The Editor's Cut

Today's episode is a master series panel that took place on June 4, 2025 in Toronto.
Award winning editor Ricardo Acosta, CCE talks with Nick Hector, CCE, BFE about how the film PARADE: QUEER ACTS OF LOVE & RESISTANCE, captured the pivotal moments that sparked Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ movement, honouring the activists and elders whose resistance led to the rights we have today.

If visual effects are the magic of movies, then the VFX editors are the ones making magic happen in the edit suite. But what does that entail? As the bridge between editorial and VFX artists, how do VFX editors support the storytelling process and what do they do? Where did they come from and how has the position evolved? VFX editors Gary Lam, Warren Mazutinec and Bob Dewald answer these questions and more! This panel was moderated by Kelsy Wittman

How do issues of representation and identity shape the art and craft of film editing? Join editors Lara Johnston (FELLOW TRAVELERS), Gloria Tong (BRIA MACK GETS A LIFE), and Fabiola Caraza (THE POPULARITY PAPERS) as they discuss the intersection of film editing and cinematic explorations of race, class, gender, and culture. Moderated by D. Gillian Truster, CCE.

Post production is all about collaboration! Join a talented panel of editors, sound designers, and composers as they reveal the behind-the-scenes magic that brings films to life. From the precision of sound design to the emotion of the score, learn how every element comes together to create unforgettable cinematic experiences. Hear from editors Charlene Rule and Hans Olsen, composer John McMillan and sound designer Johnny Blerot and see how teamwork transforms great ideas into compelling stories on the screen! This panel was moderated by Sarah Taylor, CCE
Panelists:
Charlene Rule - Editor
Charlene Rule has edited a diverse portfolio spanning museum installations, unscripted shows, music videos, and award-winning documentaries. Her first documentary, FRAMES premiered at Tribeca and also showed at the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Recent work includes FOUR STRINGS GOOD, the documentary commemorating the British sessions bassist Mo Foster, which has just premiered at the DocNRoll festival in London. She has also contributed to notable projects like THE ALZHEIMER'S PROJECT, SAME SEX AMERICA, and LEVI: BECOMING HIMSELF. Charlene's work has appeared on networks including A&E, AMI, CBC, Discovery+, FoxSports1, HBO, Max, Showtime, Sundance Channel, and VICE.
Hans Olsen - Editor
Hans Olson is an editor with a passion for observational storytelling. He has worked on three films directed by Tasha Hubbard – SINGING BACK THE BUFFALO, NÎPAWISTAMÂSOWIN: WE WILL STAND UP and BIRTH OF A FAMILY. His documentary editing credits also include SIKSIKAKOWAN: THE BLACKFOOT MAN, ARAB WOMEN SAY WHAT?! and KÍMMAPIIYIPITSSINI: THE MEANING OF EMPATHY. Hans studied screenwriting at Langara College and is an alumnus of the Canadian Film Centre (Directors' Lab) and Berlinale Talents. He has volunteered with the Nordlys Film & Arts Festival since its inception in 2010.
John McMillan - Composer
John McMillan is an award-winning composer, producer, and educator. He is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Westminster in London, UK, and is currently serving as Head of Songwriting with the Department of Music at MacEwan University in Edmonton. From an early age, John has been interested in the art of storytelling through film. This fascination, coupled with a love of music composition, songwriting, music technology and recording, has led to his career in music for visual media. Select screen credits include SINGING BACK THE BUFFALO, CRACKED: THE PERPLEXING WORLD OF EGG DONATION, THE GOOD VIRUS, WOCHIIGII LO: END OF THE PEACE, BLIND AMBITION: THE WOP MAY STORY, IRONMAN III and ASSASSIN'S CREED BLACK FLAG. John is most passionate about his musical contributions to the Canadian documentary film industry.
Johnny Blerot - Sound Designer
Johnny began his sound recording education at the age of 16 and has been working with audio professionally for more than 35 years. With a diploma in Music and Recording Arts from MacEwan University, he is both a musician and audio engineer, with the unique ability to receive the world through sound. The recipient of thirteen Alberta Motion Picture Industry Awards, two Canadian Screen Award Nominations, his position as a premiere audio authority is well established. There is no project Johnny is not equipped to tackle. He has a strong understanding of the technical and creative elements involved in audio production, and he has the skill to balance both.
Sarah Taylor, CCE (Moderator)
A multi-award-winning editor with over twenty years of experience, Sarah has helped shape countless narratives that have been seen around the world. She has cut a wide range of documentaries, television programs, shorts, and feature films which have been screened at festivals including Tribeca, TIFF, and Sundance, and broadcast on networks like CBC, BBC, PBS, APTN, and AMI. Sarah's most recent work includes the feature length documentary The Lebanese Burger Mafia which premiered at HOT DOCS in 2023 and the feature film Hey Viktor! which premiered at Tribeca in 2023. Sarah has seamlessly transitioned into the world of podcasting and also hosts and edits interview-based shows such as BRAAAINS and THE EDITOR'S CUT, adding another dimension to her multifaceted storytelling expertise.

Today's episode was a panel that took place in Vancouver as part of EditCon 2025. Editing is storytelling, and telling stories is what makes us human. But how do editors find, refine, and reconstruct the stories upon which we work? What differences and similarities exist across genres? Join Lisa Binkley, CCE, Jamie Alain, CCE, Ted Tozer, Tanya Maryniak for an in-depth discussion spanning scripted television, documentary, reality and feature editing.
This panel was moderated Mauri Bernstein