As we gear up for an unforgettable weekend of workshops, panels, and roundtables, the Screen Production Yukon Association is excited to introduce a snapshot of our incredible lineup of speakers—industry professionals who are shaping the future of film and television.
This year’s speaker lineup brings together some of the most inspiring and influential voices in film and television—from award-winning actors to top-tier executives and rising creators shaping what’s next. We’re thrilled to welcome Gil Bellows, a celebrated actor, director, producer, and Emmy-winning storyteller known for The Shawshank Redemption, Ally McBeal, Temple Grandin, and Amazon’s Patriot. Joining him is Nataline Rodrigues, Producer and Founder of Grit and Grace Entertainment Inc., whose leadership across Vortex Media, Rogers, CBC, and Canwest has helped shape a generation of original Canadian content across scripted and factual genres.
Also taking the stage is Emily Alden, Executive VP at Brightlight Pictures, with two decades of experience producing original features and series, and a deep understanding of what gets projects financed, greenlit, and seen. Rounding out this powerhouse lineup is Jordan Lockhart, acclaimed puppeteer and writer behind Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and The Barbarian and the Troll, bringing hands-on creative insight into character performance and storytelling across platforms.
Registration opens this weekend—don’t miss your chance to learn from, work with, and be inspired by these exceptional creators and decision-makers.
The Yukon Screen Media Industry Conference and Awards Gala takes place from November 7 to 9, 2025.
BIOGRAPHIES
Gil Bellows
Gil Bellows is an actor, producer, writer and director. Upon graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, he began acting in films and television. Bellows also earned critical acclaim for his stage performances in Flaubert’s Latest and The Snake and the Vein (both in 1992).
Bellows gained wide attention for his performance as Tommy in The Shawshank Redemption (1994). The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and is considered by many to be one of the greatest films ever made.
During this period, he got his first starring role in Love and a .45 (1994), for which his acting received positive reviews.
On television, Bellows is best known for playing Thomas in Fox’s popular legal dramedy Ally McBeal (1997-2002). His performance earned him two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and the show also won the Emmy and Gold Globe for Best Comedy.
Throughout his career, Bellows has continued to work in both film and television. His film credits include The Weather Man (2005), House and the End of the Street (2012), and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019). On television he has had recurring roles in Smallville (2010), American Gods (2021), and Chucky (2023-2024).
Finally, as a producer, Bellows produced HBO’s Temple Grandin (2010) which won him the Emmy for Best TV Film and the Peabody Award. It won its leading lady a Golden Globe and received two additional nominations including Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television. He also developed the story and produced the Amazon Series Patriot (2015-2016). As a director, he co-directed, co-wrote, produced and starred in 3 Days in Havana (2013) and promotional material of the star studded television special Night of Too Many Stars (2003).
Nataline Rodrigues
Nataline Rodrigues is a strategic, results driven, entertainment executive with a solid foundation in independent production and a proven track record in broadcasting, known for delivering compelling cross platform content in all genres for global audiences.
Nataline is the founder of Grit & Grace Entertainment, a production company committed to creating inspiring and insightful content for the international market. Her breadth of direct hands-on media expertise includes concept and script development, creative and physical production, service production, talent development, mentorship and training, postproduction, budgeting and financing including international co-productions, as well as a deep understanding of regulatory and funding frameworks.
In her roles at Brain Power Studio and Vortex Media, Nataline has developed and produced series, movies and indie features for the global market. Nataline also works as a strategic advisor on LUV, a new social network for the romance creator community. As Director of Original Content at Rogers Sports and Media, Nataline oversaw the submission, development, production, and acquisition of original programming for television brands and platforms like Citytv, OMNI, FX and Viceland.
Nataline is known for delivering results that include ratings, revenue and critical acclaim with numerous Christmas and thriller movies, dramatic scripted series like Hudson and Rex, Wong & Winchester, Bad Blood, Nirvana the Band the Show, and unscripted international formats like Canada’s Got Talent, Bachelor Canada, Storage Wars Canada as well as Vice originals like Vice Guide to Film and Comedy.
Emily Alden
As Executive Vice President, Originals, Emily Alden brings 20 years of experience in development, financing, production, and distribution to her role at Brightlight Pictures. Alden manages the development of acquisitions and original content for both film and television at Brightlight Pictures, recently serving as Executive Producer on Lionsgate’s Float starring Robbie Amell and Executive Producer of APTN’s Bears’ Lair. Currently, Alden is producing Sarah Gadon’s feature directorial debut, Lullabies for Little Criminals.
Prior to her position at Brightlight Pictures, Alden was Senior Vice President of Pacific Northwest Pictures, overseeing the company’s development, financing, production, and distribution activities.
Actively involved in the Canadian film community, Alden has been a speaker and panelist for film festivals and forums across the country and currently sits on the CMPA National board of directors, as well as Vancouver-based nonprofit Music Heals’ board of directors.
Jordan Lockhart
Jordan Lockhart is an Ottawa-born puppeteer and writer whose work has appeared on AppleTV+, Paramount+, Netflix, Nickelodeon, and TVOkids. Selected credits include: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, The Barbarian and the Troll, and the preschool hit Hi Opie!, earning him two Canadian Screen Award nominations. But he is best known for his performance as Wembley on Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock. His training includes Sesame Workshop, The Jim Henson Company, and the New York Film Academy. Jordan has also created and led puppetry workshops for Le Centre ontarien de prévention des agressions (COPA) and Second City Toronto.
As a writer, Jordan has worked on development teams for CBC Kids and TVOkids (via Little Engine Moving Pictures and Fifth Ground Entertainment), and is currently developing his own creative projects, including early development on an adaptation of the beloved book series Tales from Fern Hollow.
Neil Macdonald
Born and raised in the Yukon, Neil began making movies as a young boy. He is an alumnus of the UBC Film Program and the National Screen Institute. With a varied career in the film and television industry Neil has worked as a Producer, Director, Cinematographer, and Gaffer. His credits include A.R.C.H.I.E. 2, GOLD RUSH, SKYMASTER DOWN, NANCY DREW, TRON LEGACY, and the TWILIGHT SAGA to name a few. In 2022 Neil stepped away from production to take on the role of Film Commissioner and Manager, Media Development for the Yukon Government.
Kelly Milner
Kelly Milner was raised by wolves in the Yukon, then cut her professional teeth working across the North as a journalist before getting drawn into world of land claims and wildlife co-management. In 2014, she established Shot in the Dark, combining her experience working with communities across the North with her creative storytelling roots. Telling stories that matter is what drives her. She is now a producer, director and writer and her films have won numerous national and international awards
