Eight projects have been selected for the 2026 The Writers Lab Canada screenwriting development program, with another three projects receiving recognition from the program’s Bold Voice Awards.

This marks the second Canadian edition of The Writers Lab (TWL), which was founded in New York by Nitza Wilon and Elizabeth Kaiden in 2015, and is supported by Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman. The intensive program is designed to help develop narrative projects and pilot scripts by women and non-binary screenwriters over 40 via mentorship, development sessions and industry engagement with established screenwriters, directors and producers.

Five of the projects participating in TWL Canada 2026 come from Ontario-based screenwriters, with one each from B.C. and Nova Scotia.

Representing Ontario are Kim Izzo (Dundas, Ont.), with the project Boob Job; Susan Hung (Toronto), with Pain & Suffering; Paris Jefferson (Ottawa), for her script Looking for Dez Cart; Carleen Nimrod (Pickering), with Opus Thirteen; and Nadine Pequeneza (Toronto) with Descent.

The 2026 cohort is rounded out by Vancouver-based Rebecca Brewer with Good Bones;  Halifax’s Nancy Kenny, with the project Roller Derby Saved My Soul; and Long Beach, California-based Lisa Gold with Canada Resists.

TWL Canada is also recognizing four projects with its Bold Voice Awards, which celebrates originality and courage in storytelling. The winning projects are Grip of the Kelpie Mother, from Claire Apps; Mammy, from Anita Reilly McGee; Queen of Trash, by Helene Taylor; and Wild Woman of the Woods, from Tobi Iverson.

In addition, actor and producer Jennifer Podemski (Little Bird) will serve as the 2026 ambassador for the program.

Toronto’s Female Eye Film Festival (FeFF), led by founder Leslie Ann Coles, and Toronto-headquartered women’s creative network The Firecracker Department (led by Naomi Snieckus) are returning as TWL Canada program partners for 2026 with the support of DGC Ontario, after helping to launch the inaugural edition last year.

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