National fund Canada, Montreal

Talent to Watch Program

Run by Telefilm Canada

First features on budgets under half a million dollars get most or all of their financing here, with no repayment. Writers count as emerging talent alongside directors and producers, and a team can apply before it has a company. The direct route is reserved for teams whose key creatives all belong to underrepresented groups.

Grant up to CA$250,000Open to writers in CanadaA writer with a producer or a production company

Next dates not yet published

The money

Amount
Up to CA$250,000A non-repayable contribution of up to CAD 250,000 for a fiction feature and CAD 150,000 for a documentary, which may cover the whole budget. Total budgets must sit between CAD 150,000 and CAD 500,000.
What it is
Grant
To apply
Free

Who can apply

Applicant
A writer with a producer or a production company
Where you write
In Canada
Rules
Emerging producers, directors and writers who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, making a first feature. An individual may apply on behalf of a company still to be incorporated. Three routes in: a recommendation from a designated industry partner, a short selected by a recognized festival, or direct application when every key creative belongs to an underrepresented group.
Stages
Production
Formats
Feature, Documentary
Language of the application
English, French

Its site names no past recipients or funded projects. It is listed because applying is free.

When to apply

The fund opens once a year. The next cycle's dates are not yet published; we add them when they are. One intake a year, in April. The 2027-2028 dates are not yet published.

RoundCloses
2026-2027 cycle closedApr 28, 2026 passed

Dates are as the funder states them. Check the time of day and the time zone on the official page.

Also open to writers in Canada

See every fund for Canada

DevelopmentProductionCanadaNational fund

CMF Indigenous Development, Predevelopment and Production Programs (administered by the ISO)

Indigenous Screen Office with the Canada Media Fund

The Canada Media Fund's Indigenous money is handed to the Indigenous Screen Office to run, with higher contribution rates than the general programs: up to 84 percent of a predevelopment…

Next dates not yet publishedA production companyFeature, Series, Documentary, Animation

up toCA$750kGrant or repayablebetween rounds

DevelopmentCanadaNational fund

Development and Predevelopment Funding (Broadcaster Envelope Program, Development)

Canada Media Fund

Television and digital series development in Canada mostly runs through this fund, but a broadcaster has to commit first: the money follows a development deal rather than a pitch.

Next deadline Dec 8, 2026A production companySeries, Documentary, Animation

VariesRepayablecloses in 37 days

DevelopmentCanadaNational fund

Development Program

Telefilm Canada

Canada's federal feature film agency pays for script drafts and packaging through a production company, from a first draft to the attachment of a director and distributor.

Next dates not yet publishedA production companyFeature, Animation

up toCA$100kRepayablebetween rounds

WritingDevelopmentCanadaNational fund

Development Program (ISO Story Fund)

Indigenous Screen Office

An Indigenous writer can apply here alone, without a producer or broadcaster, for research, script drafts, story editing, knowledge keepers and pitch materials.

Next dates not yet publishedA writer alone or a production companyFeature, Series, Short, Documentary, Animation

up toCA$40kGrantbetween rounds

More production funding elsewhere

See all production funding

ProductionCompletionUnited StatesRegional fund

AFS Grant

Austin Film Society

Texas filmmakers have their own state fund: cash for features and shorts in production or post, with camera and finishing packages on top.

Next dates not yet publishedA writer with a producerFeature, Short, Documentary

up to$20kGrantbetween rounds

ProductionUnited StatesRegional fund

Minnesota Film Production Grant

Jerome Foundation

The Minnesota twin of Jerome's New York City grant: up to USD 30,000 of production money for early career directors who take creative risks, applied for in two steps each fall.

Next deadline Nov 24, 2026A writer with a producerFeature, Short, Documentary, Animation

up to$30kGrantcloses in 23 days

ProductionUnited StatesRegional fund

New York City Film Production Grant

Jerome Foundation

A production grant for New York City directors near the start of their careers, in any moving-image form from animation to documentary.

Next deadline Nov 24, 2026A writer with a producerFeature, Short, Documentary, Animation

up to$30kGrantcloses in 23 days

ProductionCompletionUnited StatesBroadcaster

BPM Open Call

Black Public Media

Public television's fund for Black nonfiction stories runs one call a year: five projects get USD 20,000 and a place at PitchBLACK, where one leaves with up to USD 150,000 of production…

Next dates not yet publishedA writer with a producer or a production companyDocumentary

range$150kInvestmentbetween rounds

Also useful