Every great feature film begins with a well-written and dynamic screenplay. The RBC Script Development Program offers a unique opportunity for Atlantic Canadian writers to develop their feature film ideas from outline into a treatment and finally into a first draft. They will participate in three intensive screenwriting workshops led by local filmmaker Bretten Hannam whose film WILDHOOD was the Opening Night Gala for #AIFF21…and now, introducing our five writers for 2022!
John R. Sylliboy
Project: KINAP: A MI'KMAW WARRIOR
John R. is L’nu from the Millbrook Mi’kmaw Community in Nova Scotia. John works in social and cultural development, policy, research and community development in Atlantic Indigenous communities. John’s primary focus is to advocate and build support for Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ in the Atlantic region and nationally. He is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance. John is pursuing his doctoral studies at McGill University to explore gender, sexuality and sex by integrating L’nuwey perspectives through Etuaptmumk or Two-Eyed Seeing.
John was the cultural advisor for the movie WILDHOOD, where his interest in film was born. He also played Mother Mary in the movie and was nominated for a Ground Breaking Performance award. John’s interest is scriptwriting to explore more of the creative side of writing besides academic publications. He aims to write a period piece about Kinap, a L’nu Two-spirit warrior who led the Nation to protect against the emerging colonial rule in Mi’kma’ki in the 16th century.
Nikki Martin
Project: THE SPACE BETWEEN
Nikki Martin is a novelist and screenwriter alongside her full-time job as yoga teacher, teacher trainer and diversity & inclusion facilitator. Her first short film, A WALK IN THE SUN was produced by Israel Ekanem and directed by her sister Tobi Martin-Flemming through the Film5 program in 2021/2022. The first two novels in her sci-fi/fantasy series Awake While Dreaming were published through Thorncraft Publishing in Clarksville, Tennessee; A Momentary Darkness, in 2018 and its follow-up, The Beginning’s End, in June 2021. She has been writing books and films since she was a teenager and enjoys crafting character driven narratives that sometimes transport her readers to far off worlds and places, but that always explore story through relationships and her own experience of the world as a multiracial woman of colour.
Stories have long been an escape and a haven for Nikki; both the ones she watched or read, and the ones she created; and yet she often did not find herself represented. As a result, she longs to contribute to more representation showing up on screens and in literature, and hopes in her stories others will be reminded they have a value and worth meant to be seen, shared and celebrated on screens and in books. She has found her voice crafting stories about people like herself; who are in the search of identity, their own unique place in the world, and that reflect the modern-day conflicts and struggles that face humanity while remaining rooted in hope.
Britney Canzi
Project: FINDING MY LIGHT
Britney Canzi is a Latinx actor, producer, and writer based in Halifax, NS. She studied screenwriting at George Brown College. A past participant in AFCOOP’s Film5 Phase One program, WIFT-AT New Waves Programme, and WIFT-AT Mentorship program. Britney is the founder of CRYPRETTY Media- a small but mighty film, television, and digital creative production boutique- championing underrepresented voices in media. Most recent works: she helped produce the short film horror film FACE-OFF (2021 FIN select and 2022 Calgary Horror Con). She was a producer and writer for the docuseries: Living in Flow (2021): one of only three teams selected across Canada for VICE MEDIA and The Telus Fund’s inaugural Take Care incubator. Her most recent acting work has been on Washington Black (2022) (Disney/Hulu).
Gwydion Morris
Project: DEADSTICK
Gwydion Morris writes, directs, and produces out of Halifax, N.S. He works under his Good Yawn Pictures banner. Gwydion’s most recent film, DEADSTICK JOHN, played in the Reel East Coast Shorts Gala at the 2020 FIN Atlantic International Film Festival. The film then went on to win Best Short Film at the 2021 Screen Nova Scotia awards, and he is now adapting it into a feature film.
Previously, Gwydion ran a successful crowdfunding campaign as the producer of THE SLATER SISTERS, which went on to play at FIN and Silver Wave Film Festival. All of his films have played in festivals across Canada, including Devour! The Food Film Festival. Gwydion completed the Canadian Media Producers Association’s Mentorship Program with Emotion Pictures Inc. in 2018. He produces all his own films from the experience he gained during his time in the program.
Originally from Bethesda, Wales, Gwydion moved with his family to P.E.I., Canada, in 2005. After a stint as a travel writer in Asia, Gwydion decided to pursue filmmaking and moved to Halifax to attend NSCC’s Screen Arts program. He’s been making films ever since.
Luc Trottier
Project: IN MY HEART
Luc Trottier is a writer, actor, and producer currently residing on Prince Edward Island. He’s a graduate of both Sheridan College’s Bachelor of Music Theatre Program and Humber College’s Writing and Producing Television Graduate Program. As an actor, Luc has performed on stages across the country and can be seen on American Gods, Titans, White Lie, The Handmaid’s Tale, Imposters, Killjoys and Suits.
Luc is a co-founder of Human Moves Media Inc., through which he has produced the short films: PAY ME (My Rode Reel Finalist), CLUB SIX (OutTV, Nominee: Best Short, Canadian Comedy Awards) Everbliss (Reel World Film Festival), and the upcoming FINALE (Film PEI’s Film4Ward Grant) - hitting the festival circuit this Fall. Luc’s directorial debut short film, IN MY HEART, screened at the FIN Atlantic Film Festival 2021 and has been acquired by CBC Gem and will be premiering this Fall.
Luc is the showrunner, creator, and star of The Community Players, a comedy series currently distributed by Bell FibeTV1. Season 1 is available to stream, with Season 2 and a Christmas Special currently in production - slated to air Winter 2022.
Experience the exciting culmination of this program at the Script Pitch event taking place during the Atlantic International Film Festival (Sept. 15-22), where our writers will present and pitch their first draft to a jury, vying for a $10,000 development prize. More details to be announced soon!