2026 Latin America Writing Scholarship

 

Latin American Students

 

Winners Have Been Announced for the 2026 Latin America Talent Scholarship

 

VFS’s 2025 Latin America Talent Scholarship is now closed. Thank you to all who applied. 

Congratulations to the winners of the full-tuition (100%) scholarship: Valentina Giacoman and Janella Flores! 

Partial scholarship (50%) winners: 

  • María José Lema Trespalacios 
  • Amanda Viana Anchieta 
  • Juan David Diaz García
  • Gineth Ginez Benavides
  • Ivan Ayala
  • Santiago Medrano
  • Karla Gisela Ríos Vázquez
  • Edgar Andrés Martínez Lozano 

*Please note, partial scholarships winners will be contacted via email. 

If you are interested in furthering your creative education, we have part-time offerings available online and on-campus through VFS Short-Track! Learn about the creative courses and workshops currently available. 

Aspiring writers from Latin America – win a VFS scholarship to train in Vancouver, Canada!

 

Vancouver Film School has created The Latin America Writing Scholarship. Aspiring writers can apply for the chance at a scholarship for VFS’s industry-leading Writing for Film, Television & Games program, with select start dates in 2027.

Applications open: September 1, 2026
Application deadline: October 12, 2026
Winners announced: October 26, 2026

 

Apply Now

 

 

Scholarship Details

What’s available:
 
  • Multiple partial-tuition scholarships (in Canadian dollars) for VFS’s Writing for Film, Television & Games program
     
*The 2026 Latin America Writing Scholarship must be applied towards program tuition at VFS and has no redeemable cash value.
*Scholarships are valid only for the May 3 or August 30, 2027, start dates of VFS’s Writing for Film, Television & Games program, and are subject to seat availability.
*Scholarship winners must pay a $150 CAD application fee.

VFS Student Testimonials

“Being able to work and connect with professional writers who are currently active in the industry was the main reason I decided to attend [VFS], and it did not disappoint. The instructors enabled me to tackle the challenges of making writing a full-time career and inspired me to join as an instructor while actively working in AAA game franchises to train the next generation of writers and narrative designers.”

Ariadna Martinez

The Game Awards-nominee, Ghost of Yōtei (Best Narrative)
Writing for Film, Television & Games Alum & Instructor

“VFS has been the greatest experience of my life. I not only developed an amazing creative skill to tell stories but I learned how to work as a team player with other incredible writers. My native language is Spanish, so I also developed a sense of confidence while writing and working in another language.”

Antonio Barrón Toro

Senior Writer, Toku
Writing for Film, Television & Games Alum

“I attended looking for a way to get a firm grasp of the base principles of good storytelling in a variety of mediums, and was very satisfied with the results. I personally thrived in this highly structured and intensive program.”

Zachary Pope

Writer, The Necromancer’s Tale
Writing for Film, Television & Games Alum

 

Scholarship Information

  • Multiple partial-tuition scholarships (in Canadian dollars) for VFS’s Writing for Film, Television & Games program.
  • A completed application form.
  • A clear copy of a government-issued photo ID indicating your date of birth and legal name.
  • Two letters of recommendation that include the contact information for your references. References should include comments on your creative ability, work ethic, ability to take criticism, ability to work in a team environment, and previous accomplishments.
  • A resume detailing your work history and education.
  • Transcripts from any institution you have attended within the past five years (copies are sufficient).
  • An open letter (500-750 words) addressed to the VFS Scholarship Committee explaining why you should receive this scholarship, how it will impact your writing career in the entertainment industry, why you believe you will be successful, and your career plan after graduating from VFS. 
  • A 6-8-page short film script, written in English, with 1-3 speaking characters. 
    • The script must be a “feel-good” story that praises positive principles such as solidarity, loyalty, forgiveness, kindness, love, compassion, hope, sympathy, joy, etc. Scripts that do not meet these criteria will be disqualified. 
    • The jury will critique all scripts using the following criteria: 1) Narrative Structure, 2) Dialogue, 3) Character Development.
  • If English if not your first language, you must meet VFS’s English proficiency requirements:
    • IELTS (Academic) – Band 6.0 
    • TOEFL iBT – score of 76 or 4.0
    • PTE – score of 55
    • CELPIP – Level 7
    • Oxford/OIDI – Level 7
    • CEFR/Cambridge English – B2 (176 or higher)
    • Duolingo – score of 110
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: Scholarship winners must pay $150 CAD application fee if they accept the scholarship.
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: These requirements are mandatory, without exception. All documents (except transcript and ID) must be in English and total files cannot exceed 10MB.
  • The 2026 Latin America Writing Scholarship is valid only for Vancouver Film School’s 1-year Writing for Film, Television & Games program.
  • Scholarships are only valid for the following start dates: May 3 or August 30, 2027.
  • Applicants must have graduated high school no earlier than 2020.
  • The deadline to apply is October 12, 2026. Late submissions or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Winners will be announced on October 26, 2026.
  • Applicants who have already been accepted into a VFS program can apply for this scholarship; however, this scholarship must be used singularly and cannot be used in combination with any other bursary or scholarship already received. Previous applicants must re-submit their application with a completed scholarship application form.
  • Scholarships cover tuition standard program supplies only. You must cover the cost of flight(s), accommodation, meals, international insurance etc. (assess the cost of living in Canada prior to applying).
  • If the winner(s) cannot commit to attending VFS for any reason within two weeks of being notified that they have been selected, another winner(s) will be chosen.
  • Employees and contractors of scholarship providers, media partners, and members of the scholarship selection committee, and their spouses or immediate family members, are not eligible to apply for this scholarship.
  • Any materials supplied with the application will not be returned.
  • The selection of winners will be held by a joint committee consisting of faculty and representatives from VFS, as well as scholarship providers
  • Winners will be notified on October 26, 2026.
  • The committee decision is definite and final.

