The TIFF–CBC Films Screenwriter Award supports Canada’s emerging screenwriting talent through funding the development of great Canadian screenplays. The Award provides $15,000 to a Canadian writer for their outstanding feature-film screenplay and special mentorship opportunities.
The Award is open to all Canadian screenwriters from equity-deserving communities. Applicants must also have a writer or director credit on a short or feature film shown at one of this Award’s recognized festivals.
We’re committed to funding the development of high-quality productions that reflect, represent, and reframe diverse perspectives through character-driven stories at the centre of the Canadian experience.
The winner of the 2024 Award was Ariel Nasr, for his screenplay Daudistan.
Previous winners:
Submissions must be original works in English, written solely by the applicant. Adaptations of books, plays, or magazine articles are eligible, provided the applicant has secured the necessary legal rights. There is a limit of one submission per applicant.
In order to be considered for the Award, the writer must apply through our online portal by 11:59pm EST on February 13, 2025. Applications submitted outside this portal will not be accepted.
The applicant must submit the following materials:
Applicants should carefully read the Terms and Conditions found on the application form below.
CBC Films supports feature films that reflect, represent, and reframe a range of perspectives at the centre of the Canadian experience. Committed to creative excellence, cultural relevance, and talent development, CBC Films prioritizes storytelling that amplifies equity-deserving communities, along with a parallel commitment to gender parity. CBC Films encompasses CBC’s continued investment in Canadian features, filmmakers and film industry, including the TIFF–CBC Films Screenwriter Award, now in its seventh year of supporting the country’s dynamic screenwriting talent. With a robust library of over 200 Canadian films available to stream on CBC Gem, CBC strives to create an unparalleled destination for Canadians to discover homegrown film.