Story & Leadership Program
presented in collaboration with
Deadline: July 8, 2025
(11:59pm in your local timezone)
Program Dates: November 14, 2025 to March 31, 2026
(outside dates only; dates subject to change)
Scroll below for How to Apply
WIDC recognizes the term Woman/Women is in an evolution of language and note that our intention in our use is to be fully inclusive of underrepresented persons who may identify as she / her and or they / them and share the goals and values of WIDC to promote these marginalized voices and stories. Further, we gratefully acknowledge that the WIDC program originates from the traditional and unceded lands of the Coast Salish people, including the xmkym (Musqueam), Swxwu7mesh (Squamish), and slilwta (Tseil-wau-tuth) Nations. We also acknowledge the Indigenous Nations on whose traditional lands our guests, participants, and colleagues live, work and create. We commit to working together in the spirit of collaboration and respect for the generations that came before, those living now, and the generations to come.
Program Summary:
Presented in 4 PARTS over 5 months, WIDC Story & Leadership is a one-of-a-kind professional and project development program that has been seriously road-tested over the last three decades. It focuses on the development of live-action screen fiction (feature film, web and TV series) and offers pathways to effective authentic leadership. Up to eight mid-career Canadian women screen directors who are planning to direct their projects will be selected by a peer jury to attend this intensive revised session of the WIDC program. Ideal candidates will be seeking to advance their career and their screen project, by upping their abilities to successfully navigate the ever-changing creative leader landscape.
The program is presented mainly online, however in PART 2, Directors and Key Mentors are invited to travel to the Whistler Film Festival for an in-person Industry Immersion.
Who Should Apply?
Directors:
Eligible candidates will be mid-career Canadian woman or non-binary screen directors who already have experience directing a minimum of 40 minutes of screen content (feature-length, TV episodic, MOW, shorts, docs, digital series, or other micro-budget screen projects made outside of school) that have been screened / aired / streamed or selected by a recognized festival, broadcaster, exhibitor, or digital platform/streamer. For those crossing over to directing, you must have a track record of highly transferable directing skills, (e.g., experienced actor, AD, editor, script supervisor, producer), and must have at minimum of at least 10 minutes of directed screen content, produced outside of film school.
Candidates will also have a narrative (fiction) feature film, television or digital series project they are planning to direct. Projects at any stage of development will be considered, however projects that have a full draft script are preferred. Regardless if a full script is available, a minimum of two written scenes (2-3 pages each) and a story synopsis (maximum 1 page) are required. While directors do not have to be the writers of their project, it is expected that they will take an active role in developing the story through the program. Director Participants must be prepared to attend the entire program.
WIDC aims to create a collegial and safe space for the creative expression of story.
Actors:
ACTRA, UBCP/ACTRA, and Apprentice members are welcome to apply to be part of the WIDC Acting Ensemble. Actors will be selected based on the casting needs of the eight directors’ projects and change from year to year. The ensemble will participate in workshops, round tables, casting sessions, scene study, feedback sessions and panels through Zoom or other virtual spaces.
Acting Ensemble members receive an artist per diem. Only actors who are short-listed or selected for the program will be contacted. WIDC acknowledges the ongoing support provided by ACTRA National, UBCP/ACTRA and Actra Fraternal Benefit Society, Creative BC and the Independent Production Fund. WIDC also uses Casting Workbook to help us build an acting ensemble of up to 14 actors per annual session.
Scroll below for How to Apply.
About the program…
This year’s program will be delivered online mainly via Zoom. If selected, a commitment to full attendance is required as sessions are not recorded and the program is designed to build sequentially on content and insights shared from one session to the next.
PART 1 – Creative Leadership & Story
ONLINE – Participants should be prepared for approximately 3-6 hours per day, 6 days per week
10am to 4pm PT
November 14 to 30, 2025
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Work
- Understanding the significance of Land Acknowledgement
- Identifying micro-aggressions
- Allyship
- Director’s EDI Pledge
Knowing Self / Your Product
- A psychological approach to understanding characters
- Understanding and maximizing your leadership style
- Discovering your story
- Pitch Practice .01
- Giving and receiving notes
Working with Actors
- Casting
- Audition process
- Exploring the characters in your story
- Rehearsal process
- Constructive feedback
PART 2 – Creating Market Confidence
HYBRID (online and in-person)
Knowing Your Audience
ONLINE – Up to five 90-minute WIDC sessions (meet the industry) will be scheduled per availability of guest speakers.
December 1 to December 15, 2025
- Meet the Industry
- Market Analysis
- Pitch Practice .02
Whistler Film Festival Industry Immersion*
IN PERSON – December 3 to 7, 2025 (revised)
*Immersion offerings are subject to WFF programming and arrangements for participants to attend is currently pending sponsorship.
- Industry Landscape Panels
- One to One Meetings with Mentors & Industry Experts
- Planning for PARTS 3 & 4
Festival Pass includes:
- Festival Screenings
- Press & Industry Screenings
- Industry Summit Programs
- Networking Receptions
- Access to Industry Centre, Delegate Lounge & Online Industry Community
- Women In Focus (WFF event)
- Pre-registration for WFF Summit 1+1 Meetings
PART 3 – Story Consultation
ONLINE – Per participants’ individual schedules including up to two hours of meetings with mentors
January 6 to February 3, 2026
Working with a Story Consultant
- Zeroing in on the Core of Your Story
- Taking your story synopsis to the next stage or
- Developing promotional materials
PART 4 – Leadership Follow Up
ONLINE – Per participants’ individual schedules including three check in meetings with mentor
January 6 to March 31, 2026
Working with a Career Coach
- Coaching towards targeted follow up plans tailored to each director participant’s needs:
- Short term
- Medium term
- Long term
How to Apply
DIRECTOR APPLICATION:
Application Form:
Deadline: July 8, 2025
Fees:
In 2020, to help mitigate financial barriers caused by the pandemic, particularly for women directors, application fees and tuition were waived for all WIDC programs.
In 2025, acknowledging the end of the pandemic and that each Story & Leadership director’s chair residency is valued at $15,000 CDN, the CWWA Board has made the fiscally responsible decision to gently return to a fee structure:
- $3,150 CDN, incl. GST – Residency Fee (if selected, payable by November 1, 2025).
- $63 CDN, incl. GST – Application Fee (continues to be waived).
To submit or for more information:
ACTOR APPLICATION:
Submit: Anytime between September 1 and October 31 – annually
Fees: No application fees (Actors are offered a per diem)
Send to: Actors@widc.ca
Questions, technical issues?
Email: enquiries@widc.ca
Phone: 1.604.987.0747 (office) | 1.877.913.0747 (toll free) | 1. 778.809.0747 (mobile)
WIDC reserves the right to change and/or cancel any part of this program.
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