Cross-Canada Roundtable | The Future is Green: An Update on Sustainable Production

Presented by

Description

Across the country, the Canadian screen industry has been moving towards strategies that are leading the way to an environmentally sustainable future. In this panel, presented by William F. White International, check in with provincial initiatives as they address the pressing question when it comes to where the responsibility of green productions lies and how we can work together across the country to achieve the targets set. Sustainability initiatives are calling for and building the necessary infrastructure for standardized green productions going forward. Where is Canada now and what are our most pressing long-term and short-term priorities?

Date
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Time
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EDT)
Session Day
Tuesday

David Hardy

Vice President, Sustainability & Stakeholder Affairs, William F. Whites International Inc.

David Hardy is the Vice President, Sustainability & Stakeholder Affairs at William F. White International. There, in conjunction with parent company Sunbelt Rentals, he works to embed sustainable best practices into the fabric of the company and ensure that there is a clear line of sight to the carbon reductions necessary to meet the science-based targets of the Paris Accord.


Long a passionate advocate for a more sustainable industry, David works with colleagues and stakeholders to build global sustainability frameworks, and actively participates in local and regional initiatives that increasingly intersect with efforts to better inform all levels of government of the value in supporting a sustainable film and television production industry.


An inveterate content consumer, he is the father of three daughters and is partner to a professional orchestral musician.

Smiely Khurana

Reel Green Sustainability Lead

Smiely Khurana is the Reel Green™ Sustainability Lead at Creative BC, supporting and connecting Reel Green’s expanding community of engagement. She has showcased this through the implementation of Reel Green’s strategic plan, deepening industry’s expertise and use of the tools, further transforming production practices through the Clean Energy municipal collaboration, and work to help industry transition to a circular economy. With a background in Motion Picture Arts and business, Smiely has worked on a number of productions in several different positions such as producer assistant, accounting, digital marketing and film promotion, and most recently as a sustainability coordinator. Throughout the years, Smiely's passion and involvement in environmental sustainability has allowed her to lead discussions, workshops and keynotes at universities, festivals, at the Sustainable Production Forum, and host a successful podcast focused on environmental sustainability.

Valérie Daigneault

Director, Audiovisual Cluster of Quebec, BCTQ

With 15 years of experience in large-scale cultural enterprises, her energy and enthusiasm have been at the heart of several major achievements. Valérie Daigneault has held, among others, the positions of production manager and director, Events and Shows department at Productions J, a well-established cultural company in Quebec.


Over the years, she has also distinguished herself through her commitment and passion for philanthropy with various social organizations, notably through her position as director of the Events department of the Fondation du CHUM (Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal).


She joined the Quebec Film and Television Council (QFTC) in 2020, where she currently managed the activities of the Audiovisual Cluster. In this role, she works to support the economic development of Quebec companies in the sector so that they remain competitive and attractive internationally. She is also a president of the governance committee of Synthèse - Pôle image Québec.

Moderated by:

Leaticia Kaggwa

Environmental Sustainability Lead

Leaticia Kaggwa is on a mission to help content creators tell compelling stories while minimizing their environmental impact. She joined the CBC as their first ever environmental sustainability lead in January 2022. Among other environmentally-driven duties, she primarily collaborates with producers, industry partners, and other members of the screen industry to track carbon emissions and implement sustainable production tools and techniques. Previously, she was the summer sustainability coordinator at William F. White, Canada's largest provider of filming equipment and studio space. Leaticia also holds a Master of Science degree in Sustainability Management from the University of Toronto.

William F. White International Inc.