MODERATOR: Sammie Astaneh

Astaneh is founder of Service Street Pictures, which develops, packages and produces feature films, documentaries, TV projects and microseries for the international market. Since spring 2025, Service Street Pictures has been commissioned to produce GoodShort’s first microdrama in Canada, developed and produced the first original Canadian microdrama for ReelShort and produced the first Canadian content microdrama for artist-led LA-based platform Chera TV. The company has also formed a strategic partnership with an India-based production company to develop global microdramas based on iconic Bollywood IP; consulted for talent management company Play Management to help broaden its roster to include leading microdrama directors across Canada and the US; consulted for veteran airline distributor Captive Entertainment, the first company to bring microdramas to inflight entertainment; and advised and executive produced for Gennie Studio to help it acquire renowned IP and adapt it into non-fict