Following its launch in August, the Pacific Screenwriting Program (PSP) has selected six up-and-coming B.C.-based writers for its flagship training initiative, the Scripted Series Lab.

Supported by Netflix, the WGC, Creative BC and the CMPA’s B.C. branch, the not-for-profit organization’s inaugural recipients include Playback 2018 5 to Watch alum Petie Chalifoux, Shawn Tolleson, Todd Ireland, Michael Orlando, Kat Sieniuc and Corey Liu.

Starting this January, the screenwriters will take part in a series of workshops, events and mentorship opportunities over the course of 14 weeks. They will focus on honing their craft, gaining a better understanding of the global TV business and strengthening their collaboration, presentation and pitching skills.

B.C.-based showrunner Sarah Dodd (left), who currently serves as a exec producer on Cardinal, will lead the PSP’s first Scripted Series Lab. Dodd’s credits also include showrunning and exec producing Zixx: Level Three (Cartoon Network/YTV) and serving as head writer and a producer on The Saddle Club (ABC/YTV).

The PSP, which aims to offer B.C.-based screenwriter’s career advancement opportunities, is one of the funding initiatives Netflix has created as part of its $25-million development fund. Other programs backed by the development fund include the Banff World Media Festival’s Diversity of Voices (DOV) initiative, the Netflix-CFC Global Project partnership, the Hot Docs Canadian Storytellers Project, a development program with the National School of Humour and a production apprenticeship with L’institut national de l’image et du son.

B.C. often hosts Netflix productions, with projects like Nomadic Pictures’ werewolf drama The Order and Halfire Entertainment’s sci-fi series Another Life shooting in Vancouver.