An Ajax film summit this fall will bring creators, production professionals and film enthusiasts together to examine how artificial intelligence, virtual production and changing business models are reshaping screen storytelling.
Film Durham and the Durham Region International Film Festival are partnering on Myth2Market: The Future of Movie Making Summit, a free full-day event scheduled for Friday, October 23, 2026.
The summit will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts and Culture in Ajax. Refreshments will be provided, and advance registration is required for the free tickets.
Technology and local production in focus
The program will include presentations and panel discussions about technologies and practices already changing the film and television industry. Organizers say topics will include AI’s effect on storytelling and production workflows, virtual production, visual effects and environmentally sustainable filmmaking.
The Ajax film summit will also examine strategies for attracting more production and investment to Durham Region. The Region has worked to establish Durham as a destination for feature films, television series and post-production, making the event relevant both to established professionals and local creators trying to enter the sector.
Attendees will be able to see technology demonstrations and take part in a workshop led by YouTube Canada. That session is expected to explore creation, distribution and monetization tools used in digital storytelling.
Speakers announced for Myth2Market
The initial speaker lineup includes Michael Hirsh, a co-founder of Nelvana whose animation work includes internationally recognized productions such as The Care Bears, Babar and The Adventures of Tintin.
Bob Munroe, an award-winning visual-effects producer, educator and inventor, is also scheduled to participate. Munroe co-founded C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures and has contributed to more than 100 screen productions.
Other announced speakers include director and executive producer Sergio Navaretta, co-founder of S.N.A.P Films, and Stephanie Wilson Chapin, strategic partner lead for television, film, sports and news at YouTube Canada. The Region notes that speakers and programming remain subject to change.
Beyond the individual sessions, organizers are positioning the event as a chance for Durham-based businesses, entrepreneurs and creators to connect with people working across production, technology and distribution. The mix of panels, demonstrations and workshops is intended to give attendees both a view of emerging trends and practical insight into how projects reach audiences.
The location gives the regional event a distinctly local setting. The St. Francis Centre is a converted historic church in downtown Ajax that now hosts performing arts, community programs and cultural events. Bringing production professionals into that venue also makes the program accessible to residents from across the lakeshore municipalities.
The summit arrives as production methods are changing quickly. Virtual sets can combine live performers with digital environments, while AI tools are prompting new questions about creative work, rights and production efficiency. Organizers have framed the day as an opportunity to learn about those shifts directly from practitioners rather than as a sales presentation.
Residents and industry participants can find the registration link through the Region of Durham’s event announcement.
Sources: Region of Durham; Film Durham; Durham Region International Film Festival.
