"The Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) Workshop has earned an international reputation for propelling participants’ skills, stories and careers to the next level of excellence," says Carol Whiteman, producer of WIDC, and President and CEO of the Creative Women Workshops. "This is the only program of its kind in the world."

Acclaimed Canadian writer/director Patricia Rozema (I've Heard the Mermaids Singing, Mansfield Park) is the 2003 Mentor Director. This year’s senior faculty include Gemini Award-winning director of photography, Roger Vernon (Trio), Genie Award-winning filmmaker, Peg Campbell (In Search of the Last Good Man) and acclaimed actress Christianne Hirt (Lonesome Dove, The Series, Heart of the Sun).

The 18-day workshop takes the director participants through all the components of a professional dramatic media production with professional actors and crews, from blocking and shooting scenes to editing. Participants take risks, develop their own styles and test original material in a safe, educational environment.

"We have a stellar group of directors this year," says Rozema. "They will be given a wealth of opportunity and information. If at least one of these women doesn’t go on to conquer the world, I'll eat my hat."

"Creative Women Workshops is particularly grateful to The Banff Centre and ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) for their ongoing partnership," said Whiteman. "We also want to thank the Canada Council for the Arts for its sponsorship of the pilot session of a new Story Incubation Module (SIM)." In December 2002, 12 women, including this year’s WIDC participants, attended the WIDC SIM weekend course in character and story development.

"The Women In the Director's Chair Workshop is an exceptional program that continues to advance Canadian women into leadership positions in film, television, video and new media productions," says Joanne Morrow, Senior Vice President Programming at The Banff Centre.

"ACTRA couldn't be more proud of the growth and accomplishments of The Women In the Director's Chair Workshop alumnae. The program sets a positive example and high standard in the industry that speaks volumes about the quality of Canadian talent," says Thor Bishopric, ACTRA’s National President.

Alumnae success stories include 2003 Genie nominee Stephanie Morgenstern (Remembrance); Veronica Tennant, a Canada’s Walk of Fame inductee and Emmy-award winner (Karen Kain: Dancing in the Light); 2002 Gemini winner Gerry Rogers (My Left Breast); Mieko Ouchi (Minor Keys –The Nature of Things); Sharon Cavanagh (Chet Baker – Internet drama); and Alison Reid (action TV series in development) among others.

Scholarships for director participants are provided by a variety of individuals and organizations including: Alberta Heritage, British Columbia Film, Directors Guild of Canada, National Film Board of Canada, Union of B.C. Performers, and the most recent addition to the WIDC family, Wallace Studios in Toronto.

Major financial support provided by: Telefilm Canada, CTV Inc., through the BCE/CTV Benefits, William F. White Ltd., and the Director's Guild of Canada Alberta District Council. With the participation of: Actra Fraternal Benefit Society, ACTRA Calgary, ACTRA Maritimes, ACTRA Montreal, Banff Television Foundation, Cine Audio Visual, Directors Guild of Canada BC District Council, IATSE 212, IATSE 669, Independent Production Fund, McMillan Binch, SASKFilm, SIMPIA, University of Calgary, University of Regina, A-Channel, Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. and WIDC co-creators Women In Film and Video Vancouver.

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