Reopening Fund – Open Access Stream

Who can apply

Canadian festivals  who are not eligible under any of the following streams : the Limited Edition Stream or the General Admission Stream, may apply under this Open Access Stream if they meet the eligibility criteria. 

Overview of Eligibility Criteria

All applicants must meet the following criteria: 

• Be a Canadian-controlled company operating in the film, television or digital media sectors;  
• Have their head office in Canada and operate in Canada 
• Key personnel must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents; and 
• Be in need of funding for business continuity and to safeguard jobs.  

This Stream aims to support film festivals in Canada:  

• That are aimed at the general public.  
• That are taking place over two consecutive days or longer in the same city;   
• That have been held at least once in their current format in the previous year or, if last year’s edition was cancelled or held in a different format due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, in the last two (2) years;   
• That will be held in-person or in a hybrid format;  
• That have not received any other reopening funds from Telefilm under any other stream or program.  

Festivals that include a minimum 10% of Canadian Works in their programming and whose previous edition included a minimum of 10% of Canadian Works in their programming may be given priority access.    

Festivals must comply with all applicable municipal, provincial and federal public health measures to protect the health and safety of participants, contributors, employees and other organizers, where applicable.  

All Applicants are encouraged to consult Public Health Canada’s Risk Mitigation Tool for Gathering and Events Operating During the COVID-19 Pandemic for event planners. 

For full eligibility criteria, see the guidelines below.