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Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund - Nova Scotia - Canada
Open
Source verified August 10, 2026

Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund

Screen production support in Nova Scotia
Latest source update
Last Update: May 11, 2026
Latest 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
Updated CMF predevelopment guidance and deadline
The Canada Media Fund predevelopment PDF was updated with a new 2026 application window and decision timing, including a May 8–15 deadline. It also adds a written confirmation requirement about prior CMF funding or first-application status, and changes the submission email and required subject line. The program wording for the target project description was also revised, shifting from the earlier key-personnel wording to “Diverse Community (Ownership) Project.” Other grant details on the main page, including funding levels and the core application process, appear unchanged.
Funding available
$ 25,000 - $ 10,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Who can apply

Organizations must have a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia.

See full eligibility

Overview

The Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund supports screen-based content creation in Nova Scotia for organizations with a permanent establishment in the province. Base incentives range from 25% to 26% of eligible Nova Scotia costs, with extra support for rural, distant-location, longer shoots, and Nova Scotia content.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 10,000,000 $
  • Minimum amount : 25,000 $
  • Up to 26% of project cost

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Nova Scotia
Legal structures
  • For-profit business
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Rural or Northern Residents

Next Steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

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

Official page

Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund

Program guide

Film and Television Production Incentive Fund Activity

Guidelines

Application form

1. General Information

Declaration of Residency

Direct Deposit Authorization for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

Distant Location Incentive Form

NSFPIF Eligible NS Costs Worksheet

Supporting document

Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund

Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund Estimator

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Organizations must have a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia.
  • Organizations must be primarily engaged in the creation of film or video productions for public viewing.
  • Applicants must be incorporated in Nova Scotia under the Companies Act or continued as a Nova Scotia company through a Certificate of Continuance.
  • Applicants, their shareholders, and Related Companies must be in good standing in all respects with CCTH and have no outstanding or overdue reporting requirements.

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.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Projects that are eligible for the Digital Media Tax Credit, the Digital Animation Tax Credit, or any other Nova Scotia tax credit program are not eligible.
  • The value of in-kind contribution and non-monetary transactions is not considered an Eligible Nova Scotia Cost, and capital items are not considered an Eligible Nova Scotia Cost.
  • Fees for goods or services subcontracted by Nova Scotia companies to out-of-province individuals and organizations are not considered Eligible Nova Scotia Costs.
  • Any film or production prohibited under the Theatres and Amusement Act.
  • News, current events or public affairs programming; talk shows; game or contest productions; gala presentations or awards shows; professional or franchise sporting events or activities; productions that solicit funds; reality television; pornography; advertising; productions primarily for industrial, corporate or institutional purposes; productions that consist of all or substantially all stock footage; console or online video games; software/programming applications; and animated film or video productions where all or substantially all of the production consists of the sequencing of a series of 2-D, 3-D or stop-motion animation image rendered to create artificial moving images.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Nova Scotia

Selection criteria

  • Applications that are deemed complete will be handled on a first-in, first-out basis for production funding.

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

  • A complete application submission must be received by the Administrator before a project will be considered for funding.
  • Incomplete submissions will be returned to the Applicant.
  • If approved, the Applicant is notified via Letter of Intent.
  • After the conditions set out in the Letter of Intent are satisfied and accepted, an Incentive Agreement is issued and executed.
  • Receipt of all project deliverables is required before release of incentive funding as per the Incentive Agreement.
  • The Administrator has the right to audit the books and records of any company that receives a payment from the Fund, and records must be retained for a period of seven years.

Additional information

  • The Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage is in the process of updating all applicable program documents.

Contacts

Frequently Asked Questions about the Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund Program

What is the Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund?

The Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund supports screen-based content creation in Nova Scotia for organizations with a permanent establishment in the province. Base incentives range from 25% to 26% of eligible Nova Scotia costs, with extra support for rural, distant-location, longer shoots, and Nova Scotia content.

How much funding can be received?

Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund Funds up to 26% of admissible expenses, capped at $10,000,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund program?

To be eligible for the Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund program, you must: The applicant must have a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia. The applicant must be engaged primarily in film or video productions for public viewing. The applicant must be incorporated in Nova Scotia or continued as a Nova Scotia company and be in good standing with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies and CCTH.

What expenses are eligible under Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund?

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.

Who can I contact for more information about the Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund?

You can contact Government of Nova Scotia by email at filmapplication@novascotia.ca.

Where is the Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund available?

The Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund program is available the province of Nova Scotia.

Is the Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund is a Grant and Funding