As the television industry evolves, screenwriters are looking for ways to build sustainable careers, while production companies are seeking expertise in television movies. Developing talent in this format helps to strengthen the Canadian screen sector and create new work opportunities for writers.
The Writing Television Movies pilot program will support six screenwriters through training, networking, and development of an original television movie concept. For the 2026/2027 pilot program, application eligibility is exclusive to alumni of the PSP’s Scripted Series Lab and Indigenous Screenwriters Lab who are currently BC residents.
Through this program, participants will build industry connections, develop specialized skills, and complete a sample television movie script, developed with the support of a television executive.
Program
Dates
November 2026
to May 2027
Tuition
Fee
$1,000
funded by bursaries
Application Window
25 Aug. 2026 to
7 Sept. 2026 5pm PT
The program is designed to be undertaken part-time, in addition to other work or projects. As this is a pilot program, the PSP reserves the right to make adjustments to the program as required.
The program has four phases:
- Industry presentations
- Technical skills development
- Script development
- Producer networking
Phase One
Industry Presentations
November 2026
Participants will be introduced to broadcasters actively working in the television movie space. Broadcaster representatives will present sessions centred on their programming, providing valuable context on genres, budgets, commissioning, and the development process.
Phase Two
Technical Skills Development
November 2026
Participants will develop the practical skills needed to write a successful television movie script. Workshops will focus on technical skills like structure, formatting, audience, and budget and production considerations, all facilitated by industry experts.
Phase Three
Script Development
December 2026 to April 2027
Each participant will be paired with a television executive to develop their original concept, moving their idea from concept to a completed first draft.
Phase Four
Producer Networking
May 2027
With their sample script completed, participants will be introduced to a number of representatives of production companies working in television movies.
The vast majority of television movies produced in Canada are for broadcast on Hallmark, Lifetime (USA) and Tubi, so this program will focus on and develop projects aimed at those networks. Relevant sub-genres may include romance, comedy-romance, holiday romance, domestic thriller, and cozy mystery.
For the 2026/2027 pilot program, applications are open only to PSP Scripted Series Lab and Indigenous Screenwriters Lab program alumni who are also BC residents.
Alumni who are working in the Television Movie format, who either have credits in the genre or are working with producers already, are not eligible to apply.
Eligibility may change in future iterations of the Writing Television Movies program.
The $1,000 tuition per participant will be fully funded via bursaries from the PSP’s BC Film Foundation Fund.
The Fund recognizes the legacy of BC industry pioneers Daryl Duke and William Vince. The BC Film Foundation is administered by Creative BC.
The Process
A team of industry professionals and PSP staff will conduct application assessment and create a short list of candidates. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed virtually in early to mid-October.
Successful applicants should demonstrate an interest in television movies and a genuine enthusiasm to engage with the format.
Ideal candidates are open to feedback, willing to learn, eager to collaborate and master the craft.
Applicants with experience in similar genres or formats are encouraged to highlight this experience on their application, although this experience is not required.
Your Application
The following documents will form your application. Please save each document as a separate PDF file with your name in the title (eg. “First+Last Name Resume.pdf”)
- A letter of intent, 500 words max. including:
• A demonstration of interest
• An understanding of the format
• How you will leverage the Writing for Television Movies program
• How this format will fit with your other writing work - Two (2) television movie concepts one page each, including:
• A short synopsis of each concept
• An identification of subgenre (eg. romance, holiday, thriller)
• An identification of appropriate network(s), and how your concept fits with their current programming - Your résumé, including
• Writing credits
• Relevant training
• Relevant work experience
As part of the application, you will be prompted to confirm your acceptance of our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
Some answers to potential questions. Do you have an additional question? Feel free to reach out to us as well.
▸ Why is this program only open to certain PSP alumni?
As 2026/2027 is the pilot year of this program, we are intentionally working within a smaller scope to allow for us to adjust to ongoing learnings. This program builds directly on the foundations of PSP’s Scripted Series Lab and Indigenous Screenwriters Lab, making alumni of those two programs well-positioned for this type of development. We are also excited to reinvest in our alumni community through this opportunity. In future iterations, we reserve the right to expand eligibility criteria.
▸ How many spots are available in this program?
This pilot program will support six participants.
▸ How do you define 'BC resident'?
You must have been a resident of BC for at least 200 of the 365 days immediately preceding the date of application and you must have filed income tax in the province of British Columbia within the past fiscal year.
▸ I have a concept that I want to co-write with someone, can we apply together?
We are not accepting teams to the program. Please apply individually.
▸ Why does the program take place over such a long timeframe?
The length of this program will allow participants to learn the fundamentals of writing for the format, develop a better understanding of what production companies and broadcasters are looking for and how to work with them, and sufficient time for each participant to develop their own television movie script. Spreading the program over multiple months also means that participants can balance this opportunity alongside other professional and personal commitments, rather than requiring a full-time obligation. Having said that, if a participant wants to write their project at a faster pace, and the development executive they are paired with is amenable, the writing phase of the program could be completed more quickly.
▸ What is the time commitment of this program?
The writing component of this program is largely self-directed. For workshops, presentations and other group programming, we will make best efforts to schedule events on evenings and weekends. We aim to have the dates and times confirmed in advance of finalizing the cohort participants, so you will know what the obligations are when you are offered a place.
▸ During the program, will the script I am developing be one of the concepts that I submit in my application?
Possibly, but not necessarily. During the first two phases of the program, participants will learn more about the buyer landscape, the market, and the practical/technical aspects of the television movie genre. In their first meeting with their assigned development executives, participants will discuss ideas for the project that they will develop in the program in this new context. With their learnings, participants may need to make significant changes to their project ideas, or they may need to come up with a new idea altogether.
This program is best suited to writers who are excited to respond to input and adapt to market forces and needs. Applicants should be prepared for the possibility that they may end up writing a completely different project after they learn more about the genre.
▸ Which sub-genres can my two application concepts be?
Applicants are encouraged to research the current programming on Hallmark, Lifetime (USA) and Tubi platforms and understand the genres currently being commissioned and the projects being produced in Canada. This program will focus on and develop projects aimed at those networks. Relevant sub-genres may include romance, comedy-romance, holiday romance, domestic thriller, and cozy mystery.
▸ Does the program only accept writers who want to dedicate themselves solely to television movies?
There are no expectations that participants will solely pursue writing television movies. However, this program is designed for writers who are actively interested in this format as a professional development opportunity. By building expertise in multiple formats, writers will be able to pursue a wider range of career opportunities within the industry.
▸ At the end of the program, who owns the sample script I have written?
The program participant (the writer) will be the sole owner of the sample script.
▸ What is the cost of this program?
There is no cost to apply. Tuition will be covered with the support of generous bursaries from the BC Film Foundation fund.
▸ What is the application deadline?
Applications are due by 5:00pm PT on Monday September 7, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.
▸ How do I apply?
Eligible applicants will be contacted directly by PSP staff and be sent a link to the application form.
▸ When will successful applicants be notified?
We aim to notify successful applicants by late October.
Sponsors
Development Partners
Champlain Média
Front Street Pictures
Lighthouse Pictures
Reckless Pictures