Every year, the Canadian film and television industry gathers at the Yorkton Film Festival, now in its 78th year, to celebrate the Golden Sheaf Awards and take part in two days of industry-focused workshops and screenings. This year, ScreenSask is working with Yorkton to launch a new initiative: The ScreenSask Summit @ YFF.

The ScreenSask Summit is a 1/2 day mini-conference from noon-5 pm on Thursday, May 22nd, designed JUST for Saskatchewan creators, producers & crew. We’re focusing on the things that matter most to our industry. Registration is just $50 and includes lunch. This is open to everyone, and takes the afternoon before the opening of the Yorkton Film Festival.

We’ve paired it with an optional 5-hour intensive pitching workshop, How To Give The Optimal PItch, with Kevin Wright, designed for creators and producers who want to get their pitches perfect. Registration is $200 and limited to 10 people. The Workshop includes lunch and the ScreenSask Summit.

The goal of the ScreenSask Summit is to bring together senior, mid-career and emerging creators and producers from across the province for an intensive, one day capacity-building event offering training, development and mentorship opportunities. We’re using this as an opportunity to build relationships and networks between producers and creators in each of the province’s cities, increase project collaboration, and promote trade and export development.

So if you’re already coming to Yorkton on Thursday for the opening night film, all you need to do is register then drive up in the morning (instead of the afternoon).

And remember, you still need to register separately for the Yorkton Film Festival. This is a separate ticket. ScreenSask members receive a $100 discount when you register using promo code SMmbs25.

 

Agenda

Thursday, May 22, 2025
Noon – 5:00 pm
Gallagher Centre, Yorkton, Saskatchewan
$50 incl. lunch

Lunch Presentation: ScreenSask’s Workforce Development Strategy

12:00 pm

ScreenSask’s workforce consultant Stephen Hall will provide an overview of “Connecting to Grow: ScreenSask’s Workforce Development Strategy”. This comprehensive plan is a roadmap for Saskatchewan to grow its poll of talented producers, crew and creatives.

Creative Saskatchewan Update

1:15 pm

Creative Saskatchewan will present on their grant programs for the film industry, as well as their film commission services.

T

Panel: Producing Union-Made Shows in Saskatchewan

1:45 pm

Join representatives of IATSE and DGC for a look at what’s involved in producing a union-made film or television series. How do you connect and work with the different unions representing crew in Saskatchewan? How do the negotiations work? And what are the things you really need to know?

1

Saskatchewan Speed Dating

3:00 pm

Spend 15 minutes getting to know the other people in the room. Meet someone you don’t know. Find out why you should work with them. Tell them why they should work with you. See how you can help each other succeed.

Master Class: How To Deliver The Optimal Pitch

3:15 pm

Join Kevin Wright (former SVP Programming, THE MOVIE NETWORK, HBO CANADA, FAMILY CHANNEL) as he presents a master class on How to Deliver the Optimal Pitch.  Wright has commissioned over sixty television series and heard thousands of pitches over his thirty plus years in broadcast.  This one-of-a-kind session reveals practical tips and insights on pitching from the Decision Maker’s POV.   Wright will demonstrate how to make your pitch strong, polished and concise.  Topics include:

  • What is a pitch and what are the various types of pitches.
  • How the Decision Maker evaluates you and your pitch.
  • What are the attributes of an effective pitch and how to achieve them.
  • What is the roadmap for a formal pitch and how to navigate it.

Toast to Saskatchewan Filmmakers

4:45 pm

Register Now:
Limited To 10 Participants

Thursday, May 22, 2025
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Gallagher Centre, Yorkton, Saskatchewan
$200 (Includes Lunch & ScreenSask Summit)

Join Kevin Wright (former SVP Programming, THE MOVIE NETWORK, HBO CANADA, FAMILY CHANNEL) for this intensive 5-hour hands-on workshop on How to Deliver the Optimal Pitch.

Wright has commissioned over sixty television series and heard thousands of pitches over his thirty plus years in broadcast. This unique workshop will use practical tips and techniques to help you improve your pitching skills.

Wright will work with participants to develop the core components of their pitch.

  • How do you describe the heart of your project in a compelling and impactful way?
  • What is your project’s hook or intriguing question?
  • How do you create an engaging logline?
  • What is the most powerful and concise way to express your theme?

Participants will have the opportunity to deliver their pitch and receive feedback and guidance from Wright. The workshop will include role play which will show participants how to respond to questions and challenges from a Decision Maker.

Whether you’re new to pitching or an old pro, How to Deliver the Optimal Pitch will show you the best way to create and deliver an engaging and compelling pitch.

Resources for Participants:

  • THE OPTIMAL PITCH Key Pitch Elements
  • THE OPTIMAL PITCH Logline templates
  • THE OPTIMAL PITCH One Pager template
  • THE OPTIMAL PITCH The Virtual Pitch tip sheet
  • THE OPTIMAL PITCH Pitch Deck template

About Kevin Wright

https://www.theoptimalpitch.com

Kevin Wright is a dynamic speaker with thirty years’ experience in screen-based media.  He has commissioned over sixty television series and heard thousands of pitches.

Kevin worked previously as Senior Vice-President, Programming for Astral Television Networks where he was responsible for the acquisition and scheduling of content for HBO Canada, The Movie Network, TMN Encore, The Family Channel, Disney Junior Canada and Disney XD Canada.

Kevin joined Astral in 1995 as Vice-President, Programming for Family Channel.  He simultaneously served as Vice-President, Programming for Teletoon where he participated in the licensing and launch of the network.

Prior to Astral, Kevin held positions at YTV Canada, Paragon International and Telefilm Canada.

Kevin graduated from McGill University with a B.A. in Psychology and holds a B.A.A. in Motion Picture Production from the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson).

Kevin is a frequent guest lecturer at local universities and colleges, including:

  • University of British Columbia
  • Centennial College
  • Humber College
  • Ryerson University
  • York University

Kevin currently serves on the board for the Independent Production Fund.

Hotel Information

Yorkton Film Festival recommends that delegates requiring a hotel stay at 

  • Comfort Inn & Suites: (306) 783-0333
  • Quality Inn & Suites Yorkton: (306) 783-3297

Please note that ScreenSask has not made arrangements for hotel discounts.

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