Telefilm Talent to Watch (formerly Microbudget) Program
The Talent to Watch Program – Funding of First Feature Films and Web Projects from Emerging Filmmakers aims to support emerging filmmakers, accelerate their career development, and to allow them to develop an expertise in digital marketing and promotion of audiovisual projects. This program supports the production, digital distribution and promotion of a first feature-length film or other format of narrative-based audiovisual content made specifically for online distribution.
Important Date:
Wednesday, April 18th, 2018 – Submission Deadline to the Filmpool
Eligibility: The key members (director, writer, producer) must be emerging talent i.e. they must have previously produced, directed and/or written at least one short film (under 30 minutes) but cannot have previously held the same key position in a feature length film (over 75 minutes) . Note that producers who have previously produced one feature film that has received funding under this Program will also be considered as emerging talent. Furthermore, the key members must be Canadian citizens, within the definition of the Citizenship Act, or permanent residents within the definition of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The director and writer of the recommended project must be active Filmpool members who have engaged in programming or production through the organization in the past 3 years. Producers need not be active members, but must be emerging as stated above.
The recommended projects must be fictional or documentary audiovisual projects produced in English, French or an Indigenous language that are either: • feature length films of 75 minutes or more; or • any other type of narrative-based audiovisual content made in a format specifically designed for online audiences. These types of projects can be comprised of one or more segments which, in total, must be more than 10 minutes in length.
What to Submit: 1) a video pitch of maximum 5 minutes that will: • state the project’s working title; • identify the key creative team involved in the project and their individual track records (including samples of past work if applicable or relevant); • identify the genre, the type, and the length of the project; • provide a synopsis of the story; • outline the creative team’s vision/visual treatment of the material; • outline any other relevant information that sets the project apart (e.g.: confirmed appearance by an established actor, successful crowdfunding campaign, relationship with VFX professionals or animators); • identify the target audience and present ideas on reaching and engaging the target audience through a digital marketing and social media strategy;
2) a maximum 200 word written synopsis of the project including a description of the creative team’s vision;
3) a one-page visual treatment of the project;
4) a completed screenplay;
5) a link to previous work, if available;
6) a one-page promotion and distribution plan including a digital marketing and social media strategy that demonstrates how the target audience will be reached;
7) a production schedule (from pre-production to digital release) that will ensure completion of the project within 18 months of the receipt of Telefilm’s invitation to apply, as described below;
8) the budget top sheet for the project (see template available on Telefilm’s website);
9) any other information that sets this project apart (eg: successful crowdfunding campaign, confirmed cameo by a well-known actor, established fan base on social media).
Important Links: FAQ Guidelines Program Page
Questions and Submissions can be directed to production@filmpool.ca