THE ART OF NETWORKING IN A (POST) COVID WORLD
Success in the media industry has always relied heavily on the art of networking. Knowing how to meet people, where to meet them, what to say, when to say it and how. But, in its’ first year back in person, HBFF asks if anything has changed since our pre-COVID reality?
Moderator:
Amber Fryday, Global News
Amber Fryday is an award-winning digital broadcast journalist with Global News Halifax. She is passionate about reporting on issues pertaining to human rights and works tirelessly to better the communities she serves. She has recently been appointed as the Atlantic Director of The Canadian Association of Black Journalists.
She has published works with the CBC and has interned with SportsNet and has had her work published by news affiliates internationally.
She is passionate about implementing change and she is an involved community member volunteering with various charitable organizations. She is also the Vice President of the Nova Scotia Mass Choir.
PANELISTS:
Floyd Kane, Showrunner, Writer, Producer
Floyd Kane started his career as an entertainment lawyer working on productions such as the long-running satirical news program "This Hour Has 22 Minutes" and the Oscar-winning documentary, "Bowling For Columbine". He transitioned into writing with his creation of the half-hour CBC drama "North/South". Since that time, Floyd has written for a range of series including "Continuum", "Slasher" and "Backstage" as well as producing several feature films including the award-winning, "Across the Line", "Shake Hands with the Devil" and "The Incredible 25th Year of Mitzi Bearclaw". Floyd is the creator, showrunner, and executive producer for the CBC drama DIGGSTOWN. In 2019, he was the recipient of the Sandi Ross award from ACTRA Toronto which recognizes the efforts of individuals striving to create a more inclusive media industry.
Alexandra Maclean, Actress, Writer & Stunt Performer
Alexandra MacLean is an actress and one of the few Black female stunt performers in Nova Scotia. She recently played the principal role of Fallon on S4 of CBC’s Diggstown and performed as Stunt Tanna in Hulu’s Washington Black. As a graduate of the BIPOC TV & FILM Writing for Kids TV Intensive, Alexandra was 1 of 6 pitch competition winners for her original pilot, and has been selected to the 2023 WildBrain Writing Summit Initiative.
Salitha Shortte,TV Host, Social Media Specialist, Entrepreneur, Coach
Solitha migrated to Nova Scotia from the Caribbean Country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She is the Founder and CEO of Soli Productions Management Inc. which specializes in runway productions, brand promotion and model development/coaching. Soli Inc. promotes diversity, celebrates beauty without restrictions and encourages inclusivity in the fashion and film industry. Solitha is also one of the founding partners and CEO of the Atlantic Scholarship Organization, a non-profit organization focused on providing scholarships to post-secondary students who face financial barriers limiting their access to furthering their education.
Jeremy Webb, Artistic Director of Neptune Theatre
Jeremy Webb (He/Him) is the Artistic Director of Neptune Theatre and formerly Eastern Front Theatre. His own company, Off The Leash Creative, was founded in 2009. He recently directed ELF The Musical, Misery, The Woman In Black, Peter Pan, Alice, Cinderella, Shakespeare In Love, Mamma Mia, Noises Off and in a few days he will be announcing Neptune's 61st season. He directed the film 'WAKE' winning CBC's Short Film Face Off and the short film 'BONE DEEP.' He won the 2010 Mayor’s Award for Achievement in Theatre. In 2013, Jeremy won the Creative Arts Nova Scotia Established Artist Award. In 2014, Off The Leash/Jeremy Webb won the 2014 Touring Performers Award, presented by The Atlantic Presenters Association. In 2017, he was awarded The ACTRA David Renton Award of Excellence (for service to the film & ; TV union) and last year he was awarded the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal for service to the arts.
