Reelworld Recap 2026

It's that time of the year again! My third Reelworld Summit + Festival experience was incredible. I don't know how they manage to keep outdoing themselves.

The Summit

Day One

Though I wouldn't consider myself a morning person by any means, best believe I was up and at 'em (ish) for the first day of the summit. I opted to sleep in a little bit longer, so I missed most of breakfast, but was just in time for Joanne Jansen's wonderful opening keynote. Not only were her words inspiring, but I was also a little starstruck as she was a regular on Shadow Hunters, and I loved her performance in Morningside.

Before the next panel, I briefly caught up with Joanne and asked her a few questions.

Blaize Exeter: How did you get involved with Morningside?

Joanne Jansen: I got involved with the project because me and Ron [Dias] had been working together, already doing films, and we'd actually met with the families of some of the people who had, unfortunately, lost their lives during the Danzig [Street] shooting and they wanted to be able to tell a story, so people could understand some of the things that they went through. So, we did it with their blessings and worked alongside them. I wrote a really great script with Ron, and I acted in it, and I edited it, and I distributed it and put it out to the world, and that's how I got involved with that.

BE: Incredible! Switching gears, you've done your own productions and you've also worked with a major corporation. What would you say are the biggest differences between being a regular character on a huge show and doing a DIY production with your friends?

JJ: I totally enjoy doing both. I haven't worked on the production side when I've worked with Netflix. I've been an actress, so it's been great because the pay is great and the content of the work is great as well. I like being just an actress and not wearing the other hats sometimes, and really fulfilling someone else's vision. But there is nothing like doing things the way you love doing it. 
And the way that you want to do it. And if you feel like switching up the lines, you switch up the lines and having the freedom to do that. So, just doing your own thing gives you a lot more freedom. So, I definitely love doing that.

BE: Thanks so much. And my last question is, when you do your own projects, where do you start looking for funding?

JJ: Well, we do have some good funding systems [in Canada]. When I say good, I mean [they're] actually available. It's just a lottery to get it. You always go for the funding first, because that's our taxpaying dollars. So, after that, you start looking for broadcasting deals and licensing deals locally and internationally, and also going to distributors, or, in my case, now, I have my own distribution company. So, you know, you can get a [minimum guarantee] from them. You just need some money on the table to start your budget. Getting private equity [funding] in Canada isn't as common and easy as it is in America. So, you know, at this point, I still heavily rely on the United States for, you know, private equity or even licensing deals. They are more willing to take the risk than Canada is at this point.

BE: Well, thank you so much! It was so nice to meet you.


*This interview was edited for length and clarity.

The rest of the day was filled with insightful discussions and exclusive opportunities to connect with industry leaders and veterans in a more intimate setting. This was my first time participating in the FACE2FACE sessions, and they were a major highlight for me.

Day Two

Somehow, I was able to get up earlier and had time to settle in and grab breakfast well before the sessions started. I knew it would be a lighter day for me because most of the more applicable discussions happened on day one. However, I couldn't miss the annual State of the Industry talk. Though I'm still not one hundred per cent sure of what exactly I want to do career-wise, I know it's going to be heavily involved in the entertainment industry. And, with our relationship with the US being as rocky as it is, I know I have to keep up with what's happening in Hollywood North.

Opening Night Film

Jersey Boy

Though I was only able to make it to one screening this year, I'm glad it was the Audience Choice Award winner.

Jaskaran Singh's semi-autobiographical debut feature, Jersey Boy, follows Karandeep Singh (KD for short), a Sikh boy raised in New Jersey from childhood to adulthood. Taking place directly after the events of 9/11, this film explores both the external and internal warfare one faces while growing up in a resoundingly turbulent time for anyone deemed 'un-American,' especially one wearing a turban such as KD. While navigating social landmines, tragedy strikes KD's family, and he struggles to maintain love, family and his identity.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect going into Jersey Boy, but I was absolutely devastated in the best way possible. I'm not usually the biggest fan of the 'generational trauma is the real villain' arc, but I think it works here.

At the Q&A, Singh told the audience that the original actor he had hired for the teenage KD dropped out at the last minute, which likely explains why his transformation to adulthood is insanely jarring. I wish I had asked if KD underwent cosmetic surgery. As good as both actors were, the change was wildly distracting, which took me a little out of the film.

Though this film is packed with brilliant performances and some striking dialogue, the stunning cinematography is what truly makes it worth watching. I hope Jaskaran and Allen Liu continue to work together throughout their careers.

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