B2F MANAGEMENT TEAM

B2F ROADMAP BUILDING

INVEST IN KEY STUDIO AND INFRASTRUCTURE

B2F MANAGEMENT TEAM

B2F ROADMAP BUILDING

INVEST IN KEY STUDIO AND INFRASTRUCTURE

We are passionate about making movies in Kingston, and creating Canada’s newest destination for film and content production.

Branded to Film was conceived out of necessity. Imagined and drafted through the Industry experiences of its founders who recognized that because of increasing demand of studio space, many Canadian movies weren’t being made, many Canadian stories weren’t being told.

The team at Branded to Film are passionate about establishing the next great production hub, creating a place for smaller budget film and TV productions to go to camera, and for unheard stories to come to life.

We are passionate about making movies in Kingston, and creating Canada’s newest destination for film and content production.

Branded to Film was conceived out of necessity. Imagined and drafted through the Industry experiences of its founders who recognized that because of increasing demand of studio space, many Canadian movies weren’t being made, many Canadian stories weren’t being told.

The team at Branded to Film are passionate about establishing the next great production hub, creating a place for smaller budget film and TV productions to go to camera, and for unheard stories to come to life.

J. JOLY (FOUNDER / CEO)

A career of building award-winning media and tech ventures, J’s connection with the region began at Queen’s where he toured with top artists and produced his first short film. After graduating he moved to Toronto were worked at every level of film and TV. Relocating to Vancouver, with Brian he founded an award-winning digital agency and launched The Coup Company that developed STORYHIVE and continues to drive StoriesForCaregivers for TELUS. Powered by the CineCoup platform, produced included the global cult franchise “WOLFCOP”. He has gone through two tech accelerators, sat on the board of the VIFF and advised for the Academy of Canadian Film and TV. Returning to Toronto in 2019, J. partnered on building a live music venue before COVID hit forcing the cancellation and launching 33dot3 to support working Ontario musicians. In 2020 he co-founded Karbon Brewing and is currently focused on B2F, the first long-form production house in Kingston/Frontenac with the first feature going to camera in 2022.
Linkedin

GEORGE ASSIMAKOPOULOS (FOUNDER / COO)

Originally wanting to be a book editor, in 1994 he graduated from Carleton University with a double major BAH in English Literature and Film Theory and set off to Ryerson for post-secondary studies in Editing and Publishing. To pay the bills, he accepted a job as an Office PA on the indie feature and was bitten by the film bug. Within 7 years, George went from PA to 1st Assistant Director (AD) fuelled by the desire to produce. In the past 14 years he has led over 50 shows, ranging from domestic indies to award-winning series like HANNIBAL, AMERICAN GODS, ORPHAN BLACK, CONDOR and MURDOCH MYSTERIES to name a few. George has worked alongside the industry’s finest writers, actors, producers and directors and has deep industry connections in both Canada and the US.
Linkedin

BRIAN WIDEEN (FOUNDER / CFO)

Brian began as an entrepreneur, parlaying his Computer Science degree to build and deliver early email services that serviced WW companies including British Telecom, Canada Post, Singapore Telecom, US Treasury, SITA, and VSNL in India. Ultimately, he joined EA Canada and over 12 years including ran game teams, graphics research and pre-production workshops in studios around the world, he ultimately ended up as COO for NEED FOR SPEED. He retired from EA in 2009. In 2011 he co-founder dimeRocker, The Coup Company and Liquor Donuts with J. Joly. Brian currently splits his time between his role as VP Finance for both Growthworks Capital (a vehicle for channeling investment into new companies with innovative ideas) and EastSide Games Group (Canada’s largest free-to-play mobile game provider listed on the TSX).
Linkedin

B2F ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MICHAEL HIRSCH

(CORPORATE MEDIA GROWTH EXPERT)
Canadian media mogul, michael co-founded Nelvana, Cookie Jar Entertainment and WOW! Unlimited – all of which exited or were acquired

RICHARD STURSBERG

(MEDIA POLICY EXPERT)
Served as President of Canadian Cable TV, Chairman of the Canadian TV Fund, Executive Director of Telefilm and EVP of English services at the CBC

KATRINA MATHESON

(DISTRIBUTION/FINANCING EXPERT)

20yr film/tv financing roles at Lionsgate, Miramax, Focus, Constantine, GK Films and recently film portfolio manager at Bank Hapoalim

FRANK SIRACUSA

(FILM/TV PRODUCTION EXPERT)
GTA-based film and TV producer that has overseen major film and television productions for Amazon, Hulu, Netflix, NBC, and CBS

YANNICK BISSON

(ACTING MENTOR)
35 year actor/director. current lead on “MURDOCH MYSTERIEs. 2017, 2018 and 2020 he received the ACTRA Award of Excellence in 2017 for his lifetime of work

PAUL VELLA

(TAX CREDIT AND FINANCING EXPERT)
Executive financing and production roles with Alliance/Atlantis, Canadian Media Fund, Ontario Creates, CBC and Telefilm canada
[WE ARE] BRANDED TO FILM

VISION

THE B2F ROADMAP TO SUCCESS

PROJECTS

THE B2F CONTENT PIPELINE

TEAM

Meet the B2F Team

INVEST

BECOME A B2F SUPPORTER

VISION

THE B2F ROADMAP TO SUCCESS

PROJECTS

THE B2F CONTENT PIPELINE

TEAM

Meet the B2F Team

INVEST

BECOME A B2F SUPPORTER