Film and Television Development Grant (Canada)

Deadline: 7 October 2024

The Film and Television Development Grant assists qualified Saskatchewan production companies with undertaking the development of eligible projects and bringing productions to fruition.

Priorities

The Investment Fund has four strategic priorities:
- Provide incentive-based grant funding that enables the development and production of commercially viable creative products, ensuring market and export-readiness.
- Invest in market access and export development initiatives such as exhibitions, touring, showcases, market presence, marketing, and promotional activities.
- Encourage and support growth and innovation in the creative industries through research and development, and market intelligence initiatives.
- Enhance business capacity for creative industry businesses, individuals and organizations through workforce development, business and export readiness and entrepreneurial skills development.

Streams

First Draft Stream
- This stream supports the continuing development of projects that have secured development monies from a market relevant source (broadcaster, distributor, pay television, or other funding agencies) to a minimum of 10% of the development cash budget. Related-party financing will not be considered as a relevant market source. A long form or similar agreement outlining terms of the agreement is required at the time of application.
- Supportable activities include, but are not limited to, taking a script treatment to an outline or first draft.
- Non-dramatic projects may apply to create a non-broadcast demo.
- Eligible applicants may apply to Creative Saskatchewan for a maximum of $25,000 or 50% of the total development cash budget (for this phase), whichever is the lesser.
- Applicants and their parent companies are limited to two First or Final Draft Development grants (or combination thereof) per fiscal year. Subject to further budget review.
Final Draft Stream
- This stream supports the continuing development of projects that have secured development monies from a market relevant source (broadcaster, distributor, pay television, or other funding agencies) to a minimum of 10% of the development cash budget. A long form or similar agreement outlining terms of the agreement is required at the time of application.
- Supportable activities include, but are not limited to, script polish, and preproduction activities.
- Eligible applicants may apply to Creative Saskatchewan for a maximum of $15,000 or 50% of the total development cash budget (for this phase), whichever is the lesser.
- Applicants and their parent companies are limited to two First or Final Draft Development grants (or combination thereof) per fiscal year. Subject to further budget review.
Slate Development Stream
- In order to be considered eligible for Slate, applicants must have at minimum one-hour of commercially distributed content (for animation, applicants must have at minimum one half-hour of commercially distributed content) created and made available to audiences in the past two years (applicant companies must demonstrate ownership of the property).
- This stream supports the development of a minimum of two and a maximum of five eligible film or television projects in order to leverage development financing from other funding agencies and private sector investment.
- Projects must demonstrate strong market potential.
- Co-productions can make up to 50% of the development budget. Co-productions must demonstrate that a minimum of 50% of the copyright is owned by the applicant.
- Applicants must demonstrate they have the rights to develop, produce, and exploit the property for a two-year minimum plus a renewal from date of application.
- Eligible applicants may apply to Creative Saskatchewan for a maximum of $40,000 or 75% of the total development cash budget (for this phase), whichever is the lesser.
- Applicants and their parent companies are limited to one Slate Development Stream grant per fiscal year.

Project Criteria

Applications must be in support of productions that are in scope with current production incentives offered by Creative Saskatchewan.
Creative Saskatchewan’s financial commitment shall be a grant for projects that proceed into production within Saskatchewan. However, recipients will be required to re-pay the grant in the following instances:
- In the case of dramatic projects, where less than 50% of principal photography and/or 75% of post-production occurs within the province.
- For non-dramatic projects, where less than 50% post-production takes place in Saskatchewan.
Projects that do not comply with these requirements must repay the development amount committed by Creative Saskatchewan upon the first day of principal photography.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be the owner or co-owner of the project, control copyright, and receive a share of revenue from sales of the project.
Applicants must demonstrate they have the rights to develop, produce, and exploit the property for a two-year minimum plus a renewal from date of application.
Applicants must have experience as producers of commercial film or television, or related experience satisfactory to Creative Saskatchewan, and must demonstrate they possess the necessary expertise and resources to complete the proposed production and arrange for its marketing.
Applicants with insufficient experience for the project scope must secure the participation of an experienced Executive Producer prior to applying to Creative Saskatchewan.
The production company cannot hold a broadcasting license issued by the CRTC or deal at non-arm’s length with a corporation that holds a license.
The applicant company must be incorporated in Saskatchewan or incorporated federally and registered in Saskatchewan. The head office or principal place of business must be located in Saskatchewan, and substantial ownership control must remain with Saskatchewan residents.
Applicants must be in good standing in all respects with Creative Saskatchewan.
Applicants who have secured production funding from Creative Saskatchewan in support of a project that has received development funding must complete development activities and reporting prior to the start of principal photography.

Deadlines