Haitian-Canadian award-winning writer, director, and producer Yasmine Mathurin has been announced the winner of the 2023 TIFF-CBC Films Screenwriter Award and a $15,000 grant.

She will also receive professional support from a script consultant, as she completes work on her first feature film, “Sorry Pardon Madame.”

“I’m deeply overwhelmed with gratitude to be the recipient of this prize. It means a lot to be supported by the members of the jury, TIFF and CBC Films,” Mathurin said in a statement. “The story that I am exploring in “Sorry Pardon Madame” is a deeply personal one that touches on coming-of-age and being a hyphenated Haitian-Canadian. So for me to receive this recognition, amongst the fierce competition of other amazing projects that were submitted, is deeply affirming to my process and my journey as a screenwriter. Thank you a million times over.”

She was celebrated during an event on March 21 at the TIFF–CBC Films: Celebrating Screenwriters Cocktail event, according to a statement.

This year’s winner was chosen by a jury of screen-industry professionals: Gosia Kamela, head of CBC Films; Emma Bishop, programming administrator, Scripted Gem Originals & CBC Films; Paula Devonshire, writer and producer; Larisa Gutmanis, films program curator, screenwriter, and TMU lecturer; Boris Rodriguez, filmmaker and winner of the 2022 TIFF—CBC Films Screenwriter Award; Jane Kim, TIFF Industry programming producer; and Anita Tavakol, TIFF talent development manager.

Mathurin recently completed post-production on a short documentary series titled “Witness” with Scarborough Pictures, for which she directed three out of six episodes. The series will premiere on March 30, 2023.

Her first feature documentary film “One of Ours” won the Hot Docs Special Jury Prize — Canadian Feature Documentary in 2021 and was nominated for three Canadian Screen Awards in 2022 for Best Writing, Documentary; Best Direction, Documentary Program; and Best Feature Length Documentary.

She also won a Webby People’s Voice award for her podcast work at CBC.

“As part of CBC Films’ priority of talent development, we’re pleased to continue our collaboration on the TIFF–CBC Films Screenwriter Award, which provides support to emerging writers to further develop their project and progress in their career,” Gosia Kamela, head of CBC Films, said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to present this prize to Yasmine for her evocative screenplay, which introduces a fresh new voice in Canadian storytelling.”