Name: Pitch Thunderdome
Start: 2026-09-29T17:00:00-0700
End: 2026-09-29T17:45:00-0700

Tuesday September 29, 2026 5:00pm - 5:45pm PDT

Asia Pacific Hall (Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue)

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.

Speakers

Dora Fong

Production Executive, Original Programming, Unscripted, Corus Entertainment

Dora Fong is an award-winning production executive, showrunner, and director, with hundreds of hours
of programming credits. With over 20 years in the industry, her experience spans true crime to
makeovers, real estate to renos, and competition to travelogue. Having produced some o... Read More →

Therese 'Tag' Goulet

Producer and Series Creator, IndigeKin Productions

Therese 'Tag' Goulet co-leads IndigeKin alongside Dr. Lolly de Jonge and John M. McDougall-Goulet. Named a female producer to watch by IMDbPro, Therese's producer credits include notable films at Berlinale, BAFTA and the American Pavilion at Cannes.
IndigeKin.com has productions... Read More →

Dr. Lolly de Jonge

Chief Executive Officer, IndigeKin Productions

Dr. Lolly de Jonge co-leads IndigeKin alongside siblings, John M. McDougall-Goulet and Therese 'Tag' Goulet. She is an award-winning producer and was recently chosen for the 2025 Banff World Media Festival's Indigenous Screen Summit.
IndigeKin.com has productions in various stag... Read More →

Sam Linton

VP, Production and Development, Global Media, Blue Ant Media

Sam Linton, VP, Production and Development, Global Media, Blue Ant Media brings over 35 years of production expertise to the media company’s channel brands. Based in Canada, Sam leads commissioning for Blue Ant Media’s suite of specialty television channels and global FAST (free... Read More →

John M. McDougall-Goulet

EVP, IndigeKin Productions

John M. McDougall-Goulet co-leads IndigeKin alongside Dr. Lolly de Jonge and Therese 'Tag' Goulet. John is also recognized as an experienced producer and executive in the private and third sectors.
IndigeKin.com has productions in various stages including the finished first seas... Read More →

Jessica Schmiedchen

Director of Development, Unscripted Content, CBC Television & CBC Gem

Jessica oversees development of original content and formats in the genres of factual, entertainment and documentary series at CBC and CBC Gem. She is responsible for sourcing the best new formats from around the world, and working with the independent production community in Canada... Read More →

Adhar Sharma

Field, Story, Development Producer, --

Adhar is a versatile unscripted TV producer with nearly a decade of experience turning creative ideas into impactful visuals for global brands and leading networks. He has worked on 13 TV series productions, spanning from story and challenge to delivery, for networks such as Netflix... Read More →

Steve Sxwithul’txw

Senior Producer, Kwassen Productions & OCM Productions Inc.

Steve Sxwithul’txw is a multi-Leo award-winning Producer & Director from the Penelakut Tribe located just off Vancouver Island, Canada. Steve is the senior producer of Kwassen Productions & OCM Productions Inc. franchise.

Sxwithul’txw is currently in post-production of his successful series on APTN and Chek Media Vancouver Island called“Ocean Warriors ~ Mission Ready”. This exciting series focuses on a team of volunteer First Nations mariners who react to calls for boaters in distress along BC’s... Read More →

Trina Sxwithul’txw

From the Penelakut Tribe and based in the Cowichan Valley, Trina Sxwithul’txw is a hybrid creator-leader and marine-management professional whose rooted connection to place and community is reflected throughout her work.
With over fifteen years of experience in ocean management, marine monitoring, and coastal-safety leadership, Trina brings a tide-tested operational discipline and systems thinking to her projects. Her experience in ocean protection and community-based monitoring continues to influence... Read More →

Anuj Tyagi

Creative Producer

Anuj launched his career in India, where he spent eight impactful years contributing to various TV and film projects, honing a robust understanding of the entertainment industry. Upon moving to Canada, he continued to shape the media landscape over the next 16 years, playing key roles... Read More →

Daniel Wan

Head of Non-Scripted Content, Omnifilm Entertainment

Daniel Wan is Head of Non-Scripted Content at Omnifilm Entertainment, based in Vancouver. Originally from London, UK, he has worked across various genres including follow-docs in the sports and music space, true crime, science and history for networks and streamers such as Netflix... Read More →

Heather Williamson

Senior Development and Productive Executive, Original Programming, Factual & Reality, Bell Media

As Senior Development and Production Executive for Bell Media’s Original Programming, Factual and Reality, Heather Williamson finds high stakes factual series across all Bell Media services and oversees a development and production slate that includes, MARK MCKINNEY NEEDS A HOBBY... Read More →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 5:00pm - 5:45pm PDT
Asia Pacific Hall (Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue) 580 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1L6

FactualWEST 2026