Meet our 2026 Speakers

  • 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.

  • A man in a black hoodie and backwards baseball cap holding a DSLR camera with a Sony monitor, standing on a balcony with city buildings in the background, looking at the camera with a confused expression.

    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.

  • A young woman with long red hair sitting on a stool against a pink background, wearing a black sleeveless top and black pants, with jewelry including necklaces and rings.

    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.

  • A man with medium length black hair in a beige striped suit sitting on a white chair.

    Red Lotus Films

    I’m Thulakshan, a Toronto filmmaker and the founder of Red Lotus Films. My approach is pretty simple: I love creating cinematic stories that feel genuine, blending high-end visuals with my own custom music compositions to make every project truly unique. While I appreciate a well-curated shot, I’m most at home capturing raw, unscripted moments where people can just be themselves. For me, it’s those intentional details and original sounds that turn a standard video into a narrative that actually resonates. I also enjoy sharing what I’ve learned with the filmmaking community, whether it's technical tips or field experience, because I’m a big believer in helping other creators grow while we all push the boundaries of storytelling together.

  • A young man with glasses and curly hair, smiling, wearing a beige polo shirt with a black and yellow embroidered logo.

    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.

  • A woman with dark hair, glasses, and multiple chains around her neck, laughing and holding a camera in front of a brick building with green plants in window boxes.

    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.

  • Taylor Jackson

    Taylor Jackson is a Canadian video creator, wedding photographer and YouTube creator with over 15 years of experience. He has documented more than 1,000 weddings and works with brands all year to produce short and long form video content.
    Over the past year, Taylor has focused heavily on studying and implementing paid advertising across his wedding, commercial, and YouTube businesses. This is an effort that has had a dramatic impact on how he attracts clients, grows audiences, and builds sustainable creative income. 

  • A smiling man with a beard and short dark hair, wearing a white floral shirt, against a plain background.

    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.

Group of diverse people posing together in a photography studio with a plain white background, smiling and making various hand gestures.