2023 Telefilm’s Talent to Watch Program
2023 Telefilm’s Talent to Watch Program
Submissions are now closed.
TELEFILM CANADA SUBMISSION DEADLINE: from April 17th to May 1st 2023 at 11:59pm
The Telefilm Talent to Watch Program supports emerging filmmakers looking to finance the production stage of their first feature film project(s).
Emerging filmmakers can apply to the Talent to Watch program through three different streams: the Industry Partner Stream, the Festival Selection Stream, and the Filmmaker Apply-Direct Stream.
As a Designated Industry Partner, the Winnipeg Film Group is eligible to recommend a first feature film (fiction or documentary) to each of the following components of the Talent to Watch program (one creative team per component):
- Main component (English only – Applications in French can apply to On Screen Manitoba)
- Indigenous Component
Telefilm’s funding will be in the form of a non-repayable financial contribution that may cover up to 100% of the project’s financing. The maximum contribution amount is set at $250,000 for fiction feature films and $150,000 for documentaries.
The Winnipeg Film Group will choose which projects to recommend to Telefilm and provide a recommendation letter to the team to include in their funding application to Telefilm. Recommendation decisions will be made by an internal assessment jury.
Teams whose projects get recommended by the Winnipeg Film Group must now submit their applications directly to Telefilm Canada along with the Winnipeg Film Group’s letter of recommendation.
INFO WEBINARS:
- Telefilm will be holding webinars for the Talent to Watch Program on March 28, 2023.
- Details and the link to register will be available on the program’s webpage by March 10, 2023.
MORE INFO:
QUALIFICATIONS
- WFG Membership: Key members of the creative team (Producers, Directors and Screenwriters) must be current General members in good standing at the Winnipeg Film Group at the time of application.
-
- All the key members of the creative team must:
- a) be Canadian citizens, within the definition of the Citizenship Act, or permanent residents within the definition of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (unless the project is an audiovisual treaty coproduction);
- b) be an emerging talent:
- they must have previously produced, directed and/or written at least a:
- short film (a film of 30 minutes or less);
- web production;
- television content;
- commercials;
- music videos;
- Or equivalent experience in the screen-based industry AND – they must not have previously held the same key position on a feature film. For the purposes of this criterion, a feature film is 75 minutes or more. Telefilm may consider a project of a lesser duration as a feature film if it was considered as such by the industry.
- Note 1: Producers who have previously produced one feature film that has received funding under this Program are also considered as emerging talent. This Program was called the “Micro-Budget Production Program” before.
- Note 2: Telefilm will show flexibility in the eligibility evaluation of key creatives who have previously produced, written or directed a feature film project of micro-budget scope funded outside of this Program and that had a limited release.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
In order for your application to be considered, you must submit the required documents as listed through the Winnipeg Film Group’s form at the bottom of this page. These documents are what is required for Telefilm, that is outlined in detail in Telefilm’s Talent to Watch List of Required Documents.
If you have further questions, please contact the WFG team at specialprojects@winnipegfilmgroup.com.
It is no longer necessary to have an incorporated company to apply for funding under this program. However, if a project is selected, the recommended team will have to incorporate in order to sign the Telefilm financing contract;
- Completed Script or Creative Materials (for Theatrical Docs, most recent treatment)
- Presentation Video
A downloadable pitch video of a maximum of 5 minutes that will:
• state the project’s working title.
• identify the genre, the type, and the length of the project.
• identify the key creative team involved in the project and their individual track records (including samples of past work if applicable or relevant).
• provide a brief synopsis of the story from beginning to end.
• outline the creative team’s vision/visual treatment of the material.
• outline any other relevant information that sets the project apart (e.g.: personal connection to the story material, confirmed appearance by an established actor, successful crowdfunding campaign, relationship with VFX professionals or animators).
• identify the target audience.
• include 1-minute segment of the director’s previous short films.
Notes:
*The video must NOT include footage from other projects that are not the team’s own work.
- Synopsis of the Project (PDF Format)
Maximum of 750 words, which includes the main story developments, and tells the basic story from beginning to end.
- Director’s Vision (PDF Format)
Maximum three pages in length.
- Promotion and Distribution Plan (PDF Format)
Maximum two pages in length. This document must identify the project’s audience (age, sex, sensibility, culture, etc.). It must also identify how the team will find and access this audience and why will they connect with the project.
- Track Record for Producer, Screenwriter and Director
Form is available on the Telefilm Program’s webpage by clicking here.
- Production Schedule (from Pre-Production to Release)
Such schedule shall outline how the team plans to start principal photography of the project within 18 months of Telefilm’s positive decision letter.
- Budget Top Sheet for the Project
See template available on the Telefilm Program’s webpage by clicking here.
- Details of All Confirmed and Projected Financing
The financial structure should be realistic and reflect the scope of this program.
Please provide the following:
a) Summary status of confirmed and projected financing including as much detail as possible (e.g., status and date of application, timeline to complete financing).
b) Supporting documentation for each source of confirmed financing in the financial structure.
- Community Engagement Plan
Please see the Essential Information Guide available on the Telefilm Program’s website for more information.
OBLIGATIONS FOR THE SELECTED PROJECTS
-
-
- The Winnipeg Film Group’s support must be mentioned on all social networking platforms or websites related to the project.
- The Winnipeg Film Group’s logo will appear in the film’s credits.
- All Telefilm Canada obligations apply (refer to the guidelines)
