Closed
Source verified July 13, 2026
CMF — Indigenous Program
Production-stage support for Indigenous screen projects
Latest source updateLast Update: April 3, 2026Latest change: The CMF Indigenous Production Program has been updated with major funding structure changes, including removal of genre-based contribution caps and expanded international entity participation.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: April 3, 2026
Latest change: The CMF Indigenous Production Program has been updated with major funding structure changes, including removal of genre-based contribution caps and expanded international entity participation.
CMF Indigenous Production Program 2026-2027 Guidelines Released
The CMF Indigenous Production Program guidelines have been updated from fiscal year 2025-2026 to 2026-2027 with several significant policy changes. Most notably, the CMF Maximum Contribution will no longer be based on the project's genre, effectively removing the genre-based contribution caps that previously limited funding amounts by program type. Funding flexibility has been expanded in multiple ways: Indigenous-led documentary series may now qualify for Reality or Lifestyle Programming categories when content relates to Indigenous culture, and Eligible International Entities can now contribute the minority share for both Children & Youth and Documentary genres (previously limited to Children & Youth only). A new PERSONA-ID self-identification section has been added for voluntary demographic disclosure. Additionally, applicants must now sign the CMF Financing Agreement before applying for other CMF Programs, and budget reasonableness verification is now required to determine Maximum
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
May 13, 2026
Opened April 15, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
The CMF Indigenous Production Program supports Indigenous production for Indigenous screen-based creators and Indigenous-owned production companies. Starting in 2025-2026, the Indigenous Screen Office administers the program for production-stage projects, including features, TV series, and web series.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
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
- Production-stage features, TV series, and web series.
- Documentary projects that include How-to Programming related to Indigenous cultural elements.
Official resources
Program guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Indigenous screen-based creators.
- Indigenous-owned production companies.
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 (ISO) processes and evaluates applications and contracts the applicants of selected projects.
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 CMF Indigenous Production Program supports Indigenous production for Indigenous screen-based creators and Indigenous-owned production companies. Starting in 2025-2026, the Indigenous Screen Office administers the program for production-stage projects, including features, TV series, and web series.
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?
Production-stage features, TV series, and web series.
Documentary projects that include How-to Programming related to Indigenous cultural elements.
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