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 WIFT-T is pleased to announce Renuka Jeyapalan as the winner of the 2010 Kodak New Vision Mentorship.

As part of the program, Renuka is currently preparing for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) through an intensive business mentorship with Laurie May, Co-President of Maple Pictures. Renuka will also receive an all-access industry pass to the festival and a post-TIFF creative mentorship with director Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight, Thirteen).

“The Kodak New Vision Mentorship allows WIFT-T to continue to develop Canadian female directors and to play a role in their ongoing success,” says Sadia Zaman, Executive Director of WIFT-T. “We look forward to Renuka’s first feature and want to thank Kodak, Catherine Hardwicke and Laurie May for their invaluable contribution to the industry.”

“Our ongoing partnership with WIFT-T, and the creation of the very successful Kodak New Vision Mentorship, allows us to offer an amazing opportunity to talented Canadian directors,” says Trish Mehrasa, Kodak Canada Entertainment Imaging National Operations Manager. “Having the support and expertise of industry leaders such as Laurie May and Catherine Hardwicke to nurture the vision of emerging female filmmakers underlines the importance of the Kodak New Vision Mentorship.”

An award winning filmmaker and graduate of the Canadian Film Centre’s Directors’ Lab, Renuka Jeyapalan is currently developing her first feature film, How To Go To A Wedding Alone. Her short film Big Girl premiered at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival and was awarded the ShortCuts Canada Best Short Film Award.

Since then, Big Girl has screened at over thirty-five film festivals around the world—including the Berlin International Film Festival, the Tribeca Film Festival and the San Francisco International Film Festival—and was nominated for a 2007 Genie Award for Best Live-Action Short Film. Renuka has an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Toronto.

Each year, the Kodak New Vision Mentorship provides one Canadian female director with the opportunity to develop her business skills in preparation for TIFF through an intensive festival mentorship. The winner also receives a post-TIFF creative mentorship with an established director. Other benefits include $5,000 off the purchase of Kodak Motion Picture film stock and complimentary TIFF registration.

Renuka will be honoured with a presentation at the 2010 Crystal Awards Gala Luncheon on December 6.

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