#FIRSTLOOK: BLUE MOUNTAIN FILM + MEDIA FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES NEW INITIATIVES

The Blue Mountain Film + Media Festival (BMFM) now in its 4th year, returns with new programming leadership and a robust creative forum. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Blue Mountain, BMFM, known for creating intimate industry connections, has become a premier destination where filmmakers, buyers, and creatives come together to celebrate world-class cinema. The festival runs from May 29-June 1, 2025 with Early Bird Forum Passes now on sale. More details available on the BMFM website.

BMFM proudly welcomes Jason Gorber as its new Director of Film Programming. A respected film journalist and critic, Gorber brings deep expertise and a passion for cinema to the festival’s curation. He aims to bring the best in Canadian and world cinema to the festival, ensuring each screening is a special event that captivates audiences.

“It is my extreme honour to be joining the team at the Blue Mountain Film + Media Festival as the Director of Film Programming. I am proud to be working alongside my team of associate programmers, as well as my colleagues running the Forum and our world-class operations staff, in order to make this year’s event all the more extraordinary,” said Gorber. “As a lifelong film fan and festival goer, it’s an absolute dream to be able to share my passion for movies with this community. For those attending from out of town and locals alike, Blue Mountain provides a wonderful environment to experience many of the finest films of the year.”

Adding to its industry appeal, BMFM’s Creative Forum (May 29-31) provides exclusive opportunities for networking, discussions, and facilitated meetings. Top industry decision-makers—including Rachel Nelson (Corus), Jocelyn Hamilton (Lionsgate Canada), Virginia Rankin (Blink49 Studios), Mark Montefiore (New Metric Media), Sally Catto (CBC), Teza Lawrence (Amaze), Daniel Bekerman (Scythia Films) and Matt Orenstein (Vortex Media)—will be in attendance, with more names to be announced soon.

New initiatives this year include Live Pitch Competitions, where filmmakers can present feature film and programmatic projects to industry experts with prizing including contributions from FASKEN, Urban Post and Canadian Creator as well as expanded 1-on-1 meetings with executives and distributors, including the popular Gondola Meetings, where creatives can pitch projects while taking in the stunning mountain views. Creatives interested in applying for the pitch competition must submit applications by March 28th. Applications can be submitted by visiting the BMFM site.

BMFM also introduces Lunch & Breakfast with Decision-Makers, offering participants a rare chance to gain insights and advice from key industry leaders in an intimate setting. Further elevating this year’s industry programming is a behind-the-scenes session with Daniel Bekerman, producer of The Witch and The Apprentice, which has been nominated for two Academy Awards.

Beyond the industry forum, the festival boasts an exciting lineup of events, including the Filmmakers On Top Party (May 29), Buffer Festival Screening Event (May 31), exclusive screenings, and special networking opportunities. Attendees can also take advantage of Gondola Passes, curated breakfasts and lunches, and exclusive room rates at Blue Mountain Resorts.

Filmmakers are invited to submit their projects via FilmFreeway.