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Source verified August 14, 2026
Development program — Indigenous stream
Canadian feature film development support
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Latest source updateLast Update: August 14, 2026Latest change: The Development Program page now shows updated program contacts and revised business-policy documentation, including a new summary-of-changes document.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: August 14, 2026
Latest change: The Development Program page now shows updated program contacts and revised business-policy documentation, including a new summary-of-changes document.
Development Program contact and document updates
The Development Program page now lists named program contacts with phone numbers and email addresses, including a specific contact for the Indigenous Stream. It also shows updated business-policy text and adds a summary-of-changes document. The visible update packet does not show a clear deadline, funding amount, or eligibility rule change.
Funding available
$ 15,000 - $ 35,000
Deadline
September 11, 2026
Opened August 31, 2026
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Canadian-controlled audiovisual companies with their head office and activities in Canada
See full eligibility
Overview
Telefilm’s Development Program supports the development of eligible Canadian feature films for Canadian production companies, through automatic Prequalified funding and selective streams. It funds projects at the script or packaging stage and can cover up to 100% of each project’s budget.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Optimize production processes
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 35,000 $
- Minimum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
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
- First, Second, Third or Subsequent Draft Script, or Packaging.
Documents Needed
- Community Engagement Plan
Official resources
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian-controlled audiovisual companies with their head office and activities in Canada
- Canadian feature film production companies
- Production companies that are majority-owned and controlled by Indigenous persons may apply to the Indigenous Stream
- Production companies that are majority-owned and controlled by Black persons and/or people of colour may apply to the Stream for Black People and People of Colour
Who is not eligible
- Applicants cannot apply to more than one stream, even if they are eligible to more than one.
Eligible expenses
- Eligible costs include rights and options, writing and development, research, consultants, travel, and other costs directly related to the development stage.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs related to non-Canadian script editors and consultants whose services do not result in any copyright ownership in the project
- Costs related to obtaining an option on literary work or on an original idea
- Projects that have any outstanding deliverables relating to a previous development phase
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Creative Elements
- Track Record of the Key Creative Personnel
- Cultural Impact and Audience Reach Potential
- Diversity of Voices, including a balanced portfolio across genres, budgets, company sizes, regions of the country and different viewpoints.
- Telefilm may prioritize projects whose key creatives demonstrate alignment with Telefilm’s EDIA Action Plan.
How to apply
- Review the How to apply page for more information on the application process.
- Submit the application and required documentation online through Dialogue.
Processing and Agreement
- Advisory committees evaluate projects submitted to the selective streams using stream-specific evaluation grids to score and rank eligible projects.
- For the Indigenous Stream and the Stream for Black People and People of Colour, advisory committees make recommendations to Telefilm.
- Prequalified applicants are notified of their eligibility status and funding amount ahead of the program opening.
Additional information
- The Indigenous Stream and the Stream for Black People and People of Colour will be reviewed in collaboration with our EDIA partners.
Contacts
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- Development program — Black and People of Colour streamFeature film development support
- Development program — General streamFeature film development support
- Development program — Prequalified streamAutomatic funding for top-ranked organizations
Frequently Asked Questions about the Development program — Indigenous stream Program
What is the Development program — Indigenous stream?
Telefilm’s Development Program supports the development of eligible Canadian feature films for Canadian production companies, through automatic Prequalified funding and selective streams. It funds projects at the script or packaging stage and can cover up to 100% of each project’s budget.
How much funding can be received?
Development program — Indigenous stream Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $35,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
Applications will open on August 31, 2026.
Who is eligible for the Development program — Indigenous stream program?
To be eligible for the Development program — Indigenous stream program, you must:
The project must be a feature-length film of 75 minutes or longer.
The project must be intended for theatrical release.
What expenses are eligible under Development program — Indigenous stream?
First, Second, Third or Subsequent Draft Script, or Packaging.
Who can I contact for more information about the Development program — Indigenous stream?
You can contact Telefilm Canada by email at shelley.macdougall@telefilm.ca or by phone at 902 334-1368.
Where is the Development program — Indigenous stream available?
The Development program — Indigenous stream program is available across Canada.