Telefilm Canada to reopen the Development Program for fiscal year 2024-2025

Telefilm Canada is announcing the reopening of its Development Program for this fall, with updated Guidelines for fiscal year 2024-2025.  

The Development Program supports Canadian feature films at the development stage and is comprised of four streams: Prequalified Stream, General Stream, Indigenous Stream and Stream for Black and People of Colour.   

All production companies selected under the Prequalified Stream will receive a notification through the Dialogue platform indicating the amount of eligible funding.

Key dates: 

• Opening date: September 3, 2024  
• Closing date: September 23, 2024  

Important changes:   

• Prequalified Stream – Telefilm’s maximum financial participation has changed:
  • Tier A: $100,000; 
  • Tier B: $60,000; 
  • Tier C: $35,000. 
• General Stream, Indigenous Stream and Stream for Black and People of Colour: Telefilm’s maximum financial participation is $35,000. 
• The number of applications has been capped: 
  • As of 2024, projects that were unsuccessful twice may not be resubmitted. 
  • A project can be funded a maximum of four times (regardless of the phase). 
  • For applications to the selective streams, an individual producer’s previous experience may only be used to assess eligibility for one application.
• Introduction of a new pilot initiative called the “Springboard Initiative”.
  • The goal of this pilot initiative is to identify projects that showed promise in the Production Program but were not selected for funding, and to offer financial support for development to strengthen their project for the next round of Production. Priority will be given to projects whose key creative personnel are from underrepresented groups and/or underserved regions. 
  • Applicants who can benefit from this initiative will be contacted by Telefilm directly and will be able to apply outside of the regular intake period for Development.  

All applicants are encouraged to read the updated Guidelines and Essential Information Guide available on the Development Program webpage.  

For information on how to apply to Telefilm’s funding programs, please visit How to Apply on our website.