TORONTO, ON — After a successful inaugural year, The Writers Lab Canada (TWL Canada) is officially returning in January 2026 to support and elevate Canadian women and nonbinary screenwriters aged 40 and above. Backed by global talent like Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, and Natalie Portman, and led by powerhouse partners including the Firecracker Department and the Female Eye Film Festival, TWL Canada is poised for another transformative season.
The four-day January Intensive offers more than a crash course in script development — it’s followed by six months of in-depth mentorship, feedback, and industry connections. This curated program helps screenwriters refine their work and gain access to producers and networks that can advance their careers.
Building on Momentum
The 2025 edition welcomed a powerhouse lineup of mentors including Allana Harkin (Full Frontal with Samantha Bee), Carolyn Taylor (Baroness von Sketch Show), Jessie Gabe (Workin’ Moms), Morwyn Brebner (Allegiance, Coroner), Nathalie Younglai (Essex County), Shannon Masters (Allegiance), and Wendy Litner (Run the Burbs).
“The Writers Lab Canada gave me a deeper understanding of how to articulate the emotional core of my story,” said screenwriter Vicki So. Another participant, Dee Raffo, added, “The team gently but firmly pushes your writing to the next level so it’s ready to send to their list of producers.”
The program is bolstered by support from Canadian production companies including Bentframe Film and TV, Black Birds Entertainment, Cameron Pictures, Darius Films, Incendo, Insight Productions, Lionsgate, and Shaftesbury, as well as Women in the Director’s Chair.
What to Expect
The 2026 Lab will run from January 6–9. Writers accepted into the program will benefit from:
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One-on-one mentorship with industry professionals
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Story structure deep dives, pitch prep, logline development
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Writers’ room simulation and collaborative scene work
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Ongoing script feedback and professional introductions during the six-month follow-up phase
TWL Canada is spearheaded by co-founders Elizabeth Kaiden and Nitza Wilon, alongside Canadian partners Naomi Snieckus of Firecracker Department and Leslie-Ann Coles of the Female Eye Film Festival.
Application Details
Submissions open July 15 via FilmFreeway and close August 14. Writers must submit narrative scripts anonymously, with formats accepted in three categories:
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Feature screenplays (80–120 pages)
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One-hour TV pilots (45–75 pages)
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Half-hour TV pilots (22–44 pages)
Fees:
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Early bird: $95 (by July 15)
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Late: $130 (by August 14)
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Program fee upon acceptance: $1,650 (including HST)
Key dates to note:
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July 15 – Submissions open
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July 31 – Regular deadline
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August 14 – Late deadline
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September 10 – Quarter and semifinalists announced
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September 30 – Winners notified
TWL Canada is more than a lab — it’s a career accelerator for a demographic often overlooked in the film and TV industry.
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