The Whistler Film Festival (WFF) is gearing up to reveal the winners of its 2025 Screenwriters Lab Special Edition, a prestigious program dedicated to nurturing Canada’s most promising screenwriting talent.
This competitive, multi-phase initiative empowers up to 12 Canadian screenwriters to develop their original feature film projects through intensive mentorship and industry access. Marking a significant milestone, the 2025 edition is the first to be hosted in collaboration with Capilano University’s Squamish campus, following a February 2025 memorandum of understanding.
As a vital platform for amplifying diverse and innovative voices in Canadian cinema, the Screenwriters Lab continues to shape the industry’s future.
Program Overview
The WFF Screenwriters Lab Special Edition is a cornerstone of Canadian cinema, designed to elevate diverse and innovative screenwriters through a rigorous, multi-phase script and industry development program.
Tailored to foster original feature film projects, the Lab provides up to 12 selected participants with unparalleled access to industry experts, personalized mentorship, and hands-on craft development in a supportive, creative environment.
Participants emerge with a market-ready screenplay, a polished pitch deck, and a strategic plan to advance their projects and careers. Since its inception, the program has developed 66 projects, with standout successes like Little Orphans (2020 Borsos Award for Best Canadian Feature) and Donkeyhead (Netflix), cementing its reputation as a launchpad for Canadian talent.
2025 Edition Highlights
The 2025 WFF Screenwriters Lab Special Edition is a landmark program, distinguished by its collaboration with Capilano University’s Squamish campus, the first Talent Lab hosted at this state-of-the-art facility following a February 2025 memorandum of understanding.
This intensive initiative unfolds across key stages: applications opened on April 2, 2025, and closed on May 5, 2025, at 11:59 pm PT. Phase I (August 9-13, 2025) features an in-person intensive workshop at Capilano University, including a public workshop on August 9 and cohort-only sessions for script development.
Phase II (August–October 2025) offers online mentorship to refine scripts and pitch packages. Phase III (November 10-14, 2025) delivers an online business and industry immersion with pitch workshops and access to key decision-makers.
The program culminates at the 25th Anniversary Whistler Film Festival + Content Summit (December 3-7, 2025), where participants receive a non-transferable Industry Pass for 1:1 market meetings, panels, and masterclasses.
Benefits include early hotel discounts, recognition in WFF communications, and membership in the vibrant WFF Talent Labs alumni community, positioning participants for success in the Canadian film industry.
The Winners
The Whistler Film Festival is poised to announce the up to 12 Canadian screenwriters selected for the 2025 Screenwriters Lab Special Edition, a cohort of visionary storytellers whose original feature film projects embody the diversity and innovation at the heart of Canadian cinema.
Chosen through a highly competitive process, these participants will receive exclusive script feedback and mentorship, underscoring the program’s rigorous selection standards. Their projects, soon to be revealed, promise to push creative boundaries and resonate with audiences, continuing the Lab’s legacy of fostering bold, distinct voices.
Keep an eye out for the forthcoming announcement of these talented writers, who are set to make their mark at the Whistler Film Festival + Content Summit, December 3-7, 2025.
Participant Experience
The 2025 WFF Screenwriters Lab Special Edition offers participants a transformative journey, guided by seasoned mentors like Ruth Atkinson (Script Consultant and Story Editor) and Shelly Quade (Talent Programs Manager, WFF), alongside past advisors such as Dennis Foon (screenwriter, Indian Horse).
Through individual and group sessions across three phases, writers refine their scripts, sharpen their pitches, and gain critical industry insights. The program’s impact is best captured by past participants, like Kenny Welsh from the 2024 Lab, who shared: “My project evolved heavily throughout the lab, including a page-one rewrite. I was able to clarify the themes, characters, and motivations in ways that weren’t as present in the original drafts. I believe that my film has become much stronger through the lab, and I will carry the lessons and tools I’ve acquired into all of my future projects.” (from whistlerfilmfestival.com)
Program Impact and Success Stories
The WFF Screenwriters Lab has solidified its reputation as a catalyst for Canadian cinema, having developed 66 projects since its inception, many of which have achieved significant success.
Alumni have secured representation, landed roles in writers’ rooms, optioned their projects, and obtained development funding, demonstrating the program’s far-reaching impact. Notable projects from the Lab include Please, After You by Amir Kahnamouee, With Love and a Major Organ by Julia Lederer, Broken Angel by Jules Koostachin, and Indian Road Trip by A.W. Hopkins, which premiered at WFF 2020 and later aired on APTN.
Standout successes also include Donkeyhead by Agam Darshi, now streaming on Netflix, and Little Orphans by Emily Bridger, which won the 2020 Borsos Award for Best Canadian Feature. These achievements highlight the Lab’s role in transforming promising scripts into celebrated films, cementing its legacy as a vital force in Canadian storytelling.
Wrapping Up
The WFF Screenwriters Lab Special Edition stands as a beacon for Canadian cinema, empowering diverse screenwriters to craft compelling, market-ready stories that resonate globally.
As we await the announcement of the 2025 winners, the program’s legacy of fostering innovation and excellence continues to inspire. From its new collaboration with Capilano University’s Squamish campus to its track record of producing celebrated films, the Lab is shaping the next wave of Canadian storytelling.
