The Gender Equity in Media Society (GEMS) Vancouver has announced the participants for the 2024 Emerging TV Producers Program (ETVP).

The goal of the program is to assist B.C.-based women and gender-diverse creators by providing them with the skills, strategies and mentorship required to have successful careers in the Canadian TV industry. The program’s director Omorose Osagie will oversee this year’s participants.

The selected participants and their projects for this year’s ETVP include: Steph Song (Strawberry); Anya Kapustianyk (Tides Out); Gabrielle Rutman (Toxic); Jess Havisto (On Call); Mimi Dejene (Uncharted); and Eloise Cameron-Smith (Mystery, Unsolved).

Rounding out the selections are: Johanne Michel (The Good Life); Sarah Alma Angelle (Queen of Trash); and Elora Braden (Ricky Diamonds: Ricky In The Rough).

The ETVP cohort was selected by a jury of producers including Alexis McLaren, Shayna Fine and Jessie Anthony (Brother, I Cry).

The first phase of the program begins on Sept. 16 and runs until Sept. 20. In this phase, participants will attend a workshop headed by lead instructor Deborah Osborne. The cohort will gain practical experience in identifying industry opportunities, navigating funding applications, crafting compelling pitches, budgeting and building valuable industry connections.

The second phase takes place from October to December. Each participant will receive support to package their projects for development funding and entry into industry markets.

Throughout the program, the cohort will hear from a variety of guest speakers, including Nelu Handa (Run The Burbs), Jennifer Podemski (Little Bird) and Alexandra Raffé (Kim’s Convenience), among others.

ETVP was originally launched in 2022 under GEMS’ previous title, Women in Film and Television Vancouver (WIFTV). This year’s program is presented and funded by the Canada Media Fund (CMF) and Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada.

Image courtesy of GEMS; pictured (L-R): (Top) Elora Braden, Steph Song, Mimi Dejene, Sarah Alma Angelle, Eloise Cameron-Smith (Bottom) Gabrielle Rutman, Anya Kapustianyk, Johanne Michel and Jess Havisto