FILMSTC Industry Session | Film Production in Niagara

FILMSTC Industry Session
Film Production in Niagara

Exploring Film Production Opportunities in Niagara
Hosted by Julia Ciolfi | City of St. Catharines FilmSTC 

Join filmmakers, producers, and funders for a dynamic discussion focused on expanding film production opportunities in the region. This event brings together passionate individuals dedicated to supporting the local film industry.

Engage in a panel discussion led by industry experts, network with like-minded professionals, explore exciting local projects, and discover funding resources and opportunities.

Panelist will explore the challenges and opportunities unique to the region and share their insights on how to navigate and thrive in this vibrant filmmaking community.

GUEST PANELISTS

April Mullen
Writer, Director, Producer, Actor originally from Niagara Falls, ON
April Mullen’s latest directorial offer is Hello Stranger which is in post production. Wander (2021) premiered at the Deauville Film Festival in France and was released by Saban, Universal and Paramount. Mullen also directed Below Her Mouth (2016), a relentless love story shot entirely by an all female crew which had its World Premier at TIFF 2016. Selected directorial TV credits include Blood & Treasure (2019), Tiny Pretty Things (2020), Lethal Weapon (2016), The Rookie (2018) and Wynonna Earp (2016). 

April Mullen is also Co- Founder of Wango Films, a full-service film production company, founded on a youthful blend of grassroots innovation and bold creativity. Based in Los Angeles and Toronto.

John Davies
Writer and filmmaker based in St.Catharines, ON
John Davies work includes the scripts for Kids Vs Aliens, Hobo with a Shotgun, Slumber Party Alien Abduction (V/H/S/2), Number to Heaven (seen on G4TechTv), and Andy the Handy Alligator (Vans Short Film Contest). 

Telefilm Ontario
Founded in 1967, Telefilm Canada is a Government of Canada Crown corporation in the Canadian Heritage portfolio. Headquartered in Montréal, we serve our clients through four offices located in Vancouver, Toronto, Montréal and Halifax. Telefilm is the leading support for the development, production, promotion and distribution of the screen-based industry in Canada.

Hosted by City of St. Catharines – FilmSTC Julia Ciolfi
Julia Ciolfi has been involved in municipal government for nearly 14 years and has supported the film industry in various roles throughout her tenure. In 2015, while employed by the City of Hamilton, she stepped into the role of Film Operations Specialist and worked with dozens of productions over several years catapulting Hamilton to the 2nd busiest film jurisdiction in Ontario. From feature films such as Suicide Squad (2016), It (2017) and Shazam! (2019) to TV Series such as The Boys (2019), Handmaid’s Tale (2017), Titans (2018) and Umbrella Academy (2019), the work of the Hamilton Film Office and the community built a strong support and pride around location filming.

Since joining the City of St. Catharines Economic Development Department in 2022, Julia has worked to build the film industry in the Niagara region. A member of the team that launched the filmSTC.ca website intended to be a one stop shop with information on filming in the city. The website targets 3 key audiences: 1. Film industry professionals considering St. Catharines as a location for a production (includes processes, documents and key contacts), 2. St. Catharines property owners who would like to list their property to be considered as film locations and 3. Local business owners looking to support the film industry through products or services.

Thank you to the City of St. Catharines and FilmSTC for supporting the Mighty Niagara Film Fest and film culture in St. Catharines.