The filmmaker panel is taking place on Friday, February 23rd at 3pm at Capers Restaurant, 272 Front St., Belleville (and is available to weekend pass holders on a first come first served basis.)

This year’s Belleville Downtown DocFest is welcoming a number of renowned filmmakers and special guests. Our DocFest weekend pass holders are invited to a special Filmmaker Panel Discussion. This is the community’s opportunity to hear more about these incredible documentary filmmakers and participate in a live Q&A session.

The Quinte Arts Council is this year’s sponsor for the Filmmaker Panel. “The filmmaker’s panel stands as a source of inspiration amidst the weekend’s festivities. It is with great significance that the QAC lends its support to this panel gathering, recognizing its role in championing filmmakers and providing a platform for the exchange of experiences and insights within the industry. This panel not only fosters education and networking opportunities for local filmmakers but also cultivates invaluable connections, enriching our creative community.” Janet Jarrell, Executive Director, Quinte Arts Council.

This year’s filmmaker panel will feature the following filmmakers:

Therese Shechter

Therese is an award-winning filmmaker and founder of the production company Trixie Films. Her work fuses humor, activism, and personal storytelling to examine and confront society’s most sacred ideas about womanhood.

Therese began her two-decades-long film career at Robert DeNiro’s production company Tribeca Films. Since then, her documentaries have screened on television and online, and appeared in film festivals from Rio de Janeiro to Istanbul to Seoul. Her work has been featured in The Guardian, New York Magazine, The Globe and Mail, NPR, Macleans, The Chicago Tribune, and Elle among others.

Her most recent film, My So-Called Selfish Life, is a revolutionary documentary about one of our greatest social taboos: choosing not to become a mother. Released in 2022 to critical acclaim, it has reached audiences in 35 countries and has become a powerful tool for fostering conversations about reproductive autonomy in a post-Roe v Wade era.

Therese’s film in DocFest 2024: My So-Called Selfish Life

Chrisann Hessing

Chrisann is a documentary filmmaker and producer based in Toronto. She has produced award-winning short films that have screened at Hot Docs, RIDM, Global Impact Film Festival and the London Asian Film Festival. Her work has been supported by the Ontario Arts Council, Inspirit Foundation, BravoFACT! Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent and Telefilm Canada.

She is passionate about using visual storytelling as a tool to educate, raise awareness, and inspire positive change, and has collaborated with community arts organizations including TIFF, JAYU, and the Doc Institute.

Chrisann’s debut feature, We Will Be Brave, premiered at the Calgary International Film Festival and won Audience Choice Feature Film at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival in 2023.

Chrisann’s film in DocFest 2024: We Will Be Brave

Roslyn (Roz) Mugford

With over 20 years of expertise in digital film, documentary, and video production, Roz Mugford leads Double Barrel Studios as its CEO and Creative Director. Since 2012, she has been instrumental in crafting and producing a wide range of content, including engaging and impactful documentaries for Canada’s largest organizations and broadcasters.

Roz’s versatility shines through her work both in front of and behind the camera. Her career encompasses writing, producing, directing, and hosting diverse content across various platforms, from print magazines to radio, television, and online media.

Roz’s commitment to quality and audience engagement has been the driving force behind Double Barrel’s success in the realms of digital film and video production.

Roz’s film in DocFest 2024: Hidden Heroes

Victor Cooper

Victor has been creating high-quality broadcast and web content for over 13 years. He has worked in every part of production from script to screen, with a strong focus on directing. He has worked on location around the world in places like Panama, Germany, Spain, Bahamas, and Mexico.

Being a dual US-Canadian citizen, he has worked in many states and provinces. He prides himself in being able to find and develop great stories by making strong connections with cast and crew.

Victor’s film in DocFest 2024: The Local

Don’t have time to join us for the full weekend of events and films? That’s okay, you can still catch the incredible Gala film and live concert! Get your Gala Only ticket today.