How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $160000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2024-09-30T23:59:59Z.

Who are the financial supporters of the Export and cultural visibility support program?

Export and cultural visibility support program is funded by Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), Gouvernement du Québec

What are Export and cultural visibility support program's eligibility criterias?

Be a Quebec-based for-profit business operating in the cultural sector (audiovisual, music, performing arts, book publishing, arts and crafts, art market, or interactive works). Meet SODEC's Quebec ownership requirements for the relevant sector. Have headquarters located in Quebec (center of decision-making and effective management).

Export and cultural visibility support program

Last Update: June 3, 2025

QC, Canada

Financing for Quebec cultural exports

Export and cultural visibility support program at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $160,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : July 1, 2024
Closing date : September 30, 2024

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Information and cultural industries

Grant Providers

Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)
Gouvernement du Québec

Status

Open

Overview of the Export and cultural visibility support program program

The Export and Cultural Visibility Support Program (SODEXPORT) provides Québec-based cultural companies with financial assistance of up to $160,000 to expand internationally, promote cultural works, and participate in key export activities. Eligible activities include strategic business development, securing international business opportunities, attending festivals, supporting film releases abroad, collective market presence, and undertaking strategic international initiatives.

Financing terms and conditions

Financial assistance is provided as a grant or, in certain cases, a repayable contribution, covering up to 50% of eligible project expenses.
Maximum funding per project or stream varies: up to $160,000 over two years for strategic development abroad; $140,000 for short film distributors, with a possible performance bonus of up to $20,000; $20,000 per year for business opportunities abroad; $100,000 for strategic initiatives; and $25,000 per territory (up to $75,000 per film) for film promotion abroad.
The cumulative limit of government funding (including tax credits) is 70% of the total project budget; beneficiaries must contribute at least 30% from other sources.
Disbursement occurs in two phases: 70% upon signing the funding agreement, and the remaining 30% after completion and acceptance of a final project report.

Eligible projects & activities

Strategic development of international business activities to expand or consolidate markets for Quebec cultural content.
Export projects targeting specific business opportunities abroad to increase international sales or attract investors.
Participation of Quebec works in international festivals or prestigious awards ceremonies outside Quebec.
Promotion and release of Quebec feature films in foreign territories (including cinema, video-on-demand, and digital platforms).
Implementation of major or unique international initiatives that are significant for the industry or the company's growth.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 70,000

Participating in a overseas book fair to promote local publishing houses

$ 75,000

Promoting local indie films at the Toronto International Film Festival

$ 65,000

Launching a local literature promotional campaign

$ 80,000

Establishing local music representation at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival

$ 60,000

Supporting bilingual dubbing for local TV series for distribution in Latin America

$ 50,000

Strategic business development mission for local artists

Eligibility criteria of the Export and cultural visibility support program program

The applicant must be a Quebec-based company operating in the cultural sectors of audiovisual, music and variety shows, book publishing, arts and crafts, visual arts market, or interactive works within these domains.
The company must have its head office located in Quebec, where the main decision-making activities take place.
Eligible applicant types include for-profit businesses (including sole proprietorships), non-profit organizations, cooperatives, consortiums of Quebec companies, and sectoral associations of cultural enterprises.
The applicant must meet SODEC's Quebec ownership requirements relevant to their specific cultural domain.
The applicant must have fulfilled all obligations from any previous participation in SODEC programs.

Who is eligible?

Quebec-based cultural enterprises in the audiovisual sector
Companies operating in music and variety shows
Firms in the book and publishing sector
Businesses in the crafts and art market
Companies producing interactive works within these domains

Who is not eligible

Companies that do not operate in the cultural sectors of audiovisual, music and variety shows, book and publishing, fine crafts and art market, or interactive works within these fields.
Enterprises whose headquarters are not established in Quebec.
Applicants who have not respected previous commitments to SODEC under this or other SODEC programs.
Projects eligible under other SODEXPORT program components cannot apply to Volet 5 (Strategic Initiatives).

Eligible expenses

International and local transportation costs in economy class.
Accommodation expenses in the targeted territories.
Promotion, press, and publicity expenses (traditional and digital).
Production of promotional materials designed for export activities, including translation costs where applicable.
Accreditation fees and space rental costs (when no collective SODEC presence exists at the event).
Consulting fees for independent experts for work performed outside Quebec and for negotiating commercial agreements (subject to specific caps).
Legal fees related to commercial agreements outside Quebec.
Interpreter fees, if required.
International film festival registration fees (for short films only).
Subtitling, dubbing, or voice-over expenses not covered by other funds for up to two episodes per series/miniseries and for trailers of feature films.
Networking expenses (for category 1 festivals).
Copy and third-language subtitling expenses when mandatory (certain festival categories only).
Transport or transfer of copies (when applicable for festivals).
All other expenses deemed relevant and necessary for carrying out the proposed commercial strategy or project.

Eligible geographic areas

Companies whose head office is established in Quebec.

Eligibility criteria of the Export and cultural visibility support program program

Clarity and relevance of the proposed strategy or project in relation to the company's development.
Commercial potential of the strategy or project.
Feasibility and practicality of the proposed activities.
Company's capacity and experience to successfully execute the project.
Expected outcomes and anticipated impacts of the proposed activities.

How to apply to the Export and cultural visibility support program program

Create an account SOD@ccès

Access the secure electronic submission portal SOD@ccès.
Create an account if you haven't done so already, or log in if you already have an account.

Preparation of the application

Draft the export business development strategy detailing the activities, target markets, and expected results.
Develop a detailed budget forecast for the business strategy, including a financing structure.
Gather the financial statements from the last two fiscal years of the company, if not already provided.
Calculate the gross sales outside Quebec for the last two years and project those for the next two years.

Submission of the request

Log in to the SOD@ccès portal with your account.
Download all required documents, including the strategy, budget, financial statements, and sales forecasts.
Fill out the online application form accurately.
Submit the application before the deadline specified on the SODEC website.

Confirmation and follow-up

Receive confirmation of the submission of the application via the portal or by email.
Save this confirmation for future reference and follow-up.

Additional information

Incomplete applications or missing documentation will result in inadmissibility.
The SODEC reserves the right to request original supporting documents or additional information at any stage.
Submission deadlines and program numbers for each funding stream are detailed on the SODEC website and may vary by component.
Final reports are required within three or six months of project completion, depending on the funding stream, and are a condition for final grant disbursement.

Documents and links

Export and cultural visibility support program

Contact Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)

CinemaTele.International@sodec.gouv.qc.ca

Apply to this program

Tax credit for development of a Quebec e-business