Talent Talk: Femme Fatales - New Takes on Women in Genre [Free Event]

Name: Talent Talk: Femme Fatales - New Takes on Women in Genre [Free Event]
Start: 2025-12-06T18:00:00-08:00
End: 2025-12-06T19:00:00-08:00
Location: Whistler Public Library

Schedule

Sat Dec 06 2025 at 06:00 pm to 07:00 pm

UTC-08:00

Location

Whistler Public Library | Whistler, BC

Genre Film, done well, sheds light on our deepest, darkest fears – the things we are too ashamed to speak of –, and exposes them to the light of universal anxiety. This year, the Whistler Film Festival is showcasing a strong collection of women lead and often women directed genre, marking a new wave of the femme fatale in film. Exploring ideas of clout, persona, competition and relationship dynamics, they delve into our psyches putting their protagonists through toil and all sorts of trouble.
In this panel we bring together: Cassandra Naud (lead actor in Influencers), Tamara Black (director of The After School Club), Sarah Luby (lead actor and director of Silent Sonata), and Siobhan Connors (lead actor and producer of Headcase) for a deep dive into genre and women’s evolving role from “final girl” to filmmaker, producer, lead.
Talent Talks are intimate conversations with talent from films premiering at the Whistler Film Festival that are free for the public and Industry Passholders to attend. Seating is first-come, first-served; space is limited, please be sure to RSVP!
Guest Details
Tamara Black
Tamara Black is an award winning Canadian-Italian director, producer and writer known for her captivating visuals, ingenuity and an eye for detail that allows her to transcend creative formats. She was chosen to participate in the BANFF Spark Accelerator for Women in Media, and has received support from the MVP Project, Canada Council for the Arts and Creative BC. Her work has been screened at international festivals including Berlin Art Film Festival and New York Independent Cinema Awards. She has been featured in outlets such as Booooooom, ET Canada, Global News, the Georgia Straight, and the Shiny Awards. Tamara is also a documentary and audio producer who has worked with clients like iHeartRadio, Warner, EA Sports, Unwell Network and Instagram. She has produced Webby-winning podcasts like “Supreme: The Battle for Roe”. Currently, she’s in post-production on her feature proof of concept “The Afterschool Club” and is developing an original series. Her narrative slate explores mental health, sexuality, trauma and friendship through genre-bending concepts. A harmonization of grit, humour and emotion shines through in her work, creating stylized visuals that are hard to ignore. Tamara holds a BA in Criminology which started her love of crime/thriller dramas.

Siobhan Connors
Siobhan is both an award-winning actor and producer. She has been cast in over 50 film, tv & theatre productions including LEO AWARD-winner DARKSIDE and iconic Australian TV shows ROMPER STOMPER and NEIGHBOURS. Siobhan was the lead actor and a producer on HEADCASE which was selected for the highly competitive CRAZY8S FILM PROGRAM. It premiered at FANTASIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, has garnered headlines from publications like VARIETY and PLAYBACK and is nominated for the 2025 DGC Awards

Sarah Luby, Director, producer, writer, actor
Sarah Luby is a queer, disabled Canadian filmmaker, actor, singer, and producer whose work is fueled by a commitment to empathy, inclusion, and authentic storytelling. Drawing from her lived experience and advocacy for invisible disabilities, Sarah’s song INVISIBLE—which shares her personal journey—has become an anthem within the diabetes community, reflecting her dedication to raising awareness and connection.
A graduate of the University of Manitoba’s Desautels Faculty of Music (B.Mus. in Vocal Performance), Sarah’s versatile talents have brought her to stages and screens across film, television, theatre, and opera. Her credits include appearances on Crave, CTV, Hallmark, CBS, CBC, Netflix, and Universal, alongside collaborations with renowned institutions like the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and Manitoba Opera. In 2026 you can find her leading the LIFETIME thriller “I Have to K*ll my Neighbour” and next Christmas as the comic relief 'Lexi' in the highly anticipated Violent Night 2 (Universal).
On the producing side, Sarah is making waves with significant credits, most recently as Apprentice Producer on NORMAL, a feature starring Bob Odenkirk and penned by John Wick creator Derek Kolstad. She also helped produce a high-profile comedy fundraiser with Kevin McDonald and Odenkirk, showcasing her ability to manage complex projects with creative finesse.
Sarah’s directorial debut, Silent Sonata, is a visually arresting short film that seamlessly blends her background in music, movement, and cinematic storytelling.
Deeply engaged with her community, Sarah partners with the University of Manitoba and the Children’s Hospital to support teens living with Type 1 diabetes, championing accessibility and representation in the arts and beyond.

Cassandra Naud
Cassandra Naud is a queer Canadian actor, dancer, and filmmaker from Fort McMurray, Alberta. At 19, she moved to Los Angeles to study performance, earning a BFA before launching a professional dance career and transitioning into acting. She is best known for her breakout role as CW in Influencer (Shudder). Cassandra made her television debut as Fiona in Snowpiercer (TBS/Netflix), and has since appeared in recurring roles on See (Apple TV+) and Loudermilk (Netflix). She stars in an upcoming feature film and reprises her role in the sequel to Influencer, screening at this year’s Whistler Film Festival.
In 2023, Cassandra made her directorial debut. Her first two short films have screened on the festival circuit, including at Vancouver’s Innovate Film Festival. A passionate advocate for inclusion, Cassandra brings lived experience to her work across disciplines. She continues to challenge traditional beauty standards and is proud to be part of a generation reshaping the narrative around identity and representation in media.