Development program — Indigenous stream
Last Update: June 5, 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
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
$ 20,000
Developing script and funding research for a historical drama film set in 18th century Canada
$ 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
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
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.
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.
Contact Telefilm Canada
adriana.chartrand@telefilm.ca
6474754911
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