Film Grants + Funding
There are many funding opportunities for Canadian filmmakers, including programs specifically for underrepresented artists and for projects by and for marginalized communities.
Funding and initiatives for diverse representation in film and TV are gaining momentum, with a real push toward greater diversity in front of and behind the camera.
Mainstream hits like Netflix’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018) and Best Picture winner Moonlight (2016) prove there’s a hunger for diverse stories. Use the filters below to find the programs that fit you and your project.
Find funding
Who it’s for
Where you are
21 programs
- TELUSSTORYHIVE BC · Alberta Funding for emerging storytellers in BC and Alberta, plus a platform to distribute local stories. Winners receive funding, mentorship and distribution via TELUS Optik TV. Streams vary each year, from documentaries and web series to podcasts. Visit program
- Telefilm CanadaDevelopment Program Canada-wide Supports Canadian production companies financing the development of feature films. Applicants need a track record: at least one film screened at a festival in the last 5 years, or previous Telefilm funding. Includes streams for First Nations and Racialized filmmakers; in the Racialized Persons stream, the screenwriter and producer must both self-identify as Racialized Persons. Visit program
- Telefilm CanadaProduction Program Budgets over $250K Canada-wide Production financing for mid-budget Canadian feature films with Canadians in key positions. There is also an Indigenous stream for First Nations production companies. Visit program
- Filmmakers Without BordersFilmmaking Grants Up to $5,000 International Open internationally, for projects at any stage, including festival applications. Narrative, documentary, experimental and new media projects centred on social justice, empowerment and cultural exchange. Grants are awarded in quarterly cycles. Visit program
- City of OttawaCultural Funding Ontario Available to artists from a range of historically marginalized communities, for cultural art projects led by professional artists or community elders and culture keepers. Applicants must be based in or around Ottawa. Visit program
- Ontario CreatesFilm Fund Up to $400,000 Ontario For Ontario-based filmmakers with feature films. Open to all, with enhanced support for films with diverse elements through the Diversity Enhancement Addendum. Visit program
- FramelineCompletion Fund Up to $5,000 International Grants to complete films that represent and reflect the complexity and richness of the LGBTQ+ community. Applications from women, people of colour, and trans, intersex, asexual, non-binary, disabled and other underrepresented people are especially encouraged. Visit program
- Women in Film International A nonprofit advancing equal opportunities for women in the screen industries. Through ongoing events, programs and networking, WIF supports emerging and established filmmakers. Explore their offerings and watch for future funding opportunities. Film Finishing Fund paused since COVID-19Visit program
- Writers Guild of CanadaSondra Kelly Award $5,000 Canada-wide Part of the WGC Screenwriting Awards, for mid-career female-identifying screenwriters developing a self-initiated project, honouring Sondra Kelly, a dedicated advocate for Canadian screenwriters. Visit program
- Canada Media FundBroadcaster Envelope Program: Diverse Languages Canada-wide Funds Canadian projects in languages other than English, French or Indigenous languages. Projects must be made for distribution on at least two platforms, one of them television. Visit program
- For BPOC creatorsCanadian Independent Screen Fund Canada-wide A certified independent production fund supporting BPOC-owned production companies, with business affairs programs, CISF Connect and a script development fund. A revival of the Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund, which ran from 1991 to 2008. Visit program
- Filmed by BikeBIPOC Filmmaker Grant $1,500–$2,000 International Open to the global BIPOC community, for films of 30 minutes or shorter with a strong central theme of bicycles. Recipients can be paired with an advisor for one-on-one support. No experience required. Visit program
- Telefilm CanadaTalent to Watch: Indigenous Stream Canada-wide Finances first feature films and web projects and supports the career development of emerging Canadian filmmakers, with an Indigenous stream to amplify the voices of Indigenous creators. Visit program
- Canada Media FundIndigenous Production Program Canada-wide Finances the development and production of Indigenous film and television projects. Visit program
- Canada Council for the ArtsCreating, Knowing and Sharing Canada-wide Supports a wide range of First Nations, Inuit and Métis artistic and cultural activities, with components for micro-grants, short-term projects and long-term projects. Visit program
- Alberta Foundation for the ArtsIndigenous Arts Individual Project Funding Up to $18,000 Alberta For Indigenous artists’ cultural or artistic projects. Applicants must be legally able to work in Canada and live in Alberta. Deadlines are March 1 and September 1 each year. Visit program
- City of TorontoIndigenous Arts + Culture Fund Ontario Creates new opportunities and visibility for Indigenous-led arts and culture, through an Incubation stream (up to $10,000 per project) and an Activation stream for larger projects. Applicants must be Toronto-based. Visit program
- artsnbEquinox Program for Indigenous Artists Up to $10,000 New Brunswick Supports the development, creation and presentation of Canadian artistic work. Applicants must have lived in New Brunswick for at least a year and be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Visit program
- Toronto Arts CouncilIndigenous Arts Projects Up to $15,000 Ontario A multidisciplinary program for professional Indigenous artists: project development (up to $3,000), creation (up to $10,000), and exhibition, presentation and dissemination (up to $15,000). Individual applicants must live in Toronto. Applications open in the fall. Visit program
- Conseil des arts et des lettres du QuébecRecognition, Inuit and First Nations Arts Québec Grants for professional and emerging Inuit and First Nations artists through three components: revitalization, creation and transmission; micro-grants; and impetus. Applicants must be Canadian citizens living in Québec. Apply online at any time. Visit program
- Ontario Arts CouncilDeaf and Disability Arts Projects Up to $10,000 Ontario For Ontario-based artists who are Deaf and/or have a disability, across art practices including filmmaking, in three categories: creation, production and professional development. Applications open three months before each deadline. Visit program
No programs match both filters. Try “Anywhere” or “All”.
Programs, amounts and deadlines change often. Always confirm eligibility and dates on each program’s website before applying.
Paying for school?
Funding your education
These programs fund projects. For help with tuition, see student loans, payment plans and bursaries, including our own Diversity In Film Initiative.
