Production program
This program supports Canadian production companies looking to finance the production and/or post-production stage of their feature film project(s).
Who can apply
Canadian production companies in search of financing for the production and/or post-production stage of their feature film project(s).
Overview of the program
Applicants may submit their project or portfolio of projects at any time during the program’s opening period.
- Evaluation criteria:
- creative elements including the originality, quality and production-readiness of the script, and the director’s vision for the film or the quality of the footage (rough-cut applications)
- market interest (for projects with budgets of $2.5M or more)
- the financial feasibility of the project
- the production company’s track record
- the feature film track record of the creative team, primarily the producer, director, screenwriter
- the global promotion strategy
Overview of eligibility requirements
Please consult the Guidelines for specific eligibility requirements.
All applicants must meet the following criteria:
- be a Canadian controlled corporation
- have its head office in Canada and carry out its activities in Canada
- operate as an audiovisual production company
- producers and other key members of the production team must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents
All projects must meet the following criteria:
- be feature length (at least 75 minutes long), fictional, and be produced or completed in French, English or an Indigenous language
- be solely written by a Canadian screenwriter
- be aimed primarily at the Canadian theatrical market while maximizing distribution on alternate platforms
- have its copyright owned by Canadians
- have a budget of no less than $250,000
- not have been submitted more than once before to the program
- budgets of $2.5M or more: the project must have a hard commitment from an eligible Canadian distribution company for theatrical release in Canada within one year of delivery
- Fast track stream for second feature films: Telefilm will support the production of a second feature film by an emerging director whose first narrative or documentary feature was selected (after January 1, 2019), at one of the eligible major film festivals (Appendix A of the Guidelines).
- Applications must be submitted within the two calendar years following the selection
- The budget for the submitted project may not exceed $2.5 million
- The project must be directed by the same director as the project giving access to this Stream
- Indigenous stream: Telefilm will set aside funding for projects by Canadian filmmakers from Indigenous communities. These projects will be assessed by an external jury having Indigenous representation. Applicant companies applying for funding under this Stream will have to show that:
- At least 51% of the project’s copyright is held by a production company whose majority shareholder is Indigenous
- Two of the three key members of the creative team (producer, director or screenwriter) are Indigenous
Latest updates
Addendum A - Production Guidelines
An Addendum to guidelines regarding greenlight financing is now available.
List of required documents
A new version of the List of required documents is now available.
Opening and closing dates announce for French language productions
With a budget of $2.5 M or over.
Updated guidelines
A new version of the Production Program guidelines is now available.
Updated documentation
A new version of the FAQ, the List of required documents and the Designation of Main Applicant and Sharing of Project Score is now available.
Guidelines
Current
Guidelines
Essential Information Guide
Addendum A - Production Guidelines
Previous
Program applications must be submitted online.
Key Dates
Production program – English Market
For projects with budget under 2.5M
Regions: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario and Nunavut, Western region
Language: English
Note IT support is only available until 5 pm EST
Production program – Indigenous Stream
Regions: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario and Nunavut, Western region
Language(s): French, English
Production program – Indigenous Stream
Regions: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario and Nunavut, Western region
Language(s): French, English
Note IT support is only available until 5PM EST
Production Program – Francophone Market
For projects with budgets of $2.5M and below
Region(s): Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario and Nunavut, Western region
Language: French
Production Program – Francophone Market
For projects with budgets of $2.5M and below
Region(s): Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario and Nunavut, Western region
Language: French
The production program for the francophone market for projects with budgets of $2.5M and over is now closed.
Resources
List of Required Documents
Designation of Main Applicant and Sharing of Project Score
Elements of Track Record
Scoring Grid
Telefilm Canada's Success Index : List of festivals and events (currently under revision)
List of Library and Archives Canada (LAC) Requirements for Feature Films
Authorization/revocation of representative with regards to Telefilm
Questionnaire on the independence of the independent auditor
Templates
Standard Budget Template
Standard Budget Template for Greenlight Funding
Breakdown of Expenditures Incurred Outside the Coproducing Countries
Summary of Feature Film Marketing and Promotional Strategy
Explanation of Cost Report Variances Template
Exploitation Report Template
Short Exploitation Report Template
Declarations & affidavits
Declaration of Canadian Status of Corporation and Corporate Information
Declaration of Related-Party Transactions at Final Costs
Declaration of Costs Incurred and Paid to Date
Affidavit – Final Costs
Declaration – Canadian Content
Filmography for Producer, Director or Screenwriter
Declaration Regarding Indigenous Projects
Business policies
Distribution Terms & Contracts Requirements
Budgets and Production Financing Requirements
CFFF Outside Readers Policy
Accounting and Reporting Requirements (2016)
Accounting and Reporting Requirements (2016) - Summary of Changes
Accounting and Reporting Requirements (2014)
Accounting and Reporting Requirements (2006)
Contact persons
Atlantic
Carmela Sciortino
Quebec
Carmela Sciortino
Ontario, Nunavut & West
If you are applying to the Indigenous stream for the first time, or have questions about the Indigenous jury process, please contact the Lead, Indigenous Iniatives, below.