Canada-based directors, this one’s for you: applications are now open for the Canadian Academy’s Apprenticeship for Women Directors. The program will offer intensive professional development for emerging female directors.
Six helmers will be chosen to participate. Each will be paired with an industry professional currently directing a project. Applicants should have some experience directing content in film, television, digital media, music videos, short films and/or commercials. The apprenticeship — which is open only to current Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, and Landed Immigrants — is a six-month long program. Participants will commit to 20–25 hours each month and will attend approximately 2–3 festivals throughout the country.
An advisory committee comprised of directors, producers, and executives will determine the six directors chosen to participate. The committee members include Norma Bailey (DGC), Tracey Deer (Women In View),and Heather Webb (WIFT-T).
“As soon as we made the announcement about the Apprenticeship program in March, the response was overwhelming,” said Beth Janson, CEO of the Canadian Academy. “It indicated to us without a doubt that there is a thirst for programs that are bringing more talented women to the table and giving them the space to call the shots.”
The six recipients will be announced at an event during TIFF on September 6, 2017.
Fortunately this apprenticeship is one of many recently launched initiatives supporting female filmmakers in Canada. In November Telefilm Canada, the country’s biggest film financier, introduced measures to ensure half of the movies it finances will now be directed or written by women. The public broadcaster CBC announced last summer that at least half of the episodes of its popular scripted programs like “Murdoch Mysteries” and “Heartland” will be directed by women.
For more information on how to apply to the Canadian Academy’s Apprenticeship for Women Directors, head over to the Academy’s site.The application deadline is June 23.
