A slate of cinema's top award-winning filmmakers galvanized a 'standing-room-only' event at VIFF's 23rd Annual Film and Television Forum on Saturday, September 27 at the Vancouver International Film Centre. New Filmmakers' Day, the only event of its kind in Western Canada drew a packed house for such notable guests as Oscar-winning cinematographer Guillermo Navarro (Pan's Labyrinth, Hell Boy II: The Golden Army) and Sundance favourites, the writer/director team Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden (Half Nelson, Sugar).

Sold-out Forum sessions included Showrunning: The Fusion of Business and Creative featuring top creators Hart Hanson (Bones) and local phenomenon Chris Haddock (Intelligence); That's a Good Question: Interview Techniques from the Experts featuring criminal trial lawyer Ian Donaldson, Q.C., Investigative Reporter Kim Bolan and Psychologist Dan Fairchild; and Celebrating the Outlaws: TV's Bad Guys featuring Jenji Kohan (Weeds) and James Manos, Jr. (Dexter).

Top local and national filmmakers Bruce Sweeney (American Venus), Lynne Stopkewich (Suspicious River), Tom Sholte (Crime), Ben Ratner (Moving Malcolm) and Toronto's "Queen of low budget filmmaking" Ingrid Veninger (Only) entertained aspiring filmmakers with insider tips on crafting engaging stories and juggling the many demands on set.

According to Forum Creative Director Helen du Toit, "We've been delighted at the hugely positive feedback from our delegates this year! In fact, producer Drew R. Figueroa of Moxie Films said " I am happy to report that ALL talks were super informative and necessary even to me, a somewhat seasoned producer." Du Toit continued, "The guest speakers were also highly impressed by the quality of projects pitched to them during the speed-dating and Telefilm Canada Tête-à-tête Meetings. Indeed, there are strong indications that business has been done and we'll see the results a little further down the road."

The four-day industry event with its thematic streamlined programming continues to attract over 1100 delegates and is geared towards the professional development of the local film and television community. This type of programming is clearly successful judging by the increase in Day Pass sales and will continue to be a trend in future years. Back by popular demand were the Speed Dating Sessions designed for emerging filmmakers to pitch projects to broadcasters and senior local producers, get feedback and forge new relationships. In 2008, the Forum boasted a total of 76 projects pitched during the Speed Dating Sessions and the Telefilm Canada Tête-à-tête Meetings proved to be equally popular with 23 local senior producers pitching 68 projects to international commissioning editors, buyers and funders.

The buzz of the Forum carried over into an array of glamorous industry soirees, including red carpet events hosted by Brightlight Pictures and Insight Film Studios, Martini Madness hosted by Women in Film & Television, Vancouver and the 25th anniversary party of DOC BC.

The 23rd annual Film and Television Forum took place in the Rogers Industry Centre at the Vancouver International Film Centre and Vancity Theatre, September 24-27. Vancouver International Film Festival acknowledges the generous support of Telefilm Canada.