| FEATURE FILM & CINEMA VIEW WORKSHOPS |
INSTRUCTORS
Yaron Betan - Executive Director / Director
A factotum by trade, Betan was propelled into the film business after achieving his BFA in integrated
media from OCAD. After spending his early twenties fermenting in the business of worldwide distribution,
he was acquired to work under several major Hollywood studios, including DreamWorks SKG, Echelon
Studios, and Cinema Vault Releasing. As such, Betan is no stranger to tall tales and tall orders from the
promise-laced land of Tinseltown, or its diddling farragoes. Betan successfully runs his independent
distribution company – “White Night Studios” that earned him the expansion of work to found the video
advertising firm “SPOTZ” and the “Moving Image Film Festival” along with its annual events and related
competitions.
Ben Goldenberg - Director / Producer / Writter
To Goldenberg, a top graduate of NY Film School and York University, the study of film is much like a fine
tuning fork to the dichotomy of art and life. His unique, quirky and quaint style of filmmaking has made its
way into scores of music videos, short films and feature projects across North America. Over the years,
Goldenberg has worked on the Universal Studios’ lot and spearheaded Goldmatter Productions and Red
Shorts: a video equipment rental company that specializes in the RED Camera and other 35mm
equipment. Goldenberg also studied screenwriting from revered industry guru Robert McKee, which
attributed to his keen mind for balanced story structure. His contending film in Youtube’s Project: Direct of
2008, “White Collar Criminals” – written, shot and complied within three days - received second place in
the competition and had over 200,000 views. The film was featured at 2009’s Sundance Film Festival.
Igal Hecht Director /Editor / Sound Specialist
As an accomplished documentary filmmaker, Igal Hecht has self-written, produced and documented over
thirty entries of affecting subjects involving the conflicts in Israel and the Jewish world. Hecht’s full body of
work is a recurring favourite on CBC, Omni TV - BC, OUTtv and Christian Television Station. The brutal
honesty he depicted in films such as “Not in My Name” and “Streets of Jerusalem” won him superlatives
and awards from film festivals both at home and abroad. Hecht’s clenching and trademark veraciousness
is recognized through his independent production house, the aptly named “Chutzpa Productions”. Hecht is
also a guest professor at Seneca College and various post-secondary film institutions.
GUEST INSTRUCTORS:
KATHERINE CHOPTIANY - FESTIVAL SPECIALIST, PROGRAMMING & ACQUISITIONS
JASON GOSBEE - DIRECTOR, WRITER, PRODUCER
Yaron Betan - Executive Director / Director
A factotum by trade, Betan was propelled into the film business after achieving his BFA in integrated
media from OCAD. After spending his early twenties fermenting in the business of worldwide distribution,
he was acquired to work under several major Hollywood studios, including DreamWorks SKG, Echelon
Studios, and Cinema Vault Releasing. As such, Betan is no stranger to tall tales and tall orders from the
promise-laced land of Tinseltown, or its diddling farragoes. Betan successfully runs his independent
distribution company – “White Night Studios” that earned him the expansion of work to found the video
advertising firm “SPOTZ” and the “Moving Image Film Festival” along with its annual events and related
competitions.
Ben Goldenberg - Director / Producer / Writter
To Goldenberg, a top graduate of NY Film School and York University, the study of film is much like a fine
tuning fork to the dichotomy of art and life. His unique, quirky and quaint style of filmmaking has made its
way into scores of music videos, short films and feature projects across North America. Over the years,
Goldenberg has worked on the Universal Studios’ lot and spearheaded Goldmatter Productions and Red
Shorts: a video equipment rental company that specializes in the RED Camera and other 35mm
equipment. Goldenberg also studied screenwriting from revered industry guru Robert McKee, which
attributed to his keen mind for balanced story structure. His contending film in Youtube’s Project: Direct of
2008, “White Collar Criminals” – written, shot and complied within three days - received second place in
the competition and had over 200,000 views. The film was featured at 2009’s Sundance Film Festival.
Igal Hecht Director /Editor / Sound Specialist
As an accomplished documentary filmmaker, Igal Hecht has self-written, produced and documented over
thirty entries of affecting subjects involving the conflicts in Israel and the Jewish world. Hecht’s full body of
work is a recurring favourite on CBC, Omni TV - BC, OUTtv and Christian Television Station. The brutal
honesty he depicted in films such as “Not in My Name” and “Streets of Jerusalem” won him superlatives
and awards from film festivals both at home and abroad. Hecht’s clenching and trademark veraciousness
is recognized through his independent production house, the aptly named “Chutzpa Productions”. Hecht is
also a guest professor at Seneca College and various post-secondary film institutions.
GUEST INSTRUCTORS:
KATHERINE CHOPTIANY - FESTIVAL SPECIALIST, PROGRAMMING & ACQUISITIONS
JASON GOSBEE - DIRECTOR, WRITER, PRODUCER
