Six Alberta writers have received prizes totaling more than $15,000 as part of the fifth annual Television and Film Institute of Alberta Screenwriting Competition.

Over 100 scripts were submitted in two categories – feature films/mows and half-hour children’s. The cash awards are sponsored by cfrn-tv, the Television and Film Institute for Screenwriters, and the Alberta Motion Picture Industries Association.

In the feature film/mow category, the jury chose to share the prize among three scripts: Wish from David Chapman of Calgary, Without a Hitch from Adrian Lackey of Edmonton and All the World’s a Stage by Edmonton’s Philip Taranger and Anthony Regan.

Each recipient is awarded $1,850 and receives story editing services.

In the half-hour children’s competition, the $3,000 first prize went to A Sailing Age by Edmonton’s Ian Barr. Second prize, worth $1,500, went to Progress by Josh Miller of Edmonton; and the third-place award of $1,000 went to Silverana to the Rescue by Edmonton’s Sylvia Leung.

Based in Edmonton, the tfi is a not-for-profit organization which assists Canadian writers through education, promotion and networking. tfi offers non-credit courses, workshops, and an annual seminar featuring top international screenwriting instructors.

In conjunction with the Banff Centre for the Arts, the institute sponsors the Writing for Series Television Workshop. Additionally, tfi and the National Screen Institute – Canada have teamed up on the Writing For Children’s Series Television Workshop, which travels across the country. tfi has also established a Writer’s Resource Centre, housing a collection of produced scripts, industry magazines and reference materials.