Women In the Director’s Chair Flagship Story & Leadership Program
Selects Eight Directors

Celebrating 29 Years of Empowering Women and Gender Diverse Filmmakers

Vancouver, BC (November 11, 2025) – Women In the Director’s Chair(WIDC) is proud to announce the eight directors selected for the 2025–2026 edition of its flagship Story & Leadership program, a career-advancing, multi-phased development initiative that runs from November 14, 2025, through April 2026.

The program which has received major support from Telefilm Canada since its inception, is delivered as a hybrid: online, including modules on working with ACTRA actors and IATSE DOP’s, as well as story and career development consultations, and an in-person industry immersion at the Whistler Film Festival (December 3–7), which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

The 2025–2026 WIDC Story & Leadership cohort represents a vibrant mix of creative voices from across Canada:

Amy Trefry (Vancouver, BC) – queer, non-binary filmmaker and co-founder of Interwoven Films, known for Good Grief (OUTtv) and the feature Vermilion. At WIDC they are developing  Operation Falcon, an unexpected, farcical espionage series, disguised as a wildlife heist, based on true events.

Cjay Boisclair(Kamloops, BC) – award-winning filmmaker and founder of Askem Productions and the YKA Film Society, recognized for her heartfelt storytelling that explores resilience, hope, and the human condition. A WIDC and Banff Spark alumna, she is developing the coming of age feature Mary, inspired by her lived experience of youth homelessness.

Clare Mullen (Edmonton, AB) – veteran filmmaker and playwright with a 30-year career in film and theatre, recognized for Waiting on Love and Cold War Remnant. She is developing the feature film drama, Next Sunday.

Diana Dai (Toronto, ON) – Gemini Award–winning filmmaker whose acclaimed films have screened internationally, including on CBC, TVO, and the documentary Channel. At WIDC she is developing her dramatic feature, Dear Niece.

Giulia Frati (Tiohtià:ke/Montreal, QC) – award-winning writer/director known for Istanbul Echoes and Pupa’s Garden, whose work explores resilience and social justice. She is developing the dark comedy feature film Up and Comers.

Jonelle Belcourt (Calgary, AB) – Cree storyteller and filmmaker focused on authentic Indigenous narratives, including My Roommate Makayla and Good Daze which she is developing into a feature length comedy.

Michelle Mason (North Vancouver, BC) – documentary filmmaker and co-founder of Capilano University’s Documentary Program, known for The Friendship Village and Breaking Ranks. She is developing the feature drama The Water’s Edge.

Vanessa Matsui (Toronto, ON) – is a CSA-winning producer, she is also an actor, writer and director, known for her critically acclaimed web series Ghost BFF. At WIDC she is developing the romantic dystopian-comedy feature, Space, written by Liane Balaban.

This year’s participants will receive mentorship and advanced leadership training from an acclaimed roster of WIDC mentors and instructors, including:

Dr. Carol Whiteman, WIDC co-creator and lead mentor; Dr. Dorothy Cucw-la7 Christian and Dr. Rita Shelton Deverell C.M., Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Work; Kim Albright, DGC director (With Love and a Major Organ) and Nimisha Mukerji, DGC/DGA director (Under the Bridge, Tracker), directors toolkit; Nathalie Younglai, writer/showrunner (Coroner, The Spencer Sisters), story consultant; Jungian expert Dr. Carolyn Mamchur, story and leadership development; Lori Triolo (Lost Solace) and Veena Sood (Children Ruin Everything), working with actors and leadership development;  Amy Belling csc (Beyond Black Beauty) and Gayle Ye (Paying For It), working with the cinematographer, and Annelise Larson, digital marketing mentor.

“Every year, WIDC evolves to meet the changing needs of Canadian women and gender-diverse creators, while holding true to our mission – to champion authentic voices and build creative leadership in the screen industry,” says Dr. Carol Whiteman, WIDC Co-Creator and Producer. “This year’s cohort is exceptional, and we’re thrilled to help propel their journey through this next chapter in their careers.”

“We are proud to support the incredible work WIDC does to elevate representation and create leadership opportunities for women and non-binary people behind the camera in B.C.’s film industry,” says Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC. “Storytelling is vital to shaping our cultural landscape, and it is essential that the stories we tell reflect the authentic experiences and perspectives of all people in our province.”

ABOUT WOMEN IN THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR (WIDC)
Now in its 29th year, Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) is a national professional development program that has fostered the careers of over 390 women and gender-diverse screen directors whose work has been seen worldwide. Supported by major partners including Telefilm Canada, Creative BC, ACTRA, AFBS, UBCP/ACTRA, IPF, and the Directors Guild of Canada. WIDC is dedicated to creating equitable opportunities in the media arts sector through mentorship, training, and production support. www.widc.ca

WIDC acknowledges that its programs originate from the traditional and unceded lands of the Coast Salish peoples.