How much funding can be received?

The Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program by Telefilm Canada provides non-repayable financial contributions of up to $250,000 to support established Canadian film festivals that promote Canadian films and talent. Eligible activities include medium to large-scale film festivals with a budget of at least $300,000, which have held at least seven editions and include a significant proportion of Canadian works.

grant_single_labels|projects

The Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program in Canada aims to support established film festivals that contribute to the promotion of Canadian films and talents. Eligible activities for this grant include the organization and execution of medium to large-scale film festivals across the country.

Organizing film festivals featuring a diverse range of Canadian and international films.
Implementing audience development and engagement strategies.
Promoting Canadian content and talents at the festival.
Ensuring a hybrid or in-person format for the festival events.
Including complementary activities such as forums, workshops, and networking events related to the festival.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant requires applicants to meet certain criteria related to their business structure and operational experience.

The applicant must have their head office in Canada.
The applicant must be a Canadian-controlled corporation.
They must operate within the film, television, or digital media sectors.
The corporation needs to be financially stable and must demonstrate sound governance measures for organizing the festival.
The organization must possess experience and expertise in hosting film festivals of similar size and scope.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Canadian-controlled corporations who have their head office in Canada and operate within the film, television, or digital media sectors. They must have experience and expertise in organizing film festivals or markets and the festival must be long-established, having held at least 7 editions and a minimum total activity budget of $300,000 CA.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The grant program allows for coverage of specific expenses associated with the organization and execution of the eligible film festival activities.

Costs directly related to programming the funded activities.
Communication and promotion costs associated with the funded activities.
Production expenses related to presenting the funded activities to target audiences.
Reasonable administrative costs directly linked to the funded activities, including prorated essential organizational expenses such as rent, staff salaries, equipment rentals, and other maintenance costs, not exceeding 25% of total direct costs.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant targets Canadian-controlled corporations with their head offices in Canada. Therefore, all geographical areas within Canada are eligible.

All provinces and territories in Canada.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program are based on a set of comprehensive criteria that ensure the festivals' alignment with Canadian cultural promotion and Telefilm's strategic objectives.

Promotion and support of Canadian content and talent, including the percentage of Canadian works presented in previous editions and measures to highlight Canadian talent to the public and industry professionals.
Effective audience development and engagement strategies, assessing festival attendance, understanding of target audience, outreach initiatives, community partnerships, and programming innovation.
Sound financial and operational management, evaluating the financial health of the applicant and festival, the festival's operational capability, experience of key personnel, fulfillment of previous contractual obligations, and governance practices.
Commitment to genuine inclusion and sustainable development, reflecting diverse voices in all aspects of the festival and adopting environmentally sustainable practices.
Diversity of voices, considering regional representation and prioritizing festivals promoting works from underrepresented communities such as Indigenous, Black, people of color, 2SLGBTQIA+, and more.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Review Eligibility and Program Guidelines
Ensure your organization meets all eligibility criteria, such as being a Canadian-controlled corporation with experience in organizing film festivals.
Review the updated guidelines, essential information guide, and evaluation grid available as of November 23, 2023, to familiarize yourself with all program requirements and expectations.
Step 2: Prepare Application Documents
Gather required documents for the application, including Corporate Information, Authorization/Revocation of Representative forms, and an Activity Proposal.
Prepare an Audience Development and Engagement Proposal and Budget and Final Cost Report using the provided templates.
Step 3: Attend Informational Webinar
Watch the "Introducing New Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program" webinar for additional insights into the application process and program details.
Step 4: Complete and Review Application
Log in to the Dialogue application portal to begin your application.
Use the Application Form Preview and Guide to ensure all sections are completed accurately.
Review all entries for accuracy and completeness before submission.
Step 5: Submit Application
Submit all application documents through the Dialogue portal by the relevant deadline for your festival's start dates:
For festivals starting between October 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, the application window is from January 2, 2024, 8:00 AM EST to January 26, 2024, 11:59 PM EST.
For festivals starting between April 1, 2025, and September 30, 2025, the application window is from June 25, 2024, 8:00 AM EDT to July 19, 2024, 11:59 PM EDT.
Step 6: Confirmation of Submission
Receive confirmation of application submission, including an application number for tracking purposes.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Additional relevant details for this grant include:

Applications must be submitted in the Dialogue platform, and incomplete submissions may be automatically rejected.
Telefilm reserves the right to adjust the funding conditions and guidelines at its discretion to ensure alignment with program objectives.
Funds are allocated subject to availability from governmental and other sources, and acceptance of funding is contingent upon compliance with Telefilm's business partner code of conduct.
The funding awarded is a non-repayable contribution, intended to cover only eligible costs as described in the annexed guidelines.

grant_single_labels|contact

coordination@telefilm.ca

438-806-4865

Apply to this program

Empowering Canadian Film Festivals with Financial Support

The Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program offers vital financial assistance to well-established Canadian film festivals, enhancing the promotion of Canadian film content and talent. The program aims to boost the visibility and development of the film sector across Canada through strategic funding opportunities.

Insights into the Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program and Its Far-Reaching Benefits

The Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program is a crucial initiative by Telefilm Canada, designed to bolster the nation's film industry by strategic financial engagement with long-standing film festivals. This program assists in promoting Canadian film works and talents to a broader audience, facilitating a deeper cultural impact and fostering market growth for Canadian content. By focusing its support on institutions that have had at least seven editions and budgets exceeding $300,000 CA, Telefilm ensures that its resources are allocated to festivals poised to generate significant cultural and economic returns.

This program comprehensively evaluates applicant festivals to ensure they meet specific criteria concerning Canadian content promotion, audience engagement strategies, and financial and operational management capabilities. Through these assessments, festivals that champion diverse voices and sustainable practices receive prioritization, aligning with Telefilm's commitment to equity, diversity, and environmental responsibilities. Recognizing the diverse landscape of the Canadian cultural scene, the program also aims for equitable representation across regions and voices, supporting festivals that highlight underrepresented groups such as Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Applicants must navigate a detailed application process conducted through Telefilm's Dialogue platform. This process involves submitting extensive documentation that outlines the festival's structure, proposed budget, and programming vision. Telefilm's seasoned evaluators, possibly involving external arts and cultural advisors, review submissions to ensure alignment with program goals. Successful applicants receive financial aid that could cover up to 10% of their operating budget, capped at $250,000, although most awards are below this threshold depending on available funds and the number of qualifying applications received.

The program's timeline is of notable importance, as it specifies windows during which applications must be submitted, typically aligning with the festival seasons. These periods allow Telefilm to effectively allocate resources to matches of demand and strategic cultural events across the country. Post-funding, festivals must report on financial allocations and outcomes, demonstrating accountability and effectiveness in meeting the program's objectives. Such stringent follow-up ensures continued eligibility for future funding cycles, encouraging festivals to maintain high operational and promotional standards.

In conclusion, the Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program represents a pivotal opportunity for Canadian film festivals to secure funding that can enhance their capacity to feature and promote Canadian film prowess domestically and abroad. Through stringent adherence to cultural, operational, and financial benchmarks, this program not only sustains a robust film festival infrastructure but also propels the Canadian cultural sector toward greater national and international prominence. By aligning its financial incentives with the industry's creative pulse, Telefilm Canada continues to catalyze growth and innovation within Canada's vibrant film community.