Top-notch Talent to Attend Whistler Film Festival for WIDC Story & Leadership
By: Sydney Levine
Tags: Festivals, International Film, Canada

Eight women directors from across Canada have been selected to attend the 20th annual session of Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC), which includes the

pilot program, WIDC Story & Leadership. Over the coming months this top-notch group of content creators will develop their feature films and web

series, working with an ensemble of hand-picked professional actors, technicians and other industry experts. A major component of the program takes the

form of an Industry Immersion at the 15th anniversary Whistler Film Festival (December 2–6), and culminates with a three-month mentorship tailored to

advance each director’s project.

Mounting their sophomore feature films are East coast favorites,

Mary Walsh

(“A Christmas Fury,” based on the characters from the riotously-funny TV series “Hatching, Matching and Dispatching”),

Anita Reilly McGee

(“Black Mammy”), and WIDC Feature Film Award-winner,

Jordan Canning

(“Suck It Up”). Weaving fiction into their prolific body of documentary works from Ontario are,

Maya Gallus

(“Nights in the Underground”), and

Frances-Anne Solomon (“Hero”). Also from Ontario is

Nicole Dorsey

, developing a debut feature “Black Conflux,” along with BC-based actress

Ana De Lara

(“The Virgin Mary Had a Little Lamb”). Multiple award-winner

Marie Clements

is developing a new interactive web series “Crooked Bones,” based on the true story of First Nations artist, Connie Watts.

“WIDC understands that being committed to bringing women’s voices to the screen means investing in the storyteller. Not simply as a “one off” but as a

continued partnership between stakeholders who recognize that the development of skill, process, and creation has lasting and profound value,” states Metis

actor/ writer/director, Marie Clements. “I am honored to be in this year’s Story & Leadership Program with some of Canada’s most talented and

innovative filmmakers.”

Award-winning director

Rachel Talalay

(“Dr. Who,” “Tank Girl”) will be one of this year’s key mentors focusing on directing action. This year’s line up also includes peer mentors, award-winning WIDC

alumnae, writer/directors

Siobhan Devine

(“The Birdwatcher,” which premieres at the Whistler Film Festival), and web series creator

Karen Lam

(“Mythos”), along with popular WIDC instructors, writer and Jungian expert,

Dr. Carolyn Mamchur

, and screen-writer / story consultant

Linda Coffey

(“These Arms of Mine”). Industry guests include,

John Galway

(Harold Greenberg Fund),

Maureen Levitt

, (Super Channel), independent producer,

Lael McCall

, (Principia Productions), and Telefilm Canada’s

Lauren Davis

.

“Taking part in this WIDC workshop makes me excited about the possibility of someday having television and film represent the perspectives of women, “

states Mary Walsh, a recipient of the Order of Canada and the Governor General’s Lifetime Achievement Award in the Performing Arts. “Although women make up

51% of the Canadian population, they comprise less than 20% of the directors and screenwriters working in Canadian Film.”

The Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) program has earned an international reputation for propelling over two hundred Canadian women directors’ skills,

stories and careers to the next level of excellence. Creative Women Workshops Association, The Banff Centre and ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema,

Television and Radio Artists) have been WIDC collaborators, and Telefilm Canada has been a major sponsor since the program’s 1997 inception. WIDC and the

Whistler Film Festival collaborate again through the WIDC WFF Industry Immersion.

The Festival’s online box office is now open for Industry Passes, Festival Passes and Ticket Packages allowing you to select your films in advance and

share them with friends and family.







New for 2015

, WFF has introduced a Festival Credential that provides access to the Music Café, ShortWork Showdown and Festival Lodge, and is included in select ticket

packages if purchased by October 31.

Air travel and ground transportation deals as well as best accommodation rates starting from $89 per night are now available. The Westin Whistler Resort

and Spa is WFF’s official host hotel. WFF has 20 accommodation partners to choose from that offer special rates to Whistler Film Festival attendees. Book

your accommodation early to ensure your perfect match and price. For information, go to

whistlerfilmfestival.com.