Production program — French market budgets under $3.5M

• For projects with a Canadian budget less than $1.5 million: up to 49% of eligible production costs or $500,000, whichever is less.
• For projects with a Canadian budget between $1.5 million and less than $3.5 million: up to one third of eligible production costs.
• For minority coproductions where the Canadian share is 30% or less: $500,000 cap (subject to possible increase at Telefilm’s discretion if a Canadian scriptwriter or director is attached).
• Applicants can choose between a non-repayable contribution or a repayable equity investment for financing up to $500,000; for amounts above $500,000, the choice is between a repayable advance or repayable equity investment.

• The applicant must be a Canadian-controlled corporation operating as an audiovisual production company.
• The company must have its head office and conduct its activities in Canada.
• Key creative and financial personnel (producers, directors, screenwriters) must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• The applicant must own the rights to the project and have financial, creative, and distribution control over it.
• The project must be a feature-length fiction film (minimum 75 minutes), primarily intended for the Canadian theatrical market.

Who is eligible?

• Canadian audiovisual production companies

Who is not eligible

• Companies producing projects on contract for, or produced by, a government agency.
• Businesses engaged primarily in industrial, corporate, or institutional video production.
• Advertising agencies or companies focused on advertising content.
• Student project producers or entities that undertake student projects.
• Companies creating documentaries or non-drama projects (these should apply under dedicated documentary programs).

Eligible expenses

• Costs associated with the final polish of the script.
• Expenses for closing agreements with financial participants.
• Costs for attaching cast and early pre-production activities.
• Production costs for feature-length fictional films (minimum budget $250,000).
• Post-production expenses incurred before picture-lock.
• Encoding and preparation of subtitled or dubbed versions in both official languages.
• Creation of closed-captioned versions for the hearing impaired.

Eligible geographic areas

• Companies with their head office in Canada.
• Organizations carrying out their activities in Canada.

• Originality and quality of the script and director’s vision.
• Track record and experience of the key creative personnel (producer, director, screenwriter).
• Financial and creative viability of the project, including the level of committed market interest.
• Potential for cultural impact and audience reach, including promotional strategy.
• Diversity of voices and Canadian point of view, with consideration for inclusion and representation.

• Resources within the Canada Feature Film Fund are allocated linguistically, with about one third dedicated to French-language projects.
• All information related to applications is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.
• Shortlisting may be used to accelerate the decision-making process during project evaluation.
• Guidelines and required forms may be updated periodically; applicants should consult the latest documents on the program webpage.