Every Film Networking Event in Toronto (for under $10) – 2016 Edition
NOTE: If you would like your event listed below, email outreach@indiefilmTO.com with the subject “Networking Events”
Getting a crew to work with you is tough.
It’s like going to hooker on Yonge street, “I can’t pay you but you’ll get full credit for the job… And I’m pretty sure there’s pizza.”
The second step is getting people to believe in your vision.
The first step is actually meeting people.
Creatives Helping Creatives (link)
Consistently a great place to meet people in other creative fields such as graphic design, sound mixing, etc. Most networking for film tend to just have Directors/Producers/Writers, you know, the usual.
But how often do you need more than that? If you’re like me, then you’re constantly searching for an Art Director, or maybe even a website designer.
This is the place.
Place: Clinton’s Pub, 693 Bloor St. West
When: Second Wednesday of every month
Recurring: Yes
Price: Free
Toronto Film Industry Event (link)
The man who runs it is Zefred and if you think about what they stereotypical French filmmaker would look like, that’s him. 100%. But more awesome.
Place: Urban House Cafe (4 Dundonald St, near Yonge and Wellesley)
Time: After 6:00 PM
Date: Last Thursday of every month
Recurring: Yes
Price: Free
Raindance Booze and Schmooze (link)
One of the most trafficked film networking events in Toronto at the moment. A fun atmosphere right at the Raindance headquarters.
Place: 276 Carlaw Ave, Suite 222
Time: 7:00 pm
Date: Last Wednesday of the Month
Recurring: Yes
Price: $5
Toronto Horror Writers (link)
More geared towards screenwriters again, but a great place if you’re a director or producer who wants to produce an indie horror flick. Just please, don’t have a low angle shot of a knife with blood dripping from it like every other indie film.
Place: 461 King Street West (Firkin on King)
Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Date: Third Friday of every month
Recurring: Yes
Price: Free
We Make Movies (link)
While starting out in LA, it has grabbed the shaft of the Toronto scene in the way you wanted that Yonge-street lady to.
Place: Check with Kat Germaine for details but it usually has a dependable location (this week it’s at the Hard Rock Cafe)
Time: 7:00 PM
Recurring: Usually
Price: Free
“Depth of Field” screening (link)
A new productions by York University Film Students. Free and a great place to network with other Toronto student filmmakers. You don’t need to be from York.
Place: York University
Time: 8:00 PM
Date: April 21
Recurring: No
Price: Free
indiefilmTO Art Exhibition (link)
Innovation in film is generally given to the blockbusters that do something interesting with film form, like Memento or Pulp Fiction, but ALL of these films owe their innovations to the art house films.
Experimental films don’t get much press, which is why indiefilmTO is hosting an Art Exhibit just for experimental films
RSVP now if you’re interested by entering your email address and name here for more info, once the Without A Box applications official open up.
Time: 6:00 PM
Date: Mid-July
Recurring: Yearly
Price: $10
INK Drinks (link)
More for “Canadian screenwriters and their sketchy friends” but as Karen Walton says, “all crafts, disciplines, fans, other artists are welcome!”
Place: Check link
When: 6:00 PM
Recurring: Yes
Price: Free
**CINSSU: Innis College Movies (link)
Friday Night movies at U of T. Adding this as a bonus since while on the surface it seems like just a screening, the audience is actually made up of mostly filmmakers or crew/actors, etc.
Place: 2 Sussex Avenue.
Time: 7:00 PM
Date: Every Friday, with exceptions for Holidays
Recurring: Yes
Price: Free
**indiefilmTO Festival 2016 (link)
Don’t you hate it when you ask someone “so… what’s the compensation?” and the reply, after an awkward pause that makes you regret meeting them, is “well, it’s no pay… But it’s good, cause you’ll get credit!”
We have to change that.
Not just for us, but for the industry. The whole indie film scene. Money must exchange hands!
Now look back at the work you’ve done. Seriously. Open up your IMDB, or your Vimeo, or your little unlisted YouTube links. How many videos do you see?
Probably a lot. Now, how many people have seen those films? More importantly, how many people have seen them in a venue that has prestige?
I’m not talking about that local theater that hides its tininess by saying it’s “quaint.” (I do the same thing for my penis, and women unfortunately are not looking for something “quaint”).
What I’m talking about is something Big. Something you can be like “Yea! My movie was THERE. Isn’t that amazing?” Well that’s what we’re doing for you at TIFF this October.
Submissions will open shortly but to be notified early, click here.
Place: TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King St West)
Time: 7:00 PM
When: October, 2016
Recurring: Yearly
