Four teams selected for the first NSI Series Incubator program

NSI Series Incubator
Rachel-Young

Rachel Young

Outreach and Engagement Lead

This week, four writer/producer teams embark on their first days of training through the inaugural NSI Series Incubator program run by the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI).

This part-time, eight-month online program combines workshops, mentorship and hands-on training to guide teams from underrepresented communities as they meaningfully develop their scripted series idea into a fully produced proof-of-concept short film (a stand-alone short film, a scene from the series or a promotional trailer).

Participants will work through each step of the production process, create a series bible, final pilot script and receive up to $28K to fund their proof-of-concept film.

The National Screen Institute is proud to introduce the four selected teams and their projects. Full bios can be found at the end of this announcement:

Read more about each participant.

“These talented creators are committed to the development of their unique stories,” says National Screen Institute program manager Jessica Gibson. “My hope is that through this program we connect them with amazing industry professionals and mentors who will help guide them as they create and realize their vision.”

NSI Series Incubator is divided into four phases, where writers and producers will receive training and mentorship based on their role and project. Writers attend a simulated writers room and draft a pilot script, while producers attend workshops, secure a director for the project, prepare for a pitch simulation and complete a hands-on internship at a leading Canadian production company.

Program faculty includes award-winning alumni Jeff Peeler (NSI Global Marketing) as program consultant, Karen Lam (NSI Drama PrizeNSI Totally Television) as director facilitator and Josh Epstein (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Features First, NSI Totally Television) as producer facilitator.

Linda Coffey (CBC, Telefilm) serves as writer facilitator and Morwyn Brebner (Coroner) as writers’ room facilitator.

This program is designed for creators from underrepresented communities including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S+), people with disabilities, those outside large urban centres (Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal), people from regional and remote areas and various religious groups.

• • •

NSI Series Incubator is funded by Program Partners Telefilm CanadaBell Media; Indigenous Training Programs Partner Directors Guild of Canada (DGC); Strategic Sponsor Entertainment One (eOne); Supporting Sponsor Super Channel; Provincial Partners Manitoba Film & MusicCreative BC through the Daryl Duke and William Vince Scholarship Fund; Industry Partner William F. White International; Industry Supporters Company 3Entertainment PartnersLine 21 Media ServicesiSplice Films. NSI Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council. NSI gratefully acknowledges the private donors whose gifts also support this program.

Share this

face book twitter

About the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI)

We partner 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, LGBTQ2S+, people with disabilities, and those in regional and remote areas – we help build a more sustainable industry and a workforce ready to meet evolving market demands.

Our students and alumni find their voices and places on the global stage, strengthening the creative economy and shaping a better world.

Media enquiries

abiola.agbayewa@nsi-canada.ca


The National Screen Institute is supported by: Core Funders: Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage, the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council; Benefactors: TELUS, Telefilm Canada, Canada Media Fund (CMF), Department for Women and Gender Equality (WAGE); Patrons: CBC, Paramount+, Creative Saskatchewan; Builders: APTN, TikTok Canada, Indigenous Screen Office (ISO), The Winnipeg Foundation; Strategic Sponsors: Manitoba Film & Music, Bell Media, RBC Emerging Artists, documentary Channel, CBC Gem, Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD), Alberta Film Commission, Creative BC, Manitoba Arts Council; Industry Partner: National Film Board of Canada; Friends: Ontario Creates, Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), Bell FundWilliam F. White International, Company 3.