Vancouver Film School reserves the right to cancel this competition at any time, at its sole discretion, in the event of any administrative conflict or error, or if there are 29 participants or less applying for each full-tuition scholarship. Vancouver Film School reserves the right to modify the rules of this contest in any way or at any time as long as reasonable notice is given. This competition is void where prohibited by law and is subject to all applicable Federal, Provincial, State, and local laws and regulations.

Acceptance of a scholarship allows Vancouver Film School to use your name, photograph or likeness and testimonials in print, broadcast or online/social media in perpetuity, in any manner in which VFS may deem appropriate, without further compensation. Winners will also have the opportunity to participate in VFS’s Creative Ambassador program, sharing their experience through a series of creative videos posted to VFS’s official social media pages.

By participating in this competition, you agree that Vancouver Film School, members of the Selection Committee and those involved in the development, production, implementation and distribution of this competition and their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, service providers, and agencies and their directors, officers, agents, employees, attorneys, and any other person or entity associated with such entities and/or this compassion (hereafter collectively called the “Sponsors”) are not liable for any claims, damages, losses or injuries, including third party claims, arising from or relating to, in whole or in part, this competition, including your entry and participation in this competition, the submission of your application package, the evaluation of your application package, acceptance, use or misuse of the scholarship or any injury to you or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from downloading or receiving via return e-mail any part of this competition information.

You further agree that you will not hold Vancouver Film School, their affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, agents, employees, attorneys, and any other person or entity associated with Vancouver Film School liable for any claims, losses, damages or injuries, arising from or relating to their use of your name or address for mailing and any other promotional materials. You also agree that in the event of any third-party claims, damages, losses or injuries arising from or relating to this competition, you will indemnify Sponsors from any and all such claims, including the attorney’s fees related thereto. Sponsors shall not be liable for applications that are delayed, lost, misdirected, mis-delivered, marked postage-due, illegible, mutilated, incorrect or incomplete and such entries will not be eligible for this competition.

This scholarship has no cash value.

Thank you for applying. The amount of time and effort demonstrated in submitting this application tells us how dedicated you are. We wish you the best of luck in pursuing The 2026 Latin America Writing Scholarship!

If you have any questions regarding this scholarship announcement, please contact your International Programs Office or Mariana Fernandez Lanuez:

Mariana Fernandez Lanuez, International Recruitment & Strategic Partnerships
Specialist (México) – Vancouver Film School
E. admissionsla@vfs.com

 

 

FAQ

 

1. Who is eligible to apply for the 2026 Latin America Writing Scholarship?
The scholarship is open to aspiring writers from Latin America who meet VFS’s admissions requirements and graduated high school no earlier than 2020. Applicants must also be able to meet VFS’s English proficiency requirements if English is not their first language. The scholarship is valid for VFS’s 1-year Writing for Film, Television & Games program, with select 2027 start dates.

 

2. What does the scholarship cover?
The scholarship covers tuition costs for an eligible VFS program, but excludes other expenses such as housing, materials, or living costs.

 

3. How do I apply for the scholarship?
Applications open September 1, 2026, and must be submitted by October 12, 2026. Applicants must complete the scholarship application form and submit all required supporting documents, including a resume, transcripts, two letters of recommendation, an open letter to the VFS Scholarship Committee, and a 6-8-page English-language short film script. The script must be a “feel-good” story featuring positive principles such as kindness, hope, compassion, love, or forgiveness. All required materials must be submitted by the deadline; late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

 

4. When will the winners be announced?
The announcement will be made on October 26, 2026. Stay tuned to VFS’s website and your email for updates.

 

5. Where can I find more information about VFS programs and admissions? Who can I contact with more questions?
Visit vfs.edu to learn more about our programs, facilities, and the admissions process. If you have additional questions, contact the VFS Admissions team at admissionsla@vfs.com.

 

6. If English is not my native language, can I still apply?
Yes. You will be required to submit ESL scores – that meet VFS’s minimum Language Requirements – with your application.