#FIRSTLOOK: THE WRITERS LAB CANADA NAMES JENNIFER PODEMSKI AS AMBASSADOR

The Writers Lab Canada (TWL Canada) is excited to announce Canadian Actress & Producer Jennifer Podemski as their Ambassador for its return for a second time January 2026. The Writers Lab Canada (TWL Canada) has also extended their deadline to August 28, 2025 Building on the success of its inaugural edition, TWL Canada continues its mission to support Canadian women and nonbinary film and TV writers aged 40 and above. This exclusive four-day intensive, followed by six months of development and industry support, offers a transformative experience to a select group of emerging and mid-career voices in film and television.

Confirmed Mentors for The Writers Lab Canada (TWL Canada) include: Maureen Dorey-Lukie, Nelu Handa, Wendy Litner, Stephanie Morgenstern, Meredith Vulnich. During the lab, Robina Lord-Stafford, Jennifer Kassabian and Morwyn Brebner will be joining for special seminars.

The Writers Lab, supported by Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and Natalie Portman, returns to Canada for its second year to Empower Women and Nonbinary Screenwriters Over 40. Helmed by The Writers Lab Int’l and produced in partnership with the Firecracker Department, the Female Eye Film Festival (FeFF), with support from DGC Ontario, season two is off to a great start. TWL Canada, is designed to provide participants with the tools, mentorship, and industry connections to help them advance their film and TV projects and writing careers. The inaugural edition of TWL Canada, was a resounding success, with participants receiving valuable mentorship from industry veterans including:

• Allana Harkin (Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, Nesting)
• Carolyn Taylor (Baroness von Sketch Show, I Have Nothing)
• Jessie Gabe (Workin’ Moms, Mr. D)
• Morwyn Brebner (Allegiance, Coroner)
• Nathalie Younglai (Essex County, Coroner)
• Shannon Masters (Allegiance, Coroner)
• Wendy Litner (Run the Burbs, How to Buy a Baby)

“The Writers Lab Canada gave me a deeper understanding of how to articulate the emotional core of my story. As a veteran novelist but novice screenwriter, this lab provided so many insights into why my stories mattered so much to me, and what I was trying to say with my work.” Vicki So, Screenwriter

“The Intensive keeps on giving after the in-person time finishes with feedback and follow up, which is a huge strength of the program. The team gently but firmly pushes your writing to the next level so it’s ready to send to their list of producers.” Dee Raffo, participant

The Writers Lab Canada is supported by key industry partners. They include production companies Bentframe Film and TV, Black Birds Entertainment, Cameron Pictures, Darius Films, Incendo Movie Distribution, Insight Productions, Lionsgate Productions, Shaftesbury Films and industry partners such as Women In the Director’s Chair, and more. TWL Canada was proud to have Nia Vardalos (Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and actor) as its first Ambassador.

During the four-day Intensive, January 2026, participants will have the opportunity to work closely with seasoned industry professionals and mentors to refine their scripts through honing their story core, scene readings, pitching practice, processing feedback, log line lessons, and examining writers’ rooms. In the months following, writers build their craft by submitting developing drafts for further feedback and exploring career connections with introductions to key industry professionals in a collaborative, supportive environment.

About the Leaders of TWL Canada:

TWL Canada is led by The Writers Lab co-founders Elizabeth Kaiden and Nitza Wilon, who bring years of experience in script and career development for women and nonbinary screenwriters.

The Female Eye Film Festival (FeFF), founded in 2001 by filmmaker Leslie-Ann Coles, executive producer of FeFF, offers a platform for female filmmakers supporting the careers of emerging and mid-career voices in the film industry.

The Firecracker Department, founded by Naomi Snieckus (Second City, Mr.D, Handmaid’s Tale), is committed to creating opportunities for women and nonbinary artists alongside her program partners Writer/Director Virginia Abramovich and Writer/Story Editor Liesl Lafferty.

Application Details for TWL Canada 2026:

• Eligibility: Open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are women and nonbinary writers aged 40 or over.
• Script Requirements: Narrative scripts in English, professionally formatted, and submitted anonymously.
• Submission Categories: Feature film screenplays (80–120 pages), one-hour TV pilots (45–75 pages), and half-hour TV pilots (22–44 pages).
• Application Fee: Early bird fee $95, Late fee $130
• Program Fee (if accepted): $1,460 plus $190 HST = $1650

FilmFreeway Submission Platform:•

• TWL Canada 2026: Dates to remember….
• August 28 – Late Deadline
• September 10 – Quarter Finalist and Semi Finalist Notifications
• September 30 – Winner Notifications

January 6-9 – The Writers Lab Canada Intensive•

#FIRSTLOOK: CANADIAN FILM CENTRE TO HONOUR JENNIFER PODEMSKI, RICK MERCER, AND DON MCKELLAR

The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) is pleased to announce that acclaimed Canadian film and television luminaries Jennifer Podemski, Rick Mercer, and Don McKellar will each be honoured with the inaugural Norman Jewison Founder’s Council Award at the 2025 CFC Gala: Growing Futures, taking place on June 12, 2025 at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto. Tickets to the CFC Gala are available here.

This marks the first year of the Norman Jewison Founder’s Council Award, which will be presented annually at the Gala to up to three recipients whose work reflects the legacy of CFC’s founder Norman Jewison. Developed by CFC’s Founder’s Council, the award recognizes film and television visionaries whose work embodies Norman’s legacy, are committed to social justice in their storytelling, and/or have made a global impact in the industry.

