Corus Entertainment launches 2019 Corus Writer's Apprentice Program in conjunction with the Banff World Media Festival

Open call for submissions to take place from February 4 to March 8, 2019

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TORONTO, Feb. 4, 2019 /CNW/ - Today, the Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) and Corus Entertainment announced that submissions are being accepted for the 2019 Corus Writer's Apprentice Program. Attracting experienced writers from across Canada each year, this program offers instructive training and insights into the demands of writing successful television programs. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by Friday, March 8, 2019.

Selected candidates will be invited to attend BANFF on a full-access pass and benefit from the extensive networking, pitching, and business-building opportunities. They will also have the chance to meet with showrunners, agents, producers and funders from leading broadcasters from North America and around the world. Moreover, the participants of the Corus Writer's Apprentice Program will be placed in a two-week internship in the writer's room of a current Canadian comedy or drama series.

"From the outset, our goal with the Corus Writer's Apprentice Program has been to identify and support a pipeline of experienced and up-and-coming writers in all genres, from kids to drama, in Canada," said Lisa Godfrey, Vice President, Original Programming. "We're certainly seeing new diverse voices in the writer's rooms, including more women, on a number of our Canadian series which is great for the industry and for the future of storytelling."

"The Corus Writer's Apprentice Program is an incredible opportunity to build meaningful relationships with writers and producers all over the world," said Laura Good, Writer, and 2018 Program recipient. "During my week at the Banff World Media Festival, the networking resulted in my being staffed on a prime time drama just a few weeks later. I then joined the writer's room on Nurses for my two-week Corus internship, which quickly turned into a staff position for the remainder of the season. I can't recommend the Corus Writers Apprentice Program highly enough."

Past Corus Writer's Apprentice Program recipients have included Tara Armstrong (creator and writer, Mary Kills People), Danielle Shamash & Robyn Matlin (writers, Seed), Gemma Holdway (story editor, Cardinal) and Marsha Greene (story editor and writer, Private Eyes, Mary Kills People and Ten Days in the Valley).

For more information about the Corus Writer's Apprentice Program, please click here.

Social Media Links:
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About Corus Entertainment Inc.
Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) is a leading media and content company that creates and delivers high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world. The company's portfolio of multimedia offerings encompasses 44 specialty television services, 39 radio stations, 15 conventional television stations, a global content business, digital assets, live events, children's book publishing, animation software, technology and media services. Corus' roster of premium brands includes Global Television, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Canada, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY®, Showcase, National Geographic Channel, Q107, CKNW, Fresh Radio, Disney Channel Canada, YTV and Nickelodeon Canada. Visit Corus at www.corusent.com.

About the Banff World Media Festival
The Banff World Media Festival is the world's largest and most important gathering of entertainment industry and digital media executives dedicated to media content production, broadcast and distribution within TV and digital media. BANFF provides a platform for the evolving media industry to develop its creative and business objectives – it serves as the leading destination for co-production and co-venture partners and is an unparalleled marketplace for over 2,000 international decision-makers to connect with new partners, learn from industry leaders and execute new business deals. The 40^th annual Banff World Media Festival will take place June 9-12, 2019 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Canada.

SOURCE Corus Entertainment Inc.

Magda Krpan, Senior Manager, Sponsorship & Events, Corus Entertainment, 416.479.6054, [email protected]; Jenn Kuzmyk, The Banff World Media Festival, 416.408.2300, [email protected]