While spotlighting local talent, the Film & Television Forum is also bringing home some of Canada’s finest exports, including Joel H. Cohen, a writer and producer on cartoon phenom The Simpsons.

‘This year we’re celebrating the wealth of talent and contributions that Canadians are now being recognized for internationally,’ says Helen du Toit, forum program director.

Cohen will deliver a master class that takes participants into the writers’ room and follows the script process from idea to finished episode. The scribe has some advance words of advice for budding comedy writers.

‘If you can tell a joke and have a sense of humor, you can build on that, but the key is to get on a show in any capacity – [be a production assistant or] whatever, find an opportunity, meet the right people,’ he says. ‘Forums like this are ideal to make that personal connection.’

The ex-pat acknowledges that, a decade ago, there were simply far more jobs for comedy writers south of the border.

‘[In Canada] there was This Hour Has 22 minutes, The Newsroom – that’s it,’ he recalls. ‘It was frustrating; [shows] were few and far between. The States had more opportunities.’

The writer makes the point that in Hollywood, his native land is acknowledged as more than a destination for offshore production.

‘Sure Canada has locations and is known for its service industry, but we’re also getting recognized for our creative talent,’ he says. ‘On The Simpsons, three of the writers are Canadian. I know a ton [of Canadians in Hollywood]. There is a strong community.’

Also revealing the secrets to their respective successes – in separate, limited-attendance sessions – are Thank You for Smoking writer/director Jason Reitman; director Jeremy Podeswa (Fugitive Pieces, Rome, Six Feet Under); and producer/writer/director Andrew Currie, whose buzz-generating zombie flick Fido screens at the fest.