FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 2026: With nearly three decades of measurable impact on the Canadian screen industry, Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) continues to advance mid-career women and non-binary directors at pivotal turning points in their careers. Following an exceptionally strong national response and a highly competitive peer jury process, WIDC announces the eight directors selected for the rigorously curated Spring / Summer 2026 session of its Career Advancement Module (WIDC CAM), running February 27 to August 27, 2026. This year’s cohort represents British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland.

Meet the Directors: (listed in alphabetical order by first name)

Andrea Dunne (NL) is a DGC member, and producer of the recent films Second Place and Oliver. She’s bringing to WIDC her St John’s International Women’s Film Festival MJ Award-winning short Doggy-Dog World, a dark comedy that she is developing into a television series with writing partner Andrew Strickland. 

“It’s so exciting to be part of a group of inspiring women directors across Canada and to be able to make meaningful connections with peers in the industry,” says Andrea Dunne.

Beth Evans (ON) is an award-winning filmmaker and founder of Windrun Media. Her films have screened at leading festivals across North America — including Dances With Films LA and the Female Eye Film Festival. Two of her shorts have been licensed by CBC. She is currently developing her first feature film, the domestic drama What’s Wrong, Kristin. 

“This opportunity [WIDC CAM] comes at a time in my career when I am making a pivotal step from short-form to long-form storytelling. I am very eager to benefit from the mentorship, guidance and community support that this incredible program provides,” says Beth Evans.

Claudia Medina (BC) began her career in 1998 at the National Film Board of Canada in post production, later founding her production company, EnMedia. In addition to her award-winning shorts and docs, she has directed and edited multiple episodes of APTN’s Moosemeat and Marmalade. She returns to WIDC with a new fiction feature Gothic Cumbia.

“After many years honing my skills in various areas and genres of filmmaking I’m thrilled for this perfectly timed opportunity for the support and guidance to develop my first feature dramatic film,” says Claudia Medina.

Constance Hilton (ON) her short comedy The Stain was awarded 2nd Place in CTV’s Best In Shorts competition (2024) She has served on the Executive Board of NABET 700-M UNIFOR since 2018, and her feature project is the horror comedy ’Til Death Do You Part co-written by Tricia Black.

“Being in career transition, I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn a more strategic approach for guiding me into my next phase as a filmmaker,” says Constance Hilton.

Nic Altobelli (BC/ON) is a CMPA member, co-founder of AREA V5 Pictures, and alumna of the Canadian Film Centre Norman Jewison Film Program. Her first short film as a director (INBTWN) premiered at Hollywood Horrorfest and won two awards before continuing its festival run, including official selection at Oscar qualifying Bogotá Short Film Festival.

“As filmmakers we all experience substantial rejection, and delays along the path towards our goals, that sometimes feel insurmountable without mentors and an occasional yes like this one. Being part of this cohort of WIDC feels like a vote of confidence in my endeavours and an opportunity to stand in solidarity with other talented women along their paths as well,” says Nic Altobelli.

Sarah Michelle Brown (ON) is an award-winning filmmaker and actor whose directing work includes the short documentary Book of Love. An alumna from the Banff version of WIDC, she’s now developing the feature-length screen adaptation of her acclaimed stage play First Hand Woman.

“It feels like I’m dusting off the director’s chair, gathering up the ideas that have been patiently waiting their turn, and saying, “Alright, let’s go,” says Sarah Michelle Brown.

Tamara Scherbak (QC) is an award-winning director whose psychological thriller short White Noise premiered at the Fantasia International Film Festival and now streams on Crave; a Berlinale Talents and TIFF Filmmakers Lab alumna, she is currently developing the feature Cazzarola! based on the novel of the same name.

“As I develop my feature Cazzarola!, a timely story about resistance and courage, I’m grateful for a community that supports bold, director-driven stories and nurtures my growth as a filmmaker,” says Tamara Scherbak.

