2001: A Fill-This-Space Odyssey Announced New Competition for Emerging BC Screenwriters

Emerging British Columbia screenwriters will have a chance to jumpstart their writing careers with "2001: A Fill-This-Space Odyssey", a new competition from BC Film + Media and CBC Television British Columbia. Successful participants will have their short film scripts produced and broadcast on CBC Television.

Rae Hull, Regional Director of Television for CBC British Columbia, and Rob Egan, President and CEO of BC Film + Media, announced their joint support of BC screenwriters today to a crowd of industry delegates at the Vancouver International Film Festival's Trade Forum.

"2001: A Fill-This-Space Odyssey" will be launched early next year. Eligible writers will be given one month to write an eight-minute short film script on a specific theme. From these submissions, ten writers will be chosen to have their scripts workshopped under the guidance of industry mentors. Three scripts will then proceed to production, receiving a combination of cash and facilities from CBC and BC Film + Media. The completed short films will air together on CBC Television's late-night Innovation Zone and website.

"This is a new industry partnership that offers tangible, hands-on professional development opportunities for our screenwriters," said Rob Egan. Rae Hull added, "Fresh talent needs windows of opportunity - the selected writers will receive a network credit for their portfolio and a showcase in which their work can be seen by audiences across the country."

Detailed guidelines on eligibility criteria and deadlines will be released later this year.

For further information contact:

Anita Wong
CBC Television
(604) 662-6332