Funding Opportunities & Deadlines

NEW: Rogers + Creative BC Documentary and Factual Development Fund

We proudly hosted an exciting announcement at FactualWEST 2019. Creative BC and the Rogers Group of Funds introduced new support for domestic creators in British Columbia which will encourage the development of motion picture projects in the documentary series and factual series formats. The new $800,000 Rogers + Creative BC Documentary and Factual Development Fund will be delivered over two years, launching in January of 2020.

Sign up here and be first to receive program guidelines. 

Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices Initiative: Nov 29

The Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices Initiative is designed to offer a professional springboard for 100 Francophone, Indigenous, and women and non-binary creators and producers from across Canada.

  • Are you an Indigenous, Francophone, or woman creator and/or producer of screen-based media? 
  • Are you looking to break into the industry, or looking for career advancement?  
  • Are you ready to make meaningful connections with leading industry decision-makers who can transform your ideas into reality?  

This is your opportunity to participate in a national development program that offers unparalleled access to key stakeholders in global television and digital media content at a must-attend annual marketplace and conference where creative inspiration and industry opportunity unite. 

The goal of the initiative is to jump-start and accelerate individual careers and help projects at all stages move forward. Over the long term, the festival aims to foster a legacy of greenlights and international sales for the program participants and the partners who work with them. Read more about the program.

Creative BC / CBC Digital Production Fund: Dec 1

From the organizers: CBC and Creative BC are offering a micro-budget production fund to support the creation of video content from BC producers and creators to be showcased in connection with CBC’s digital platforms. Preference will be given to projects submitted by visible minorities to get their unique voices heard; however, creators who do not fall into any of these groups may also apply for funding. It is our hope that at least 50% of successful projects will come from female creators.

Eligibility details.

ScreenCraft Film Fund

Supporting  Film Projects with grants up to $30,000

Whether you have a simple screenplay or a film that’s already in production, we want to consider it for our grant program. We consider a range of projects, from standalone screenplays, to fully packaged projects seeking finishing funds.

If your aspirations are solely to become a produced screenwriter, you can rely on ScreenCraft and BondIt to package the winning script with a talented director and in-house production resources with up to $30,000 in cash financing, judged on a case-by-case basis, depending on each project’s budget and needs as determined by an internal jury of industry professionals. Further details here.

Bell Fund

Slate Development: Jan 06, 2020

The Bell Fund supports Canadian media content makers in creating for, and connecting with, audiences here and everywhere. More info. 

TELUS STORYHIVE Community Showcase: Ongoing

Community Showcase is a program for creators who want to reach a new audience. Do you have a story to share now? All filmmakers, creators, and voices in BC and Alberta are invited to submit completed films or series for broadcast on the TELUS Optik TV™ On Demand system, which is accessible for free to over a million Optik TV subscribers in BC and Alberta. Learn more.

Canadian Media Funding Programs: Ongoing

From the organizers: Through our many programs, we support a dynamic environment where creators, producers, broadcasters, and distributors partner to generate content for Canadians and global audiences to enjoy. Click here to learn more.

Sundance Institute Artist Development Programs: Ongoing

From the organizers: Sundance Institute’s artist programs provide dynamic support at every step of the creative journey for individuals with distinct voices in film, theatre, film composing, episodic storytelling, and emerging platforms. Each program consists of labs, grants, workshops, and ongoing resources for artists to nurture their projects and sustain their careers. Click here for more info. 

Call for Submissions

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival

The 2020 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival will run April 30 – May 10, in the heart of Toronto! Submission are officially open for their 27th edition.

FILM SUBMISSIONS:
Early-Bird Deadline: November 15, 2019
Regular Deadline: December 11, 2019
Late Deadline: January 10, 2020

More info.

FORUM & DEAL MAKER SUBMISSIONS:
Forum Deadline: January 06, 2020
Deal Maker Deadline: January 20, 2020 .

More Info.

INDUSTRY REGISTRATION:
Advance Deadline: January 10, 2020
Early Deadline: March 4, 2020
 Deadline: April 24, 2020

Buy Now.

Women Deliver Film Festival: March 8

From the organizers: Women Deliver triannual conferences are world-renowned convenings focused on gender equality and the health, rights, and wellbeing of girls and women. Over the course of three days, the Women Deliver Film Festival will screen films of all genres–narrative, documentary, animation, music video, student, PSAs and others–in an effort to bring the most inspiring voices forward. Click here for more info.

