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VIFF Amp: Music in Film Summit

VIFF Amp explores the essential role of music and sound in film, television and new media. From songwriters to composers to music entrepreneurs, Amp supports an annual cohort of emerging music professionals through a competitive and juried application process, with a focus on providing access to artists from traditionally underrepresented communities.

This multi-day summit features expertly curated masterclasses, case studies, panel discussions, networking events, breakout sessions and music showcases, all of which are designed to develop professional skills and create connections that can propel a career in film, television and new media.

Funded by

                 

Supported by

                       SOCAN logo

Community Broadcast Partner

 

VIFF Amp is designed not only to build skills and offer mentorship but also to connect storytellers and industry so that meaningful creative careers can grow and thrive. This year’s program adds new elements and continues to advocate for equity in the industry and the value of music and sound in visual media.
Rob Calder, VIFF Amp Curator

Rob Calder & Tony Scudellari joint headshot

 

After seven years with VIFF Amp, I’m amazed by the global talent in our program, including mentors and emerging artists. In 2023, we’re expanding with the Composer Filmmaker Accelerator to provide greater learning and connect Vancouver’s music creative community with global tastemakers.
Tony Scudellari, VIFF Amp Curator

Amp Speakers

Amp speakers on stage

The strength of VIFF Amp is the quality and depth of our mentors and speakers. Our expert curators bring in the very best music supervisors, composers, musicians, and film industry professionals working today. Drawing from Los Angeles, Toronto, New York, Europe, and Asia, the program invites a diverse group of leading-edge professionals who provide insight and experience to attendees, derived from their own successful careers.

Past Highlights

Success Stories

Bukola

A local singer/songwriter who participated in VIFF Amp in 2020 and 2021 drew the attention and high praise from invited international music supervisors but impressed the ear of composer Natalie Holt. Holt, an accomplished composer on Marvel/Star Wars projects, was a 2021 speaker at VIFF Amp and heard Bukola at the SOUNDOFF showcase. Holt subsequently hired Bukola to do original vocals for the film The Princess.

Dacey group shot

DACEY

DACEY (DAH-SEE), a genre-defying band based out of Vancouver, performed as part of the 2022 VIFF Amp program. Music supervisor Natasha Duprey placed DACEY’s song “I’ll Be There” in episode 107 of the Fox series Animal Control.

La-Nai Gabriel headshot

La-Nai Gabriel

La-Nai Gabriel (she/they) is a composer, arranger, and producer. In 2022, La Nai attended VIFF Amp as a part of the Music Publishers of Canada curated selection of attendees from their emerging women and BIPOC creators initiative. La-Nai connected with the Core Music Agency at VIFF Amp and a month later, was brought onto the Core composer roster. La-Nai is currently working as a composer on two notable projects which are to be announced.

What Attendees Are Saying

It was an amazing opportunity; meeting folks from LA and those who are in the industry helped build my confidence and make me feel like I can make it in the biz!

If you are a composer or a songwriter looking to write for TV or Film, this is the event to attend. Easily my favourite industry event of the year!

I have wanted to go into film composition for some time and it felt impossible to even try the first steps. With Amp, a new world has opened for me.