Closed
Source verified August 8, 2026
CMF Indigenous Development & Predevelopment program
Indigenous screen project development support
Funding available
$ 100,000
Deadline
May 13, 2026
Opened April 22, 2026
Location
Canada
Who can apply
For-profit taxable Canadian production companies or Canadian Broadcasters.
See full eligibility
Overview
CMF Indigenous Development & Predevelopment program supports Indigenous-owned screen-based projects in Canada at the pre-development and development stages. It is designed for First Nations, Inuit, or Métis producers and creators working on audiovisual content. Eligible projects may cover script development, research, adaptation of existing IP, community-based work, and creative materials for predevelopment.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Predevelopment of Indigenous projects
- Development of Indigenous projects
- Script development, research, adaptation of existing IP, protocols, and community-based work
- Development of related digital media content connected to the linear project
Documents Needed
- Community Engagement Plan and/or Letter of Support for projects that intend to film in or collaborate with Indigenous communities
- Link to a project demo or previous work, if applicable
- Chain of title and agreement or contract for permission to develop or produce the project’s IP
- Detailed production schedule
- Completed script or shooting script for Documentaries, for scripted projects only
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit taxable Canadian production companies or Canadian Broadcasters.
- Unincorporated applicants may apply for development or predevelopment financing if they have never received CMF funding before, but they must incorporate before signing a Financing Agreement.
Who is not eligible
- Unincorporated applicants who have received CMF funding before, for development or predevelopment financing
- Applicants who are owners of a company not in good standing with ISO may not apply as owners of a separate company
- Applicants with official complaints made against them to the ISO or its funding partners may be deemed ineligible until the complaint is resolved
- Applicants who are ineligible or not in good standing at other Canadian funding organizations
- Applicants currently reconnecting to their Indigenous community and proposing a project about reconnecting
Eligible expenses
- Canadian costs in the development or predevelopment budget or final cost report
- Option or acquisition of rights and the related expenses, in development
- Reasonable costs related to environmentally sustainable activities, practices, and personnel connected to the project
- Development costs for related digital content linked to the linear content project
- Gifts made to Indigenous communities recognized as cultural practice in the On-Screen Protocols & Pathways Media Production Guide
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Development costs incurred more than 12 months before the applicant entered into an eligible development agreement, except option or acquisition of rights and the expenses associated with acquiring those rights
- Predevelopment costs incurred before the 2026-2027 CMF fiscal year
- Gifts to the public as marketing expenses
- Activities carried out to satisfy post-secondary course requirements of an educational institution
- Talk shows, live sports events, game shows that include a monetary prize, reality television, music videos, and advertising
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Relationality, Context and Accountability: 25%
- Storytelling and Creative Approach: 25%
- Creative Vision and Innovation: 10%
- Feasibility and Execution: 25%
- Impact, Reach and Contribution: 15%
How to apply
- Read the ISO General Funding Guidelines Policy.
- Read the ISO Determining Indigenous Identity Guide.
- Read the CMF Predevelopment and Development program guidelines on this page.
- Download the CMF Additional Resources documents.
- Complete the application in the ISO Apply Portal.
Processing and Agreement
- The ISO processes and evaluates applications and contracts applicants for selected projects.
- An initial eligibility review may check identity, chain of title, company structure and ownership, confirmed financing or sales or distribution interest, budget, links to previous work, and additional project or team information.
- Applicants have 5 business days to submit missing information before internal or peer review, otherwise the project is deemed ineligible.
- Successful applicants receive a contribution agreement to review, sign, and return, and must complete an electronic funds authorization form.
- Payment is processed within one month after all necessary documentation is submitted, and a final report is required within three months after project completion and must be approved.
Frequently Asked Questions about the CMF Indigenous Development & Predevelopment program Program
What is the CMF Indigenous Development & Predevelopment program?
CMF Indigenous Development & Predevelopment program supports Indigenous-owned screen-based projects in Canada at the pre-development and development stages. It is designed for First Nations, Inuit, or Métis producers and creators working on audiovisual content. Eligible projects may cover script development, research, adaptation of existing IP, community-based work, and creative materials for predevelopment.
How much funding can be received?
CMF Indigenous Development & Predevelopment program Funds up to $100,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was May 13, 2026.
Who is eligible for the CMF Indigenous Development & Predevelopment program program?
To be eligible for the CMF Indigenous Development & Predevelopment program program, you must:
The applicant must be a for-profit taxable Canadian production company or a Canadian Broadcaster.
The applicant must be Canadian-controlled, have its head office in Canada, and be in good standing with relevant talent and industry associations and guilds.
The project must be a linear audiovisual project developed as a Canadian production or an audiovisual treaty coproduction, with a Canadian scriptwriter involved at all stages.
What expenses are eligible under CMF Indigenous Development & Predevelopment program?
Predevelopment of Indigenous projects
Development of Indigenous projects
Script development, research, adaptation of existing IP, protocols, and community-based work
Development of related digital media content connected to the linear project
Who can I contact for more information about the CMF Indigenous Development & Predevelopment program?
You can contact Indigenous Screen Office (ISO).
Where is the CMF Indigenous Development & Predevelopment program available?
The CMF Indigenous Development & Predevelopment program program is available across Canada.