Women In Film + Television Vancouver’s (WIFTV) is delighted to announce the 2016 From Our Dark Side Genre Concept Competition and Mentorship winners!

The competition closed submissions on January 4th, 2016 with over 150 entries from across the country. Once again, women writers sent a powerful message that there is a large, untapped talent pool in Canada and a desire for more female-driven genre stories on our screens.

“We are very happy to be a part of this innovative initiative,” said Melissa Kajpust, Head of Creative Development for Super Channel. “We strongly support projects that advance the voices of women filmmakers in the industry and genre films are something we embrace on Super Channel, so this competition is a perfect fit.”“There is a tremendous wealth of creative talent being unleashed with this contest and we’re honoured to be a part of it!”, adds juror Michael Paszt, Managing Partner Raven Banner Entertainment.

Congratulations to the five winning screenwriters and their stories (in alphabetical order):

Ana de Lara, Victoria, BC — The Chosen One

Elisabeth de Mariaffi, St. John’s, NL— Fly Girls

Gada Jane, Kitchener, ON — Video Star

Jennifer Krukowski, Toronto, ON — Right Hand Rule

Ashley Lynch, Burnaby, BC — Suicide Girl

The jury would like to recognize 10 runners-up with a Special Mention (in alphabetical order):

Victoria Angell, Vancouver, BC — Monitors

Becca Babcock, Williamswood, NS — No Ghosts Here

Gada Jane, Kitchener, ON — Blood Serfs

Stephanie Law, Toronto, ON — Century Box

Selena Lohan, Vancouver, BC — Narcissist

Patricia Mackay, Duncan, BC — Medium at Large

Francine Miranda, Milton, ON — Maddy

Wendy Ord, Winfield, BC —The Dark Side

Jill Taylor, Toronto, ON — The Godmother

Loretta Todd, Gibsons, BC— The Ursavore

Under the direction of WIFTV Board Member and contest producer Sharon McGowan, winners were selected by a jury that included director/producer/actor Amanda Tapping (Sanctuary, Continuum), Producer Rupert Harvey (The Blob, A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child), producer Mary Anne Waterhouse (Primary, The Thaw), producer Carrie S. Mudd (Sanctuary), Managing Partner at Raven Banner Entertainment, Executive Producer Michael Paszt (Turbo Kid, Borealis), and Super Channel Creative Development Executive Maureen Levitt.

The five winning projects receive a mentorship package designed to take their project to the next stage, a cash prize, travel to the Vancouver International Women in Film Festival and full accreditation to the Frontières International Co-Production Market in Montreal, which focuses on genre film.

The contest was developed by Women in Film & Television Vancouver’s Advocacy Committee, chaired by Sharon McGowan, and is supported by Super Channel, Telefilm Canada and Creative BC. Partners include Raven Banner and the Frontières International Co-Production Market.

Contest steering committee members are broadcast executive, Maureen Levitt and acclaimed genre filmmakers Karen Lam, Rachel Talalay, Rupert Harvey and Amanda Tapping.

The initiative was created to help increase the number of women in leadership roles in the film and television industry. It is part of a worldwide movement to address the gender imbalance both on screen and behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.

The five winners will be present to receive their awards on Sunday March 13, 2016 at 7 PM during the Vancouver International Women in Film Festival’s Closing Night (#VIWIFF2016).

Stay tuned for more information about the five winning screenwriters and their stories on this blog.