WIDC Feature Film Award (FFA)

Supported by leading Canadian screen industry organizations, CWWA administers an annual national award valued at approximately $250,000 in-kind towards a first or second, scripted fiction feature film project directed by a Canadian woman or gender diverse individual, anywhere in Canada. While the Award focuses on the director, the WIDC Feature Film Award cohort also includes the writer and producer team who will be offered a tailored mentorship, as mutually agreeable.

Application Deadlines:

Early Open for Submissions: May 8, 2026 (for WIDC alumni)
General Open for Submissions: June 5, 2026

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)*

Deadlines are 11:59pm your local time zone.

Application Fees:

*Following the official end of the COVID 19 pandemic, and to be fiscally responsible, the CWWA Board has decided to return to an application fee structure. Application fees are allocated towards peer jury honoraria, a cash award to the winning production, and to offset WIDC program and mentor fees.

Application Form:

Application Criteria:

The WIDC Feature Film Award is adjudicated in phases:

  1. Review Synopsis, Pitch Deck and Director’s Vision
  2. Review other Supporting Materials
  3. Read full Script

Jury scores are based on:

  1. Creativity
  2. Team Track Record & Potential
  3. Project Feasibility
Jury Questions:
Is there a compelling story being told (characters, situation, POV)?
Does the director’s voice and vision shine through?
Does this director and their team have enough experience to complete the project?
Does the script match the voice in the other supporting materials, w/ compelling characters, complete arc?
Does the project seem financially feasible?
Are there any other special elements that set this project apart?

For more information: awards@widc.ca

Recent Feature Film Award films have been supported by

In kind:
Camera: Panavision Canada; Keslow Camera, Post Moderne; Raw Camera; MTL Grande
Grip & Lighting: Sunbelt Rentals TV&Film; Portable Electric
Studio: North Shore Studios; The Bridge Studios; Vancouver Film Studios; MELS
Post Production Sound: JAM POST; Elemental Post;
Post Production Picture: MELS; Company3; Distillery Visual Effects, Rocket Science FVX
Clearances: The Research House Clearances Services Inc.
Insurance: Front Row Insurance Brokers Inc.
Described Video; Captioning; Subtitling: Descriptive Video Works; National Captioning Canada; Line 21 Media; Power of Babel
Administration Software: EP Canada
PR: GAT PR, Champ and Pepper
Project Development: WIDC offers a tailored mentorship which may include a director spot in either the WIDC Story & Leadership or WIDC CAM program.

Executive Producing: WIDC provides Executive Producing services.

Past Award Winners: