BANFF – Bell Media said Monday from the Banff World Media Festival that Jessie Gabe is this year's recipient of the Bell Media National Fellowship Award of Distinction.
The award is part of the Bell Media National Fellowship Program, which encourages professional development in the television industry by enabling emerging creative talent the opportunity to attend Banff, known as one of the most prestigious television festivals in the world. The award was presented Monday at the Rockies Award luncheon by Corrie Coe, senior vice-president, independent production at Bell Media.
"Congratulations to Jessie on this achievement and for all of her well-deserved success," said Coe, in the announcement. "Jessie is a great example of someone with talent and determination, and has been able to use the Fellowship program to help further her career. From television to sketch comedy, feature films to web series, Jessie has a wide range of experience and I simply cannot wait to see how her career develops."
Originally from Montréal, Gabe cofounded the Toronto sketch comedy troupe Fade to Brown, serving as head writer and performer. In 2009, Gabe became script coordinator on Season 1 of Being Erica (CBC), and by Season 3 became writer and executive story editor. In 2011, she was selected for the Bell Media National Fellowship Program and attended the Banff World Media Festival. Since then, Gabe's joined the Mr. D (CBC) writing staff and is now head writer and supervising producer. Her first feature film, Cas & Dylan, directed by Jason Priestley and starring Richard Dreyfuss and Tatiana Maslany, is currently making the festival rounds and recently took home Best Actress and the Audience Choice Award at the Whistler Film Festival. Gabe is presently working on several television and feature film projects.
The winner of the Bell Media National Fellowship Award of Distinction is chosen among previous Fellows, including producers, writers, and directors, and must have demonstrated significant advances in their career as a result of the fellowship/mentorship program. The award is determined by a jury of top-level Bell Media executives.
