Film legend Pam Grier will serve as the keynote speaker at a Film Training Manitoba (FTM) conference this fall. The organization made the announcement on Thursday, saying Grier will be speaking at the fifth edition of Canada’s Supporting Women in Film Trades (SWIFT) conference. Grier is best known for her groundbreaking performances in films like “Foxy Brown” and “Jackie Brown.” According to FTM, Grier has been described as cinema’s first female action star and an actor who helped transform the industry for women and Black performers. “Having Pam Grier was such a huge get for us as an organization…We had our instructors who has good experiences here connect with her,” said Adam Smoluk, executive director of Film Training Manitoba. “It took some time to connect but given what her experience is, she’s such a unique person within the film industry. SWIFT is an annual conference that provides learning and networking opportunities for women and gender-diverse individuals in the film industry. The theme of this year’s event is ACTION: Breaking Barriers and Building Careers. “Canada’s Supporting Women in Film Trades conference is the only conference globally that is for women that want to work in trades positions in the film industry or are currently working in trades positions in the film industry,” Smoluk said. “This is for anyone that’s working in costume or wants to work in acting or directing, any of those positions. Our industry is heavy on workers.” The SWIFT conference is set to take place on Oct. 24 at the University of Manitoba’s Riddell Hall. More information on the event and how to register is available online.
