. Since then we've gone from about 50 members to over 900! Come celebrate our website's first birthday blowout. Great networking opportunity, a chance to see old friend in the industry and a chance to meet new film and TV industry folks too. Bring business cards. We'll see you there!

Thanks to the nearly 200 members who attended!

Thanks to the Tremblant Film Festival for sponsoring the party!

Photos from the event are now here.

October 2006 MFG Event: "Film Brainstorming Conversation"

Date & Time:
Wednesday, October 18, 2006 - 6:30-8:30pm (In the BACK lounge) - Event has passed
Location:
Café Romolo on Bernard St. near Parc Ave.
Address:
272 Bernard St. West
Cost:
Free
Description:
University of The Streets Café and the Montreal Film Group present the ìFilm Brainstorming Conversationî

An open and creative discussion that offers a unique opportunity for members of Montreal's public to brainstorm with members of Montreal's film and TV industry in order to explore:

Please attend if:
-You are a filmmaker looking to hear fresh ideas
-You are not a filmmaker but want to share your ideas with receptive filmmakers
-You are looking to collaborate with an unexpected partner
-You are looking to hear what the public wants films made about
-You are looking for a fun night of discussion and networking
-You want to hoot n' holler about how the general public has no goddamn place telling artists what to make films about

A few of the topics to be discussed:
-How links between filmmakers and the public can be mutually beneficial?
-What are some non-traditional ways to fund films that the public might know - from other disciplines - which filmmakers might be unaware of?
-What are some new ways to show films in the urban environment?

The discussion will be moderated by Ezra Soiferman (documentary filmmaker and co-director of the Montreal Film Group). Invited to the events will be members of the Montreal Film Group as well as members of the public interested in films, filmmaking and having their voices heard.

Presented i n partnership with University of the Streets Café.

New MFG events in the works for fall and winter...

Photos from the event are now here.

September 2006 Event: "Endless Summer Party"
Presented in association with the Writers Guild of Canada

Date & Time:
Tuesday, September 5th, 2006, 5-7pm - Event has passed
Location:
Café des Éclusiers
Address:
400 de la Commune West, Old Montreal
Cost: $7 at the door
Description:
Please help us save summer! Fall is fast approaching: back to work, back to school, back to wearing longjohns... Come celebrate the new season with the Montreal Film Group and the Writers Guild of Canada!

Event Recap: Huge thanks to the 150+ MFG'ers who attended! This event was a great opportunity for all MFG members to catch up with old friends, brag about summer goings-on and get new projects off the ground.

We'd like to give a huge thank you to Anne-Marie Perrotta and Leila Basen from the WGC for their help in partnering up on this event, and also to the Cool Hemp Company for their complimentary hemp ice cream.

Official poster.

Photos from the event are now here.


June 2006 MFG Event: "Café de la Cinémathèque Book Launch 5 à 7"

Date & Time:
Wednesday, June 21, 2006, 5-7+ - Event has Passed
Location:
Café de la Cinemathèque Québécoise
Address: 335 de Maisonneuve East, near the corner of St-Denis. (Berri-UQAM metro).
Cost:
$0
Description:
5 à 7 cocktail party at the Café de la Cinemathèque Québécoise , for summertime networking, catching up with friends (old and new), talking about new projects, and the launch of MFG member Alex Epstein's new book, Crafty TV Writing: Thinking Inside the Box. Alex will be there selling and signing copies of his new book. See you there!

Event Recap: Over 100 folks attended and had a chance to meet Alex, purchase his book and network with fellow MFG members under the sun on the Café terrasse. Thanks to all for coming!

Photos from the event are now here.

May 2006 MFG Event: How-To... "Guerilla Filmmaking 101"

Date & Time: Wednesday, May 31, 2006, 7-10pm, doors at 6:30 - Event Has Passed
Location: De Seve Theatre, Concordia Library Building, Main Floor
Address: 1400 De Maisonneuve W., Metro Guy
Cost: $6
Description: A crash-course in getting attention-grabbing films made for next to no money. Featuring a panel of 5 experienced MFG filmmakers who've proven themselves in this increasingly popular style. Benefit from the panel discussion, network it up during the break and after the show and learn valuable tips on getting your next film made.

Panelists included: Alana Cymerman, Elza Kephart, Paul Shore, Christos Sourligas and Philippe Spurrell.

Thanks to all who attended!

Photos from the event are now here.

Late March 2006 MFG Event: "Film Fusion"
Presented in association with Telefilm Canada and ELAN

Date & Time: Wednesday, March 29th, 2006, 8PM - Event has passed
Location: La Sala Rossa
Address: 4848 St-Laurent Blvd (just south of St-Joseph)
Cost: $5
Description: Another big MFG networking party! This will be a unique union of a handpicked slew of film and TV organizations from around Montreal and a whole lot of their (and our) members meeting each other.

Groups who presented at Film Fusion include: Just For Laughs/Comedia, DOC-Québec, University Of The Streets Café, Main Film, English Language Arts Network (ELAN), Cinema Politica, Y.E.S. Montreal, Women in Film & Television International (WIFTI), Fantasia Film Festival, CitizenShift/NFB, Parole Citoyenne/ONF, Prends ça court!, SODEC, Telefilm Canada and of course... the MFG.

Film Fusion also featured live musical performances by Emily Carr and Danny Lutz.

