CHEERS & CHATS, the official podcast of the Canadian Film Fest, delivers festival buzz and insider insights from the heart of Canada’s film industry. Through candid conversations with Canadian filmmakers, we explore the highs, lows, and everything in between as they navigate their creative journeys. Join us for stories that inspire, inform, and celebrate the art of filmmaking—your front-row seat to the stories behind the screen.
As CFF marks 20 years, Legacy Spotlight: 20 Years in Motion brings alumni together to reflect on what really builds a career — the pivots, the setbacks, the breakthroughs, and everything in between. It’s an honest look at momentum, longevity, and what they wish they knew starting out… with eyes firmly on what comes next.
Cheers 🥂 Warren P. Sonoda, Gloria Ui Young Kim, Jeremy Lalonde, Christopher Yip, Audrey Cummings – welcome to the fest!
Special thanks to xoTO and the City of Toronto, and IATSE Local 58, for making this conversation possible.
9 Sept 2026
Indie Pathways: From (Slo) Pitch to Series
One of the most anticipated Canadian comedy television premieres of 2026, the Crave Original Series Slo Pitch is already generating buzz. This panel breaks down how an indie idea becomes a series – from development and financing to showrunning and broadcaster relationships. A candid look at playing the long game, and what it takes to go from Slo Pitch…to series.
Cheers 🥂 Aisha Evelyna, Karen Knox, Gwendolyn Cumyn, and Lauren MacKinlay — welcome to the fest!
🎙️ Episode 23 on CFF’s Cheers & Chats Podcast is now streaming!
Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.
Special thanks to xoTO and the City of Toronto, and IATSE Local 58, for making this conversation possible.
2 Sept 2026
Producers Therapy: 20 Years of Holding it Together
As part of CFF’s 20th anniversary, Producers Therapy: 20 Years of Holding it Together gets insights from leading producers to talk about what it really takes to build films - and careers - over time. From scrappy financing and grassroots distribution to today’s world of co-productions, streamers, funders, and constant change, this panel digs into how the role has evolved - and what’s stayed the same. Consider this an honest, resilient group session for anyone who’s ever had to hold it all together, while keeping projects and teams moving forward.
Cheers 🥂 Lauren Grant, Coral Aiken, Karen Harnisch, Stephanie Sonny Hooker, Sonya Di Rienzo, and Paula Devonshire – welcome to the fest!
🎙️ Episode 22 on CFF’s Cheers & Chats Podcast is now streaming!
Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.
Special thanks to xoTO and the City of Toronto, and IATSE Local 58, for making this conversation possible.
Who has been a guest on Cheers & Chats
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Elan Mastai
Mina Shum
Cory Bowles
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 25 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
38
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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