When you think about film, art, and creativity, government policy probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Make no mistake about it, our policy makers and politicians can crucially impact the art we make, who gets to make it, and the culture we consume. Good policy can create a thriving, diverse culture — and bad policy can destroy it.
Join Backbench host Mattea Roach and special guests for an unforgettable LIVE podcast taping! Be part of our urgent, thoughtful, and entertaining conversation exploring the contentious Bill C-11 with its potential to disrupt the status quo, the challenges of filmmaking in Canada, and the David-and-Goliath-like struggle of independent art venues against the dominance of the industry giant.
Media Partner
Oct 3
6:30 pm
The Rio
Book Tickets
Tuesday October 03
Indigenous & Community Access
Guests
Mattea Roach
Mattea Roach is a writer and podcaster based in Toronto whose work engages with Canadian politics and media criticism. They are the current host of The Backbench, a podcast from Canadaland focusing on Canadian federal politics. They have been featured as a panelist on CBC’s Canada Reads and Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, as well as at events held by TIFF Bell Lightbox and the University of Southern California. Mattea is best known for their appearances on the game show Jeopardy!, and is the most successful Canadian contestant to ever appear on the program.
Corinne Lea
Founder and CEO of The Rio Theatre, Vancouver’s award-winning multimedia independent theatre and cultural anchor of East Vancouver, Corinne is an entrepreneur and producer with over twenty years experience producing and promoting events. She leads the team responsible for the theatre’s diverse and award-winning programming.
In January 2012 Corinne became well known for changing the B.C. laws for movie theatres throughout the province and received a Governor General’s Award for her efforts. In 2018 she attracted support from celebrities like Kevin Smith, Ryan Reynolds and Seth Rogan, raising $8 million to save The Rio from developers.
In 2021 in response to the ongoing closures of theatres during the pandemic Corinne turned The Rio into a “sports bar” to protest the political and social bias that allowed sports to reopen while arts venues remained closed.
In 2022 Corinne co-founded Room 228 Films and is writing her first book, Art House Confidential, about The Rio. As Executive Producer, she recently completed Room 228’s first short film, Tiger By The Tail, and the comedy feature film, Outrunners. Corinne is developing several features & continues to run the helm at The Rio.
Matt Hatfield
Matt Hatfield is the Campaigns Director at OpenMedia, a grassroots community of approximately 380,000 people in Canada and the US who collaborate to keep our internet open, accessible, and surveillance-free. He holds degrees in international relations from UBC and the University of Toronto, and prior to OpenMedia, spent 5 years defending freedom of expression from autocrats and violence at IFEX, a global network of freedom-of-expression groups.
See More Talks at VIFF
Welcome to Barbie Land
Close collaborators for over 25 years, Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spence were tapped by Greta Gerwig to bring Barbie Land to life in the record-beating, hottest film of the year. Join us as the duo offer a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes magic.
In Conversation with Deepa Mehta, Director of I Am Sirat
Join us in conversation with the Oscar-nominated director Deepa Mehta as she delves into many aspects of her internationally celebrated career including her new documentary film I Am Sirat.
Building the Closet of Oppenheimer
In Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, costume designer Ellen Mirojnick channels the iconic style of the "father of the atomic bomb". Discover her insights on designing for drama and period pieces, emphasizing research and creative collaboration.
Canadaland Presents: The Backbench Live!
Policy and the arts? They’re more related than you think. Join our discussion on the nuances of art funding, local filmmaking, and the contentious Bill C-11. You won’t want to miss it.
Creating Epic Sound Art: From Dune to Mad Max Fury Road
Two time Oscar-winning sound designer Mark Mangini, acclaimed for his work on iconic films like Dune, Blade Runner 2049, and Mad Max Fury Road, unveils the secrets to crafting unforgettable auditory experiences.