WIDC: Career Advancement Module (CAM) – Online Edition

Deadline to Apply
Fall / Winter Edition, 2026-27:
Applications open: June 5, 2026
Regular close of submissions: July 4, 2026
Late deadline: July 12, 2026

Spring / Summer Edition, 2027:
Applications open: November 30, 2026
Regular close of submissions: December 30, 2026
Late deadline: January 5, 2027

 

Fall / Winter Edition, 2026-27
Collaborating festivals:
St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival
Reelworld Summit & Film Festival

Key workshop dates: October 5 to 9, 2026
Follow-up sessions: October 12, 2026 to March 31, 2027, with two sessions per month

Spring / Summer Edition, 2027
Collaborating festivals:
GEMFest
Female Eye Film Festival

Key workshop dates: February 28 to March 9, 2027
Follow-up sessions: March 10 to July 30, 2027, with two sessions per month

The WIDC Career Advancement Module (CAM) is an online professional development program designed for mid-career Canadian women and non-binary filmmakers, with a focus on scripted production and the director’s career path.

The program includes tailored leadership masterclasses, roundtables, one-to-one coaching, festival immersions, group meetings with industry guests, and strategic career development support.

Participants will receive tools to strengthen their leadership style, build confidence, improve pitching and meeting skills, and advance their screen fiction projects and careers in a confidential and collegial environment.

Each CAM edition includes:

• 6 one-hour individual coaching sessions
• Masterclasses on EDI work, navigating the industry, pitching, and taking meetings
• 8-part webinar series on digital marketing, plus a bonus one-on-one with Annelise Larson
• Group meetings with industry guests
• Festival pass to the host festivals
• Group exit session to debrief and confirm follow-up goals and strategy

CAM sessions will prioritize:

• WIDC alumni
• Alumni of host festival development programs
• Candidates who have directed at least 40 minutes of screen content, such as feature-length work, episodic work, or digital series
• Candidates crossing over to directing with an established body of work who have also directed at least 10 minutes of screen content

Tuition is scholarshipped by WIDC through major sponsorship from Telefilm Canada. Festival passes are provided by the host festivals. Travel and lodging, if required, are at the participant’s own cost.