Vancouver, BC (June 5, 2008) – CTVglobemedia has confirmed a commitment of $335,000 towards a series of initiatives to support Canadian women directors through programs offered by Creative Women Workshops Associations (CWWA).
Starting in 2001, the CTV-BCE Benefits enabled CWWA to entice high-achieving female directors like Patricia Rozema, Leah Pool, Anne Wheeler and Norma Bailey to lead the Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) program presented annually in partnership with The Banff Centre and ACTRA, in Banff, Alberta. Since then WIDC has backed such Canadian talents as Little Mosque on the Prairie creator, Zarqa Nawaz, Sherry White (Rabbittown, Hatching Matching and Dispatching), and Carol Geddes series creator, Anash and the Legacy of Sunrock.
“CTV is proud of the Women In the Director’s Chair programs,” says Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc.. “It’s important to invest in practical, hands-on initiatives to encourage under-represented voices and new, original content. We share CWWA’s enthusiasm for and commitment to the growth and success of the Canadian television industry.”
“The WIDC program boasts over 100 women director alumnae but the statistics for women directing series television are still pretty abysmal,” comments Carol Whiteman, President & CEO and WIDC Producer. “The CTV/CHUM benefits and CTV’s ongoing financial support answers a call to help break the patterns of gender stereotyping that sadly still exist.”
Benefit funds are being allocated towards three CWWA initiatives
CTV WIDC Career Advancement Module (CAM)
Delivered in conjunction with some Canadian women’s film festivals and special WIDC Events, an intensive, individually tailored mentoring workshop for mid-career Canadian women screen directors will define and refine skills and relationships needed to achieve career success.
CTV WIDC Director Development Award
To acknowledge and encourage the work of mid-career Canadian women directors, one recipient will be selected annually to receive a mentorship package along with a $10,000 cash prize towards the development of her skills and her next screen directing project.
CTV WIDC Scholarship Fund
In order to minimize financial barriers to attending the WIDC program or other related WIDC events, monies will be allocated to assist participants in covering tuition, travel and lodging.
Some More WIDC Alumnae to Watch
Stephanie Morgenstern, series co-creator, Flashpoint (CTV)
Annie Frasier Henry, series creator, Chiefs and Champions (APTN)
Arlene Hazzan Green, series director, Smart Woman Survival Guide (W)
Katie Tallo, series director, Truth, Duty, Valour (OLN)
Tara Hungerford, series director, The Day the Women Went (CBC)
Mairzee Almas, series director, Smallville (Global/CW)
About Creative Women Workshops Association (CWWA)
Through initiatives like: The Women In the Director’s Chair Workshop, alumnae development modules, scholarships and awards like the CTV WIDC Director Development Award, the WIDC Feature Film Award supported by North Shore Studios, William F White Intl, Deluxe Vancouver and Sharpe Sound Studios; Centennial College @Wallace Studios WIDC Alumnae Award and the WIDC BANFF Fellowship, CWWA is dedicated to advancing the skills and talents of women story-tellers of live action screen fiction and ensuring that voice is heard in all its diverse forms, across the country and globally. CWWA is also committed to advancing the skills and talents of actors and crew in Canada. Contact: Carol Whiteman, President and CEO/WIDC Producer, 1.604.913.0747 or visit www.creativewomenworkshops.com
The Women In the Director’s Chair Workshop (WIDC) is a one-of-a-kind annual professional development program specially designed to advance the leadership and creative capacities of mid-career women directors of live action screen fiction. WIDC is presented in partnership by Creative Women Workshops Association, The Banff Centre and ACTRA, and with the participation of a variety of film and television industry organizations including: Telefilm Canada, CTVglobemedia, CBC Television, William F. White Intl, Union of BC Performers / ACTRA, IATSE 669, Director’s Guild of Canada BC, the Quebecor Fund, Independent Production Fund, and ACTRA Fraternal Benefit Society.
About CTVglobemedia
CTVglobemedia Inc. is Canada’s premier multimedia company with ownership of CTV, Canada’s #1 television network, and The Globe and Mail, Canada’s #1 national newspaper. CTV Inc. owns and operates 27 conventional stations across the country, with interests in 35 specialty channels, including Canada’s #1 specialty channel, TSN. CTVglobemedia also owns the CHUM Radio Division, which operates 35 radio stations throughout Canada, including CHUM FM, Canada’s # 1 FM station. Other CTVglobemedia investments include an interest in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors and the Air Canada Centre; and an interest in Dome Productions, a North American leader in the provision of mobile high definition production facilities.
For more information
Carol Whiteman, President & CEO, Creative Women Workshops Association, Producer, The Women In the Director’s Chair Workshop, 604.913.0747 / 1.877.913.0747, carol@creativewomenworkshops.com
Carolyn Delamere, Manager, Corporate Communications, CTVglobemedia, 416.332.4603, cdelamere@ctvglobemedia.com
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