Opening Soon
Source verified July 28, 2026
Development program — Indigenous stream
Canadian feature film development support
Latest source updateLast Update: August 4, 2026Latest change: The Development Program page now shows new information sessions for the BPOC and Indigenous streams, and the contact/application guidance has changed.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: August 4, 2026
Latest change: The Development Program page now shows new information sessions for the BPOC and Indigenous streams, and the contact/application guidance has changed.
Development Program: information sessions and contact details updated
The Development Program page now includes information sessions for the BPOC and Indigenous streams, with English and French sessions listed for Tuesday August 11, 2026 at 14:00 ET and 11:00 ET. The page structure and supporting application guidance also changed, with the application path still pointing to Dialogue but the contact and submission details now presented differently.
Funding available
$ 15,000 - $ 35,000
Deadline
Opening Soon
Location
Canada
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.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
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
- Incorporation Certificate
- Corporate Information
- Track Record Summary for all Producers, Screenwriters and Directors (if applying for packaging)
- Pitch Document
- Community Engagement Plan
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian feature film production companies
- Companies with their head office in Canada
- Companies that carry out their activities in Canada
Who is not eligible
- Applicants may only apply to one stream even if they are eligible to more than one.
- Applicants having an uncompleted development project under contract with Telefilm may not submit another application for the same project nor include it in a new portfolio submission.
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
- Complete the online application form and upload the required documents using Dialogue.
Processing and Agreement
- All advisory committees evaluate the projects based on the evaluation criteria described in the Guidelines, and score and rank the projects following the evaluation grid available on the program webpage.
- Applicants will be notified if their application is incomplete and given a notice to submit missing documentation within five (5) business days.
- Documentation submitted to Telefilm after the submission of the application form or, for incomplete applications, after the notice period indicated in the incomplete file notice, may not be considered in the decision-making process.
- Applicants having an uncompleted development project under contract with Telefilm may not submit another application for the same project nor include it in a new portfolio submission.
- Automatic development funding for 150 eligible Canadian companies with an Organization Performance Score ranking among the highest ones, subject to regional and linguistic distribution.
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.
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 coordination@telefilm.ca or by phone at 438-806-4865.
Where is the Development program — Indigenous stream available?
The Development program — Indigenous stream program is available across Canada.
Is the Development program — Indigenous stream a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Development program — Indigenous stream is a Grant and Funding