Thompson-Nicola Regional Library Selects 2021 Screenwriter in Residence

Kamloops, BC – March 29, 2021 — the Thompson-Nicola Regional Library (TNRL) is excited to announce the appointment of Kamloops-born & raised screenwriter Ken Hegan as Screenwriter in Residence for Fall 2021.

Following in the success of their 2019 Writer in Residence program with mystery author Deryn Collier, the library is shifting gears this year to work with the strong film & television industry in the region.

The residency is designed to encourage the development of the written arts in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, connect writers and the general public, and provide the Writer with time, space, and resources to work on their own writing projects.

With his mother Sheila as a former TNRL staff member, Ken is a lifelong library-lover – even more so since his stint as the Vancouver Public Library’s first Screenwriter in Residence for 2019-2020. He is excited to have the chance to bring that experience back to his hometown.

“Yay! I’m thrilled and honoured to be the TNRL’s Screenwriter in Residence because Kamloops rules!” Says Ken. “I can’t wait to write/direct more films here and this awesome residency is the ideal opportunity to meet and inspire local writers to do the same.”

Ken has written for over 20 TV series and specials that have been broadcast on CBC, TSN, The Comedy Network, and more. Three of his feature film scripts have been optioned by production companies and he is currently filming and directing his latest screenplay, Outrunners, in Kamloops and across BC.

Of Kamloops, Ken says, “Kamloops has character, a quality that’s so valuable to writers, and the entire region is incredibly cinematic (I love filming the desert/sagebrush hills west of town and would love to film in Ashcroft and Cache Creek). When I wrote my Outrunners screenplay in Brocklehurst during the 2020 lockdown, I’d dream up scenes in the morning, then I’d rollerblade around North Kamloops to find perfect streets to film them on.”

In 2010 he co-wrote the Opening Essay for the Vancouver Winter Olympics (narrated by Donald Sutherland) which aired to a record 13 million viewers on CTV and TSN. He also wrote the Gemini Award-winning Superbodies series for the Olympics in both London and Vancouver.

With articles published in Rolling Stone and GQ, Ken’s experience as a writer spans genres and decades. He has written popular travel columns for MSN and The National Post, and a relationship column for men’s magazine Toro. Ken’s writing has netted him over 25 film, TV, and print awards & nominations including three gold National Magazine Awards for Best Humour Article, and a Gemini Award for excellence in Canadian television.

Ken also has significant experience as a teacher, mentor, and event host. He was a screenwriting instructor at the Vancouver Film School for six years, hosted the Celluloid Social Club film screenings & interviews for 10 years, and hosted the Crazy 8s gala screenings for 3 years. Many may be familiar with his recent public appearance hosting The Furry Furst Fur-tual Dog Show in March 2020, celebrating the support given by our furry coworkers while working from home.

You also see Ken successfully pitching his next feature, Goners, in his blood-soaked hostage fundraising video (WARNING: Hollywood blood and mayhem!). This pitch has led to a streaming deal in the US.

Best of all, Ken’s Grade 2 teacher (Mrs. MacArthur) at Brocklehurst Elementary School once said it was a pleasure to have Ken in her class.*

*Note: The library cannot confirm or deny the veracity of this statement. We have reached out to Mrs. MacArthur for comment.

Ken’s residency will run from September – December 2021 and will include one on one consultations for local writers, group writing workshops for teens and adults, live script readings featuring Kamloops actors, and of course, Canadian film screenings in partnership with the Kamloops Film Society.

Learn more about Ken at linkedin.com/in/kenhegan

For more information or media inquiries, contact:

Catherine Schmidt, Coordinator, Adult Services
Thompson-Nicola Regional Library
Tel.: 250-372-5145
Email: cschmidt@tnrd.ca

Ken Hegan
TNRL Screenwriter in Residence 2021
Email: kenhegan@gmail.com

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