Feature Film Writing Program for Indigenous Women

Tricksters and Writers was launched in August of 2017. The purpose of the program is to increase the participation of Indigenous women in key creative positions within the film industry and screen-based media arts community. 

The program is delivered over three phases. Phase one offers a variety of master classes as well as informal script reading sessions. Phase two matches screen-writers with professional Indigenous story editors for consultations. Phase three offers script development through table read workshops with professional actors.  

The program is offered in Vancouver, the Thompson Nicola region and the North Island. We look forward to offering the program in Prince George in the fall of 2020. 

Across the three regions, thirty-seven women are program participants. 16 writers have been matched with professional story editors and 10 scripts have been workshopped with actors.

Program participants include: Petie Chalifoux, Jessie Anthony, Sarah Kelley, Robyn Weaselbear, Wanda John, Dorothy Christian, Marcy Waughtal, Courtenay Crane, Nikita Day, Sarah Stupar, Brenda Prince, Joy Haskell, Jenifer Brousseau, Mariel Belanger, Lindsay McIntyre, Jules Koostachin, Terreane Derrick, Kelly Roulette,Shaelyn Johnston, Angela Cooper, Elise Raye, Priscilla Omulo, Michele Mundy, Andrea Andrew, Carmen Thompson, Wendy Geddes, Leah Flagg, CJ Rice, Esther Winder, Melisa Fraser, Dawn Tonks, Wendy Landry, Yvonne Dixon, Debbra Butler, Michelle Ikwumonu, Jody Royce, Jennifer Narcisse.

Excerpts from scripts were read at the Vancouver International Women in Film Festival in 2019 and 2020.

Recent press: 

The Tricksters and Writers Team:
(Full Bios here)

Program Development / Instructor (all programs)/ Advisor
Doreen Manuel is a respected Secwepemc/Ktunaxa First Nations filmmaker, as well as the Director of the Nat and Flora Bosa Centre for Film & Animation. 

Program Development/ Advisor
Peggy Thompson is a proven screenwriter and producer best known for the award-winning feature films “The Lotus Eaters” and “Better than Chocolate”. 

Program Director
Carolyn Combs is the Executive Director of WIFTV. As well as a filmmaker, she holds Masters of Education with a Specialization in Curriculum Studies. 

Instructor (Thompson Nicola, North Island)
Petie Chalifoux is a Cree filmmaker from Northern Alberta. 

Outreach Coordinator ( Phase One - Thompson Nicola, North Island, Vancouver II)
Jessie Anthony is a Haudenosaunee woman from the Onondaga Nation and a member of Beaver Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Ontario. 

Story Editors: David Geary, Eva Thomas, Gary Robinson, Jordan Wheeler, Penny Gumerson, Thiemme Gagnon, Zoe Hopkins, Jackson Crick

We are grateful fo the ongoing support of:

As well as for support from:

Thompson River University