Program

Ann Marie Fleming is an award-winning Canadian writer, director, and visual artist working across film, animation, and media. Born in Japan and of Australian and Chinese heritage, her work explores themes of family, history, and memory. Her latest feature Can I Get a Witness? premiered at TIFF 2024, was named to the TIFF Top 10, and received multiple awards including from the Vancouver Film Critics Circle and the Leo Awards. Fleming has premiered 18 films at TIFF, with several Top 10 selections, including the acclaimed animated feature Window Horses, which won the Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Animated Feature.

Bringing a wealth of experience, leadership, and a commitment to fostering artistic excellence, Ryan has been part of the production teams for some of the industry's most recent and iconic projects, including WandaVision, HBO’s Watchmen, John Wick: Chapter 4, The Handmaid's Tale, 1923, and Priscilla. As Head of the Toronto Rodeo FX studio, he supervised many of its latest creations, including Mark Wahlberg's The Family Plan 2, Bob Odenkirk’s Normal and the upcoming Hershey movie. Throughout his career, Ryan gained invaluable on-set experience serving as the Head of Production, Head of Operations, and Managing Director. His tenures at various high-profile studios gave him a deep understanding of virtual production, an affinity for leadership roles that challenge the status quo and a contagious enthusiasm.

As an intellectual property lawyer at Dipchand LLP, Zach Nickels helps innovators and creators protect what sets their businesses apart through strategic advice, enforcement, and litigation when necessary. Drawing on both his technical background and legal expertise, Zach understands his clients’ businesses and objectives, and delivers advice that is practical, tailored, and personal. He has extensive litigation experience before the Ontario Superior Court, the Federal Court, and the Federal Court of Appeal, and is known for empowering his clients while advocating for them with tenacity.