FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 2026) – Ahead of its world premiere at the prestigious Cinequest in San Jose, California, award-winning, Toronto-based Iranian Canadian director, Marjan Hashemi’s debut feature film After Love has been picked up for international distribution by Madakto Pictures. “We’re excited to be partnering with Madkato Pictures and premiering After Love at the Cinequest festival – both [...]
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 [...]
Award includes $250,000 in in-kind sponsorship for her feature project, JUDAS TREE (December 2025) – Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) is proud to announce that Toronto-based filmmaker Susan Bayani, Anahita Films, is receiving the 2025 WIDC Feature Film Award, which includes an impressive $250,000 of in-kind production and post-production services. This award is being presented to Susan on [...]
Celebrating 29 years of advancing the careers of women and non-binary screen directors Vancouver, BC (November 2025) – Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) is proud to announce the eight directors selected for the 2025–2026 edition of its flagship Story & Leadership program, a career-advancing, multi-phased development initiative that runs from November 14, 2025, through April 2026. The program [...]
(For Immediate Release) Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC), one of Canada’s most respected career development programs for women and gender-diverse directors, is proud to announce the latest cohort of filmmakers selected for the Fall 2025 / Winter 2026 Career Advancement Module (CAM). The CAM is offered twice a year - Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter - and brings together dynamic [...]
Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) is proud to announce that Cjay Boisclair of Kamloops, BC is the recipient of the 2025 WIDC Advantage Award, for her debut feature film MARY, based on her concept short, The Bench. The award supports the development and packaging of her emotionally charged and deeply personal script about a teenage girl navigating homelessness, [...]
Vancouver, B.C. - Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) is proud to announce Teresa Alfeld as the recipient of the 2025 WIDC BANFF Fellowship, an annual honour recognizing a Canadian woman or non-binary director whose creative vision and professional promise stand out among WIDC alumni. Based in Vancouver, Alfeld is known for her acclaimed documentary features, Doug and the [...]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 2025: Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) is delighted to announce the eight women directors chosen by a peer jury for their Spring/Summer 2025 Career Advancement Module (WIDC CAM). Included in this impressive cohort are creators from BC, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Meet the Directors: (listed in alphabetical order by first name) Alexa [...]
Vancouver, Canada (December 2024) – Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) organizers are delighted to announce that Toronto-based filmmaker, Lu Asfaha will receive the 2024 WIDC Feature Film Award, which includes an impressive $350,000 worth of in-kind services. Lu’s feature-length screenplay, They Echo, is a psychological horror about a young woman, Trevi who returns to her childhood home to [...]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Vancouver, BC – Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) organizers are pleased to announce the 2024-2025 cohort for their flagship four-part program, Story & Leadership, which includes a Whistler Film Festival Industry Immersion at the powered by Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada. This year’s award-winning director participants are: Dani Kind - Toronto, Ontario-based member of both UBCP/ACTRA [...]
