How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 37500% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the Development program — Indigenous stream?

Development program — Indigenous stream is funded by Telefilm Canada, Government of Canada

What are Development program — Indigenous stream's eligibility criterias?

Canadian-controlled corporation with head office and activities in Canada Operates as an audiovisual production company Majority-owned and controlled by Indigenous persons (for Indigenous Stream)

Development program — Indigenous stream

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Financing for Indigenous filmmakers

Development program — Indigenous stream at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $15,000 to $37,500

Timeline

Open Date : September 3, 2024
Closing date : September 24, 2024

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Information and cultural industries
Arts, entertainment and recreation

Grant Providers

Telefilm Canada
Government of Canada

Program status

Closed

Overview of the Development program — Indigenous stream program

Get a repayable advance of up to $30,000 to cover costs in the development stage of your feature film. To be eligible, you must meet certain criteria for recent theatrical releases, including having 1 project funded by Telefilm.

Financing terms and conditions

Telefilm’s minimum financial participation per project is $15,000 and may cover up to 100% of the budget for the selected development stage, within set caps.
For the Indigenous Stream (selective funding), the maximum funding is $35,000 for one project per application.
Funding is provided as a repayable advance, due at the earlier of the first day of filming or the sale/assignment of project rights.
The development phase funded must be completed within 24 months of the financing agreement signature.

Eligible projects & activities

Development of feature-length Canadian films (75 minutes or longer), including both fiction and documentary projects.
Advancement of film projects through stages such as first, second, third, or subsequent script drafts, and project packaging.
Creation of feature film content entirely developed and controlled by Indigenous-owned and -led production companies.
Support for film projects intended for theatrical release and reflecting Canadian or Indigenous perspectives.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 28,000

Developing storyboards and character design for an animated feature film about environmental conservation

$ 20,000

Developing interactive scripts for a comedy film featuring Black Canadian communities

$ 23,000

Research and script development for a biographical film about a prominent Canadian musician

$ 22,000

Script development and research for a sci-fi film exploring AI ethics in future societies

$ 27,500

Writing and research for a documentary film on the lives of Indigenous women in contemporary Canada

$ 20,000

Developing script and funding research for a historical drama film set in 18th century Canada

Eligibility criteria of the Development program — Indigenous stream program

The applicant must be a Canadian-controlled corporation with its head office and operations in Canada.
The company must operate as an audiovisual production company and be involved in feature film production.
For the Indigenous Stream, the production company must be majority-owned and controlled by Indigenous persons.
The project must be a feature-length film (75 minutes or longer), written in English, French, or an Indigenous language, and intended for theatrical release.
All key creative personnel (producer(s), screenwriter(s), and, at the packaging phase, director(s)) for the Indigenous Stream must be Indigenous.

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

Budget breakdown costs.
Corporate overhead (maximum 20% of direct costs).
Demo production costs.
Design-related expenses.
Director fees (if applicable at packaging phase or when director and screenwriter are not the same person).
Fringe benefits associated with development activities.
Graphic bible creation.
Legal fees related to the project.
Option fees for literary works (excluding fees paid to the producer).
Preproduction casting and scouting.
Producer fees (maximum 20% of direct costs).
Research expenses directly linked to development.
Screenwriter fees as per agreement (mandatory for all phases except packaging, except for animation's second and subsequent drafts).
Scriptwriting workshops.
Storyboard development.
Independent story consultants or script editors, including sensitivity or equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) advisors.
Travel and related costs for preproduction scouting, financing, or packaging activities.
Costs for non-Canadian script editors or consultants (if no copyright ownership results for them).
Costs to obtain an option on literary work or original idea (can be non-Canadian).

Eligible geographic areas

Companies with their head office and activities in Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the Development program — Indigenous stream program

Originality and quality of the creative materials (including synopsis, pitch document, and script or treatment).
Cinematic potential and ability to engage audiences.
Representation of Canadian experiences and perspectives.
Engagement outlined in the Community Engagement Plan.
Track record and industry experience of key creative personnel (producer, screenwriter, and director at the packaging phase), including past success and expertise relevant to the project.
Cultural and/or commercial impact potential, including potential to reach target and underrepresented audiences and to stand out in the cinematic landscape.

How to apply to the Development program — Indigenous stream program

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).

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.