#FIRSTLOOK: ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING AND GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR DEPARTURE FESTIVAL 2026

The Departure Festival + Conference from Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group (OVG) today announced a new wave of programming and special guests joining the 2026 edition, including additional honourees, conference speakers, and film programming taking place May 4-10, 2026 in the heart of downtown Toronto.

Among the newly announced Departure Honours presented by Ticketmaster recipients are legendary music manager Bruce Allen who will be the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award and Toronto-based arts and mentorship organization The Remix Project receiving the Industry Achievement Award. The night will also feature a live performance by JUNO-nominated artist Katie Tupper.

The Departure Conference will bring together some of the most influential voices in music, film, TV and media. Highlights include the minds behind the heartstopping soundtrack of Heated Rivalry, with Departure Honours 2026 recipient Jacob Tierney, the show’s creator, writer, director and executive producer, alongside acclaimed composer Peter Peter and award-winning music supervisor Scotty Taylor in a special panel discussion. Additional speakers include leading music industry commentator Bob Lefsetz; Jermaine and Trevaunn Richards, creators of Crave’s The Office Movers; and Jus Reign, star of Crave’s Late Bloomer.

“Departure continues to grow as a meeting place for creators and cultural leaders across disciplines,” said Kevin Barton, Executive Producer at Departure Festival + Conference. “These latest additions reflect the range of voices and perspectives shaping today’s creative industries, from global music and film to cultural organizations making an impact in communities.”

Departure’s film programming will expand this year with a slate of special screenings, including the Canadian premiere of Power Ballad, the latest from acclaimed filmmaker John Carney, starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas and presented courtesy of Cineplex Pictures; a screening of Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience, an epic concert film featuring the global K-Pop sensation and their sold-out SoFi Stadium performances; a special screening of Like Ah Boss: Journey of a Soca King exploring the life, music, and global impact of Machel Montano followed by a Q&A with Machel; and a screening of Bif Naked: The Documentary, a look back at the extraordinary life and career of the Canadian pop-punk pioneer followed by a Q&A and live performance.

Departure’s Festival showcase is further strengthened by a dynamic roster of presenting partners, including Boots and Hearts, Canada’s Walk of Fame, CMA Ontario, Exclaim! Magazine, Dine Alone, Ones To Watch / Live Nation, Paquin, Range Magazine, RISE Edutainment, School Night, Tourism Kingston, and Yangaroo with additional partners to be announced.

See below for the newly announced guests and programming added to Departure’s 2026 lineup.

DEPARTURE CONFERENCE:

Andrew Briol, music creator and manager

Andrew Neufeld, musician, Comeback Kid

Bob Lefsetz, music industry commentator and author of The Lefsetz Letter

Brooke Dunford, Director of Booking, Republic Live, Boots and Hearts Music Festival

Caron Nightingale, Director of Sales Canada, APM Music

Imani Walker, Social Editor, Complex Canada

Jacob Tierney, creator, writer, director, and executive producer, Heated Rivalry

Jermaine Richards, The Office Movers co-creator

Jus Reign, creator, writer, and executive producer, Late Bloomer

Karen Bliss, journalist, Pollstar

Maria Alonte, SVP of Synchronization, BMLG

Michie Mee, JUNO-nominated rapper

Mitch Glazier, CEO, Recording Industry Association of America

Patrick Guay, Senior Manager, Booking, Concerts and Events, evenko

Patrick Rogers, CEO, Music Canada

Peter Peter, composer, Heated Rivalry

Scotty Taylor, music supervisor, Kiss the Sun Music, Heated Rivalry

Stewart Johnston, commissioner of the Canadian Football League (CFL)

Tim Chan, Vice President of Editorial and Commerce, Penske Media Corporation

Trevaunn Richards, The Office Movers co-creator

DEPARTURE HONOURS PRESENTED BY TICKETMASTER:

Taking place on Thursday, May 7 at Koerner Hall, the Departure Honours is an exclusive, star-studded celebration recognizing individuals who have shaped Canada’s cultural landscape.

Bruce Allen will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award

The Remix Project will receive the Industry Achievement Award

These honourees join the previously announced Jacob Tierney (Creative Impact Award), Maggie Kang (Cultural Innovator Award), Rupi Kaur (Independent Achievement Award presented by the University of Waterloo), and Sarah McLachlan (Allan Slaight Humanitarian Award presented by Slaight Music).

FILM SCREENINGS:

Power Ballad | Tuesday, May 5 | TIFF Lightbox

Like Ah Boss: Journey of a Soca King and post-screening Q&A with Machel Montano | Wednesday, May 6 | Paradise Theatre

Bif Naked: A Documentary and post-screening Q&A and live performance with Bif Naked | Saturday, May 9 | Paradise Theatre

Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience | Saturday, May 9 | Paradise Theatre

SPECIAL EVENTS:

Live Podcast: The Jann Arden Podcast | Tuesday, May 5 | Jane Mallett Theatre

Live Podcast: Cynthia and Josie’s Unmentionables | Friday, May 8 | The Rec Room

Premium Event: Alicia Creti | Saturday, May 9 | The Drake Underground

Additional artist announcements, conference programming, and special events will be revealed in the coming weeks. For a full list of conference speakers, showcase artists, tickets, passes and more information, visit departureto.com.

About Loft Entertainment
Loft Entertainment invests in culture-defining talent and creative partners to tell their stories. Founded by industry veteran Randy Lennox in Summer 2023, Loft offers the world’s leading artists creative, strategic and business services across all artistic and commercial touchpoints in the music, film and media. Visit loftent.com.

About Oak View Group
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class-owned venues and a client roster of arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.