The Reelworld Film Institute has announced the 2024 cohorts for the Emerging 20 (E20) Program and Producer Program.

E20, which is divided into film and series streams, supports emerging writers in a six-month program during which they work with story editors and industry professionals to refine a script into a final draft. The program culminates with one-on-one pitch sessions with directors, executive producers, broadcasters, funders and distributors.

In the film stream, five participants are from Ontario, including Berend McKenzie with Hockey Night in Canada; Aaron Williams with The Neverlands; Fateema Al-Hamaydeh Miller with Waves/ ‘Amwaj Funeral; Augusto Bitter with Congregation; Rami Khan with The Last Samosa.

Two participants are from British Columbia: Tammy Tsang with All of Charlotte and Giselle Miller with Young, Single and Black.

Rounding out the list are Nova Scotia-based Man Long Ho with the project One Marriage, Two Ceremonies, Alberta-based Phillip Henry Wu with My Own Funeral and Newfoundland and Labrador-based Mark Harnett with Rock.

The series stream includes eight participants from Ontario: Katharine King So with Party Girl #3; Oksana Sirju with Rich People; Halen King with I Feel Everything.; Zaki Farow with Empowered; Tannaz Keshavarz with Suburban Girls; Jezabel Bamberg with Newcomers; Kenneth Mohabir with The Extractors; and Neha Kohli with Crazy, Reckless Accountants.

B.C.-based Shaelyn Johnston with the project Sadie’s Move and Quebec’s Christine Rodriguez with The Good King round out the list.

The E20 program runs from April to September. E20 alumni qualify to apply to Telefilm’s Talent to Watch Program through the Industry stream with Reelworld.

The Producer Program, which is now in its fourth year, provides emerging producers training and resources on the business side of the industry, with a focus on television. It runs from April to November.

The program’s cohort includes four from Ontario: Moraa Mochama, Asis Sethi, Amir Zargara and Kathlyn Rose Gardiner.

Three participants are from B.C., including Osric Chau, Adrian Neblett and Jessica To. Rounding out the list are Alberta-based producers Edmon Rotea and Daniel Foreman, and Quebec-based Leila Khalilzadeh.

The participants will select a project and learn about creating a corporation, retaining intellectual property rights, choosing and optioning scripts, creating deal memos and choosing key creatives and casting directors. They will also have the opportunity to attend markets.

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