About
- Complimentary 2026 St. John's Women's International Film Festival Industry Pass
- $2,000 to help with all travel & accommodation*
- Opportunities to attend all panels and selected events
- Hear from both emerging and seasoned executives at one of the best festivals in Canada
*Booking travel & accommodation is the responsibility of the selected participants.
The WIFT+ Toronto SJIWFF Scholarship will offer two (2) WIFT+ Toronto members a full festival pass to attend the festival plus a stipend to help cover airfare, hotel, and more.
St. John's International Women's Film Festival is a trailblazer, not just as Canada's longest-running women's film festival but as one of the global pioneers in its domain. Unyielding in its commitment to advancing gender equity in the screen industries for over 35 years, SJIWFF has earned its esteemed position as a pivotal leader in the festival circuit, garnering growing accolades.
Driven by a bold vision, SJIWFF strives to forge an equitable film industry by elevating awareness of the profound contributions of women and gender-diverse artists to the craft and business of filmmaking.
Learn more about this year's festival here.
These scholarships are made possible thanks to a generous donation from Suzanne. K. Taylor. Please consider supporting us by making your donation now.
Dates
Applications Open: Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Applications Close: Sunday, August 30, 2026 (11:59pm)
Festival takes place October 20 - 24, 2026, in St. John's, Newfoundland
Eligibility and Application Process
Eligibility:
Candidates must meet the following criteria to be eligible for consideration:
- Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Landed Immigrant
- WIFT+ Toronto Full member in-good-standing. May join at time of application
- Minimum of 5 years’ professional experience in the television or media industry. The ideal candidate will have 5 - 12 years’ experience
- WIFT+ Toronto Staff and Board are not eligible to apply
- Must complete a final report within two weeks of returning from the conference, including a testimonial
Please Note: Individuals who received a WIFT+ Toronto scholarship or bursary in the last 2 years are not eligible for the 2026 SJIWFF Scholarship.
To submit an application:
Submit the following documents as individual PDFs to this Google Form.
1. Register.
2. Follow instructions below:
- Your Letter of Intent (max 500 words):
- Have you attended the SJIWFF within the past 3 years?
- Which other industry festivals/conferences, if any, have you attended in the past 3 years?
- What are your current professional development goals and how will your attendance at SJIWFF impact your achievement of these goals and the advancement of your career? (ex. Are there specific people with which you wish to meet, and why?)
- How do you intend to maximize your time at SJIWFF? What is your festival strategy? - Professional bio (75 words)
- CV/Resume including education and professional work experience (max. two pages)
- One Letter of Recommendation from a colleague or supervisor supporting your suitability for the scholarship (max 500 words)
If you're unable to submit the documents to this Google Form, email them to janderson@wift.com (Subject Line: "SJIWFF2026 - Scholarship Application")
Deadline: Sunday, August 30, 2026 (11:59pm)
Questions? For more information contact: Jody Anderson, Programs and Special Event Coordinator, at janderson@wift.com.
About the Foundation for WIFT+ Toronto
The Foundation for WIFT+ Toronto raises funds to enable the organization to carry out its mission of building and advancing the careers of WIFT+ Toronto members by providing memberships, professional development, peer support, mentorship, and networking opportunities. We provide training to the industry in the greater Toronto area to enhance the skills of members of the Canadian screen-based media industry. We are proud to be a leader in building an equitable, inclusive, and accessible space where individuals can safely learn and grow their careers. Donations are always appreciated.
If you are interested in supporting WIFT+ Toronto via the creation of a bursary, please contact Karen Bruce, Executive Director, by email at kbruce@wift.com.