Closed
Source verified July 23, 2026
CMF — Indigenous Program
Production-stage support for Indigenous screen projects
Latest source updateLast Update: July 17, 2026Latest change: The 2026-2027 summary of changes adds new funding and eligibility rules for Indigenous Production, including a $750,000 maximum, described video for certain Indigenous-language projects over $500,000, and a new financing-agreement requirement.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 17, 2026
Latest change: The 2026-2027 summary of changes adds new funding and eligibility rules for Indigenous Production, including a $750,000 maximum, described video for certain Indigenous-language projects over $500,000, and a new financing-agreement requirement.
CMF Indigenous Program update
The SUMMARY OF CHANGES 2026-2027 document now shows new rules for the Indigenous Production stream: any genre may be eligible up to $750,000, and described video is now added for Indigenous-language projects over $500,000. It also states that selected Indigenous Production applicants must sign the CMF Financing Agreement before applying to other CMF programs, and that the evaluation grid has been updated; the document label also moves from April 2026 to May 2026.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
May 13, 2026
Opened April 15, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
The Indigenous Production Program supports Indigenous projects at the production stage for Indigenous screen-based creators and Indigenous-owned production companies. It is administered by the Indigenous Screen Office and includes documentary flexibility for How-to Programming, Reality Programming, and Lifestyle Programming when content is related to Indigenous culture.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase production or service capacity
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
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
- Documentary projects owned and controlled by individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis may include How-to Programming related to Indigenous cultural elements.
- Documentary series owned and controlled by individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis may include Reality Programming or Lifestyle Programming, including Lifestyle Programming, Reality (fully contrived), Reality (less contrived), Reality/Lifestyle (Celebrity-based), Lifestyle/Achievement, Lifestyle/Contest, Lifestyle/Travelogue, or Lifestyle/Docusoap Programming, when the content is related to Indigenous culture.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Indigenous screen-based creators.
- Indigenous-owned production companies.
Who is not eligible
- Entities that provide services but do not own the applicable rights are not eligible to apply.
- Applications will not be considered eligible if final control and the central decision makers in both the Applicant company and the Project are not with the Indigenous Owner(s) from the Applicant company.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Sponsored productions, sports, news, game shows, current affairs, public affairs, instructional television, infomercials, music videos, formal or curriculum-based educational programs, foreign format buys without significant Canadian adaptation and creative contribution, magazine productions, talk shows, talkshows culturels, non-cultural galas and award shows, reporting and current events, religious programs, fundraising productions, benefits, tributes, promotional productions, pep rallies and interstitials.
Eligible geographic areas
- Circumpolar North
Selection criteria
- Applications are evaluated by peers according to the Evaluation Grid in section 5.2.
How to apply
- Submit the application directly and solely to the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO).
Processing and Agreement
- The Indigenous Screen Office processes and evaluates applications and contracts the applicants of selected projects.
- Applicants who have been selected to receive Indigenous Production funding must sign the CMF Financing Agreement for the Eligible Project before applying for funding from other CMF Programs.
- If an applicant applies without this signed CMF agreement, the application will be withdrawn.
Additional information
- Starting in 2025-2026, the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) administers the program.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CMF — Indigenous Program Program
What is the CMF — Indigenous Program?
The Indigenous Production Program supports Indigenous projects at the production stage for Indigenous screen-based creators and Indigenous-owned production companies. It is administered by the Indigenous Screen Office and includes documentary flexibility for How-to Programming, Reality Programming, and Lifestyle Programming when content is related to Indigenous culture.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was May 13, 2026.
Who is eligible for the CMF — Indigenous Program program?
To be eligible for the CMF — Indigenous Program program, you must:
The applicant must be an Indigenous screen-based creator or an Indigenous-owned production company.
The project must be at the production stage.
The Eligible Project must be certified by the Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office (CAVCO) and achieve 10/10 points, or the maximum number of points appropriate to the project.
What expenses are eligible under CMF — Indigenous Program?
Documentary projects owned and controlled by individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis may include How-to Programming related to Indigenous cultural elements.
Documentary series owned and controlled by individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis may include Reality Programming or Lifestyle Programming, including Lifestyle Programming, Reality (fully contrived), Reality (less contrived), Reality/Lifestyle (Celebrity-based), Lifestyle/Achievement, Lifestyle/Contest, Lifestyle/Travelogue, or Lifestyle/Docusoap Programming, when the content is related to Indigenous culture.
Who can I contact for more information about the CMF — Indigenous Program?
You can contact Canada Media Fund (CMF) by email at cmf.fmc.coordination@telefilm.ca.
Where is the CMF — Indigenous Program available?
The CMF — Indigenous Program program is available across Canada.
Is the CMF — Indigenous Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CMF — Indigenous Program is a Grant and Funding