The National School of Humour (NHS) has unveiled a new screenwriting initiative backed by Netflix.

The Screenwriting Development Program aims to provide comedy writers with advanced training and professional mentorship for their film and TV projects. It’s divided into three sections: a comedy screenwriting course; mentorship in project development; and public lectures and master classes. Founded in 1988, Montreal’s NHS is a non-profit educational institution providing training to creators who want to specialize in the field of comedy.

“We have made a commitment to Canada’s creative community because we believe in the talent here,” said Netflix’s director of kids and family content Dominique Bazay in a statement. Having worked with past graduates of the National School of Humour, I share Netflix’s belief in the value of this program, which will help empower the next generation of comedy writers in Quebec.”

The new initiative is part of the $25 million development fund that Netflix pledged to invest in Canadian creators and talent as part of the Creative Canada policy framework. The development investment has led to the creation of a number of programs, which Netflix began unveiling in April. The first of those saw Netflix partner with Montreal’s L’institut national de l’image et du son (INIS) to develop a new production apprenticeship program. As well, Netflix last month partnered with Hot Docs on the Hot Docs Canadian Storytellers Project, which aims to create funding and professional-development opportunities for under-represented documentary filmmakers.

Most recently Netflix signed on to support the Canadian Academy’s Apprenticeship for Women Directors program, which is returning for its second year.

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