Deadline: August 14
After a successful inaugural year, The Vancouver Horror Show Film Festival’s BC Screenwriter Development Program is returning for its second season in 2026. The program is open to eligible BC-based emerging screenwriters who have a completed short horror or genre script.
The three selected screenwriters will have their scripts presented as part of a live table read series before an audience of horror film fans, industry professionals, and a panel of three established screenwriters, each of whom will have reviewed the scripts in advance.
Following each table read, the panelists will offer constructive feedback to the writer on what worked, what didn’t, where the strengths and opportunities lie, and provide advice on how to elevate the script and story as the writer prepares to approach their next draft.
Each writer will be paired with a mentor for follow-up one-on-one sessions, offering further advice and guidance as they continue developing their screenplay, refine their pitch deck, or pursue another professional development activity agreed upon by the mentor and mentee.
Learning how to receive feedback, discern what serves the work, and apply it without compromising one’s artistic voice is a practice writers continue to refine throughout their careers. This program will help selected participants strengthen that skill, turning constructive criticism into meaningful fuel for their creative process. Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with established writers in the field and take part in high-quality networking events with the broader Vancouver and BC-based film and television community.
VHS’s BC Screenwriter Development Program will facilitate the continued, and hands-on education for three BC-based emerging screenwriters, offering invaluable feedback and support for not only the next draft of their script, but to fortify their industry toolkit as they progress in their writing careers.
