Programs and Scholarship Opportunities
Thinking of going back to the media industry or in need of an extra push to launch your career to the next level? Here is a list of national and regional organizations that might help you reach your goals through industry specific training programs and/or scholarships.
International
Women in Games International sponsors GameMentorOnline, the first-of-its-kind online mentorship program for the international games industry. Designed to serve students and professionals, men and women alike, GameMentorOnline has been developed to meet the growing need for peer-to-peer mentorship support in games.
National
CWC is a Canada-wide organization committed to help women to advance and maximize their career potential. The organization offers a variety of career development programs ranging from executive training to career-focused mentorships.
Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA)
The Canadian Media Production Association (formerly Canadian Film and Television Production Association) represents the interests of screen-based media companies engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films, and new media content in all regions in Canada.
The Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC)
ITAC is the voice of the Canadian information and communications technologies (ICT) industry. ITAC represents a diverse ICT community spanning telecommunications and internet services, ICT consulting services, hardware, microelectronics, software and electronic content.
The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC)
WGC represents more than 2,000 professional English-language screenwriters across Canada. Members are the creators who write the distinctly Canadian entertainment we enjoy on our televisions, movie screens and digital platforms.
The Independent Media Arts Alliance (IMAA)
The IMAA is a non-profit national arts service organization that promotes and advances the interests of a vibrant media arts community. Representing over 80 independent film, video, and new media production, distribution, and exhibition organizations in all parts of Canada, the IMAA serves over 12,000 independent media artists and cultural workers.
Women in Games International (WIGI)
WIGI, made up of both female and male professionals, works to promote the inclusion and advancement of women in the global games industry.
CWWA is a national non-profit organization, which has as its main activity the delivery of “The Women in the Director’s Chair Workshop,” a professional development and mentoring program designed to advance mid-career women directors in Canada.
Wired Women is a Canadian registered non-profit organization that aims to encourage women to explore opportunities, build successful careers, and become a driving force in science, technology an new media. The organization currently offers mentorship opportunities to women entering or re-entering the workforce. The program is enhanced with networking events and career-focused workshops.
The Canadian Film Centre’s vision is to launch Canada’s most creative ideas and voices in film, television and new media to the world. CFC accomplishes this goal by training programs, partnering with industry leaders, promoting Canadian talent, investing resources in the development of their students and, embracing and promoting cross-cultural vision and talent.
The National Screen Institute is Canada’s national film, television and digital media training school for writers, directors and producers. They offer market-driven programs, which often have scholarships available to Canada’s visible minorities and Aboriginal screen professionals.
Since 2006, the CityTV scholarships provide $5,000 to support the professional development of Aboriginal professionals in Film and Media programs at The Banff Centre.
The CTV Diverse Screenwriters Program reaches out to offer emerging and mid-career writers from diverse backgrounds the chance to hone the skills they need to become successful professional screenwriters. The program offers up to eight writers a one-week intensive workshop.
Women in Leadership Mentorship Program
The Women in Leadership Mentorship Program aims to increase women’s participation in management or leadership positions in Canada through combining mentorship and leadership skills development. The 6 month program connects female role models in business and helps women develop their leadership potential and build specific skill sets necessary to thrive as leaders in our businesses and local communities.
British Columbia
WIFT-V, in partnership with the Whistler Film Festival, presents the WIFT Whistler Film Festival Industry Mentorship to one intermediate female filmmaker every year.
The scholarship is the first of its kind in the world and provides full tuition for an aspiring female game designer to attend VFS’s acclaimed one-year Game Design program.
Minerva Foundation for BC Women
The mission of the Minerva Foundation for BC Women is to inspire and empower motivated women to explore and develop their potential in the workplace and the community by creating opportunities and offering programs through trusted partnerships in the areas of leadership skills, connectivity and education. They offer a variety of leadership and community oriented programs for women in various stages of their careers.
Ontario
The Toronto chapter of WIFT offers a wide range of professional development programs through a variety of formats: intensives, mentorships, seminars, workshops, panels and networking. The majority of the programs are open to members and non-members.
In partnership with The Banff Centre, the Quebecor Production Fellowships offers two residencies for Ontario-based producers who are of an under-represented visible minority and/or Aboriginal status.
Quebec
Studio XX empowers women in their use of technology by offering a wide range of professional development workshops and introductory sessions.
