As part of our annual Pride celebration, join us for a lively conversation on the evolution of LGBTQ+ storytelling in film and television.
From groundbreaking stories like Schitt’s Creek, Sort Of, and Wildhood to a new generation of queer narratives reaching global audiences, LGBTQ+ representation on screen has transformed dramatically over the past two decades. But as visibility grows, important questions remain around authenticity, inclusion, and who gets to tell these stories.
Join Canadian Club Toronto on June 8 for a panel discussion exploring how queer narratives have evolved from the margins to the mainstream, the cultural impact of that shift, and what’s next for storytelling. Moderated by Judy Lung, Vice President, Strategy, Communications & Stakeholder Relations, TIFF, the discussion will feature insights from:
*A portion of the ticket proceeds will go to Rainbow Railroad
**The livestream for virtual guests will begin at approximately 6:00pm ET & a link will be provided closer to the event date.**
Damon D’Oliveira
Producer and Partner, Conquering Lion Pictures
Damon is a veteran producer responsible for bringing to screen some of Canada’s most critically and commercially successful films and television (BROTHER, RUDE, THE GRIZZLIES, THE BOOK OF NEGROES and WILDHOOD). His latest film, STEAL AWAY, had its world premiere at TIFF in 2025. A recent member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Damon is also the Past Chair of the CMPA and a Board member of TIFF. He was the inaugural winner of TIFF’s Amplify Voices BIPOC & Canadian Trailblazer Award in 2023.
Peter Knegt
Writer, filmmaker, and award-winning CBC Arts producer and journalist
Peter Knegt is a writer, broadcaster and film curator. He currently hosts the Canadian Screen Award-winning talk show Here & Queer on CBC, and runs the monthly film series Queer Cinema Club at Toronto’s Paradise Theatre.
Michelle Mama
Award-winning filmmaker, producer, and founder, GAY AGENDA
Michelle Mama is a CSA award-winning documentary filmmaker and veteran producer/director with over 200 of hours of television under her belt. She has been nominated six times by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.
In 2023, Michelle launched GAY AGENDA designed specifically to develop and produce authentic queer stories. The first feature from the new prodco, Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions, was selected as the Opening Night film for the 2026 Hot Docs International Film Festival.
GAY AGENDA are in post-production on the documentary feature Queer Elders (w/t) for TVO, in development on a documentary feature on fashion icon Jeanne Beker, and have a busy slate of documentary features and scripted projects in development.
Judy Lung
VP, Strategy, Communications, & Stakeholder Relations, Toronto International Film Festival
Judy Lung is a senior executive in the entertainment industry and currently serves as Vice President, Strategy, Communications, and Stakeholder Relations at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Working closely with the CEO and Board, she leads work across enterprise strategy, stakeholder relations, reputation, and organizational priorities, helping align institutional strategy with audience engagement, industry relationships, and public trust.
With more than 20 years of experience spanning film, television, festivals, awards, exhibition, production, broadcasting, and media, Judy brings a rare end-to-end perspective on the global entertainment ecosystem and how stories move from development and production to audiences, critics, cultural institutions, and the marketplace. Her career spans major entertainment companies and cultural platforms, from Canada’s largest film exhibitor and leading broadcasters to independent production, global awards, international festivals, and entertainment publicity.
Judy also serves on the Membership Board of the Golden Globes, contributing to the organization’s international membership strategy and engagement with entertainment journalists around the world.
She is particularly interested in how cultural organizations and storytellers adapt to changing audience expectations, technology, representation, and the growing demand for authentic and globally resonant storytelling.
