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The 2023 Reelworld E20 Program

The Reelworld Emerging 20 is tailored to support writers and is streamed into two specific areas: Series and Film. Ten Candidates will be chosen for each stream. The Candidates will be taken through a part-time 6 month program to polish screenplays into a final draft. The E20 program wraps up in September with one-on-one pitch sessions designed to hone their pitching skills and develop their network. The program offers an excellent opportunity to work with story editors and industry professionals who help guide the writing process and share industry insights into the Canadian screen industry.

Applicants must be able to participate in all events which will take place virtually. Some experience in the industry is preferred. We are on the lookout for artists who identify as Black, Indigenous, or any Person of Colour from diverse backgrounds and perspectives which are underrepresented in today's media.

V. T. Nayani

"

I am eternally grateful to Reelworld Film Festival for its support and faith in me, as a first-generation Tamil filmmaker. I've been working in the screen industries for just over 10 years now and it is only with Reelworld's nomination through the E-20 Program, that I was in the position to receive funding for my first feature drama This Place, through Telefilm Canada's Talent to Watch Program. For artists like me, who did not go to film school or follow a "traditional" path, Reelworld is a space that creates direct access for marginalized and often-excluded filmmakers to realize their dreams. I entered the program with the hopes that I could work towards making my dream of bringing this project to fruition. Through the mentorship I received, I submitted the project for consideration, which was then championed by the Reelworld team, resulting in our success in receiving funding to finally make the film.

"

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V. T. Nayani

Artist and Story Teller

Access to Funding

E20 Alumni qualify to apply to Telefilm’s Talent to Watch Program through the Industry stream with Reelworld and if selected offers up to $250,000 for fiction feature films and $150,000 for feature length documentaries.

The E20 program provides workshops and mentorships geared towards preparing a final script.

Skills Training

Pitching Opportunities

E20 participants are given the opportunity to meet, and pitch their projects at personal, one-on-one meetings with executive producers, directors, broadcasters, funders, agents, distributors, and union reps.

E20 participants have the opportunity to network with Reelworld Producer Program participants and foster collaborative relationships with the goal to move their script into development.

Networking

2022 Film Participants

Leanne Wang

Leanne Wang

A Family of Three

Toronto, ON

Qaseem Fazal

Qaseem Fazal

The Family Value

Surrey, BC

Jerry Wolf

Jerry Wolf

We Are Not The Monsters

Woodstock, ON

Abdullah Malik

Abdullah Malik

Infidels

Edmonton, AB

Sina Sultani

Sina Sultani

Trace

Vancouver, BC

Eva Grant

Eva Grant

Entity

Winnipeg, MB

Emma Cheuk

Emma Cheuk

Late Bloomer

Toronto, ON

Shirley Yip

Shirley Yip

Orchid Dream

Montreal, QC

Kosa Akaraiwe

Kosa Akaraiwe

No Medals

Toronto, ON

Ivan D. Ossa

Ivan D. Ossa

untitled

Toronto, ON

2022 Series Participants

Shakil Jessa
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Shakil Jessa

Bad Influence

Vancouver, BC

Preeti Torul
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Preeti Torul

Demons

Toronto, ON

Mahlena Rae Johnson
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Mahlena Rae Johnson

Welcome to Elle

Toronto, ON

Jouv Darl
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Jouv Darl

Holy Vamps

Toronto, ON

Rabiya Mansoor
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Rabiya Mansoor

Queer Guide to Matchmaking

Toronto, ON

Daniel Foreman
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Daniel Foreman

Daughters of the Wolf

Edmonton, AB

Arshad Khan
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Arshad Khan

Sana's Basement Beauty Solutions

Montreal, QC

Mostafa Shaker
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Mostafa Shaker

Finding Farida

Vancouver, BC

Meghan Swaby
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Meghan Swaby

Higher Marks

Toronto, ON

Diane Johnstone
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Diane Johnstone

Desperate Church Wives

Toronto, ON

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

Upcoming Reelworld Programs & Events

Meet the DGC Workshop & Q/A

1:00pm l March 28th, 2023

Meet the DGC Workshop & Q/A

Join us for a chat with R.T Thorne (The Porter, Utopia Falls) and Hans Engel (Senior Manager, National Directors Division & Directors Rights Collective of Canada, Directors Guild of Canada) to learn about the Director's Guild of Canada and working as a DGC Director.

#HERFRAMEMATTERS: GOING DIGITAL - Empowering Women through Web Series

1:00pm l March 30th, 2023

#HERFRAMEMATTERS: GOING DIGITAL - Empowering Women through Web Series

Webseries allow creators the ability to control their visions from beginning to end. As a result, it’s become a burgeoning field for racialized and Indigenous women to create authentic stories for their audiences. Join us for a panel with the Creator & Actor of Zarqa, Zarqa Nawaz, Actor on Gay Mean Girls Season 2, Robyn Matuto & 2023 Canadian Screen Award Nominee Connie Wang of Tokens as they speak on their experience developing or working under Black, Indigenous and Women of Colors writers & directors.

Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival

March 23 - 26, 2023

Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival

Reelworld is proud to co-present the screening of Canadian filmmaker Nisha Pahuja's latest documentary, To Kill a Tiger, at the 2023 Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival (MISAFF).

To Kill a Tiger follows Ranjit, a farmer in India, as he takes on the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, the victim of a brutal gang rape. His decision to support his daughter is virtually unheard of, and his journey is unprecedented.

The film is playing on Friday, March 24, at 7:45pm at the Cineplex Mississauga, and you can get 10% off your tickets using the code 10yearsofmisaff. The director will also be in attendance at the screening. Get your tickets here.

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