Tricia Black (ON) is an award-winning queer actor, writer and director. Well known for their recurring role as “Detective Tara Swallows” on the Amazon Freevee / CBC series Pretty Hard Cases, Tricia is developing their debut feature film, the comedy horror The B-Side: Dusk at WIDC.

“I am very excited to be a part of such an incredible program to continue to grow in this industry with this community!” says Tricia Black.

Presented in collaboration with GEMFest (March 5 to 8, 2026, Vancouver, BC) and Female Eye Film Festival (July dates, TBC / November 5 to 8, Toronto, ON) with major support from Telefilm Canada, the CAM is offered online through Summer 2026.

“After nearly 30 years of community partnership, our two organizations remain values-aligned and committed to championing filmmaking by women and gender-diverse people,” says Anaisa Visser, Executive Director GEMS Vancouver and fellow WIDC CAM alum. ”We look forward to hosting the 2026 cohort at our 21st annual film festival, GEMFest, March 5-8, 2026 at VIFF Centre in Vancouver.” 

“The Female Eye Film Festival (FeFF), celebrating its 24th edition this year, has been a proud partner of WIDC and the CAM since 2009,” says Leslie-Ann Coles, Founder, Executive & Artistic Director, Female Eye Film Festival and WIDC alum. “Congratulations to all the participants!”

This edition of WIDC programming includes a specially designed Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI Work) module led by scholar/ filmmaker Dr. Dorothy Cucw-la7 Christian and Vision TV co-founder, Dr. Rita Shelton Deverell C.M. A member of the Order of Canada, Deverell is also a WIDC alumna. Offering insights into navigating career paths and connecting screen projects with the marketplace, WIDC Zoom round tables also include instruction from Digital Marketing Mentor, Annelise Larson, along with in-camera discussions with industry executives from Telefilm Canada, Bell Media, Independent Production Fund. In-person Partnering festivals include WIDC alumni directors Anaïsa Visser (Executive Director, GEMS Vancouver), and Leslie-Ann Coles (Founder, Executive & Artistic Director, Female Eye Film Festival). WIDC co-creator and producer, Dr. Carol Whiteman who facilitates the CAM and provides one to one career coaching for the eight directors over the six months.

WIDC CAM have gone on to earn multiple awards and nominations for CSA’s, Leo’s, DGC Awards and more, including Best Direction and Best Motion Picture, Best Direction and Best Web Series, Best Direction Television Movie, Best Direction of Television Drama, Best Direction of a Comedy Series and will be returning to provide insights and inspiration on navigating the industry. Past alumni mentors have included: Winnifred Jong (Tokens, Pretty Hard Cases); Siobhan Devine (The Birdwatcher, Imperfect High, Reginald the Vampire); Gloria Ui Young Kim (Queen of the Morning Calm, Heartland); Joyce Wong (Wexford Park, Sort Of) to name only a few who have attended the CAM in the last sixteen years.

ABOUT WIDC 

Founded in 1996/97, Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) is a specially designed initiative to advance the skills, careers and fiction screen projects of mid-career women and non-binary directors. Over 395 WIDC director alumni across Canada earn hundreds of awards and nominations for their work annually and their work reaches millions of audiences world-wide. WIDC receives major support from Telefilm Canada, and the participation of Creative BC, Actra Fraternal Benefit Society, ACTRA National, UBCP/ACTRA, Independent Production Fund. Community collaborators include the St John’s International Women’s Film Festival, Reelworld Film Festival and Screen Institute, GEMFest, Female Eye Film Festival, DGC National, DGC BC, Crazy 8’s, TIFF, VIFF, Whistler Film Festival, and GAT PR. WIDC Feature Film Award is supported by MELS Studios, Distillery VFX, Keslow Camera, Panavision Canada, Rocket Science VFX, Sunbelt Rentals Film & TV, Elemental Post, Company3 Vancouver, North Shore Studios, The Research House Clearance Services Inc., Front Row Insurance Brokers Inc., Descriptive Video Works, Line 21 Media Services, Power of Babel, EP Canada, Portable Electric, Signal Services, Champ & Pepper.

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