DIRECTOR'S CHAIR  CRITERIA
 
Director participant applications are welcome from Canadian women that have:
  • a recognized track record directing low budget film, television or video projects (long or short form), drama, documentary, life-style, experimental, or theatre., or
  • some directing experience who are crossing over to directing with a recognized set of highly transferable skills (e.g. AD, Actor, Producer, etc.)

Make sure your application is complete. Check that you have included:

 

 

Contact information

(Use application form) Include your full name that you use for travel, address, telephone, fax and email. Your SIN and DOB are required upon acceptance into the program.

 

Proposal*

State your career goals, planned future projects, reasons for applying including learning goals and how WIDC would impact your career.  You must also include reasons for selecting your MAIN Scene. 

*Up to 2 pages, 8 ½ x 11, unbound

 

Resume/CV/Bio/Photo

Include professional CV/resume, filmography, 50-word and 500-word bios (samples available: 500-wd; 50-wd), plus an electronic portrait photo (JPG) of you for promotional use.

 

Sample* of Your Previous Work

Please include a link to your web site in your electronic application or send 4 DVD copies (mail to the address listed on application form).

 *Samples may be an entire feature or short film, documentary, TV program or segment or demos of a variety of pieces all on the same DVD.  If you prefer to submit a demo, it should be clearly titled and menued.

 

3 Letters of Reference

Letters from media professionals that are familiar with your work and support your potential as a director.
 

One Original* Scene (The MAIN Scene)

This scene will be used as the basis for the MAIN Scene Shoot Exercise.  The MAIN Scene may or may not be written by you. It may be part of a larger script or a stand alone piece.  It must be only 2 to 3 minutes in length (2 to 3 pages) for 2 to 3 characters** for a studio shoot.  Include a story synopsis and a list of props; costumes, set pieces and setting that are essential to the scene. 

 *Original: not having been previously produced for film, TV or digitally.
**Scenes with very young children and /or live animals cannot be accommodated.

COSTS

Application Fee
Payable to Creative Women Workshops Association, otherwise your application cannot be processed.

 Other Costs
Payable ONLY upon acceptance. Lodging costs include single accommodations and a flex meal plan at The Banff Centre.  These are charged at the artist rate and are estimates based on 2 meals per day.

You must also budget travel costs for 2 trips to Banff.

Scholarships Available (see below)

 $      50 - APP FEE

$4,765 - TUITION / REG.
$2,000 - LODGING
$6,815 - TOTAL EST.
 
 
QUESTIONS: enquiries@creativewomenworkshops.com
 
APPLICATION STEPS
  1. Make sure you have all the required supporting material.  Written materials should be in PDF and while a web link to your previous on-screen work is preferred, DVD's may be sent to the mailing address provided on the application form.
  2. Submit your completed application form and supporting materials to: directors@creativewomenworkshops.com.
  3. Click on the PAYPAL button below to pay your $50 application administration fee.
  4. You will receive email confirmations for your payment and your application materials.
Application form in WORD format  WORD
Application form in PDF printable only format PDF
 
 
 
ADJUDICATION PROCESS
 
Once your application has been processed a nationally representative jury of film and television industry professionals including WIDC alumnae directors, will select eight director participants.  Adjudications are usually complete by the first week of October.
 
 
SCHOLARSHIPS


Actra Fraternal Benefit Society provides bursaries for ACTRA members that qualify under their criteria.  Contact Actra Fraternal immediately for application information.  (416-967-6600 or 1-800-387-8897). 


The National Film Board of Canada offers bursaries from their regional offices pending available funding in diversity or other development envelopes.  Contact your regional office for more information.


Women In Film and Television Vancouver offers a bursary of up to $500 to a WIFT-V member who is selected to attend WIDC as a director participant.  Members should send an email to WIFT-V (info@womeninfilm.ca) to indicate your interest in this funding support.  This bursary is awarded by WIFT-V after WIDC adjudications are complete.

  



 

Panacea Entertainment and Women In Film and Television Alberta offer a $1,000 scholarship each year to a director participant who resides in Alberta.  No application is required.  This scholarship is automatically awarded after adjudications are complete.

 
Film and Video Arts Society of Alberta offers a $1,001 scholarship to a director participant who resides in Alberta and is a member of FAVA.  No application is required.  This scholarship is automatically awarded after adjudications are complete.		  
  OTHER RESOURCES

Applicants should also contact your local arts councils and provincial film / screen-based media development corporations to find out more about their current bursary funding programs.  Past director participants have received funding support through the following agencies:

  • Canada Council for the Arts - Travel Grants for Artists
  • Yukon Cultural Industries Training Fund
  • Yukon Economic Development Film and Sound Corporation
  • BC Arts Council
  • BC Film
  • Alberta Foundation for the Arts
  • Winnipeg Arts Council
  • On Screen Manitoba
  • Film Nova Scotia
  • Nova Scotia Communities, Culture and Heritage
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Producers Association 
  • DGC, SK and Atlantic (members only)