VAFF
Industry Program

Two-day TV writing workshop on July 16-17, 2025, led by the creator / writer of Kim’s Convenience, Ins Choi.

INS CHOI was born in Korea but grew up and currently lives in Toronto with his wife and two kids. He recently played the part of Appa in the stage production of his play, Kim’s Convenience, in the UK and at soulpepper in Toronto. It’ll tour this fall to various U.S. theatres including A.C.T in San Francisco. He’s also written the plays, Son of a Preacherman, Bad Parent and has taught writing through various organizations.

This workshop is intended for screenwriters, playwrights or other kinds of writers (sketch, standup, improv, etc) who want to learn about writing sitcoms. The purpose is to demystify the TV writing process in this fun, hands on writing workshop. It’s a real hands-on workshop where Ins takes the participants through the nuts and bolts of writing.

Applications must be submitted by June 14, 2025 (11:59 PM) PST will be evaluated by Ins Choi, VAFF executive and Third Party evaluator. Selected 9 participants will need to be available for both days all day (10:00 am – 5:00 pm) on July 16 – 17, 2025 at the Vancouver location. The workshop includes pitch ideas, developing stories, outline, script, work individually and in groups over the course of two days. 

Selected 12 participants are required to pay for the series fee $50. They will receive the VAFF industry pass to the 29th Annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival.

Submission Period: May 26, 2025– June 14, 2025  (11:59 PM PST). Selected participants’ announcement will be on July 3, 2025. 

Applicants should submit their applications as follows:

Step 1: Fill out the Two-Day Writing Workshop 2025 Application Form

Step 2: Email the following required documents to industry@vaff.org

Required Documents:

a) Applicant information: Resume and Headshot

b) A cover letter introducing themselves (150 – 250 words) 

c) Ten pages of a writing sample involving dialogue or script ( (short film, feature, series, screenplay, pilot, etc..)

The files should be named in the following format: applicantfullname_document name 2025

Please only submit the full document in pdf or Word files [pdf, doc, docx].

Note: Once submitted, applicants cannot change anything in their applications. Submit cautiously.

• Participants have been writers of film, TV, plays, sketch comedy, improv, stand up, fiction of varying experiences
• Some track record of writing experiences

• The ideal applicant is a beginner to intermediate-level writers of film, TV, plays, sketch comedy, improv, stand up, fiction of varying experiences
• Applications must fulfill the following Asian representation requirements: self-identifies as being of Asian or part-Asian heritage 
• Any resident of BC only, permanent resident status or citizen of Canada only
• One entry only per individual
• Current VAFF Committee members are eligible to apply
• Successful recipients of this workshop are not eligible to apply other VAFF’s competition (ie MAMM, VAFF Industry partnership and funding program within the year of 2025

• Application Intakes: May 26, 2025 – June 14, 2025  (11:59 pm PST)
• Selected participants announcement: July 3, 2025
• Two-Day workshop: July 16-17, 2025