‘Imagine This’ Girl Power Film + Media Summit and Showcase: Dec 31, Jan 31

From the organizers: GirlPowerSummit promises to inspire and empower women in film and media by providing a unique opportunity for local women filmmakers and storytellers. Its goal is to learn from and connect with women industry leaders and change makers through insightful conversations, motivating workshops, and networking. Click here for more info.

Canada International Film Festival: Nov 30, Jan 31

From the organizers: This festival recognizes the very best of world cinema from over 90 countries around the world. All films and screenplays featured in the Canada International Film Festival are selected based only on the overall quality and merits of the work. We aim to discover and recognize simply the best new, original voices in storytelling from around the world. Click here for more info.

Professional Development

Hot Docs Doc Accelerator Emerging Filmmaker Lab: Nov 15 – Jan 16 2020

Applications are now open for the Doc Accelerator Emerging Filmmaker Lab! Accelerate your career at the Hot Docs Festival, with real-world skill development and in-depth labs.

Doc Accelerator fellows will participate in a bespoke private lab during the Hot Docs Festival where they will learn from industry experts and engage in hands-on workshops before participating in the Festival’s full slate of industry programming. The program will focus on skills training and career advancement with a goal to foster an inclusive new generation of Canadian documentary filmmakers. Select fellows will also take part in a paid professional development mentorship in the year following the festival.

Learn more.

Reel Green Carbon Literacy Course: Nov 28 

Join the Reel Green team to discuss sustainable production and how Reel Green can contribute to a more sustainable motion picture industry.

Come to learn about the Reel Green initiative and be a part of the conversation!

Meetings are open to members of the industry and free to attend.

NOVEMBER 28, 2019 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CREATIVE BC BOARD ROOM | 7 W 6TH AVE, VANCOUVER, BC V5Y 1K2

Please RSVP  to attend this event.

Moonlighter Film Camp: Nov 10-25

From the organizers: Whether you are a weekend enthusiast or an experienced director looking to be more comfortable in the camera department, we’ve got a film camp for you. We encourage filmmakers (and Moonlighters!) of all experience levels and backgrounds to participate and reach out to us with any questions you have about the topics we will cover. Click here to learn about workshop offerings.

Whistler Film Festival Content Summit

m the organizers: Explore. Connect. Create! Across borders and on any platform, WFF’s Content Summit features 30 interactive sessions from December 5 to 7 that connect storytellers to dealmakers and key industry guests.

View schedule & guests here.

BCIT – Broadcast and Media Communications

BCIT part-time courses are taught at their Downtown Vancouver, Burnaby Campuses, and online.  Check out their course offerings here.

Speakers & Screenings

Vancouver Turkish Film Festival: Nov 15-17

Now in its 6th year, VTFF aims not only to promote Turkish Cinema by bringing highly acclaimed, award-winning Turkish films, but also to encourage dialogue and cross-cultural understanding among local communities.

This 3-day annual festival will take place at Goldcorp Centre for the Arts at SFU Woodward’s on November 15-17, 2019.

Vancouver Irish Film Festival: Nov 29-Dec 01

VIRFF is Vancouver’s newest cultural event organised by a passionate group from the Irish community to celebrate the best in Irish cinema.

Vancouver has a vibrant Irish diaspora and a thriving creative film industry so we wanted to create a platform to showcase Irish loved films.

Check out the schedule here.

Whistler Film Festival: Dec 04-08

Check the schedule here.

Kinetoscope VR Film Festival

The Premiere Experiences in Virtual Reality, Film, Art, Games, & New Media…Celebrating Stories Worth Telling!

Kinetoscope VR brings together innovators to explore virtual reality as an emerging art form. Kinetoscope VR Film Festival intersects the interactivity of new technologies & formats for Media & Cinema which exemplify the power of the cinematic arts to inspire and transform. A festival that honours stories worth telling that are created by people of All Ages-All Cultures-All Media.


November 16 & 17 at Hyatt Regency Seattle Southport


Use code “50neoK50” to receive 50% off your entry on FilmFreeway at this link.

Check out Vancity Theatre’s upcoming line-up of docs.

Employment Opportunities