The National Screen Institute is now accepting applications for the Manitoba Directors Lab, delivered in partnership with On Screen Manitoba. This five-day, full-time, in-person training program will take place in Winnipeg and supports up to six emerging to mid-level directors living in Manitoba.
Designed as an intensive hands-on lab, the program strengthens participants’ on-set directing skills while supporting professional growth in scripted film production.
“Developing skilled directors is key to sustaining a strong media production industry in Manitoba,” says Lindsay Hamel Somers, executive director of On Screen Manitoba. “Through this collaboration with the National Screen Institute, we’re committed to equipping Manitoba directors with the tools and experiences they need to thrive and shape the future of our local industry.”
Under the guidance of award-winning director Karen Lam, the lab combines workshops, case studies and practical exercises focused on scene breakdown, working with an editor, shot listing, blocking and interviewing for directing jobs. Participants will work with local expert department heads to explore the director’s relationship with key departments including casting, visual effects, cinematography and stunts.
Applications are strongly encouraged from Manitoba-based directors who also identify as one or more of the following: Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, women, 2SLGBTQ+, people with disabilities and / or members of religious minority communities.
Learn more and apply by February 11, 2026 at 5 p.m. CT.
For application support, contact Ursula Lawson at
“If you’re a director in Manitoba looking to deepen your on-set skills and build confidence in the role, this lab was created for you,” says National Screen Institute senior programs manager Ursula Lawson. “We want to meet directors where they are and support where they want to go by offering time, mentorship and practical tools they can take directly onto set.”
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Currently live in Manitoba and be aged 18 or older
- Have at least one directing credit
- Not participate in another training program that would conflict with full participation in the lab
Limited travel and accommodation support may be available for participants living outside Winnipeg. The program will run from March 23 to 27, 2026 and is led by director advisor Karen Lam and co-managers Ursula Lawson and Jessica Gibson.
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Manitoba Directors Lab is funded by Presenting Partner On Screen Manitoba. Program Partner is Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada. National Screen Institute Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council and Rogers. More sponsors to be added as confirmed.
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About On Screen Manitoba
On Screen Manitoba (OSM) is a non-profit, membership-based industry association representing Manitoba’s media production sector.
About the National Screen Institute
The National Screen Institute partners with a visionary network of donors, businesses, and private and public organizations to provide industry-informed training in screen-based media, equipping creators across Canada with the skills to tell unforgettable stories.
By prioritizing storytellers from equity-deserving communities – including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC), women, 2SLGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and those in regional and remote areas – the institute helps build a more sustainable industry and a workforce ready to meet evolving market demands.
Students and alumni find their voices and places on the global stage, strengthening the creative economy and shaping a better world.
Further enquiries
Program enquiries: Ursula Lawson, ur***********@********da.ca
Media enquiries: Abiola Agbayewa, ab*************@********da.ca
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