Canada Lab

The Writers Lab Canada (TWL Canada) Intensive is devoted to script development for Canadian women and nonbinary film and TV writers 40 years of age and over, in partnership with Firecracker Department and Female Eye Film Festival. Firecracker Department is a hit podcast and a vibrant international community of women and nonbinary artists empowering each other to take creative action by building platforms for our voices and stories. Working together to go further and change the world! Female Eye Film Festival (FeFF) is a competitive international women directors’ film festival established in 2001, as a not-for-profit organization. Included in Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee by MovieMaker Magazine for 12 consecutive years (2013–2024).

During this three-day, in-person intensive in Toronto, a small group of selected writers engaged in individual script work, one-on-one mentor meetings, and group sessions aimed to develop their scripts, build community, and advance their careers. 

TWLC 2024 Participants

BEULAH & WILLEMINA Andrea Martinez Crowther

THE DEVIL’S REVOLVER Vicki So

A FAR CRY Penny Eizenga

ICE ICE BABY Leah Cameron

PRIME Ashleigh Rains

RENATA Dee Raffo

STOP BATH Eisha Marjara

TEAR US APART Jennifer Wigmore

TWLC 2024 Mentors

Morwyn Brebner

Maureen Dorey-Lukie

Jessie Gabe 

Allana Harkin

Wendy Litner

Shannon Masters 

Carolyn Taylor

Nathalie Younglai

Official Launch

The Firecracker Department and the Female Eye TWL Canada Intensive official launch was announced at the Female Eye Film Festival July 18 to July 21, 2024. In addition, a discussion, In Conversation with The Writers Lab Co-founders (NYC), and a Masterclass were offered at FEFF.

Overview

• The Intensive is open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are women and nonbinary script writers 40 years of age or over.
• All scripts must be in English and submitted WITHOUT the writer’s name and contact information, in order to maintain anonymity in the judging process.
• Submitted scripts must be professionally formatted.
• Narrative scripts only: feature film screenplays (80 to 120 pages), half-hour TV pilots (22 to 44 pages) and one-hour TV pilots (45 to 75 pages).
• TWL Canada Intensive Application Fee: $65 – $85 USD
• If accepted, TWL Canada Intensive Fee: $1,200 CAD
• Only 8 in-person participants will be selected.
• Scripts will be submitted via Coverfly. You will need to create a free account in advance.

Important Dates

Jul 18 to Aug 1 – TWL Canada Intensive Regular Submissions – $65 USD
Aug 1 to 8 – TWL Canada Intensive Late Submissions – $85 USD
Oct 16 – Winners Announced and all applicants notified
Nov 8 – Deadline for selected participants to accept (Intensive Fee – $1200.00 CAD)
Dec 5 to 7 – TWL Canada Intensive in Toronto, Canada

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information go to 
www.firecrackerdepartment.com 
www.thefemaleeyefilmfestival.com

Firecracker Department Script Prep Sessions

Liesl Lafferty, Head of the Firecracker Writing Department, offers optional story consultations and script coverage. To apply click here Script Prep Form or contact firecrackerwritingdepartment@gmail.com

Liesl is an award-winning director, and a nominated writer, producer and dramaturg. She facilitates Scriptwriting Workshops, provides Story Editing Services, and hosts a free Writer’s Accountability Room. For the Firecracker Department, she co-produces the Comedy Film Igniter with Canadian Film Fest, The Writers Lab Canada Script Intensive with the NYC founders, curates the Firecracker Film Fest in Vancouver, and she is co-creator and writer for Bagged, a Bell Fibe TV1 Series. Liesl graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.

TWL gave me the boost of confidence I had no idea I needed. Some things are unquantifiable.”

Peres Owino
TWL US 2015

Their support meant everything, and it has opened doors for me with other projects and helped me expand my community.

Pamela Harris
TWL US 2017