This program aims to project Canada and Canadian culture abroad by supporting the presence of professionals in the Canadian film and television industry at international festivals abroad and certain pre-selected foreign markets. The grant program offers financial support for participation in international events abroad for the purpose of promoting a product, selling distribution rights, securing financing for a production and stimulating international co-productions.
Preference will be given to individuals with international experience and a proven success record. A detailed marketing strategy with clear objectives will be a critical evaluation factor of your application. The event to which the candidate is applying will also be evaluated based on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's (DFAIT) priorities and level of visibility for Canada.
Within this program, we offer travel assistance to producers and travel assistance to directors. The following are the eligibility criteria, guidelines and assistance amounts for both the producer and director programs.
Eligibility Criteria
Inelgible Candidates And Projects
Guidelines And Timelines
Amount Of The Grant
Subject to the availability of funds, grants are allocated in fixed amounts based on the travel destination. The amount generally covers the cost of a return economy airfare. The grant amounts are set as indicated below:
North America: $750-1,000
Europe and Latin America: $1,200- $1,500
Australia and New Zealand: $2,000
Asia and Africa: $2,000
Important Note:
In order to be eligible for funding, the Program for Export Market Development (PEMD) or any other federal or provincial source CANNOT be used to cover the same travel cost (i.e. return economy airfare). Total funding (federal and/or provincial) cannot exceed 75% of the total budget.
Payment:
Once the grant is approved a grant agreement will be sent out to the applicant, which must be signed before the payment procedures can be initiated. Please note that cheques are issued by Public Works and Government Services Canada and not by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Please also note that payment may not be received until after the trip is completed.
During the evaluation process, the Department may consult, on a confidential basis, with other arts funding agencies and/or our Canadian representatives abroad on your application.
Eligible Events For Producers
To festivals abroad
The grant program offers support to Canadian producers to accompany directors to an international festival abroad where their work has been selected for official competition. Consideration will also be given to producers who will attend a film festival as the sole representative for the film (i.e. the director cannot attend the festival). A written confirmation from the director confirming his/her absence from the festival must be submitted with the application package.
If several Canadian films are selected in an eligible festival section, the Department will request that the festival organizers select which producers should receive travel assistance.
To pre-selected foreign markets or pitching sessions
If a project has been pre-selected for a pitching session at an international event or market, the producer of the project is eligible to apply for a travel grant. The following markets have been identified as a priority for this initiative:
International Film Project - New York
International Documentary Forum- Amsterdam (IDFA)
Cinemart - Rotterdam
INELIGIBLE EVENTS include markets such as MIPCOM, MIPTV, NATPE, MIFED, Cannes marché du film and Berlin Market.
For export promotion assistance, please refer to the Program for Export Market Development at http://pemd-pdme.infoexport.gc.ca/pemd/tradeassociations/assist-en.asp
Eligible Events For Directors
Directors are eligible to apply for travel assistance to international events, which have received the endorsement of the Canadian Embassy, High Commission, Consulate or Trade Office in the territory. The Canadian Mission abroad will be consulted during the application process to confirm their involvement in the event. The festival in question must be credible, have an international participation, and be recognized as a good venue for Canadian visibility.
The director cannot apply to this program if he/she is receiving travel assistance from another federal source, namely Telefilm Canada or the Canada Council for the Arts, or provincial sources.
This program enables Canadian international festivals to invite foreign buyers for the purpose of promoting Canadian films, videos and television programming to an international market. Priority will be given to festivals with an international reputation that aim to launch the careers of filmmakers and to develop market demand for Canadian film and television programming abroad.
Eligibility Criteria:
Guidelines:
Amount of the grant:
Subject to the availability of funds, the amount of the grant will generally cover the cost of return economy airfares for the foreign buyers invited by the festival. 10% of the grant will be withheld until the final report and budget are approved.
Important Notes:
International Cultural Relations Division (PCR)
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa,
Ontario
K1A 0G2
Email: culture.pcr@international.gc.ca
Telephone: (613) 992-6283
Toll free: 1-888-757-7752
Fax: (613) 992-5965