General information:
info@cionorth.ca
Lead, Film Sector Development
Michael Naphan
Michael Naphan is a videographer, animator, writer, advertising creative, and award-winning filmmaker who joined the CION team with the express desire to bring the world to Northern Ontario and North Ontario to the world. He brings 20 years of film sector experience to the position, from all three phases of production, on set and off, in front of the camera and behind. His career spans from CGI animation on high-end series and movies (What We Do in the Shadows, Watchmen, WandaVision, The Ice Road), to mega-viral internet videos (Solar Freakin’ Roadways), to music videos (SemiCircles) and animated shorts (XING). With an educational background in design (York University), computer animation (IADT), screenwriting (CFC), and a wide array of film industry skills and experience (Baroness Von Sketch Show, Operation: Avalanche, Dino Dana), Mike works with CION’s team to make the art of film and television production a sustainable success across the region. Mike’s work with CION includes film consultations with filmmakers and productions of all shapes and sizes to help meet their unique needs, leading CION’s film and television industry programming, leading the promotion of the Northern industry and its incentives to stakeholders from Canada and around the world, and leading the development of CION’s industry resources and infrastructure. Mike was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie and, after 20 years in Toronto, now makes his home in Sudbury.
Lead, Music Sector Development:
Melanie St-Pierre
Melanie St-Pierre is a musician, music industry professional, and illustrator from Northern Ontario who resides in Sudbury, Ontario. Melanie is the lead singer and songwriter of the critically acclaimed band Casper Skulls, which was previously nominated for a SOCAN songwriting award. Through her many years of work as a professional musician - Melanie has developed a plethora of music business knowhow - including successful grant writing, tour booking, promotion, public relations, musician's rights, copyright, liscencing, partnership building, and more. In her work with CION - Melanie has conducted consultations with hundreds of Northern Ontario musicians on topics ranging from funding to releasing to touring and beyond - helping Northern musicians with every facet of their music business development. Melanie has also facilitated successful songwriting, professional development, music business training and showcasing sessions through CION. Melanie is a graduate of the Visual and Creative Arts program with honors from Sheridan College, where she received the Works of Paper Award of Excellence.
Workforce Development Officer:
Jodie Wiebe
Jodie Wiebe is an administrative professional who leads CION's workforce development activities - including facilitating CION's MAPPED Crew Training Fund, consulting with regional crew from across Northern Ontario on skill development opportunities, consulting on CION's programming and development opportunities during Project Pitch Exchange program meetings, overseeing CION's Crew Database, promoting film workforce opportunities at job fairs and to job placement institutions, and developing and delivering regional Workforce Training activities, while providing event logistics oversight to all CION development sessions. Jodie's work with CION has included delivery of successful workforce training sessions in 2023 and 2024, which saw over 160 film and television credits accrued by program graduates to date. Jodie's experience in the film and television production industry, where she played a key role in several regional projects including the Sudbury-filmed Letterkenny, has given her the skills and interest to train the next generation of film crews on the opportunities that the North can offer.
Communications and Development Officer:
Samuel Boucher
With years of experience in the not-for-profit sector developing communications strategies, facilitating event logistics, and composing thorough grants and activity reports, Samuel utilizes his diverse skillset to promote the music, film & television production industries in Northern Ontario. In his work with CION - Samuel has provided oversight towards all public marketing and communications, overseen logistics for CION's Project Pitch Exchange program including scheduling and facilitating locations tours, acted as a liaison to regional stakeholders, contributed to successful events including NOMFA and CION's Cinema Summit activities, and written successful grants and reports on CION's industry development activities. Originally from Kapuskasing, Ontario, Samuel moved to Sudbury to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric and Media Studies at Laurentian University and was exposed to the local film world through the Motion Pictures Arts program. Samuel went on to complete a master's degree in Humanities at Laurentian University.
Programs and Events Officer:
Silvia Domnic
With a strong background in project management, data analysis, workflow management and information technology, Silvia maintains and updates CION’s online databases and resources (Crew Database, Regional Resources Vendor’s List, CION Hotlist, It Came From the North production database) while assessing and tracking success metrics and contributing to CION’s event planning activities. Silvia brings her years of experience towards providing innovative solutions to improve CION’s databases, while identifying new avenues to expand CION’s customer service delivery. A long time film and television fan, Silvia is a graduate of Cambrian College, and holds an additional two post-graduate degrees in I.T Business Analysis and Project Management, respectively.