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Ubisoft Film and Television announced participants for the 2020 Women’s Film and Television Fellowship on Thursday. Margaret Boykin, Director of Film Development, and Danielle Kreinik, Director of Television Development, selected Annabel Seymour for film and Jalysa Conway for television. During the course of the paid, six-month program, Seymour and Conway will evaluate Ubisoft’s library for potential development and explore original ideas based on the world, community and culture of video games.
“I’m so excited to explore the phenomenal worlds and characters that Ubisoft has created, and to find a way to further develop them into a compelling TV series. I get lost in Ubisoft games — the visuals, the storylines, the action — and now I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to get lost in them in a whole new way, doing what I love best: crafting good stories,” said Jalysa Conway.
They will also have one-on-one mentorship opportunities with their mentors for film or television. At the end of the six-month program, Conway and Seymour will have the opportunity to formally pitch their ideas with the goal of securing script deals.
“I have always been interested in writing stories that pull human truths from even the most fantastical of places. The opportunity to have access to Ubisoft’s immense and diverse library of games is extremely appealing to me,” said Annabel Seymour. “I’m excited to work with the incredible team at Ubisoft to create projects that can be enjoyed by both avid game fans and non-gamers alike.”
Additionally, Ubisoft Film and Television has recently wrapped production on Werewolves Within, the first film stemming from the Women’s Film and Television Fellowship. The script was penned by inaugural film fellow Mishna Wolff with Josh Ruben directing the ensemble cast that includes Sam Richardson, Milana Vayntrub, George Basil, Sarah Burns, Catherine Curtin, Wayne Duvall, Harvey Guillén, Rebecca Henderson, Cheyenne Jackson and Michaela Watkins.
“We’re proud to be moving into the third year of this fellowship and to be working with these two incredible writers. Each year has yielded such fun, unexpected results and wonderful new relationships,” said Director of Film Development, Margaret Boykin. “We’re developing a romantic comedy with last year’s participant, Heather Quinn, and we are in post-production on Werewolves Within from year one. We can’t wait to see what our fellows dream up this year.”
Beginning in 2017, the Ubisoft Women’s Film & Television Fellowship program is designed to attract and illuminate women and non-binary voices within the entertainment industry. Two women or non-binary screenwriters are selected for a six-month, non-exclusive, paid fellowship, with the opportunity to explore Ubisoft’s extensive library of IP as well as pitch original ideas based on the world, community and culture of video games. Participants also take part in one-on-one mentorship programs led by Head of Film and Television, Jason Altman, Director of Film Development, Margaret Boykin, and Director of Television Development, Danielle Kreinik.