“This award celebrates the spirit and legacy of Norman Jewison – a filmmaker who has made a lasting mark on the industry,” said Steven DeNure, Chair of the CFC Founder’s Council. “Jennifer, Rick, and Don each exemplify creativity, courage, and leadership and have made significant contributions to the screen industry in Canada and abroad. We’re pleased to recognize their remarkable achievements with this inaugural award.”

The Norman Jewison Founder’s Council is a non-fiduciary consultative body established by the Board to champion the CFC, its mission, vision and initiatives. The work of the Founder’s Council enhances CFC’s fundraising activities, connections to industry, innovation and expertise. Current members include: Eric Belcher, Don Carmody, Neal Clarence, Suzette Couture, David Cronenberg, Steven DeNure (Chair), Blake Goldring, Christina Jennings, Kevin Jewison, George Lewis, David W. Middleton, Bob Munroe, Gary Slaight, and Barbara Williams with Kate Alexander Daniels joining this fall.

The Norman Jewison Founder’s Council Award is the Council’s first initiative and will serve as a tribute to Jewison’s immeasurable impact. The 2025 honourees will attend the CFC Gala to receive their awards.

The CFC Gala brings together industry leaders, artists, and supporters to help raise vital funds that contribute to robust hands-on programs that train the next generation of Canadian screen creatives. The highly anticipated and lively evening will include a performance by Toronto’s top mentalist Kevin Hamdan and music from DJ Fly Lady Di.

For more information, visit cfccreates.com.

#FIRSTLOOK: “THE PORTER”, “SORT OF” AND “BROTHER” TAKE TOP HONOURS AT 2023 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS

Canadian Screen Week 2023 has concluded with celebrations taking place over four days at Toronto’s Meridian Hall, honouring the achievements of Canadian talent in film, television, and digital media.

History was made this year in the Film and Television categories with records being set. CBC’s The Porter went on to win a record 12 Canadian Screen Awards, leading television honours overall. Wins include: Best Drama Series; Best Direction, Drama Series, presented by Playback; Best Writing, Drama Series; and Best Guest Performance, Drama Series for Alfre Woodward. The award for Best Lead Performer, Drama Series went to Hamza Haq for CTV’s Transplant, making this his third consecutive win as a lead in the series.

In Comedy, the sophomore season of CBC’s Sort Of took home an inpressive seven Canadian Screen Awards. Among those wins was Best Comedy Series; Best Lead Performer, Comedy, presented by the Canada Media Fund, for Bilal Baig; Best Guest Performance, Comedy for Amanda Brugel; and Best Writing, Comedy, for Bilal Baig and Fab Filippo, marking back-to-back wins for the pair in this category. 

Film honours were led by Clement Virgo’s Brother, which like The Porter, received a record 12 Canadian Screen Awards at The Cinematic Arts Awards, presented by Telefilm Canada and supported by Cineplex, on Thursday, April 13, including: Best Motion Picture; Achievement in Direction, and Adapted Screenplay for Clement Virgo; Performance in a Leading Role, presented by Telefilm Canada, for Lamar Johnson; and Performance in a Supporting Role for Aaron Pierre.

Special Awards were also handed-out through the week, culminating a star-studded conclusion to the week with the likes of Ryan Reynolds and Catherine O’Hara in-attendance. Honourees this year include:

–Ryan Reynolds, recipient of the Humanitarian Award, presented by Paramount+, was presented his award in a touching moment (see Reel below) by Everett Ho, SickKids patient ambassador, and Lisa Charendoff, Associate Director, Community Stakeholder Relations at SickKids Foundation. Winner Amanda Brugel also wanted Reynolds in on her victory photo!

–Catherine O’Hara, recipient of the Academy Icon Award, presented by CBC, received her award from Karen Robinson, her former Schitt’s Creek co-star.

–Simu Liu, recipient of the Radius Award presented by MADE | NOUS, recognizing a Canadian whose work is making waves globally

–Lisa LaFlamme, recipient of the Gordon Sinclair Award for Broadcast Journalism, recognizing a Canadian broadcast journalist for their exceptional body of work in broadcast journalism

–Pierre Bruneau, the recipeint of the Lifetime Achievement Award for exceptional work with an impact at home or abroad

–Peter MacNeill, recipient of the Earle Grey Award, presented by eOne for their exceptional body of acting work in Canadian television and film

–Tracy Moore, recipient of the Changemaker Award, which recognises and honours those in the media community in Canada who are using their voice or platform to call out systemic racism and discrimination, supporting and amplifying the voices of those who are actively engaged in anti-racist work, and seeking structural transformations in media, film, and television in Canada that promote values of equity and inclusion

–Paul Pope (post-humous), the recipient of the Academy Board of Directors’ Tribute 

–Jennifer Podemski, recipient of the Academy Board of Directors’ Tribute, honouring a Canadian individual for their extraordinary impact on the growth of the Canadian media industry

A Reel of Highlights from tonight’s Red Carpet:

The Canadian Screen Awards with Samantha Bee on Sunday, April 16, 2023 on CBC and CBC Gem at 8 PM (9 AT, 9:30 NT). The winner of the Cogeco Fund Audience Choice Award will be unveiled on the broadcast. Special guests also include Amy Poehler, Mae Martin, Adam DiMarco and Lamar Johnson. 

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)