September 9, 2026 — The Independent Production Fund (IPF) is proud to announce the selected participants for the second edition of the IPF Pre-Application Training Program for Prairie Producers. Following the success of the inaugural program in 2025, this initiative continues to strengthen the capacity of Prairie-based producers to prepare competitive series development funding applications.

Led by Program Manager Brendon Sawatzky, the program offers a series of workshops and personalized mentorships from industry experts across Canada. The participants, representing Manitoba and Saskatchewan, will receive tailored training and support to deepen their understanding of the requirements for funding applications.

Based on their potential for securing funding for their project, as well as their previous experience and demonstrated commitment to advancing their skills and contributing to the Prairie screen sector, the following candidates have been selected:

Bee Bird (SK) Bee Bird is an award-winning Woodland Cree filmmaker, Indigenous producer, multidisciplinary artist, and entrepreneur from Montreal Lake Cree Nation. Based in Regina on Treaty 4 Territory, Bee is the Founder and Creative Director of Bee Productions Inc., an Indigenous-owned production company dedicated to advancing authentic Indigenous representation in film and media. Through culturally grounded storytelling, creative leadership, and community collaboration, Bee produces work that amplifies Indigenous voices, strengthens community connections, and creates opportunities for the next generation of Indigenous storytellers.
Carolina Campos (MB) Carolina Campos is a Costa Rican-born Canadian actress and producer whose screen credits include productions by Paramount, NBC/Universal, and MGM, to name a few. Together with her husband, actor Derek Kun, she co-founded RedField Entertainment, whose productions have been showcased at international film festivals, including the Beverly Hills Film Festival and MECAL Barcelona.
Cogie Cogan (MB) Cogie Cogan is a filmmaker who recently wrote and produced the short ‘Handful.’ They were a 2026 finalist in the Gimli International Film Festival RBC Pitch Competition. Cogie’s work is driven by creating stories about outsiders, focusing on queer identity, becoming, and community.
Meredith Hambrock (SK) Meredith Hambrock has worked in writing rooms on over 100 episodes of TV Comedy. She most recently served as Executive Story Editor on the sitcom “Corner Gas Animated.” Her debut novel “Other People’s Secrets” was called “audacious and fabulous” by the New York Times Book Review. Her second novel, “She’s a Lamb!” won the 2026 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour and was a best book of the year at Indigo Books, Rakuten Kobo, and McNally Robinson. She currently lives, works, and curls in Saskatoon, SK, on Treaty Six territory, in the traditional homeland of the Metis People.
Micheline Arbez (MB) Productrice établie à Winnipeg, Micheline Arbez cumule plus de vingt ans d’expérience dans l’industrie canadienne de la télévision et du cinéma. Aujourd’hui productrice exécutive, création et production, et PDG des Productions Rivard, elle accompagne les projets dès leur idéation et leur développement, puis à travers les différentes étapes de financement et de production. Son parcours l’a amenée à produire des œuvres de fiction, documentaires, jeunesse et de variété destinées aux marchés francophones et canadiens. Elle a notamment produit les trois saisons de la série dramatique Le monde de Gabrielle Roy, ainsi que la série de fiction Padre.  Plus récemment, elle produit la série de variété Les accords d’Antoine, destinée à ICI ARTV et ICI TÉLÉ la série jeunesse Gardiens du musée pour TFO et une série dramatique pour TV5/Unis verra le jour sous peu. Son expérience s’étend également au long métrage et à la coproduction, notamment avec Kina & Yuk, renards de la banquise, une coproduction France–Québec–Manitoba et d’un long métrage en développement avec la SRC. Très engagée dans le développement de la production francophone en situation minoritaire, Micheline siège également au conseil d’administration de l’Alliance des producteurs francophones du Canada.
Style Dayne (SK) Style Dayne is a Saskatchewan-based creator, producer and professional actor whose career spans both sides of the camera. After a decade working as an actor in Vancouver and Los Angeles, with credits on Network TV and Blockbuster films including Deadpool, Style returned to Saskatchewan.  He then founded Bar S Productions Inc., developing character-driven, marketable Film & TV stories grounded in distinctive voices and strong points of view. His professional development through the Whistler Film Festival and National Screen Institute has helped build creative and industry relationships across Canada. Style also built The Studio, Bar S Productions’ Film & TV actor-training and professional-development arm, connecting his work as an actor/producer with the development of Saskatchewan on screen talent. He holds a degree in Philosophy, Politics & Economics from the University of Regina, and is currently enrolled in the Masters of Public Administration with Johnson Shoyama School of Public Policy.

 

“The IPF is proud to see the Pre-Application Training Program return to the Prairies for a second year. This year’s participants bring an impressive combination of creativity, professional experience and commitment to their craft, highlighting the depth of talent across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. We are excited to support them as they develop their projects and bring their stories one step closer to audiences.” said Jon Taylor, CEO, Independent Production Fund

The program begins on September 10, 2026, with 13 weeks of online workshops and mentorship. All materials developed will be finalized by early 2027 in preparation for the IPF Short Form Series Development Program deadline in the beginning of March, 2027.

 

For media inquiries, please contact:
info@ipf.ca

 

 

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