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Canadian Short Film Grants

Canada has a rich culture of filmmakers. Every year, festivals that showcase short films take place across the country, from Yukon and Calgary to Toronto and Halifax. Various national and regional organizations offer grants to both emerging and seasoned filmmakers who wish to see their visions on screen. Some awards apply solely to short films, while others assist either short or feature length projects.
  1. Bravo!Fact

    • Filmmakers may apply to Bravo!Fact (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent) for a short film grant in March, June, September or December. Bravo!Fact considers films no longer than six minutes that cover genres such as dance, drama, animation, opera, visual arts, music and the spoken word. Some of the films funded by Bravo!Fact have appeared at prominent film festivals around the world, including Cannes, Toronto, Sundance and New York. The grant, up to half of the film's budget cost without surpassing $25,000, is only awarded to filmmakers who have not yet started production on their short. To apply, filmmakers must send in a completed application form, a synopsis and script of the film, a storyboard, demo reels of the director's, actors' or performers' previous work, a description of technical requirements and paperwork confirming the rights to use cover songs or stories that are being adapted into the script. Filmmakers who are awarded grants retain copyright for their short film, under the condition that Bravo! has nonexclusive broadcast and nonbroadcast rights over the project.

      Bravo!Fact

      299 Queen St. W.

      Toronto ON M5V 2Z5

      Canada

      416-384-2191

      bravofact.com

    National Film Board

    • Canada's National Film Board offers the Filmmaker Assistance Program to independent filmmakers. Grants range from $3,000 to $5,000 and are awarded in the form of technical support and services. Canadian citizens or landed immigrants producing a documentary (short or full length) or short drama may apply. The style of film or video should focus on diversity, culture or topics outside of the mainstream. Film students and filmmakers who have produced more than three projects may not apply. Hopefuls must send in a completed application form, a synopsis of the film, a list of technical requirements and a resume to their regional NFB office. Successful grantees must include the National Film Board in their production credits.

      National Film Board

      Norman McLaren Building

      3155 Côte de Liesse Rd.

      Montreal PQ H4N 2N4

      Canada

      800-267-7710

      514-283-9000

      onf-nfb.gc.ca

    New Brunswick Film

    • Amateur filmmakers who reside in the province of New Brunswick may apply to the Short Film Venture Program. The aim of the program is to help emerging producers, writers and directors kick start their filmmaking careers. Those awarded may have the chance to attend workshops run by professional filmmakers or have their project shown at a film festival. New Brunswick Film considers projects that are no longer than 10 minutes and that fit a fictional genre, including comedy, docudrama or animation. Grants cover 25 percent of the film's budget, up to $5,000. Candidates should send in a completed application form, a script and synopsis of the film, a production and marketing plan and a summary of filmmaking credentials and aspirations.

      New Brunswick Film

      Wellness, Culture and Sport - Film Place 2000

      250 King St., Fourth Floor

      Fredericton NB E3B 9M9

      Canada

      506-453-2555

      nbfilm.ca

Film Production

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