The conference for Canadian filmmakers who actually care.
Two days of conversation, strategy, and connection that change how you think about filmmaking and business.
Since 2022, Northbound has brought together Canada’s most driven wedding and commercial videographers.
We’re not here to posture – we’re here to grow, together.
The community-driven
conference
for videographers.
Videography can feel isolating – endless edits, client stress, and constant comparison. Northbound was created to bring people back together. It’s where conversations become collaborations and creative burnout turns into clarity. Founded by filmmaker and community builder Shyah Yan Zarrabi, Northbound began as a one-day gathering in Vancouver in 2022. It’s now Canada’s go-to conference for video creatives who want to learn, connect, and build a business that lasts.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Since 2022, Northbound has brought together videographers from across North America to learn, share, and collaborate. We keep things intimate — small enough to connect, big enough to spark new opportunities.
You’ll walk away with fresh ideas, stronger friendships, and the confidence to take your next step forward
What's included in the newest workshop
- Clear workflows that save time (and sanity).
- Storytelling and editing insights from top filmmakers.
- Real talk about pricing, burnout, and sustainability.
- A network of peers who genuinely want you to win.
MEET YOUR HOST
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MEET YOUR HOST -
Meet Shyah
Hi, I’m Shyah, founder of Northbound and a wedding videographer who’s become a beacon for the industry, connecting and empowering a thriving community of creatives.
I started with $2,000 packages in 2019 and, by 2025, scaled my business to over $1 million in revenue, with $5,500 average packages and referrals from Vancouver’s top planners and venues.
I know the challenges: pricing confidently, finding dream clients, and building a sustainable business. That’s why I created Northbound: to give wedding videographers the tools, strategies, and community to grow faster, without the guesswork.
Join me to learn proven strategies that help videographers attract high-value clients, build vendor relationships, and create thriving, fulfilling businesses.
Speakers
Not your typical industry event.
Forget stiff panels and vague advice. Every speaker, workshop, and conversation at Northbound is designed for action.
We bring in creators who’ve built thriving businesses, not just big followings — people who actually get what it’s like to edit until 2 a.m., manage clients, and still love the craft.
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Matt Johnson
Matt Johnson is a wedding filmmaker and YouTuber with over 400,000 subscribers, known for creating story-driven wedding films that capture the emotions of every couple. With a passion for teaching, Matt has helped thousands of aspiring filmmakers through educational content, offering insights and techniques to improve their craft.
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Fiore Films
Sharrone Calafiore is a wedding filmmaker who creates captivating and unique films that are as genuine as they are beautiful. She is the creative force behind Fiore Films, which she established in 2008 with her husband, Chris. With a background as a video editor, Sharrone believes the key to creating unforgettable films is musicality and creative editing. It’s this ability to seamlessly weave imagery and music, along with an intense attention to detail, to create a cinematic experience that transports viewers into the heart of each couple’s love story.
Sharrone has won numerous awards and industry accolades and takes pride that her content is described as anywhere from “moody” and “edgy” to “dreamy” and “elegant”.
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Kofi Yeboah
Kofi Yeboah is a Toronto-based filmmaker and the creative mind behind KY Creative Media, a production company known for crafting bold, unforgettable stories in the health, fitness, and lifestyle industries. With a talent for turning everyday ideas into visually striking narratives, Kofi’s work sets the standard for storytelling that resonates and drives impact.
When he’s not behind the camera, Kofi shares his expertise through his popular YouTube channel, where he empowers videographers with practical insights and innovative techniques to improve their craft. His commitment to helping others grow creatively and professionally has made him a trusted voice in the videography community.
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Nicole Shapiro
Nicole Shapiro is a freelance cinematographer and video producer based in Toronto, Canada.
Some of her clients include Coco Chanel, McDonalds, Toronto Tempo, and Adobe. Nicole also documents her process across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram to inspire other filmmakers & connect with other industry professionals. -
Jesil Okuefuna
Jesil is a filmmaker and creative director known for his bold visuals, sharp instincts, and ability to turn simple ideas into standout stories. His work blends technical precision with a distinct creative voice, earning him a growing audience across Instagram and YouTube. He’s built his brand on experimentation, honesty, and showing the real process behind the craft.
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Lila from YouTube
Lila is a filmmaker and educator known for breaking down the art of videography in a way that actually makes sense. Through her YouTube channel, she’s helped thousands of creatives level up their storytelling, build real confidence behind the camera, and navigate the messy middle of growing a creative career.
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Shyah Yan Zarrabi
Shyah, a visionary entrepreneur and the driving force behind Northbound, boasts a decade of industry experience. Recognizing a gap in local support for Canadian videographers and creative minds, he dedicated 14 months to crafting an empowering event. This unique platform guides creatives in defining their goals and unlocking the path to success. Shyah finds fulfillment in witnessing others thrive. Beyond his role at Northbound, you'll catch him running his business Shyah K. Films, filming weddings, producing compelling commercials, and sharing how much he loves a cold glass of wedding coke.
Ready to join the room full of filmmakers who actually care?
Two days in Toronto. Limited seats, no fluff, just real community and growth.
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You can request a refund up to 30 days before Northbound’s start date. After that, refunds are not available however, tickets are transferable.
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Two days lecture style presentations and workshops. We have chosen dynamic speakers to keep presentations entertaining as well as educational. A Q & A session will follow each presentation.
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The goal of Northbound is to share best-practices and philosophies that will improve your business (even if you’re a freelancer), and how to use your one-of-a-kind creative approach to cut through the noisy competition.
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Northbound is geared towards creatives that work with video; entrepreneurs, solopreneurs and studio owners who are ready to take the next step and elevate their productions. Photographers will also learn a lot.
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We have 60 seats available. First come, first served.
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Yes, absolutely. We’ve seen how much the video community has grown over the last few years and have heard first hand that there’s a desire to network more. Keep in mind that seats are available as first come, first served and we are not able to hold any seats. The only way to reserve your spot is by signing up through the registration link.
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This year’s schedule will begin to be announced two months prior to the event date. You can expect something like 9am-5pm.
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You can bring your camera and a laptop, although it’s not required. The most important thing to have is something to take notes with and business cards. One of the best parts of these workshops is the tremendous networking opportunities.