“Our pitch is rock solid after a day of work at the incubator program. The script is going to be strong, fresh and memorable. And our confidence going into meetings has become stronger because we believe in the project we are fighting for.”
Audrey Cummings, Producer. Read more.

Congratulations to the 2011 Participating Filmmakers

WIFT-T is pleased to announce the following applicants were selected to participate in the 2011 Development Incubator:

Carole Aeschelmann & Rowan Nielsen, Plus 8 Pictures Inc., Lucid

Paula Devonshire, Devonshire Productions Inc. & John Chipman (independent), ‘Til Friday

Stephen Huszar & Teri Armitage, Hulo Films, Chilly: A Home Made Hero

Suzanne Lyons, Snowfall Films & Kathryn Taylor (independent), Misty’s Misadventures

Eugenia Protsko & Junga Song, JJSong Film Inc., Petrichor

Amber Ripley, Foundation Features & Ana Valine, Rodeo Queen Pictures, Sitting on the Edge of Marlene

About the Incubator

The WIFT-T Development Incubator is designed to develop market-driven feature films and support the next generation of Canadian feature film professionals.

Five emerging/intermediate producer-and-writer teams, with feature-length projects in development, receive the opportunity to work intimately with international consultants and develop their screenplays with a story editor.

This intensive program examines multiple aspects of feature film development—from writing, to financing, to marketing—through a series of small group sessions and one-on-one consultations with creative and financial experts. Participants receive coaching and feedback instrumental to advancing their market-driven feature films to the next level.

The 2011 WIFT-T Development Incubator takes place June 21-24 in downtown Toronto.

Benefits

• Series of intensive group sessions on writing, development, financing and marketing
• Case studies on Canadian and international development, co-productions and financing
• One-on-one project consultations with creative and financial experts
• Teams are matched with international or national story editors to polish script
• Complimentary enrolment in writing workshops, including WIFT-T Women Writers Workshop and the two-part WIFT-T Feature Film Writing Program

Eligibility

• Canadian Citizen or Landed Immigrant or Permanent Resident
• Both team members must be able to participate in all workshops and commit to working with a story editor during stated time frames
• Application must be submitted by the producer
  • Independent producer
  • Able to prove ownership or intention of option agreement of the project
  • Projects cannot be written by the producer applying
  • Signed agreement from writer to participate in the program
  • At least one feature film or long-form project in development
  • Treatments will not be accepted
  • At least two producing credits for feature films, television movies, short films, television series, television one-offs or documentaries
  • Minimum five years’ professional experience in the industry is encouraged

Program Fees

Application Fee | $50 administration fee required to process your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Program Fee | $500 (+ HST) for successful applicants.

Janet Crystal Yorga Memorial Bursary

The Janet Crystal Yorga Memorial Bursary supports one producer-writer team (two people, min. one female) residing currently in Manitoba or Saskatchewan. The bursary covers economy flights, the full program fee, and two nights’ accommodation in Toronto (please note the program requires a minimum three night stay). The recipient team will also receive one voucher for dinner for two in Toronto.  

Janet Crystal Yorga was a creative writer and entrepreneur with a passion for storytelling. Born in Rockglen, Saskatchewan, she moved to Ottawa where she worked on a variety of creative projects, including a documentary series. She had completed a number of feature film scripts when she died of breast cancer on March 30, 2010 at the age of 43. In her memory, Janet’s husband Raheel Zaman has donated this bursary to support other writers with prairie roots.

Reporting Requirements

• On completion of the program, all participants are required to submit a written report evaluating its impact in terms of skills enhancement, information, and networking.
• Within six months of completing the program, all participants must provide a final report that outlines new business relationships they have established and any commercial outcomes related to the skills and contacts generated by the program. 

Presenting Partners