TIFF is thrilled to unveil the lineup for the 2024 Writersâ Studio, the prestigious annual program fostering the next generation of storytellers. This year marks the 13th edition of the collaborative, five-day intensive lab, designed to empower Canadian and international screenwriters and writer-directors. From a fiercely competitive pool of more than 200 submissions, TIFF has selected a cohort of exceptional talents. The following writers have been selected: Zhannat Alshanova, Aram Collier, Rebecca Fisseha, Sophie Jarvis, Amy Trefry, and Asia Youngman.
The Writersâ Studio is a space to consolidate skills, exchange ideas, and navigate challenges, while participating in workshops, artist talks, peer-to-peer mentorships, and one-on-one project development consultations guided by industry experts. Writersâ Studio will take place April 15 â19, 2024, at TIFF Lightbox.
âPrograms like the Writersâ Studio continue to ignite and drive talent, both in Canada and on the global stage,â said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. âAt TIFF, our commitment to fostering new talent will continue to grow with a focus on providing industry expertise and unparalleled access to industry leaders, ensuring the programâs enduring impact year after year.â
This yearâs lab will support the development of feature-film scripts through dedicated one-on-one discussions with international story consultants Trey Ellis and Christina Lazaridi. Additionally, the participants will engage in daily artist talks and workshops facilitated by renowned filmmakers and industry experts including Ashley Comeau, Brad Fraser, Howard Wiseman and Emma Donoghue. Canadian actors, Getenesh Berhe, Vivien Endicott-Douglas, Thomas Antony Olajide and Ajuawak Kapashesit, will join for a full-day workshop of the projects in development.
New this year, the Sloan Science and Technology Writer Fellowship will offer a project development grant and targeted creative support for one emerging to mid-level feature film screenwriter whose project explores themes of science and technology. This yearâs selected recipient is Amy Trefry for her project Leninâs Embalmers, co-written with playwright Vern Thiessen. Funding for this programme is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundationâs Public Understanding of Science and Technology program.
Now in its third year, the Renee Perlmutter Memorial Fellowship for Literary Adaptation provides a Writersâ Studio participant focusing on adapting literary work for the screen with an additional grant toward developing their project. This yearâs Renee Perlmutter Memorial Fellow is Rebecca Fisseha, who is working on an adaptation of her own debut novel Daughters of Silence.
Four participants from the 2024 class will also be awarded a grant generously supported by CHANEL, through the CHANEL Women Creatorsâ Network, to further the development of their feature-length script.
TIFFâs Talent Development programmes are produced by Jane Kim, Industry Programming Producer, and supported by Bronwen Eadie, Project Manager, Industry Programming and supported in part by TIFFâs Share Her Journey initiative. As a major supporter of Share Her Journey, the CHANEL Women Creatorsâ Network provides funding to advance the careers of women and non-binary participants and alumni of TIFF Writersâ Studio. Since its inception in 2021, the Network has offered access to script consultants and established screenwriters, peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing sessions, and a talent summit for writers to showcase their work for producers and other industry insiders. CHANELâs participation augments TIFFâs support for women and non-binary storytellers by equipping them with year-round opportunities to develop their projects and connect with a diverse network of mentors and peers.
Notable TIFF Talent alumni include filmmakers Meredith Hama-Brown (Seagrass), Fawzia Mirza (The Queen of My Dreams), D. W. Waterson, and Devery KawennĂĄhere Jacobs (Backspot), Pier-Philippe Chevigny (Richelieu), Jasmin Mozaffari (Motherland), Lillah Halla (Power Alley), Ălvaro Gago Dias (Matria), and Johanna Pyykkö (My Wonderful Stranger). Following their involvement in TIFF Talent Development programmes, many of these filmmakers have gone on to present their films at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Berlinale, and Cannes.
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