This fund supports original, high-quality documentary films from Canadian independent producers. It is designed to help complete the financing of documentary projects that already have a real platform commitment in place and are intended for Canadian audiences.
Access is limited to Canadian independent producers, including eligible corporations, partnerships, trusts, and joint ventures. Official treaty co-productions and co-ventures may also qualify.
To be eligible, the project must:
- Be controlled through beneficial ownership retained by a Canadian resident
- Have a confirmed commitment from a qualifying platform available to Canadian audiences
- Include a licence fee at fair market value
- Not be delivered before the application deadline
Qualifying platform commitments can come from a national Canadian broadcaster, cable specialty service, pay television service, or an online platform available in Canada. If the commitment is from a broadcaster, it must include a guaranteed prime-time broadcast between 7:00 pm and 11:00 pm. Platform commitments that are conditional on approval from this fund are not accepted.
There is no overall budget cap to qualify. However, the fund is intended as part of the final finance structure rather than early speculative development.
For this programme, an eligible documentary is a non-fiction work that informs or critically examines a specific topic or point of view, offers an in-depth treatment, and is built with an original narrative and visual approach. The work must run for at least 30 minutes and may extend up to feature length, including commercial time.
The following formats do not qualify:
- Current affairs programming
- Instructional programmes
- Magazine-style shows
- Talk-show formats
Documentary mini-series may qualify if they contain no more than six episodes and are linked by a central thesis or theme.
Applicants must include closed captioning and described video in the budget, and evidence of both will be required on completion and delivery.
The application package must normally include:
- Detailed production budget and top sheet
- Shooting and production schedules
- Script, treatment, or detailed outline
- One-page project synopsis
- Written platform commitment
- Proof of committed financing to date
- Detailed financing plan
- Producer and key creative biographies
Applicants must also show proof of financing already secured and identify anticipated sources for full financing. If selected, producers are given 90 days from the commitment letter to finalise full financing or the fund’s commitment may be cancelled.
