FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From Our Dark Side Genre Concept Competition and Mentorship Announces Top Five Winners

Vancouver, BC, 29 February 2016 – Women In Film + Television Vancouver’s (WIFTV) #FromOurDarkSide genre writing competition and mentorship program is delighted to announce the winners of its second season.

The competition closed submissions on January 4th with over 150 entries from across the country. Once again, women writers sent a powerful message that there is a large, untapped talent pool in Canada and a desire for more female-driven genre stories on our screens.

"We are very happy to be a part of this innovative initiative," said Melissa Kajpust, Head of Creative Development for Super Channel. "We strongly support projects that advance the voices of women filmmakers in the industry and genre films are something we embrace on Super Channel, so this competition is a perfect fit."

"There is a tremendous wealth of creative talent being unleashed with this contest and we're honoured to be a part of it!", adds juror Michael Paszt, Managing Partner Raven Banner Entertainment.

Congratulations to the five winners and their stories (in alphabetical order):

Ana de Lara, Victoria, BC The Chosen One Elisabeth de Mariaffi, St. John's, NL Fly Girls Gada Jane, Kitchener, ON Video Star Jennifer Krukowski, Toronto, ON Right Hand Rule Ashley Lynch, Burnaby, BC Suicide Girl

The jury would like to recognize 10 runners-up with a Special Mention (in alphabetical order):

Victoria Angell, Vancouver, BC Monitors Becca Babcock, Williamswood, NS No Ghosts Here Gada Jane, Kitchener, ON Blood Serfs Stephanie Law, Toronto, ON Century Box Selena Lohan, Vancouver, BC Narcissist Patricia Mackay, Duncan, BC Medium at Large Francine Miranda, Milton, ON Maddy Wendy Ord, Winfield, BC The Dark Side Jill Taylor, Toronto, ON The Godmother Loretta Todd, Gibsons, BC The Ursavore

Under the direction of WIFTV Board Member and contest producer Sharon McGowan, winners were selected by a jury that included director/producer/actor Amanda Tapping (Sanctuary, Continuum), Producer Rupert Harvey (The Blob, A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child), producer Mary Ann Waterhouse (Primary, The Thaw), producer Carrie S. Mudd (Sanctuary), Managing Partner at Raven Banner Entertainment, Executive Producer Michael Paszt (WolfCop II, Borealis), and Super Channel Creative Development Executive Maureen Levitt.

The five winning projects receive a mentorship package designed to take their project to the next stage, a cash prize, travel to the Vancouver International Women in Film Festival and full accreditation to the Frontières International Co-Production Market in Montreal, which focuses on genre film.

The contest was developed by Women in Film & Television Vancouver’s Advocacy Committee, chaired by Sharon McGowan, and is supported by Super Channel, Telefilm Canada and Creative BC. Partners include Raven Banner and the Frontières International Co-Production Market.

Contest steering committee members are broadcast executive, Maureen Levitt and acclaimed genre filmmakers Karen Lam, Rachel Talalay, Rupert Harvey and Amanda Tapping.

The initiative was created to help increase the number of women in leadership roles in the film and television industry. It is part of a worldwide movement to address the gender imbalance both on screen and behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.

The five winners will be present to receive their awards on Sunday March 13, 2016 at 7 PM during the Vancouver International Women in Film Festival’s Closing Night Event (#VIWIFF2016).

—30— For more information, please contact: WIFTV Communications Coordinator: Katja De Bock [email protected] - 604.685.1152