Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund
Latest source updateLast Update: May 11, 2026Latest change: The CMF predevelopment PDF now shows a new 2026 application window, updated submission email and subject line instructions, and a new written confirmation requirement.View change
The Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund is available to organizations that have a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia and are primarily engaged in the creation of film or video productions for public viewing. Projects must have a minimum Nova Scotia spend of $25,000 before HST to qualify.
Overview
Get a financial incentive of 25% to 32% of eligible costs for films or television series produced in Nova Scotia by Nova Scotian companies or out-of-province companies.
At a glance
Funding available
- Develop workforce skills
- Maximum amount : 10,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 26% of project cost
Eligible candidates
- All industries
- Nova Scotia
- For-profit business
- All revenue ranges
- All organization sizes
- Rural or Northern Residents
Next Steps
Activities funded
The Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund supports various screen-based content creation projects that primarily focus on film or video productions for public viewing. The fund is aimed at enhancing film production activities within Nova Scotia, offering additional incentives for specific aspects of the production.
- Film and video productions that involve principal photography in Nova Scotia.
- Projects filming in rural or non-metropolitan areas for the majority of principal photography.
- Productions that meet the Nova Scotia Content Incentive criteria.
- Shoots that extend for more than 30 days within the province.
- Productions opting to conduct principal photography in distant locations as defined by the distance from Halifax City Hall.
Documents Needed
- Trainee Final Report (PART 2)
- Trainee Training Plan (PART 1)
- Claim Form – Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund (NSFPIF)
Official resources
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
The Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund is available to organizations that have a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia and are primarily engaged in the creation of film or video productions for public viewing. Projects must have a minimum Nova Scotia spend of $25,000 before HST to qualify.Who is not eligible
This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. The restrictions aim to ensure that funds are directed toward firms with a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia and are actively producing content for public viewing.
Eligible expenses
This grant supports film and video production projects in Nova Scotia, providing incentives for productions aimed at public viewing. Eligible activities include filming principal photography, especially in designated distant locations and rural areas.
- Film and televised video productions with principal photography conducted primarily in Nova Scotia.
- Filming projects in distant locations exceeding 100 kilometers from Halifax to qualify for additional incentives.
- Productions employing primarily Nova Scotian professionals, especially in Head of Department roles.
- Projects designed to run principal photography for more than 30 days within the province.
- Productions with significant Nova Scotian content to qualify for additional content incentives.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is targeted at companies that have a permanent establishment within the province of Nova Scotia. The funding is specific to productions that engage in screen-based content creation within the region.
- Organizations with a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia.
Selection criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for the Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund. The criteria primarily focus on the percentage of Nova Scotian ownership, employment of Nova Scotians in key positions, location of production, and the duration of shoots.
- Percentage of Nova Scotian ownership and control of production
- Employment of Nova Scotians in key positions
- Location of production (rural or non-metropolitan areas)
- Duration of shoots in Nova Scotia
- Additional criteria for the Nova Scotia Content Incentive
How to apply
- Step 1: Review program documents
- Review the Guidelines, Application Submission Checklist, and Eligible Nova Scotia Costs Worksheet.
- Step 2: Complete the online application
- Create an account or sign in.
- Fill out the application form and upload all submission materials.
- Include the Distant Location Incentive Form if eligible.
- Step 3: Pay and submit
- Pay the non-refundable application charge.
- Submit the application before principal photography starts.
- Step 4: Receive confirmation
- Save and continue the application later if needed.
- Watch for the confirmation email after submission.
Processing and Agreement
- Complete applications are reviewed for eligibility.
- Applications may be approved by the Administrator after assessment.
- Approved applicants receive a Letter of Intent, then an Incentive Agreement.
- Funding is released after agreement execution and receipt of required deliverables.
- Incomplete submissions are returned.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage is updating program documents; applicants should use current forms while updates are pending.
- A non-refundable application charge of $287.50 (including HST) is applicable.
- A maximum of 3% additional funding can be obtained if the production meets the Nova Scotia Content Incentive criteria.
- The funding estimator is currently unavailable as it is being updated for the new Distant Location Incentive.
- To update previously submitted applications on or after 1 April 2024 for Distant Location Incentive eligibility, requests can be emailed to filmapplication@novascotia.ca.