The Canadian co-production/co-financing market has announced the speakers for the 201 event, set for September 11-14 in Halifax.

Tornasol Films producer Mariela Besuievsky and Vimeo director of audience development and content operations and Distrify founder Peter Gerard will deliver keynotes.

“With our spotlight shining brightly on Spain, Latin America, and the USA at Strategic Partners in 2014, having Mariela [Besuievsky, pictured] as our esteemed opening keynote couldn’t be more relevant,” said Laura MacKenzie, director of Strategic Partners.

“Her impressive background as a producer, as well as her coproduction experience around the globe (not to mention her incredible presence in the room) will ensure an inspirational conversation.”  
 
“I’m very excited to attend Strategic Partners this fall,” said Besuievsky. “It is an optimal place for networking and providing an opportunity to find global partners.

“It is also a perfect environment to exchange impressions with other industry professionals, and to find new ideas and different points of view for your projects.”

“I am excited by the opportunity to meet talented producers at Strategic Partners and talk about the possibilities of online marketing and sales for films and series,” said Gerard. “The Vimeo On Demand catalogue is growing fast and we are empowering creators to connect with their global audiences through direct distribution.”

“There’s no doubt the digital first conversation will be overarching at Strategic Partners this year and therefore I’m very excited to present industry leader Peter Gerard, to deliver a keynote address on the topic of producers as entrepreneurs,” said Mackenzie.

“Vimeo’s foray into original content with the series High Maintenance further solidifies the commitment and platform of self-distribution to supporting producers and content creation – this is exactly who we want represented at Strategic Partners.”