How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 30000% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the Theatrical exhibition program?

Theatrical exhibition program is funded by Telefilm Canada, Government of Canada

What are Theatrical exhibition program's eligibility criterias?

Companies must act as commercial exhibitors with their head office in Canada. Applicants must carry out their activities in Canada. A ticket and box-office reporting system compliant with audiovisual industry standards is required.

Theatrical exhibition program

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Funding for commercial exhibitors of films

Theatrical exhibition program at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $30,000

Timeline

Open Date : October 23, 2023
Closing date : November 7, 2023

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Information and cultural industries
Arts, entertainment and recreation

Grant Providers

Telefilm Canada
Government of Canada

Program status

Closed

Overview of the Theatrical exhibition program program

Get funding to cover promotional expenses for the theatrical release of Canadian films in theatres, based on the performance of the films you have exhibited in the past year.

Financing terms and conditions

This program provides financial support to theatrical exhibitors to promote Canadian films and adapt to current digital needs. Funding is structured to ensure exhibitors have assistance with promotional and operational expenses.

Maximum funding allocation of $30,000 per theatre and $500,000 per corporate group.
Funding aimed at covering promotional costs for Canadian film releases and adapting business models.
Eligible for costs related to increased health and safety protocols.
No requirement for calculating based on previous screenings and admissions, with funding automatically allocated according to program criteria.

Eligible projects & activities

Eligible projects for the Theatrical Exhibition Program focus on the promotion and exhibition of Canadian feature films across Canada. The activities aim to invigorate the theatrical landscape by enhancing the visibility and accessibility of Canadian cinema.

Theatrical exhibition programming exclusively for Canadian feature films.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 25,000

Promoting Canadian films for an underrepresented audience

$ 30,000

Revamping theatrical experiences for Canadian films

$ 25,000

Promoting Canadian documentaries with an emphasis on local culture

$ 20,000

Increasing visibility of Canadian films through strategic partnerships

$ 27,000

Expanding the reach of Canadian indie films

$ 27,000

Enhancing the appeal of rural cinemas for Canadian films

Eligibility criteria of the Theatrical exhibition program program

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements that focus on the applicant's business operations and location.

The applicant must be a company acting as a commercial exhibitor in the theatrical exhibition industry.
The head office of the company must be located in Canada.
The company must carry out their exhibition activities within Canada.
The company must have a ticket and box-office reporting system that complies with audiovisual industry standards.

Who is eligible?

Companies acting as commercial exhibitors that:- Have their head office in Canada.- Carry out their activities in Canada.- Have a ticket and box-office reporting system that complies with audiovisual industry standards.

Eligible expenses

This grant supports the theatrical exhibition of Canadian feature films across Canada. The focus is on promotional activities and adapting business models to enhance the Canadian film experience in theatres.

Screening of Canadian feature films in theatres.
Promotion of Canadian films to attract audiences to theatres.
Implementation of health and safety protocols for cinema operations.
Transformation of business models to incorporate digital needs and reach wider audiences.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to theatrical exhibitors with their head office in Canada, reinforcing the national focus. Companies must operate within Canadian borders to qualify for this financial support program.

Exhibitors headquartered in Canada.
Organizations conducting their activities domestically within Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the Theatrical exhibition program program

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant:

Applicant's head office and activities in Canada
Compliance with audiovisual industry standards
Programming of Canadian films

How to apply to the Theatrical exhibition program program

Review Eligibility and Guidelines

Read the updated Guidelines document and Essential Information Guide for detailed eligibility criteria and application instructions.
Ensure your organization meets all eligibility criteria, including the requirement to have a head office in Canada and conduct activities within Canada.

Gather Required Documents

Collect all necessary documents listed under the List of Required Documents for the Theatrical Exhibition Program.
Prepare the Declaration Form for Canadian Films if applicable.
Ensure your ticket and box-office reporting system complies with industry standards.

If you are not already registered, create an account on the Dialogue portal.
Log into the Dialogue portal to access the application system.

Complete the Application Form

Fill out the application form available on the Dialogue portal.
Provide detailed information about your organization and your planned activities for Canadian film exhibition.

Submit the Application

Review your application thoroughly to ensure all fields are completed and documents are attached.
Submit the completed application through the Dialogue portal before the closing date and time (November 06, 2023, 11:59 PM EST).

Confirmation of Submission

Receive confirmation of your application submission from Dialogue.
Keep the confirmation for your records along with the application reference number.

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.
The program includes funding intended to cover promotional costs, health and safety protocols, and digital transformation expenses to attract audiences back to theatres.
Telefilm Canada has suspended the funding calculation based on the number of screenings and admissions to Canadian films in previous years, opting for an automatic allocation method in accordance with program criteria.
The maximum funding allocated is $30,000 per theatre and $500,000 per corporate group as previously outlined in changes from 2021-2022.

Documents and links

Theatrical exhibition program

Apply to this program

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