Program Overview
In traditional industry settings, feedback for marginalized writers often comes through the lens of those who may not fully grasp the nuances of their stories. This heightens the pressure to self-censor or dilute their own voices to fit a mold that wasn’t designed for them.
The GEMS x Rephrase Table Reads series focuses on stories by racialized women and gender-diverse folks, creating a supportive space where screenwriters guide the feedback they need – whether it’s pacing, dialogue, story structure, or character development. This is about building creatives up, boosting their confidence, and fostering a network that helps independent productions come to life. Join us as we uplift diverse talent and build a community to celebrate inclusive storytelling.
Upcoming Events
Meet the Participants
Cindy Hu, screenwriter
Taiwanese-Canadian writer Cindy Hu is interested in telling stories about older immigrants searching for a sense of home. She has been selected for talent initiatives with Women In Animation and the Women In Focus program at the Whistler Film Festival. She’s also a recipient of the Youth Media Alliance’s John Rooney Scholarship for scriptwriting.
Alison Fraser, moderator
Alison is a former GEMS board member, former Storyhive, Telefilm and PSP leader, and Executive Producer at Rephrase Filmworks. She’s also an award-winning producer and media executive with over 20 years of experience across the North American entertainment industry including HBO, BET, Court TV, Entertainment One, Rogers and Shaftesbury.
Liesl Lafferty, story editor
Liesl is a Jessie award-winning director, and a Jessie-nominated scriptwriter, producer and dramaturg, focusing mainly on developing new works. She is the Head of the Firecracker Writing Department, where she facilitates Scriptwriting Workshops, provides Story Development Services, and co-produces two annual events – the Igniter Comedy Film Challenge with the Canadian Film Fest, and currently in its inaugural year, The Writers Lab Canada Script Intensive.
Daniela Saioni, story editor
Daniela is a multi-award-winning WGC comedy screenwriter and story editor. In 2022, she served as the Story Editing and Punch-up Instructor at the Pacific Screenwriting Program’s Scripted Series Lab. She serves hundreds of students in her own online screenwriting programs. In the past two years alone, four of her first-time writers sold their TV series to notable production companies.
Nattasha Shrestha, story editor
Nattasha is a YA screenwriter who uses her southeast Asian heritage to craft stories that cut close to the bone. Her first pilot won the VAFF x Bell Media Series Development Competition. A graduate of the Canadian Film Center Comedy Story Room and the Amazon MGM x Reelworld Training Lab, she has been a story editor for features and writing programs such as Reelworld, CBC and the Black Screen Office.