Open
Marketing, Promotion and Distribution Program
Indigenous screen marketing and distribution support
Record updated
- Funding available
- $ 50,000
- Up to 5% of project cost
- Deadline
- March 1, 2027
- Location
- Canada
Overview
The Marketing, Promotion and Distribution Program supports Indigenous-owned screen-based companies in Canada with up to $50,000 for features and TV series and $25,000 for short films, web series, and interactive or immersive projects. Eligible costs include publicists, advertising, festival participation, community screenings, trailers, translation, accessibility support, and market registration.
At a glance
Funding available
- Maximum funding
- $50,000
- Maximum share of project costs
- 5%
- Access new markets
- Reach a new target audience
- Launch or market a product/service
Eligible candidates
- Location
- Canada
- Eligible Industries
- All industries
- Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
- Organisation size
- All organization sizes
- Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Legal structures
- All legal structures
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
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Indigenous-owned screen-based companies.
Who is not eligible
- Projects that have already received ISO Marketing, Promotion and Distribution funding.
- Applicants with outstanding final reports in any ISO program until the report is submitted and approved.
Eligible expenses
- Hiring of publicists, community liaisons, and social media coordination or management.
- Advertising and publicity costs and fees, plus networking, festival participation, community screenings, and tours.
- Marketing, publicity, and impact strategies, including a new trailer and marketing or promotional materials.
- Translation and language support, plus fees and honorariums for community engagement, consultants, advisors, facilitators, mentors, or knowledge keepers.
- Master copies, selected screening formats such as Digital Cinema Package, registration fees for festival submissions and markets, and accessibility costs including relaxed screenings.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Recoupable expenses, including incurred or paid costs.
- Travel costs covered in other budgets submitted to ISO Funding Programs.
- Reimbursements for travel that has occurred before the submission date.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Activities funded
- Marketing, promotion, and distribution of short and feature films, television and web series, and interactive and immersive projects.
- Relevant and related project travel, including attendance at international or national markets, premieres, and events.
How to apply
- Read the ISO General Funding Guidelines Policy.
- Read the ISO Determining Indigenous Identity Guide.
- Read the Marketing, Promotion, and Distribution program guidelines outlined on the page.
- Complete the Marketing, Promotion, and Distribution program application checklist.
- Complete the application in the ISO Apply Portal.
Documents Needed
- Eligibility Form, Applicant Information Form – Company, Project Information Form, and Project Proposal Form.
- Marketing Promotion Distribution Strategy, Project Timeline and Activities, Budget Top Sheet, Financial Structure, and ISO Budget template.
- Contracts or work quotes, if applicable; support materials; bios and CVs of key roles.
- IP Agreement, Applicant Data, and ISO Declaration.
- Quotes or estimates for travel costs, where applicable.
Selection criteria
- Relationality, Context & Accountability — cultural authority, lived or community connections, Indigenous ways of knowing, and articulated protocols and engagement plans.
- Storytelling & Creative Approach — compelling narrative or conceptual approach, creativity, coherence, ethical considerations, and a distinctive artistic voice.
- Creative Vision & Innovation — innovation of new forms or perspectives, contribution to new storytelling perspectives, distinctiveness, and timeliness.
- Feasibility & Execution — experience, skills, and leadership; capacity gaps; budget alignment; realistic timeline; and project readiness.
- Impact, Reach & Contribution — contribution to Indigenous cultural life, career trajectory, audience reach, industry relevance, and screen-sector 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, applicants are given a maximum of 5 business days to submit outstanding documents.
- Applications that pass administrative review move to internal assessment, where the Program Manager and two ISO staff review and score the application.
- Successful applicants receive a contribution agreement and an electronic funds authorization form, and payment is processed within one month of all necessary documentation being submitted.
- A final report is required within three months following project completion and must be approved by ISO.
Contacts
Official sources
Frequently Asked Questions about the Marketing, Promotion and Distribution Program Program
What is the Marketing, Promotion and Distribution Program?
The Marketing, Promotion and Distribution Program supports Indigenous-owned screen-based companies in Canada with up to $50,000 for features and TV series and $25,000 for short films, web series, and interactive or immersive projects. Eligible costs include publicists, advertising, festival participation, community screenings, trailers, translation, accessibility support, and market registration.
How much funding can be received?
Marketing, Promotion and Distribution Program Funds up to 5% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the Marketing, Promotion and Distribution Program program?
To be eligible for the Marketing, Promotion and Distribution Program program, you must:
The project must have received prior ISO funding, or be considered case by case if it has a National or International broadcaster or significant public funding.
The project must have a rough or fine cut at the time of submission.
The applicant must be in good standing with ISO and have no outstanding final reports, defaults, or pending complaints or investigations.
What expenses are eligible under Marketing, Promotion and Distribution Program?
Hiring of publicists, community liaisons, and social media coordination or management.
Advertising and publicity costs and fees, plus networking, festival participation, community screenings, and tours.
Marketing, publicity, and impact strategies, including a new trailer and marketing or promotional materials.
Translation and language support, plus fees and honorariums for community engagement, consultants, advisors, facilitators, mentors, or knowledge keepers.
Master copies, selected screening formats such as Digital Cinema Package, registration fees for festival submissions and markets, and accessibility costs including relaxed screenings.
Who can I contact for more information about the Marketing, Promotion and Distribution Program?
You can contact Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) by email at funding@iso-bea.ca.
Where is the Marketing, Promotion and Distribution Program available?
The Marketing, Promotion and Distribution Program program is available across Canada.