Virginia Thompson(I)

As the President of Vérité Films, Virginia Thompson is an award-winning Executive Producer, Producer and TV series creator who has created and/or produced over 300 episodes of award-winning comedy, drama, children's and youth programming, as well as documentary and performing arts programming. Thompson is best known for developing and producing Canada's #1 comedy franchise of all-time, Corner Gas. Other select credits include a new children's animated series currently in production Jeremy and Tunebug, the smash-hit international children's series Incredible Story Studio, the youth drama series Renegadepress.com, the comedy series Insecurity and Canada's Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. As President of Prairie Pants Distribution, Thompson leads all marketing and distribution activities surrounding the Corner Gas franchise

Virginia is the Executive Producer and Co-Creator of InSecurity, a 23 part narrative comedy series for CBC. She is best known for her work as the executive producer and key producer of the 107 part smash hit narrative comedy series Corner Gas, which she developed with Brent Butt, David Storey and Mark Farrell. Corner Gas was Canada's #1 rated scripted series from 2004 to 2009. The series was nominated for an International Emmy, won 6 Geminis, 6 Canadian Comedy Awards, 3 Directors Guild Awards and 6 Writers Guild Awards as well as a Gemini for Best Interactive for cornergas.com. Prior to Corner Gas, Virginia was executive producer, producer and co-creator of the 52 part youth dramatic series renegadepress.com and the 65 part children's dramatic series Incredible Story Studio. Renegade Press and Incredible Story Studio won numerous Geminis and were nominated for The Prix Jeunesse, the most prestigious international award in children's television. renegadepress.com received special recognition in 2007 as one of Bell Fund's "Top 10 New Media Groundbreakers".

Virginia got her start in TV by working on some of Canada's most celebrated television programs. A graduate of Ryerson University, her first job in television was as a researcher on CBC's The Journal. From there, she worked under her mentor Linda Schuyler on the original Degrassi series for five seasons. Virginia also worked as a freelance writer/producer for W-FIVE, Canada AM, CTV News and TVOntario.

Virginia enjoys mentoring emerging producers and writers. She served on the board of directors of the CMPA and regularly runs workshops for producers, writers and aspiring TV show creators at the Canadian Screen Training Centre, The CFC, NSI and WIFT. In 2008, Virginia won the WIFT Award for Creative Excellence in screen-based media.