
Closed
Source verified July 23, 2026
Theatrical exhibition program
Support for Canadian film exhibition in cinemas
Latest source updateLast Update: April 2, 2026Latest change: The application window for the Theatrical Exhibition Program has shifted to May 19 – June 2, 2026, with all primary program documents updated to 2026-2027 versions.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: April 2, 2026
Latest change: The application window for the Theatrical Exhibition Program has shifted to May 19 – June 2, 2026, with all primary program documents updated to 2026-2027 versions.
Theatrical Exhibition Program: Application Window and Documents Updated for 2026-2027
The Theatrical Exhibition Program has reopened with a significantly shifted application window. The program will now accept submissions from May 19, 2026 at 8:00 AM EDT until June 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT, compared to the previous September 4–26, 2025 window. All core program documents have been updated including the Guidelines, Essential Information Guide, List of Required Documents, Declaration Form for Canadian Films in 2025, Reference List (now covering films through December 31, 2025), and Activity Reports which have been renamed to Final Reporting Declaration forms.
Funding available
$ 10,000
Deadline
June 2, 2026
Opened May 19, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
The Theatrical Exhibition Program supports commercial exhibitors in Canada and theatres operated by municipalities, with financial participation up to $5,000 per theatre and $10,000 per corporate group. It funds promotional expenses for Canadian film releases, promotional initiatives that stimulate Canadian content consumption in theatres, and accessibility improvements.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reach a new target audience
- Launch or market a product/service
- Raise awareness or mobilize a population
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Programming Canadian feature films in commercial cinemas.
- Exhibiting Canadian films across theatre locations in Canada.
Documents Needed
- Incorporation Documents for the applicant company and parent company(ies), if applicable, if modified since the company’s last application to Telefilm.
- Corporate Information Declaration.
- Declaration Form for Canadian Films Screened during the Reference Period.
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Commercial exhibitors.
- Theatres operated by municipalities.
Eligible expenses
- Promotional expenses for Canadian film theatrical releases.
- Promotional initiatives to increase Canadian content consumption in theatres.
- Accessibility improvements.
How to apply
- All applications must be submitted electronically via Dialogue.
- Applicants who do not have a Dialogue account may create one.
- The applicant’s name in Dialogue must exactly match the name in the corporate documents submitted with the application.
- Once an organization has been created in Dialogue, any member can submit a request on behalf of the organization or work on existing requests.
- All subsequent documentation must be submitted online through Dialogue.
Processing and Agreement
- Applicants may be notified if their application is incomplete and given five (5) business days to submit missing documentation.
- If the missing documentation is not submitted within five (5) business days, the application may be deemed ineligible.
- The full amount of financial participation is paid upon signature of the agreement by direct deposit into the bank account indicated in Telefilm’s electronic portal.
- Applicants must submit the Final Activity Report using the template applicable to the year their application was signed.
- Telefilm may require supporting documentation for the eligible costs claimed and may recover any difference between the claimed and actually paid eligible costs.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Theatrical exhibition program Program
What is the Theatrical exhibition program?
The Theatrical Exhibition Program supports commercial exhibitors in Canada and theatres operated by municipalities, with financial participation up to $5,000 per theatre and $10,000 per corporate group. It funds promotional expenses for Canadian film releases, promotional initiatives that stimulate Canadian content consumption in theatres, and accessibility improvements.
How much funding can be received?
Theatrical exhibition program Funds up to $10,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was June 2, 2026.
Who is eligible for the Theatrical exhibition program program?
To be eligible for the Theatrical exhibition program program, you must:
Commercial theatre operators, including municipally operated theatres.
Head office and operations in Canada, with a ticket and box-office reporting system that complies with audiovisual industry standards.
At least four Canadian feature films must have been exhibited in each included theatre during 2025, and the applicant must commit to four in each funded theatre in 2027.
What expenses are eligible under Theatrical exhibition program?
Programming Canadian feature films in commercial cinemas.
Exhibiting Canadian films across theatre locations in Canada.
Who can I contact for more information about the Theatrical exhibition program?
You can contact Telefilm Canada by email at coordination@telefilm.ca or by phone at 438-806-4865.
Where is the Theatrical exhibition program available?
The Theatrical exhibition program program is available across Canada.