National Film & Television Funding and Incentives – Canada

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Canadian National Film & Television Funding, Incentives and Tax Credits:

Telefilm Canada

Development Program

Program overview

The Development Program finances Canadian feature films at the development stage. 

The Development Program has four streams:

  • Prequalified Stream 
  • General Stream 
  • Indigenous Stream 
  • Stream for Black and People of Colour 

Who can apply

Canadian feature film production companies who:

  • Have their head office in Canada. 
  • Carry out their activities in Canada.

Key Dates

IT support is only available on business days until 5:00 pm EST

Opening: September 12, 2022 9:00 AM EDT

Closing: October 03, 2022 11:59 PM EDT

Accepting applications for all streams.

For guidelines and more information about the program, visit the Telefilm Canada website.

Production Program

Program overview

The Production Program finances Canadian feature films at the production or post-production stage.

For documentary projects, please see the Theatrical Documentary Program webpage for more information.

Who can apply

Canadian audiovisual production companies who:

  • Have their head office in Canada. 
  • Carry out their activities in Canada.

Key Dates

IT support is only available on business days until 5:00 pm EST

Projects may be submitted only once per fiscal year.

Producers whose projects can be submitted in more than one opening period must select the one that best meets the needs of their project.

Opening: January 04, 2022 8:00 AM EST

Closing: August 31, 2022 11:59 PM EDT

Audiovisual Treaty Co-productions with a Minority Canadian Co-producer – All Budget Levels

Regions: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario and Nunavut, Western region. Subject to availability of funds. Please contact your Feature Film Executive before applying.

Opening: January 04, 2022 8:00 AM EST

Closing: August 31, 2022 11:59 PM EDT

Post-Production Applications – French-Language Projects – All budget levels

Subject to availability of funds. Please contact your Feature Film Executive before applying.

For guidelines and more information about the program, visit the Telefilm Canada website.

Talent to Watch Program

The program is currently closed. Opening dates for the 2023-2024 fiscal year will be announced shortly.

Program overview

The Talent to Watch Program supports emerging filmmakers looking to finance the production stage of their first feature film project(s). 

The Talent to Watch Program has three streams: 

  • Industry Partner Stream: For projects that are recommended by a Designated Industry Partner. 
  • Festival Selection Stream: For emerging filmmakers who have directed a short film that was selected at a recognized film festival. 
  • Filmmaker Apply-Direct Stream: All Key Members of the Creative Team must be: 
    • Indigenous; 
    • Black; 
    • People of Colour; 
    • Women; 
    • Gender-diverse individuals; 
    • 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals; 
    • Persons with disabilities; and/or 
    • Members of an Official Language Minority Community

Who can apply

Canadian-controlled companies that: 

  • Operate as a film production company. 
  • Are owned and controlled by one or more members of key creative team of the project. 

Key members of the creative teams of all submitted projects must be emerging talent. 

Under the Industry Partner Stream, projects are submitted by Designated Partners.

Key Dates

IT support is only available on business days until 5:00 pm EST

Projects may be submitted only once per fiscal year.

The program is now closed.

For guidelines and more information about the program, visit the Telefilm Canada website.

Theatrical Documentary Program

Program overview

The Theatrical Documentary Program finances feature-length documentary projects in production and post-production.

Who can apply

Canadian audiovisual production companies that: 

  • Have their head office in Canada.  
  • Carry out their activities in Canada.

Key Dates

IT support is only available on business days until 5:00 pm EST

Opening: July 18, 2022 8:00 AM EDT

Closing: August 31, 2022 11:59 PM EDT

Post-production applications – French Language Projects – All budget levels. Subject to availability of funding.

Region(s): Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario and Nunavut, Western Region. Please contact the National Feature Film Director prior to submitting an application.

For guidelines and more information about the program, visit the Telefilm Canada website.