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Finishing Fund program

Post-production support for Indigenous screen companies

Offered by
Indigenous Screen Office (ISO)
Official source: iso-bea.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 60,000
Up to 20% of project cost
Deadline
March 1, 2027
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Indigenous-owned screen-based companies
See full eligibility

Overview

Finishing Fund program supports Indigenous-owned screen-based companies in Canada during post-production for shorts, feature films, web and television series, and interactive and immersive projects. It helps finish eligible projects with post-production activities, additional creatives and technical expertise, translation and language support, accessibility costs, special effects, colour grading, sound work, mastering, and screening formats.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$60,000
Maximum share of project costs
20%
Financing goals
No objectives are currently available

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Canada
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
Legal structures
For-profit business

Start applying for this program

Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 2

Latest changes

Finishing Fund application access update

The Finishing Fund page now says applications are not currently being accepted, replacing the ISO Portal link in the application steps.

See more

The Finishing Fund program instructions now end with “Not currently accepting applications” instead of directing applicants to the ISO Apply Portal. The checklist and preparatory steps are still shown, but the actual submission path is no longer available on the page.

Official source: iso-bea.ca
October 7, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Indigenous-owned screen-based companies

Who is not eligible

  • Projects that have already received previous ISO Finishing Funds
  • Applicants in a state of insolvency or bankruptcy, or in the course of reorganization under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada)
  • Applicants not in good standing with ISO, including those with overdue final reports, defaults, or pending complaints or investigations
  • Applicants not in good standing with other Canadian funding organizations
  • Applicant companies with a history of withholding payment from cast and crew associated with any production

Eligible expenses

  • Any post-production activities not previously budgeted or under-funded in the original post-production budget
  • Hiring of additional post-production creatives and technical expertise; above-the-line and post-production fees
  • Fees and honorariums for community engagement, consultants/advisors, facilitators, mentors, or knowledge keepers
  • Translation and language support; accessibility costs during post-production; technology and facility expenses related to the project
  • Special effects and colour grading; online edit and title creation; music composition, sound editing and mixing; voice-over and versioning; mastering, output time and materials; master copies and some screening formats such as Digital Cinema Package; other associated project costs clearly identified with the project description

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Activities that are not usually considered part of the post-production phase
  • Promotional or sponsored content
  • Recoupable expenses, including incurred or paid costs

Eligible geographic areas

  • Canada

Activities funded

  • Post-production for shorts, feature films, web series, television series, and interactive and immersive projects

How to apply

  • Read the ISO General Funding Guidelines Policy.
  • Read the ISO Determining Indigenous Identity Guide.
  • Read the Finishing Fund program guidelines outlined on this page.
  • Complete the Finishing Fund program application checklist.
  • Complete the application in the ISO Apply Portal.

Documents Needed

  • Eligibility Form; Applicant Information Form – Companies; Project Information Form; Project Proposal Form
  • Post Production Schedule and Activities; Training Plan if applicable; ISO Budget, Financial Structure, and Declaration of Costs Incurred
  • Transportation and Accommodation References if applicable; license agreements and funding contracts; support materials
  • Rough Cut; IP Agreement; Bios and CVs
  • Applicant Data; ISO Declaration

Selection criteria

  • Relationality, Context & Accountability, /25: cultural authority and accountability; lived or community connections; Indigenous ways of knowing; protocols and engagement plans.
  • Storytelling & Creative Approach, /25: compelling narrative or conceptual approach; creativity, imagination, coherence; ethical considerations; distinct creative voice.
  • Creative Vision & Innovation, /10: new forms or perspectives; contribution to new storytelling perspectives; distinctiveness and timeliness.
  • Feasibility & Execution, /25: experience, skills, leadership, capacity gaps, budget alignment, realistic timeline, and project readiness.
  • Impact, Reach & Contribution, /15: contribution to Indigenous cultural life, career trajectory, audience reach, market relevance, and job creation.

Processing and Agreement

  • An initial review for eligibility and missing documentation is conducted by the ISO Program Coordinator and Program Manager.
  • If additional information is needed, the ISO Funding team contacts the applicant and allows a maximum of 5 business days to submit outstanding documents.
  • Applications that pass administrative review move to internal assessment by the Program Manager and two ISO staff members.
  • Applications are scored and then recommended or not recommended for funding before final approval by the Director of Funding Programs and CEO.
  • Successful applicants receive a contribution agreement to review, sign, and return, and payment is processed within one month after all necessary documentation is submitted; a final report is required within three months following completion and must be approved by the ISO.

Contacts

funding@iso-bea.ca

Official sources

Finishing Fund program

Program guide

ISO General Funding Guidelines Policy (2026)

Application form

Finishing Fund Program - Application Requirements
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Finishing Fund program Program

What is the Finishing Fund program?

Finishing Fund program supports Indigenous-owned screen-based companies in Canada during post-production for shorts, feature films, web and television series, and interactive and immersive projects. It helps finish eligible projects with post-production activities, additional creatives and technical expertise, translation and language support, accessibility costs, special effects, colour grading, sound work, mastering, and screening formats.

How much funding can be received?

Finishing Fund program Funds up to 20% of admissible expenses, capped at $60,000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who is eligible for the Finishing Fund program program?

To be eligible for the Finishing Fund program program, you must: The applicant must be an Indigenous-owned screen-based company. The project must be in post-production and have a rough or fine cut at submission. The project must have prior ISO funding, or qualify case by case with a broadcaster or significant public funding.

What expenses are eligible under Finishing Fund program?

Any post-production activities not previously budgeted or under-funded in the original post-production budget Hiring of additional post-production creatives and technical expertise; above-the-line and post-production fees Fees and honorariums for community engagement, consultants/advisors, facilitators, mentors, or knowledge keepers Translation and language support; accessibility costs during post-production; technology and facility expenses related to the project Special effects and colour grading; online edit and title creation; music composition, sound editing and mixing; voice-over and versioning; mastering, output time and materials; master copies and some screening formats such as Digital Cinema Package; other associated project costs clearly identified with the project description

Who can I contact for more information about the Finishing Fund program?

You can contact Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) by email at funding@iso-bea.ca.

Where is the Finishing Fund program available?

The Finishing Fund program program is available across Canada.