For Immediate Release
Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Toronto, ON - Women in Film & Television – Toronto (WIFT-T) is pleased to announce director Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight, Thirteen, Lords of Dogtown) will act as a mentor for the 2010 Kodak New Vision Mentorship.

“Catherine Hardwicke is a thoughtful, methodical director with a wealth of knowledge,” says Sadia Zaman, WIFT-T Executive Director. “We’re very honoured that she will be sharing her expertise through this WIFT-T mentorship and, in the process, support the next generation of directors.”

“I am thrilled to be working with a talented young filmmaker,” says Hardwicke. “I am also thrilled to live in a world where I can mentor someone in Canada from my couch in Los Angeles. The future is NOW baby!”

In 2003, Hardwicke’s directorial debut Thirteen earned her the Director’s Award at the Sundance Film Festival. She went on to direct such films as Lords of Dogtown, the award winning The Nativity Story, and Twilight, based on Stephanie Meyer’s best selling novel, which achieved the highest grossing opening weekend ever for a female director. Hardwicke began her film career as a production designer, working on independent films as well as such major productions as Three Kings and Vanilla Sky.

Presented in partnership with Kodak Entertainment Imaging, the long-standing Kodak New Vision Mentorship provides one Canadian female director with the opportunity to prepare for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) through an intensive business mentorship with Laurie May, Co-President of Maple Pictures. Catherine Hardwicke will provide the post-TIFF mentorship to guide the winner in the direction of a film project.

WIFT-T is now accepting applications for the 2010 Kodak New Vision Mentorship. In addition to the pre- and post-festival mentorship, the winner receives $5,000 off the purchase of Kodak Motion Picture film stock and complimentary TIFF registration.

Complete guidelines and application forms are available here. The application deadline is Monday, July 12 at 5 PM EST.

For more information on this mentorship opportunity, please contact Heather Kanabe, WIFT-T Programming & Business Affairs Manager, at (416) 322-3430 ext. 222 or hjkanabe@wift.com.

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