training
WORKSHOPS, LABS, RESIDENCIES, SCHOOLS
Below is a list of some of the film and screenwriting training, workshops, residencies, mentorship programs in Canada:
US Programs
GRADUATE SCHOOL
*I don't recommend applying for for-profit film schools such as Vancouver Film School or Toronto Film School. They are very costly and you can get lower cost educational opportunities through continuing education or private workshops.
Below is a list of some of the film and screenwriting training, workshops, residencies, mentorship programs in Canada:
- Banff - residencies and development programs for film and tv
- Canadian Film Centre (want you out of school for a couple of years – acting, directing, producing, editing, writing for film and tv)
- Caribbean Tales - a registered Canadian charity (no. 87896 4618 RR0001) that creates, markets and distributes educational programs and products intended to promote racial equality in Canada.
- CinVic - an artist-run society which provides independent filmmakers and media artists with affordable and accessible development opportunities, programming, and equipment.
- Cineworks - an independent filmmakers society—an artist-run production and exhibition centre that supports independent filmmakers and media artists.
- Humber College
- LIFT - courses and equipment rentals (Toronto)
- National Screen Institute (short, feature, tv) - Development programs
- NFB - National Film Board - Programs, TV, Short Film, Feature
- Pacific Screenwriting Program - Building a vibrant screenwriter community in British Columbia by providing a training ground for BC’s aspiring and active screenwriters. Combining real-world story-room experience, mentorship, bootcamps, workshops and information sessions, the program equips writers with the skills, experience, and connections necessary to establish a sustainable career in the province’s dynamic screen industry.
- Second City and Comedy Bar offer courses (Toronto)
- The Canadian Academy Directors Program - an initiative that came from the Academy’s desire to reach gender parity and ensure the greater representation of women and women-identifying directors working in today’s screen-based media industry.
- TIFF - Master classes and workshops, talent lab
- Women in Film & Television - Training
- Women in the Director's Chair - provides professional and creative development to mid-career Canadian women directors of screen-based fiction.
US Programs
- Disney Fellowship
- Film Independent
- Independent Filmmaker Project
- Nicoll Fellowship
- Sundance Labs
GRADUATE SCHOOL
- 10 Best Academic Screenplay Programs in the US
- American Film Institute (AFI)
- Columbia
- Concordia
- Humber (post graduate certificate)
- SFU
- University of Victoria
- University of British Columbia
- UCLA
- USC
- York
*I don't recommend applying for for-profit film schools such as Vancouver Film School or Toronto Film School. They are very costly and you can get lower cost educational opportunities through continuing education or private workshops.
CONTINUING EDUCATION AND PRIVATE WORKSHOPS
Many universities and colleges offer continuing education screenwriting and film classes (Ryerson, U of T, Humber, etc.)
- Corey Mandell (Screenwriting Courses Online)
- Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University, Film Studies Certificate (film production)
- Daniela Saioni (TV & Film Writing, Directing)
- ProPath Screenwriting (Private workshops and consulting)
Many universities and colleges offer continuing education screenwriting and film classes (Ryerson, U of T, Humber, etc.)