TIFF Writers’ Studio offers a space for Canadian and international screenwriters to consolidate skills, exchange ideas, and discuss challenges, all within a collaborative five-day intensive lab. Participants are supported to take their careers and projects to the next level as they participate in workshops, panel discussions, peer-to-peer mentorship, and one-on-one project development consultations guided by both leading industry experts.

BEFORE STARTING YOUR TIFF WRITERS' STUDIO APPLICATION, REVIEW THE CHECKLIST BELOW:

1. You meet the eligibility requirements for TIFF Writers' Studio and agree to provide all the required submission materials.

2. You have created a new project under the “My Projects” section of your profile for this specific programme application. The project is titled “FIRST AND LAST NAME – TIFF WRITERS' STUDIO – 2024” and is a Film / Video project type.

● NOTE: After saving your new project, return to the TIFF Writers' Studio FilmFreeway event page to fill out the application.

3. You have uploaded the materials listed below to the “My Projects” section. (NOTE: Go to https://filmfreeway.com/projects and click “View” on your project to upload your video files and written materials. Use the upload tool to add your online screener.)

● A video pitch about your script project, no more than two minutes in duration. The video should tell us: i. a bit about your project; ii. your writing approach and voice; and iii. why you would like to participate in TIFF Writers' Studio.
○ Upload this file in the “Add an Online Screener” section of your project. Use the upload tool to add your online screener.
○ NOTE: The jury will not be evaluating the quality of the video but the statements made by the applicant. This can be recorded on a cell phone.

● A one-minute clip from a previous project on which you are credited as writer or co-writer, uploaded in the “Add a trailer” section of your project. Use the upload tool to add your trailer. Please follow these guidelines for your clip submission:
○ The clip must be no longer than one minute.
○ Ensure that the clip is in high resolution.
○ After the project title on the video file, include in parentheses where the clip is from: a short, feature, or episode.
○ Ensure that the clip includes English subtitles if the language spoken is not English.
○ Demo reels, trailers, and music videos will not be accepted.
○ Submissions of full films or episodes with time codes will not be considered by the jury.

● The following supporting documents:
- A copy of your resume in PDF format (maximum one page)
- Your filmography (project title, year, role(s), festivals played, and a maximum of five awards or nominations received per project) in one PDF document
- The following written materials from the submitted project: logline (50 words), synopsis (250 words), one-page outline, a writing sample (five pages).

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY

TIFF Writers’ Studio is designed for mid-level screenwriters and writer-directors who wish to extend their creative skills.

Applications are open to international applicants as well as Canadians.

Applicants must be credited as a writer on a minimum of either one (1) feature film or one (1) television series.

TIFF Writers’ Studio is geared towards feature-length scripts. Writers working in broadcast, interactive, web series, and transmedia with an interest in feature-length production are welcome to apply (should they meet the criteria outlined in #2).

Applicants must be in development (minimum first draft complete) on a feature-length project. Successful applicants should be ready to submit a copy of their script to TIFF by February 20, 2024, so that it may be read by mentors and peers and workshopped during the programme.

Applicants must commit to attending the full programme and completing the required readings, viewings, and assignments in order to be considered.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Candidates must fill out the application in full, attaching itemized supporting documents listed above, to be considered.

Applications must be completed by applicants themselves and not by third parties (e.g. assistants, co-workers).

Successful candidates are required to include the words “Developed with support from TIFF Writers’ Studio” on subsequent drafts of the screenplay they workshop at Writers’ Studio.

Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge TIFF Writers’ Studio on the credits of a completed feature film that has been workshopped at the lab.

Please see "Event Description" section for more details on the application.
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  • Berkley Brady

    I had an incredible experience on every level here. Cannot recommend it more highly.

    April 2023
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  • Maha Al-Saati

    It was such an honor to be selected among this very talented group. This 2021 is the 10th edition of the writers' studio (please disregard the FilmFreeWay saying it's the 1st year). This edition was international for the first time, and listening to the participants speak about their stories from vastly different worlds was inspiring. The workshops and instructors were motivating to think about my script in new light. I highly recommend this Studio, and thank you Jane, Erika and the rest of the TIFF team for this opportunity! It was very helpful!

    April 2021
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