Closed
Documentary + Factual Development Fund
Last Update: March 4, 2026
British Columbia, Canada
Early-stage development funding for B.C. documentary projects
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Documentary + Factual Development Fund, a collaboration between Creative BC and the Rogers Group of Funds, supports BC-based production companies by providing up to $15,000 for the early-stage development of documentary and factual projects. Eligible activities include research, treatment and pitch document development, and creating proofs of concept or trailers.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Marketing a product
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 30% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
- Women
Activities funded
- Development of documentary films for television broadcast, streaming, or theatrical release.
- Creation of hybrid-documentaries for various formats including television and web platforms.
- Production of documentary or factual series, pilots, and mini-series.
- Development of documentary short films.
- Creation of documentary web series.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 15,000
Create a factual series about renewable energy initiatives
$ 15,000
Develop a documentary series on Vancouver's tech industry
$ 15,000
Produce a short film on environmental impact in Surrey
$ 15,000
Create a documentary film about Okanagan wine industry
$ 15,000
Explore historical narratives in New Westminster documentary
$ 15,000
Develop a web series about Indigenous arts in Victoria
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a production company incorporated in British Columbia or Canada with its head office in British Columbia.
- The company must have a proven track record in production, having produced at least 2 completed B.C. owned and controlled film or television productions.
- The primary owner or majority common voting shareholder(s) must be a B.C. resident, either a Canadian citizen or a Permanent Resident, who has resided in British Columbia for at least 200 of the 365 days prior to the application and filed income tax returns in B.C. for the preceding taxation year.
- The project must be 100% owned, controlled, or optioned by the applicant, except for inter-provincial or international treaty co-productions.
- The company must be in good standing with Creative BC.
Who is eligible?
- Production companies incorporated in British Columbia (B.C.) or Canada with their head office in B.C.
- Companies with a proven track record in production, having produced a minimum of two completed B.C.-owned and controlled film or television productions.
Eligible expenses
- Research related to project development.
- Treatment development as part of the project.
- Development of pitch documents for market presentation.
- Creation of proof of concept materials or trailers.
Eligible geographic areas
- British Columbia
Selection criteria
- Applicant team:
- Knowledge, experience and track record. (15 points)
- Capacity to execute and successfully deliver the project. (15 points)
- Connection to the subject matter, and how well-suited the team is to tell this story. (5 points)
- Additional equity factors of applicant or project (language, regional representation). (5 points)
- Creative Elements:
- Creative merit of proposed project. (20 points)
- Potential to secure production support. (10 points)
- Feasibility of development budget for proposed activity. (10 points)
- Market Potential:
- Audience for the project and feasibility of proposal to reach that audience. (10 points)
- Appeal of the project, including international sales potential. (10 points)
How to apply
1
Prepare Application Materials
- Draft a concise logline for your project, limited to 140 words.
- Develop a detailed development budget for your project.
- Gather biographies of key personnel, highlighting relevant experience and roles in the project.
- Create a document outlining the project description and intended development activities, targeting the market and audience.
- Ensure the company's certificate of incorporation is ready.
2
Optional Supporting Documentation
Compile letters of interest or support from the market to bolster the application.
3
Complete Online Application
- Visit the online application portal of Creative BC.
- Fill in the required fields in the online application form.
- Upload all prepared application materials and any optional supporting documents.
4
Submit Application
- Review the application thoroughly to ensure completeness.
- Submit the final application on or before January 14, 2025, at 4:00 PM PT.
5
Follow Up and Support
Contact the Program Analysts for any queries or support required during the process.
Additional information
- Successful recipients are required to publicly acknowledge both Creative BC and the Rogers Group of Funds by including their logos at the end of the completed project.
- It is strongly recommended that applicants familiarize themselves with the "Reel Green" initiative to reduce environmental impacts and adopt sustainable practices.
- Participants with successful applications must undertake Sustainable Production Training as part of their commitment to sustainability.
- The program encourages inclusivity and cultural respect, particularly when projects involve Indigenous content. Applicants should consult "On Screen Protocols & Pathways: A Media Production Guide to Working with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Communities" prior to application.
- Creative BC supports a respectful workplace environment, adhering to the Canadian Creative Industries Code of Conduct, which all applicants and recipients are expected to follow.
Contacts
mryan@creativebc.com
