Theatrical documentary program

Who can apply

Canadian production companies in search of financing for their feature-length documentary projects in production and post-production.

Overview of the program

All projects will be initially assessed against the Program’s goal to build larger audiences for Canadian feature-length documentaries in theatres thus helping to achieve the objectives of the CFFF. Eligible projects will also be evaluated on their overall creative merit, relevance and accessibility to theatrical audiences, as well as the potential of the project to succeed at the box-office. Telefilm will take into account the following elements:

• For production applications: all the creative elements including the originality, quality and production-readiness of the script, the creative plan and the director’s vision for the film
• For post-production applications: the artistic quality and potential of the film to reach audiences
• Track record of the production company
• Track Record of the Key Creative Personnel
• Project Viability
• Theatrical Potential, Promotion Strategy and Audience Reach Potential

The decision making will also take into account Telefilm’s objective to foster a diversity of voices in the industry, ensuring Telefilm funds a balanced portfolio of productions reflecting a variety of genres, budget and company sizes, regions across the country, and different viewpoints. To that effect, Telefilm may notably prioritize projects whose key creatives (director and/or screenwriter and/or producer) self-identify as Racialized Persons (including, but not limited to, Black and People of Colour), Indigenous, women, and members of Official Language Minority Communities.

Overview of eligibility requirements

All applicants must meet a list of criteria, including the following:

• be a Canadian controlled corporation, with its head office in Canada and carry out its activities in Canada
• producers and other key members of the production team must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• Broadcaster-affiliated production companies are eligible to apply with projects in the English market only

 All projects must meet the following criteria:

• be a feature length documentary film targeted primarily at Canadian theatrical audiences
• be either in English, French, or an Indigenous language
• be directed by a Canadian citizen
• have a firm commitment from an eligible Canadian distribution company

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 majority-owned and controlled by Indigenous Persons
  • the project shall be under the financial and creative control of Indigenous persons;
  • two of the three key members of the creative team (producer, director or screenwriter) are Indigenous

Please consult the guidelines for a complete list of eligibility requirements.