Corus Entertainment And The Banff World Media Festival Announce The 2019 Recipients Of The Corus Writer’s Apprentice Program

CORUS ENTERTAINMENT AND THE BANFF WORLD MEDIA FESTIVAL ANNOUNCE THE 2019 RECIPIENTS OF THE
CORUS WRITER’S APPRENTICE PROGRAM

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For Immediate Release

TORONTO, April 24, 2019 – Corus and the Banff World Media Festival are pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s Corus Writer’s Apprentice Program. Attracting experienced writers from across Canada each year, the 2019 recipients are invited to BANFF on a full-access pass to benefit from the extensive networking during the Festival, as well as participate in a two-week internship opportunity in the writer’s room of a current Canadian series.

“The selection process each year becomes more and more challenging as we are seeing incredible talent apply for the Corus Writer’s Apprentice Program,” said Lisa Godfrey, Vice President, Original Content, Corus Entertainment. “Nurturing the creative pipeline with fresh and diverse voices is not only vital for an industry anchored in storytelling, but also ensures that narratives are authentic. Congratulations to the 2019 Corus Writer’s Apprentice Program recipients!”

The 2019 Corus Writer’s Apprentice Program recipients are:

THOMAS CONWAY
Since graduating from Ryerson University’s School of Radio & Television Arts in 2007, Thomas has worked with comedy legends such as Ron James, Dave Foley, and Eugene Levy. His work on CBC’s Schitt’s Creek landed him a gig as story coordinator on CTV’s Spun Out, and eventually showrunner’s  assistant on the ABC Studios drama series, Covington. Most recently, Thomas worked as story editor on Endlings, wrote a freelance script on the award-winning Odd Squad, and created an original pilot currently in development at Sinking Ship Entertainment.

JORDAN HALL
Jordan is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter whose work focuses on climate change, the exploration genre, and the development of the full-realized female protagonist. Her work has been dubbed “stellar, insightful” by Plank Magazine, “thoughtful” by CBC Radio, and “vivid, memorable” by NOW. Credits include co-creator and lead writer on Carmilla: The Series, and consulting producer and screenwriter on Carmilla: The Movie.

JENNIFER IRONS
As the founder of ME Studios, Jennifer has produced several projects, and her first feature film screenplay, Intolerance (directed and produced by Sergio Guerrero) is currently in post-production. Jennifer is a member of Women in Film & Television Toronto, winner of the 2018 Toronto Screenwriting Conference Breakthrough Artists Award, and recipient of the 2018 Meridian Artists Agency Mentorship

 KIM MORRISON
Kim has worked in writers’ rooms spanning virtually every genre, from dark serialized drama to half-hour comedy; gravitating towards lighter ensemble drama on her own projects. Kim brings incredible experience with her, and has worked in writers’ rooms for Rogue, Mary Kills People, and Private Eyes. Kim is also the recipient of the 2018 Telefilm New Voices Award.

HEATHER TAYLOR
Heather is a writer, director and co-founder of the creative studio, Cereal Made. Her career highlights include co-writing her first feature film, The Last Thakur, which premiered at the London International Film Festival; her sci-fi web series, Raptured, which had over a million views; and Stitched, her award-winning horror short. Heather is currently working on her second feature film, ROT, and her latest horror short, Pay to Stay, will play festivals in 2019/20.

The Banff World Media Festival takes place from June 9 to 12, 2019 in Banff, Alberta.

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About Corus Entertainment
Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) is a leading media and content company that develops and delivers high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world. The company’s portfolio of multimedia offerings encompass 37 specialty television services, 39 radio stations, 15 conventional television stations, a suite of digital assets, animation software, technology and media services. Corus is also an established creator of globally distributed content through Nelvana animation studio, Corus Studios, and children’s book publishing house Kids Can Press. The company also owns innovative full-service social digital agency so.da, and lifestyle entertainment company Kin Canada. Corus’ roster of premium brands includes Global Television, W Network, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY®, Showcase, National Geographic, Disney Channel Canada, YTV and Nickelodeon Canada, Global News, Globalnews.ca, Q107, Country 105, and CFOX. Visit Corus at www.corusent.com.

About the Banff World Media Festival
The Banff World Media Festival is one of the world’s largest and most important conferences serving the entertainment industry, dedicated to global content development, production, broadcast and distribution. BANFF provides a platform for the evolving media industry to develop its creative and business objectives. BANFF serves as the leading annual destination for co-production and co-venture partners and is an unparalleled marketplace for over 1,500 international decision-makers to connect and forge new business deals. BANFF’s Rockie Awards International Program Competition is one of the largest awards programs of its kind with participation from more than 40 countries and 150 senior industry jurors from around the world. The festival’s renowned Rockies Gala Awards honour some of the most influential creators and executives in the industry in a star-studded evening of entertainment and celebration.

For more information, please contact:

Magda Krpan, Events & Sponsorship Lead
Corus Entertainment
416.479.6054
magda.krpan@corusent.com

Brian Boudreau
The Banff World Media Festival
416.408.2300, x284
Bboudreau@brunico.com