Our stories. Out loud.
Watch as screenwriters present their 30-minute script, then our panel of story editors and industry pros will provide feedback and discussion.
In traditional industry settings, feedback for marginalized writers often comes through the lens of those who may not fully grasp the nuances of their stories. This heightens the pressure to self-censor or dilute their own voices to fit a mold that wasn’t designed for them.
The Rephrase Table Reads™ series focuses on stories by racialized women and gender-diverse folks, creating a supportive space where screenwriters guide the feedback they need – whether it’s pacing, dialogue, story structure, or character development. This is about building creatives up, boosting their confidence, and fostering a network that helps independent productions come to life. Join us as we uplift diverse talent and build a community to celebrate inclusive storytelling.
MEET our past screenwriterS
Vanessa Magic
SCREENWRITER
Vanessa Magic is a writer/director whose work centers on loneliness and grief, often viewed through an Afrosurrealist lens. She is an alumni of Slamdance, The Warner Media Discovery Access x Canadian Academy Writers Program and Women In the Director's Chair. Vanessa’s short film ‘The Absurdity Of The Black Female Experience’ was selected for the Brooklyn Film Festival, where she won the Audience Choice Award for Best Experimental. Her film “The Future Above Us” won Best Local Short at Breakthroughs Film Festival, and her latest horror short ‘How To Stay Awake,“ premiered at Fantasia. Inspired by her dreams, Vanessa aims to create worlds with Black female protagonists. Inspired by her dreams, she is eager to create narratives untold, unseen and filled with magic.
Mimi Dejene
SCREENWRITER
Mimi is a versatile filmmaker with over a decade of experience in the film and television industry. Her exploration of different roles, from development to post-production, shaped her distinct skills as a storyteller. Growing up in Canada as a child of Ethiopian immigrants, Mimi brings a unique lens to her work, crafting narratives that explore identity, heritage, and the complexity of being human.
Cindy Hu
SCREENWRITER
Taiwanese-Canadian writer Cindy Hu is interested in telling stories about older immigrants searching for a sense of home. She has been selected for talent initiatives with Women In Animation and the Women In Focus program at the Whistler Film Festival. She’s also a recipient of the Youth Media Alliance's John Rooney Scholarship for scriptwriting.
Alison Fraser
MODERATOR
Alison is a former GEMS board member, former Storyhive, Telefilm and PSP leader, and Executive Producer at Rephrase Filmworks. She’s also an award-winning producer and media executive with over 20 years of experience across the North American entertainment industry including HBO, BET, Court TV, Entertainment One, Rogers and Shaftesbury.