Through international delegations and networking events, the CMPA brings producers face to face with a world of opportunity
Canada is well known as a co-production powerhouse: we have co-production treaties and memoranda of understanding with nearly 60 countries. But what good is that if you don’t know a soul in those countries? The CMPA is committed to putting our members in direct contact with new partners and new opportunities through our international delegations, which take our members to key locations, markets and forums around the world. As well, we host events at key conferences and festivals that bring together potential collaborators and strengthen international ties. We do it for one reason: to help our members succeed in a competitive global market and get their projects onto global screens. Check out where we’ve been lately!
TorontoOctober 2024
Recognizing that interprovincial partnerships continue to grow in importance, CMPA-BC led a delegation of 10 producers to Toronto. The goal: to build relationships with decision makers, funders and Ontario producers. The CMPA hosted a reception to help Ontario and BC producers connect further, and a consultant met individually with each producer to give feedback on their strategies, goals and pitches.
LondonDecember 2024
In collaboration with the UK’s High Commission of Canada, the CMPA connected Canadian producers with their UK counterparts at the Canada–UK Co-Production Forum. The day after, more than 150 Canadians were in attendance at Content London, a three-day conference for the international television community, where the CMPA hosted a Meet the Canadians networking lunch to bring together Canadian and international executives, as well as a networking dinner in with Australian producers, in partnership with Screen Producers Australia. Commonwealth connections galore!
BerlinFebruary 2025
The annual eight-day European Film Market, held in conjunction with the Berlinale, brings together film and media producers, buyers, sales agents, distributors and financiers to network, do business and explore new opportunities. The CMPA sponsored five member companies to attend the festival and conference, where they joined hundreds of Canadians from all over the country who were in attendance.
CopenhagenMarch 2025
International cooperation is particularly common—and advantageous—in the documentary space. To keep the collaborative juices flowing, the CMPA took eight documentary producers to the Copenhagen International Documentary Festival (CPH:DOX) in Denmark, where they participated in roundtables, networking events and mentorship programs— and strengthened their ties with potential collaborators from 20 delegations of producers from around the globe.
FranceMarch 2025
Vive la coopération! The CMPA partnered with France’s Union syndicale de la production audiovisuelle (USPA) to lead a joint delegation of Canadian and French producers to France to explore co-production opportunities for drama and documentary projects (particularly English-language TV series). The first stop was Series Mania in Lilles, France, then over to Paris to meet with potential collaborators, commissioners and studio execs.
AustraliaMay 2025
Fourteen Canadian producers travelled to Australia to—no, not catch waves—accelerate global partnerships through a curated program. In Sydney, delegates attended meetings and networking events coordinated by Ontario Creates and Screen Australia. They then travelled to the Gold Coast for Canada Connect, a co-production program arranged by the CMPA and Screen Producers Australia, held as part of the pitching market at the Screen Forever industry conference.
BanffJune 2025
The Banff World Media Festival is not only one of the most prestigious gatherings of the world’s media representatives, from producers to press—it’s also held in one of the most breathtaking places on Earth. On opening night, the CMPA hosted the Global Decision Makers Dinner, bringing together over a hundred global content commissioners, decision makers and top Canadian producers to exchange ideas and spark new collaborations.
IrelandJuly 2025
Transatlantic opportunities abounded with the CMPA’s delegation to Ireland, coordinated in partnership with Screen Producers Ireland (SPI), PictureNL and Innovation PEI. In Dublin, producers explored financing opportunities and built relationships with potential collaborators through panels, one-on-one meetings and networking events (including a reception hosted by the CMPA and the City of Toronto). Then, participants skipped over to the Galway Film Fleadh, an international film festival, to meet with Irish production studios, buyers and distributors, participate in site visits—and even take in a film or two.
In September twelve Canadian producers will be adjusting to some serious jet lag in South Korea to attend the Asian Contents & Film Market at the 30th Busan International Film Festival. They’ll participate in diverse programs—panels, case studies, seminars, networking events—and look for new partnerships or co-production and co-financing opportunities with their Asian counterparts. One particularly exciting highlight: Canada will be the focus country at the festival’s Producer Hub, which will showcase co-pro projects, producers and trends from our national industry.
“The future of our industry is co-production—and the best way to make them happen is to travel to different countries and meet the local producers, distributors, broadcasters and funders. The initial in-person connection is invaluable.”
— Jane Loughman, Monkeys & Parrots Productions
“Participating in international film and TV markets is crucial in developing co-production opportunities. When we attend festivals and markets, we are able to connect with established contacts, but also make new contacts in an ever-shifting industry. We are able to make pre-sales to international broadcasters and distributors, find producing partners for our projects and meet producers with high-calibre projects who are seeking a Canadian producing partner. Without a place to connect at a market or festival, none of this would happen.”
— Trish Dolman, Screen Siren Pictures
“The CMPA’s presence at Content London 2024 and 2023 has led to connections with a number of UK and Irish TV producers that I wouldn’t have had an opportunity to connect with otherwise.”
— Damon D’Oliveira, Conquering Lion Pictures
If you’re a producer, apply to join a delegation at cmpa.ca/international
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