
Production program — Indigenous stream
Last Update: July 22, 2025
Canada
Financing for Indigenous-made feature films
At a glance
Eligible Funding
- Up to 30% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : June 4, 2024
- Closing date : June 19, 2024
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Funds Providers
Unspecified
Program status
Closed
Overview
Get a contribution or equity investment to cover up to 30% of the production costs of a fictional, feature-length film. You could get an additional $100,000 if your project has a budget of less than $2.5 million and is being shot in a remote location or i
Activities funded
This grant is open to companies with their head office located within Canada. All eligible applicants must conduct their activities within the Canadian regions.
- Any province or territory in Canada.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 570,000
Production of an Indigenous Stream film
$ 600,000
Production of a low-budget French-language film
$ 450,000
Post-production of an English-language action film
$ 240,000
Post-production of an international French-language coproduction
$ 750,000
Development of a feature-length documentary film
$ 510,000
Production of a feature-length Indigenous language film
Eligibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the company's profile and operations.
- The applicant must be a Canadian audiovisual production company.
- The applicant's head office must be located in Canada.
- The applicant must carry out their activities within Canada.
Who is eligible?
Canadian audiovisual production companies who have their head office in Canada and carry out their activities in Canada.
Eligible expenses
The Production Program funds Canadian feature films that are either in the production or post-production stages. Eligible projects are centered around full-length feature films in English.
- Production of English-language feature films with budgets of $3.5 million or more, including international coproductions.
- Production of English-language feature films with budgets under $3.5 million, including international coproductions.
- Production of Indigenous feature films in all languages and budget levels.
- Post-production applications for English-language films at all budget levels, including international minority coproductions.
Eligible geographic areas
The grant covers expenses incurred during production and post-production of Canadian feature films.
- Production costs, including set design, costumes, and props.
- Salaries and wages for cast and crew involved in the film production.
- Post-production expenses such as editing, sound design, and visual effects.
- Necessary travel and accommodation for the production team.
- Marketing and promotional costs associated with the film's release.
- Rental of equipment and studio space required for production.
- Insurance and legal fees related to production activities.
- Contingency costs as part of the project's budget.
Selection criteria
The Production Program has evaluation and selection criteria used to assess grant applications. The evaluation process focuses on various aspects of the project to determine its suitability for funding.
- Artistic quality and originality of the project
- Market potential and audience appeal
- Experience and track record of the key creative team
- Financial and production feasibility of the project
- Contribution to cultural diversity and inclusion
How to apply
1
Review Guidelines and Key Dates
- Visit the program's webpage to understand the Production Program guidelines and eligibility criteria.
- Check the opening and closing dates for application submission relevant to your project and language.
2
Prepare Application Documents
- Download and fill out the Standard Budget Template and any other necessary templates as per your project stage.
- Compile required documents such as Declaration of Canadian Status, Declaration Regarding Indigenous Projects (if applicable), and Track Record for Producer(s), Director(s), and Screenwriter(s).
- Prepare a Production Sustainability Plan, if applicable.
3
Register and Login to Dialogue
- Create a Dialogue account if you do not have one already.
- Log in to the Dialogue portal using your credentials.
4
Complete and Submit Application
- Enter your application details into the Dialogue system, ensuring all information is accurate and complete.
- Upload all required documents and templates into the system.
- Review your application to ensure completeness and correctness.
- Submit your application through the Dialogue portal before the specified deadline for your submission period.
5
Confirmation of Submission
- Receive a confirmation within the Dialogue system that your application has been successfully submitted.
- Save a copy of the confirmation for your records.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- IT support for applications is only available on business days until 5:00 pm EST.
- Projects produced in languages other than French and English must be submitted during the opening periods applicable to English-language projects.
- Changes have been made to the minimum contingency reserve requirement, increasing it from 6% to 8%.
- Productions with budgets of $3.5 million or higher selected for production funding must use a carbon calculator and deliver a carbon footprint report at Final Costs.
- Minority coproductions and post-production applications have the choice between a non-repayable contribution or a repayable investment.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Production program — Indigenous stream Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Production program — Indigenous stream. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Production program — Indigenous stream?
How much funding can be received?
What expenses are eligible under Production program — Indigenous stream?
What is the deadline to apply?
Is the Production program — Indigenous stream a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Who are the financial supporters of the Production program — Indigenous stream?
Who is eligible for the Production program — Indigenous stream program?
Who can I contact for more information about the Production program — Indigenous stream?
Where is the Production program — Indigenous stream available?
Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Production program — Indigenous stream program?
More programs like this

Canada

Grant and FundingLoans and Capital investmentsClosed
Production program — French market budgets under $3.5M
Telefilm CanadaFinancing for French-language feature films
Canada

Grant and FundingOpening Soon
Strategic Funds and Initiatives — Market Access Strategy
Canada Council for the Arts (CCA)Funds for official-language minority community artists
Canada

Grant and FundingClosed
Development program — Black and People of Colour stream
Telefilm CanadaFinancing for filmmakers who self-identify as black and people of colour
Canada

Grant and FundingClosed
International Promotion Program
Telefilm CanadaFunds for filmmakers at international events
Canada

Grant and FundingLoans and Capital investmentsClosed
Production program — French market budgets $3.5M+
Telefilm CanadaFinancing for high-budget French-language feature films
Canada

Grant and FundingClosed
Development program — General stream
Telefilm CanadaMoney to develop feature films
Canada

Loans and Capital investmentsClosed
Telefilm Canada — Marketing program
Telefilm CanadaFinancial support for marketing and distribution of feature films
Canada

Loans and Capital investmentsClosed
Production program — English market budgets of $3.5M+
Telefilm CanadaFinancing for high-budget English-language feature films
Canada

Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingOpen
Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)Strategic Innovation Fund supports transformative Canadian economic investments
Canada