Village Gamer

Bell Media has announced that applications are now being accepted for this year’s Bell Media National Fellowship Program. Selected recipients will receive full registration for the 2014 Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) and round-trip air transportation to attend the event, which runs June 8 – 11, 2014 in Banff, Alta. Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 21 at 5 p.m. ET.

“We are extremely pleased to once again offer creative talent the opportunity to attend BANFF and share their projects with key industry executives,” said Corrie Coe, Senior Vice-President, Independent Production. “The best and brightest come to this internationally recognized festival to share their innovative ideas for television programming, and these Fellowships give those just starting their careers the chance to get there.”

Part of the $1.8 million Bell Media TV Skills Development Initiative, the Bell Media National Fellowship program allows up-and-coming producers, writers, and directors to benefit from the programming, mentorship, and pitching opportunities available at BANFF. In addition to registration and travel, the Fellowship covers admission to all seminars, workshops, feature interviews, and screenings as well as all official social events, including a Bell Media sponsored event to introduce the Fellows to the BANFF community. Additionally, one notable program graduate is honoured each year with the Bell Media National Fellowship Award of Distinction. Selected candidates must bring a suitable-for-broadcast project to BANFF with specific goals in mind. All projects must be Canadian and can cover a number of genres including drama, documentary, children’s, comedy/entertainment, lifestyle, or reality.

Previous Fellows include:

• Craig David Wallace – co-creator and showrunner of the critically-acclaimed series Todd & The Book Of Pure Evil (Space, Comedy, Much) and winner of the inaugural Bell Media National Fellowship Award of Distinction in 2013
• Dane Clark – screenwriter of the Praxis prize-winning feature film Old Stock
• Jessie Gabe – head writer on Mr. D (CBC)
• Jennifer Hollett – award-winning broadcast journalist
• Will Pascoe – co-producer and writer on Orphan Black (Space)

Please see the Program web site for full information and application.