Screen Nova Scotia is proud to announce the producers and screenwriters selected to receive funding from the 2026 Amplified Voices Development Fund.
The Amplified Voices program provides an opportunity to advance the skills of emerging writers and producers from underrepresented communities in Nova Scotia. The program’s Development Fund provides funding to develop high quality creative content to a level that can attract partners, financing and distribution.
“These 13 projects represent the next wave of creative leadership in Nova Scotia’s screen industry,” said Laura Mackenzie, Executive Director, Screen Nova Scotia. “Amplified Voices is about backing bold vision and ensuring these creators have the momentum, resources, and industry access to move their work forward.”
The selected companies will receive one of a limited number of grants of up to $20,000 to assist them with their project development activities. More info on the fund can be found HERE.
The 2026 Development Fund awarded $203,200 in funding to support 16 emerging producers/screenwriters across 13 projects, ranging from feature films to animated series. The cohort includes:
Project: Swallowed (Feature)
Producer/Screenwriter: Noah Brown
Project: Heart Peaks (Feature)
Producer: Kate Solar
Screenwriter: A. Laurel Lawrence
Project: Priya’s Dinner (Feature)
Producer/Screenwriter: Akshay Shirke
Project: Remedy (Feature)
Producer/Screenwriter: Alexandra MacLean
Project: Coyote Path (Animated Series)
Producer/Screenwriter: Cameron Lizotte
Project: A Governor’s Journey (Documentary Feature)
Producer: Benjamin Bruce Edwards
Screenwriter: Dean Andre Anderson
Project: Between Lands and Lagos to Halifax (Feature)
Producer/Screenwriter: Israel Ekanem
Project: One Night Only (Feature)
Producer/Screenwriter: Sandi Rankaduwa
Project: Into The Fray (Feature)
Producer/Screenwriter: Samira Eblaghi
Project: Elapultiek Nipuktuk (Feature)
Producer/screenwriter: shalan joudry
Project: Beyond the Edge of Sky, Yet Right Before My Eye (Feature)
Producer/Screenwriter: Cindy Ngo
Project: Still Life (Feature)
Producer: Ben Creelman
Screenwriter: Joey Chapman
Project: The Job (Feature)
Producer/Screenwriter: Joel Salaysay
Please visit our website HERE to read more about these participants and their projects. The Dawn Fund, which supports programs for trans, Two-Spirit, and non-binary individuals, contributed $4,000 towards funding for two of the selected 2026 Amplified Voices Development Fund recipients.
The Amplified Voices program also includes a pre-development component that provides training and feedback to selected screenwriters and producers on creative materials through a three-day training retreat, workshops and mentorship opportunities. This program took place in September 2025.