We’re pleased to announce Crystal Van Pelt as winner of the inaugural Picture Box Television Distribution Mentorship. This national competitive initiative provides one emerging, Canadian, female professional with a three-month internship at Picture Box Distribution in Toronto.

Van Pelt will join Picture Box in February, 2013, to learn about the distribution, marketing and selling of Canadian factual and youth-oriented programs internationally. She will assist partners Marilyn Kynaston and Kate Sanagan in preparing for and attending MIPDoc/MIPTV in Cannes in April.

“By focusing on the sales and distribution side of the business, this mentorship fills an important training gap,” says Heather Webb, WIFT-T Executive Director. “Crystal is set to gain valuable work training and exposure, including on-the-ground experience at the premier international trade market. On behalf of WIFT-T, I’d like to thank Picture Box for their support of this opportunity.”

Throughout her three months at Picture Box, Van Pelt will attend meetings with international broadcasters and producers and will learn about the acquisition process and content packaging for international markets. Additional program benefits include a monthly stipend, as well as round-trip airfare and accommodation in Cannes.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming Crystal for the inaugural distribution mentorship at Picture Box,” says Kate Sanagan, Partner at Picture Box Distribution. “Her production experience and enthusiasm to learn about distribution together made her the perfect candidate for this position, and we are looking forward to working with her next spring.”

Based in Regina, Van Pelt is currently the production manager for a one-hour documentary for CBC’s Doc Zone and recently joined the team at Echolands Creative. Previously, she was a production manager for “MS Wars: Hope, Science & the Internet”—a documentary for The Nature of Things—and produced the documentary On RoughRiders: A Century of Saskatchewan RoughRiders Football. She also produced video content for events and ceremonies during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. Read more.

Van Pelt was chosen by a selection committee consisting of WIFT-T and Picture Box staff. She will be acknowledged at the 25th Anniversary Crystal Awards Gala Luncheon on December 4th in Toronto.

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For more information, please contact:

Katy Swailes
Communications Officer
Women in Film & Television – Toronto
416-322-3430 ext. 226
kswailes@wift.com

Presenting Partner