Film Forward Judges & Mentors
Avi Federgreen
Avi is a Producer and Director with over 30 years in the Canadian film industry and more than 70 produced films, including One Week, Still Mine, Motherly, and Lifechanger. He founded the Indiecan 10K and 20K initiatives to support emerging filmmakers and has directed several projects, including his feature film debut and passion project, Home Free. Federgreen leads three distribution companies - Indiecan Entertainment, Red Water Entertainment, and Pride Pictures and recently launched Indiecan Entertainment for global sales.
Avi Federgreen is acting as Mentor for this year’s Film Forward Competition.
Chad Nixon
Chad Nixon is and accomplished Visual Effects Executive Producer with over two decades of experience in the film and television industry. Chad has contributed to numerous high-profile projects, showcasing his expertise in managing complex visual effects productions.
Chad Nixon is acting as both Judge and Mentor for this year’s Film Forward Competition.
Dorian Williamson
Dorian Williamson is a seasoned sound engineer, boom operator, and musician with over 25 years of experience in film and television. His extensive credits span domestic feature films, shorts, series, and commercials. Known for his technical expertise and creative precision, Dorian brings a unique musical sensitivity to his sound work, consistently delivering high-quality results. His reliability and collaborative approach make him a valued asset on any production.
Dorian Williamson is acting as a Judge and Mentor for this year’s Film Forward Competition.
Keith Murphy
Keith Murphy is a Director, Producer, and Writer with a distinguished 35-year career as a sought-after Camera Operator and Steadicam Operator. Known for his technical mastery and creative eye, he has worked alongside Oscar, Emmy, and BAFTA-winning Directors and Cinematographers on a wide range of high-profile film and television productions. With over 110 production credits Keith brings a depth of industry experience and a strong visual storytelling sensibility to every project he undertakes.
Keith Murphy is acting as a Mentor for this year’s Film Forward Competition.
Natalie Turcotte
Natalie Turcotte is a Toronto-based writer-director specializing in drama, psychological thrillers, and coming-of-age stories. A TMU Media Production graduate, her award-winning, female-led films explore love, loss, and memory, and have screened at festivals worldwide. In 2024, she received the Bob Johnston Memorial Award at Eye2Eye.
Natalie Turcotte is acting as a Judge for this year’s Film Forward Competition.