Story & Leadership program details

Story & Leadership Program

presented in collaboration with

Deadlines:

Early Bird Deadline: June 5 to 20, 2026 ($30+GST= $31.50)*
Regular Deadline: June 21 to July 9, 2026 ($50+GST = $52.50)*
Late Deadline: July 10 to 20, 2026 ($70+GST= $73.50)*

Program Dates:

November 13, 2026 to April 30, 2027
(outside dates only; dates may be 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 6 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 films or series, (digital short / 1/2-hour / 1-hour) 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.

This program is presented mainly online, however during PART 2, Directors and Key Mentors 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 and IMDB 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 13 to 29, 2026

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.

November 30 to December 14, 2026

Meet the Industry
Market Analysis
Pitch Practice .02

Whistler Film Festival Industry Immersion*
IN PERSON – December 3 to 7, 2025 (2026 to be announced)

*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 March 31, 2027

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 April 30, 2027

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:

Early Deadline: June 25, 2026
Regular Deadline: July 9, 2026
Late Deadline: July 20, 2026

Application Form:

Application Checklist

Fees:

Acknowledging the end of the pandemic and that each Story & Leadership director’s chair residency is valued at $15,000 CDN, the CWWA Board made the fiscally responsible decision to return to a fee structure. If you are facing financial barriers please reach out. There may be scholarships or bursaries available to assist.

Application Fees:

Early Bird rate – $31.50, CDN, incl. GST
Regular rate – $52.50 CDN, incl. GST
Late rate – $73.50 CDN, incl. GST
Alumni rate – $26.25 CDN, incl. GST

Tuition & Industry Immersion Fee: (if selected, payable in full by November 1, 2026).

$3,150.00 CDN, incl. GST – Tuition Fee

$1,700.00 CDN incl. GST – Industry Immersion*
- *Includes pre-booked single hotel accommodations, premium WFF pass
- *WIDC-negotiated legacy discount rates

Pay to: widc@creativewomenworkshops.com

Memo on payment: