The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) is proud to announce the new Denis McGrath Bursary Award, a joint initiative of both the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) and the CFC. The award will offer an annual $5,000 cash bursary to a deserving CFC TV writer in the Bell Media Prime Time TV Program. Full bursary details and criteria will be available soon.

The WGC’s executive director Maureen Parker and the CFC’s chief programs officer Kathryn Emslie announced the new award during the WGC Screenwriting Awards, held on Monday, April 29 at the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning’s Koerner Hall in Toronto.

The WGC and CFC have joined forces to launch this bursary in Denis’s name to celebrate and sustain his legacy as a champion of writers and a significant advocate for storyteller rights here in Canada. In addition, the CFC will design and deliver a one-day bootcamp on advocacy for both its film and television writers — a step towards inspiring generations to engage actively in the evolution of our creative industries.

“This bursary honours Denis’ two passions — writing and advocating for Canadian content and Canadian screenwriters,” said Maureen Parker, WGC executive director. “Denis was an exceptional writer and human being and this bursary assures that his extraordinary character and contributions to the industry will not be forgotten.”

Many in the industry and our alumni have asked what they can do to honour and remember Denis. The WGC and CFC, with Denis’ loving wife and CFC writer alumna Kim Coghill, created this opportunity to raise funds that will extend this bursary in Denis’ name over many years. We welcome your tax-deductible donations, which you can make here, or by phoning Michelle Johnson, Manager, Annual Giving, at 416.445.1446 x227.

For more information, please contact:

Margaret DeRosia
Communications Specialist / Digital Writer & Editor, CFC
mderosia@cfccreates.com | 416.445.1446 x463

Lana Castleman
Director of Communications, WGC


l.castleman@wgc.ca | 416.979.7907 x5234

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