Closed
Last Update: June 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 15,000 - $ 37,500
Timeline
- Open Date : September 3, 2024
- Closing date : September 24, 2024
Location
Canada
Overview
Telefilm supports the development stage of Canadian feature films through automatic and selective streams. Funding is available for eligible development activities, including script drafts and project packaging, with a repayable advance of up to $100,000 depending on the stream.
/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 : 37,500 $
- Minimum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : September 3, 2024
- Closing date : September 24, 2024
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
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
- Development of eligible Canadian feature films
- Script drafting and packaging of feature-length film projects
- Development of fiction or documentary feature films
Documents Needed
- Incorporation certificate
- Corporate declaration
- Producer experience declaration
- Most recent creative material
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian feature film production companies
Who is not eligible
- Companies that are not audiovisual production companies.
- Companies that are not majority-owned and controlled by Indigenous persons (for the Indigenous Stream).
- Companies whose head office is not in Canada or do not primarily operate in Canada.
Eligible expenses
- Scriptwriting fees and workshops
- Research and development costs
- Legal, design, and storyboard costs
- Producer and director fees
- Travel, casting, scouting, and consulting costs
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Originality and quality of the creative materials.
- Cinematic potential and audience reach.
- Track record of the key creative personnel.
- Cultural impact and Canadian point of view.
How to apply
1
Review Guidelines and Important Documents
- Access and review the Guidelines and the Essential Information Guide dated from June 20, 2024, to ensure your project meets the eligibility criteria and requirements.
- Download the lists of required documents for the relevant streams (Prequalified, General, Indigenous, Stream for Black and People of Colour).
2
Prepare Your Application Documents
- Prepare the Declaration Form Regarding the Producer’s Previous Experience.
- Complete the Declaration of Canadian Status of Corporation and Corporate Information form.
- Compile the Production Sustainability Plan using the provided template.
- Prepare the additional declarations required for specific streams if applicable (e.g., Indigenous Stream, Stream for Black and People of Colour).
3
Use the "Dialogue" Portal
- Access the "Dialogue" portal provided by Telefilm Canada to start your application.
- Ensure you have a registered account on the portal and log in using your credentials.
4
Complete and Submit the Application Form
- Fill out the application form accurately with details of your project and production company.
- Upload all required documents as per the relevant stream you are applying for.
- Review your completed application for any errors or omissions before submission.
- Submit the application through the "Dialogue" portal by the specified deadline of September 23, 2024, 11:59 PM EST.
5
Confirmation and Follow-up
- Receive a confirmation of submission via the "Dialogue" portal.
- Keep track of any follow-up communications or requests from Telefilm regarding your application.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by Telefilm for eligibility and completeness.
- Selective stream projects are assessed by advisory committees and ranked using an evaluation grid.
- Prequalified Stream applicants are notified of eligibility and funding amount before the program opens.
- Applicants may be asked to provide missing documents within five business days.
- A financing agreement is required before funding is issued.
Additional information
- Applicants can only submit one application per year and must choose a single stream, which cannot be changed after submission.
- All applications must be submitted online through Telefilm’s Dialogue portal, and incomplete applications will have a five-business-day window for corrections.
- Projects may only receive funding from this program up to four times cumulatively.
- Compliance with program guidelines does not guarantee funding, as funding decisions are at Telefilm's discretion and subject to availability.
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 streamFunding for Canadian feature film development
- Development program — General streamFunding for feature film development
- Development program — Prequalified streamSupport for feature film development
Frequently Asked Questions about the Development program — Indigenous stream Program
What is the Development program — Indigenous stream?
Telefilm supports the development stage of Canadian feature films through automatic and selective streams. Funding is available for eligible development activities, including script drafts and project packaging, with a repayable advance of up to $100,000 depending on the stream.
How much funding can be received?
Development program — Indigenous stream Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $37,500 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was September 24, 2024.
Who is eligible for the Development program — Indigenous stream program?
To be eligible for the Development program — Indigenous stream program, you must:
Canadian-controlled corporation
Head office and activities in Canada
Feature-length theatrical film project
What expenses are eligible under Development program — Indigenous stream?
Development of eligible Canadian feature films
Script drafting and packaging of feature-length film projects
Development of fiction or documentary feature films
Who can I contact for more information about the Development program — Indigenous stream?
You can contact Telefilm Canada by email at adriana.chartrand@telefilm.ca or by phone at 6474754911.
Where is the Development program — Indigenous stream available?
The Development program — Indigenous stream program is available across Canada.