Story & Leadership

Story & Leadership – Hybrid Edition

presented in collaboration with

Deadline: July 8, 2024
(11:59pm in your local time zone)

Program Dates: November 14, 2024 to March 31, 2025 (revised)
(outside dates only; dates may be subject to change)

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WIDC recognizes the term Woman/Women is in an evolution of language and note that our intention in our use is to be fully inclusive of underrepresented persons who may identify as she / her and or they / them and share the goals and values of WIDC to promote these marginalized voices and stories. Further, we gratefully acknowledge that the WIDC program originates from the traditional and unceded lands of the Coast Salish people, including the xmkym (Musqueam), Swxwu7mesh (Squamish), and slilwta (Tseil-wau-tuth) Nations. We also acknowledge the Indigenous Nations on whose traditional lands our guests, participants, and colleagues live, work and create. We commit to working together in the spirit of collaboration and respect for the generations that came before, those living now, and the generations to come.

Program Summary:
Presented in a hybrid format in 4 PARTS over 4 months, WIDC Story & Leadership is a one-of-a-kind professional development award program that is seriously road-tested. It focuses on the development of live-action screen fiction (feature film, web and TV series) and offers pathways to effective authentic leadership. Up to eight mid-career Canadian women screen directors who are planning to direct their projects will be selected by a peer jury to attend this intensive revised session of the WIDC program. Ideal candidates will be seeking to advance their career and their screen project, by upping their abilities to successfully navigate the ever-changing creative leader landscape.

Who Should Apply?

Directors:
Open to any mid-career Canadian women screen directors with a feature film, television or web series project they are planning to direct. Projects at any stage of development will be considered, however projects that have a full draft script are preferred. Regardless if a full script is available, a minimum of two written scenes and a story synopsis (maximum 1 page) are required. While directors do not have to be the writers of their project, it is expected that they will take an active role in developing the story through the program. Director Participants must be prepared to attend the entire program.

This is not a program for beginners. WIDC is ideally designed for individuals who already have experience directing shorts, docs, web series, or other micro-budget screen projects made outside of school and that have been selected for screening by a recognized festival, broadcaster, exhibitor, or digital platform. For those crossing over to directing, you must have a track record of highly transferable directing skills, e.g. experienced actor, AD, editor, script supervisor, producer, and must have at minimum of one screen project produced outside of film school.

WIDC aims to create a collegial and safe space for the creative expression of story.

Actors:
ACTRA, UBCP/ACTRA, and Apprentice members are welcome to apply to be part of the WIDC Acting Ensemble. Actors will be selected based on the casting needs of the eight directors’ projects and change from year to year. The ensemble will participate in workshops, round tables, casting sessions, scene study, feedback sessions and panels through Zoom or other virtual spaces.

This year Story & Leadership is offered in a HYBRID model.

The program is presented mainly online, however in PART 2, Directors and Key Mentors will travel to the Whistler Film Festival for an Industry Immersion, powered by Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada.

Acting Ensemble members will receive an artist per diem. Only actors who are short-listed or selected for the program will be contacted. WIDC acknowledges the ongoing support provided by ACTRA National, UBCP/ACTRA and Actra Fraternal Benefit Society, Creative BC and the Independent Production Fund.

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More program details ->

How to Apply

DIRECTOR SUBMISSIONS:

Application Check list

Fees: Waived

*To reduce financial barriers, the regular fee $50 has been waived. Fees are normally allocated towards peer jury honoraria and a cash award to the winning production. Donations are always welcome, but are NOT a requirement.

E-transfer donations to: widc@creativewomenworkshops.com

Application Form: