CFC unveils inaugural Comedy Series Lab cohort

Brazilian-Canadian screenwriter Jezabel Bamberg; Sri Lankan-Canadian writer, filmmaker and performer Sandi Rankaduwa; Japanese-Brazilian and Polish actor and writer Isabella Shibuta; and Nigerian-Canadian filmmaker and performer Yemie Sonuga.

It is with great excitement that I share that I am returning to the Canadian Film Centre as part of the inaugural Comedy Series Lab; an intensive program designed to help racialized comedy creators develop original series for the Canadian and global marketplace.

The program is in partnership with Bell Media and Blink49 Studios, and is led by the incredible writer, actor and producer Nelu Handa (Late Bloomer), who serves as showrunner and lead mentor.

During the first 10 weeks of the Lab, we will be immersed in the workings of a professional comedy story room as we help develop Handa’s own series while also working on our own projects. Over the second half of the program, we will develop original pilots, produce a market-ready proof of concept or TV teaser, and learn more about the evolving creative, business and technological facets of the content landscape from other mentors in the industry.

Can’t wait to share more about the residency, and the original series I’m developing over the next 6 months.

Read more about it at Playback or from the official CFC press release.