SCRIPT READINGS SERIES
DAY TWO - OCTOBER 16th
Women’s Art Association of Canada (WAAC)
23 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto, ON M5R 1B2
FREE Event. Open to festival delegates, industry professionals, and the general public.
The Script Reading Series at FeFF is a creative incubator for writers with completed features and pilots that are ready to be kicked up to the next level. It’s an intensely creative, collaborative, and career-enhancing experience. This program centres on public readings where screenwriters receive feedback from industry experts, and their peers, fellow writers.
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM
Dear Niece
Written by Diana Dai
When Kate, a Chinese immigrant in Canada, takes in her rebellious teenage niece from China, both women are forced to confront buried family secrets, cultural clashes, and their own paths to freedom.
Bio: Diana is a multiple award-winning independent filmmaker, honored with prestigious accolades such as the Canadian Screen Award (Gemini Award) and the Platinum Remi Award at WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival. She has produced, directed, and written films for CBC, TVO, the Documentary Channel, Bell Media, and various arts councils. Her work has been screened internationally and is included in the collections of renowned universities and libraries around the world. Diana holds a Master’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of Leeds (UK) and received professional training at the School of Cinematic Arts, University of Southern California, including hands-on experience at Warner Bros. Studios.
BREAK 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Lucy Is Going to Hell
Written by Aline Andrade
Coming of Age, Comedy, USA.
When a teenage girl finds out that she will be forced to marry a much older man, she prays and gets a revelation from God: she must leave her Utah Polygamist family and brave the desert to meet her piano rocker heroine in Los Angeles, changing the course of her life and uncovering her father’s sins.
Bio: Aline Andrade is a Brazilian-American filmmaker based in the Los Angeles area. After immigrating to the United States in 2005, she graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor in Film and Media Arts in 2014 and has gone on to produce content for multiple platforms.
In 2021, fueled by her desire to tell personal and profound stories, Aline founded Fine Frenzy Films, a production company dedicated to exploring themes related to the complexities of the immigrant experience. Writing, directing, and producing in Portuguese, English and Spanish, Aline's work is a reflection of her deep interest in religion, philosophy, and the universal journey of coming of age focusing on projects that bring to light the experiences of outsiders navigating a new culture, and asserting the participation of minority groups as powerful creatives.
INDUSTRY GUEST
DANIELA SAIONI
Screenwriter, Story Editor, Punch-up Artist
Daniela is a screenwriter, story editor, punch-up artist, script supervisor and educator. Her online film and writing programs have served over 1,000 students in 30 countries, and over the past three decades she has taught for numerous film industry organizations including Pacific Screenwriting Program, DGC Ontario, ACTRA, WIFT-T, IATSE 873, Skills Training Manitoba, ScriptFest PEI, WIFT-T and The CFC, and has guest story edited for ReelWorld E20 and The Female Eye Film Festival.
She has earned 15 laurels for her screenplays, including Grand Prize - WE Screenplay Diverse Voices 2021 and Best Screenplay and Best Fresh Voice at Female Eye Film Festival 2019, but is even more thrilled by her alumni accomplishments, most being first-time writers. From getting staffed in writers’ rooms to optioning original series to notable production companies, this is an exciting time for new voices and Daniela is especially here to help underrepresented talent access the industry.
In her work on set, she has script supervised major motion pictures (A Simple Favor, Another Simple Favor, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Shazam!) and TV Series (Suits, Vladimir, Soul Food:The Series) in 10 countries.
A former stand-up comedian and character actress, her talents are varied, but her mission is singular: change the world, one laugh at a time.
LinkTree of Current Courses: linktr.ee/directorwhisperer
YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@schticktoscript
Instagram: www.instagram.com/hellaciousdee/
INDUSTRY GUEST
MAUREEN DOREY
Story Editor and Educator
Over several decades in the Canadian film and television industry, Maureen has worked as a story editor, consultant, analyst and educator. Her produced film credits include Darkest Miriam (Naomi Jaye), Conceiving Clara (Tarique Qayumi & Tajana Prka), Amal (Richie and Shaun Mehta), In Darkness (David Shamoon, directed by Agnieska Holland), Sharp Corner (Jason Burton), and Nurse, Fighter.Boy (by Charles Officer and Ingrid Veninger); with tv credits for the series Moccasin Flats, Random Passage and On My Mind. She was Story Editor Mentor at the Canadian Film Centre for twenty years and has taught Screenwriting for several years at York University and Humber College. She aims to help writers find their voices, shape their stories and renew their inspiration.
INDUSTRY GUEST
ALLEGRA FULTON
Go Diva Productions Inc.
Allegra Fulton is a multi award-winning actor, in film, television, stage, and VO with over 150 credits including THE SHAPE OF WATER, MAPS TO THE STARS, SUITS, FARGO, CASCADE, 19-2, THE GOOD DOCTOR, TITANS, SUPERMAN & LOIS, SCHITTS CREEK, and MOONSHINE among others. Her directing and dramaturgy/script editing work continues to propel her into new arenas.
More at IMDB www.allegrafulton.com
INDUSTRY GUEST
ANNIE BRADLEY
Emmy Nominated - Producing Director/Writer
Emmy nominated Director Annie Bradley is known for her striking cinematic work and maverick storytelling. Included in The Hollywood Reporter’s inaugural Most Powerful Women in Canadian Entertainment List in 2024, she is the recipient of the 2025 WIFT Crystal Award for Mentorship and the 2023, Trailblazer Award from the Firecracker Dept.
A proud member of both the DGA and DGC and currently serving her third term as Chair of DGC Ontario, she is also an alumna of TIFF, Sundance, the TIFF Talent Lab, The Female Eye Festival, TIFF Pitch This, CFC Directors Lab, Film Fatales, WIFT, Firecracker Dept, AWD and WIDC.
Annie continues to expand her international directing credits while developing a dynamic slate of film and TV content through her company The Heat Mansion.
INDUSTRY GUEST
ALLEY TURCOTTE
Writer, Story Editor and Accessibility Consultant
Alley is a graduate of Toronto Film School’s screenwriting program, with a Bachelor of Creative Arts from Yorkville University. She is a writer, story editor and accessibility consultant. She has worked with many emerging and established short film directors and producers, including Reeth Mazumder and Jordan Walker. She also teaches classes in accessibility in content creation to other creatives with a variety of disabilities. Her aim is helping new writers tell their stories honestly and authentically, and helping the industry become more accessible and inclusive as a whole. Her own writing is usually about monsters, and always about disability, autonomy, and incredible women.
