Sinking Ship partners with Australia’s Northern Pictures

Sinking Ship Entertainment is in development with Australia’s Northern Pictures on a teen-focused live-action series called Dance Spies. Created by Australian writer, director and actor Guy Edmonds, whose credits including Emmy-winning comedy series Hardball (ABC ME), the series follows a group of students who attend a prestigious performing arts school. However, when they find a hidden elevator within the school, they are forced to work together to save the world.

Mark O’Brien’s The Righteous set for Fantasia world premiere

The Righteous (pictured), the directorial debut from actor-turned-director Mark O’Brien, is set to make its world premiere at the 2021 Fantasia Film Festival. Written and directed by O’Brien, who also stars alongside Henry Czerny and Mimi Kuzyk, the film tells the story of a former priest who, after leaving the church to start a family, is gripped by a series of tragedies. Also added to the Fantasia lineup is Seth A. Smith’s sci-fi thriller Tin Can, which makes its North American premiere.

Whistler names finalists for 2021 Screenwriters Lab

Whistler Film Festival (WFF) has named the six writers set to participate in its 2021 Screenwriters Lab. Ontario’s Aisha Evelyna (Seahorse), B.C.’s Andrea Feltrin (Chum), B.C.’s Martina Monro (Nice Jewish Girl), Ontario’s Carla Robinson (Bully), Newfoundland and Labrador’s Tamara Segura (Migratory Birds) and Northwest Territories’ Jennifer Walden (Mother).

The seven-month program kicks off on May 31 with a week-long online intensive, followed by mentorship in script development and pitching, before participants take part in the WFF Content Summit in December 2021.