Event Recap: The event was another big one. Thanks to the nearly 300 people who came out for Film Fusion! Special thanks to Telefilm Canada and ELAN (English Language Arts Network) who were our partners in presenting this event, to all our fantastic volunteers and to all the presenters and musicians who rocked Sala Rossa for four solid hours!

See the party photos Jan Belina Brzozowski took up at our Gallery!

Film Fusion poster designed by MFG member Ross Lourens:

Mid-March 2006 Surprise MFG Event: "Everybody's Welles"

Date & Time:
Wednesday, March 8, 2006, 8PM - Event has passed
Location:
Leonor and Alvin Segal Theatre at the Saidye Bronfman Centre
Cost:
$15 (Normally $28-$41)

Our group was privileged to have been invited to a special preview performance of the Masque Award-winning play Everybody's Welles at the Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre at the Saidye Bronfman Center on Wednesday, March 8th.

The multimedia play revolves around a young man obsessed by film legend Orson Welles. It received excellent reviews when it played in French in 2004.

This was a great opportunity to see an excellent play and meet other MFG members.

Ticketing, location and play info here.

Thanks to all who attended!

February 2006 MFG Event: "Round-Table SoirÈe"

Featuring Michelle van Beusekom, Manager of Program Development, CBC
Montreal.
Special surprise guest: Andrew Johnson, Commissioning Editor of CBC Newsworld's The Lens

Date & Time: Feb. 28, 2006, 7-10pm - Event has passed
Location: Hong Kong Restaurant in Chinatown
Address: 1019 St-Laurent
Cost: $30 (Includes all food and 1 soft drink.) Restaurant offers BYOW.
Description: 12 of our members who qualified convened at a restaurant in Chinatown to meet and chat with Michelle who has kindly offered to share her time and expertise. A lucky bonus was the fact that Andrew was in town from Toronto and offered to join us as well. Big thanks to both Michelle and Andrew and all who attended this informative event. More in the works....

Registration guidelines can be read here.

Read an excellent CBC i-Wire interview with Michelle about her mandate at CBC here. For those who couldn't attend the event, this is half the battle in getting familiar with what she is looking for in pitches to the TransCanada Development Fund.

Read an excellent CBC i-Wire interview with Andrew about what he's looking for this year at CBC Newsworld's The Lens here. Visit The Lens' official submission page here.

Photos from the event are now here.

January 2006 MFG Event: "MFG Web Site Launch Party"
Date & Time: Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006, 7-10pm - Event has passed
Location: Shaika Cafe and Bar
Address: 5526 Sherbrooke St. West (corner Old Orchard, which is 3 blocks west of the Decarie Expressway in NDG. A 7 min. walk from the Vendome metro, or 105 Bus from metro.)
Cost: Free
Description: Party for all in a cozy setting. A perfect chance to meet up with other film and TV industry members. Bring film/TV friends and associates.
Event Recap: Wow!!! Over 250 film and TV industry members converged on the cozy Shaika for an incredible evening. There was everyone from producers to broadcasters, to writers to make-up artists, agents, lawyers, stuntpeople, and so many more. Special thanks to 3Di Syntheses for buying the first round of drinks (sorry if you showed up a bit late and missed it). Thanks to Ecollegey Strictly Organic Green Grocer for that gorgeous homemade hummus they provided, too! We cannot thank everyone enough for believing in the MFG and in the Montreal film/TV scene and for showing up. If you missed it, there will be more parties and events like this in the future (bookmark this page!). The message we got was: "Make more parties!" A million mercis to everyone.

Photos from the event are now here.

 

Event Formats: 

MFG Parties: These are good old fashioned parties held at bars, cafés and other fun locations around town. The goal is to bring MFG members together to catch up (or meet for the first time), have a drink, and exchange ideas and business cards.

How To Events: How To nights, cover a range of creative, technical and financial topics. These informal evenings allow lots of question and answer time and will be hosted by people working in the trenches, well qualified to explain how to go about tackling a given issue you might be facing. For example, how to get your screenplay or pilot script read, how to secure financing for your picture and how to pitch to broadcasters and distributors are all subjects that were broached in our first how-to night, Guerilla Filmmaking 101 (May 2006).

An Evening With: These are interviews with engaging industry personalities in front of MFG members and the public. Featuring dynamic industry veterans who are open to discussing the ups and downs of their careers so far in film or TV. With clips and highlights from their body of work, and Q&A sessions. These evenings are especially pertinent and interesting for industry folks, but are open to anyone from students to friends to lovers of the arts. If you are or know someone who would be interested in being featured and who you think would draw a nice crowd, please nominate them here.

Round Table Soirees: Intimate events where a filmmaker can get up close and personal with someone in the business who might otherwise be quite difficult to get ahold of. A gatekeeper for a large broadcaster, an acquisitions executive for a distribution house, or a prolific producer. The idea behind our Round Table SoirÈes is to secure an evening with a VIP and invite 10-12 suitable filmmakers for a unique dinner out with them, so that we may better understand where they stand personally and professionally on a wide range of relevant issues. If you are or know someone who would enjoy sharing their views and a few insider tips on their line of work, please nominate them here.

Surprise Events: Finally, sometimes we just feel like throwing a last minute somethin' for those who are feeling like a spur of the moment party. MFG members will receive info by email about surprise events, as with all official MFG events. If you can make it, great! If you can't... next time round!