FactualWEST 2026

Welcome to FactualWEST 2025!  As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we're delighted to dive into this year’s theme, “Global Shows with Canadian Roots." Canada is world-class hub for reality and factual TV and we're ready to lead the charge on large-scale, multi-cam shows! 

The Impact Award is presented to an individual in the television industry who has made a profound and lasting contribution to our community. It celebrates someone whose passion and vision have shone so brightly, they’ve helped shape the landscape of Canadian television — inspiring peers, championing new voices, and leaving a meaningful impact on the industry and everyone in it.

For 2025, FactualWEST recognizes Tracey Friesen, who passed away earlier this year. Tracey served as Director of Communications and Engagement at the David Suzuki Foundation, founded Story Money Impact—a charity empowering filmmakers to drive social change—and was Managing Vice President of the CMPA BC Branch, where she led key sustainability and climate action initiatives.

Tracey’s commitment, vision, and belief in our collective success continue to inspire us all. She truly made an impact.

Get ready for a powerhouse session as Kevin Lee, Executive Producer behind global hits like The Real Housewives of Orange County, The Simple Life, The Summit, The Challenge, Road Rules, and The Real World, and creator of hit unscripted shows including Fight to Survive, Stranded with a Million Dollars, and Murder, sits down with Toby Dormer, President, Canada, Unscripted Division at Blink49 Studios, and Executive Producer of recent hits such as Beast Games, Come Dine With Me Canada, Queen of the Castle, and Prime Video’s RomCon: Who the F**k Is Jason Porter. A seasoned producer and executive with extensive experience across global franchises, Toby brings deep expertise in delivering premium factual content that blends creativity with commercial appeal.

With decades of experience producing and creating some of the world’s most influential unscripted series, Kevin will share his expertise on what it takes to deliver reality TV at scale, offering a behind-the-scenes look at bringing major global formats to life, including Fear Factor and Yes, Chef!, two of the latest blockbuster franchises filming right here in Canada. Toby will spotlight how Blink49 Studios is driving the next wave of premium unscripted content, as the pair explores why international productions are increasingly choosing Canada and what that means for the future of the industry.

Sessions and schedule subject to change.

Go behind the scenes with Million Dollar Secret, Netflix’s latest smash-hit reality series, in this exclusive case study. This session pulls back the curtain on the making of this cunning and addictive format — filmed right here in beautiful British Columbia. Hear directly from the producers as they share how they brought this high-stakes concept to life, the creative choices that keep audiences hooked, and what it takes to craft a global hit from the ground up.

Sessions and schedule subject to change. 

Attendee favorite Pitch Thunderdome is back! Hosted by reigning champion and Omnifilm's Head of Non Scripted, Daniel Wan, three producers will face off in a live pitch competition. Each will have 8 minutes to pitch, followed by 7 minutes of Q&A.The twist? The shows aren’t real, the characters aren’t real, and no one’s buying. This session gives you a unique look at what works in a pitch and what broadcasters are truly seeking. Each producer will be given a show concept—randomly selected—just two hours before the live pitch. The audience will vote for the winner, who’ll earn bragging rights and a luxurious prize!

Sessions and schedule subject to change.

Raise your glasses with us as we toast our 10th anniversary and celebrate our incredible community in film and television!

Sessions and schedule subject to change.