Big news: Aiming to bring Canadian cinema, content, and talent international success and recognition while ensuring that international buyers see our cinema as competitive, Telefilm Canada’s updated Export Assistance Program is open for applications!

If you’re a distribution company that’s acquired the exploitation rights to a Canadian feature film in selected territories, you might be eligible for financial support to promote your theatrical release! That’s right, through Telefilm’s Export Assistance Program, distribution companies operating abroad can receive up to $90,000 (maximum $45,000 per territory) to cover costs relating to the promotional campaign for the theatrical release of the eligible project, from creating a new trailer to advertising and marketing costs, subtitling, and more.

Intrigued? Read on for 5 fast answers to your questions about this program.

1) You’ve acquired the exploitation rights to a great Canadian film! Is your film eligible to apply for this promotional funding? To qualify for Telefilm’s Export Assistance Program, your Canadian production(s) must be:

• Canadian features, or features recognized as treaty coproductions by the Minister of Canadian Heritage or certified by the Canadian Audiovisual Certification Office (CAVCO)
• Features more than 75 minutes in length.
• Features not yet theatrically released in the eligible territories for which the distribution company is applying.
• Features that received production assistance from Telefilm Canada

2) Precisely which costs can this financial support cover?

If your project is accepted, Telefilm’s contribution is meant exclusively for theatrical release and related promotional costs, such as creating a new trailer, subtitling, and other advertising and marketing expenses. In other words, the promotional campaign for the theatrical release of the qualified productions. (List of eligible costs). Please note that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, travel and accommodation costs are not eligible, until further notice, in accordance with the Government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories to avoid non-essential travel.

3) Let’s talk territories. To be eligible, you must hold the qualified film’s exploitation rights in one of the following territories: Argentina, Australia, Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg), Brazil, China, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States.

* New territories might be added soon, contact Telefilm for more details.

4) Any other criteria you must meet to apply?

In addition, applicants to Telefilm’s Export Assistance Program must: specialize in distribution (sales agents excluded); have the rights to the qualified Canadian production and commit to its theatrical release in one or more of the eligible territories; have developed a marketing plan; and possess the expertise to successfully carry it out.

5) Where, when, and how to apply?

Great news: The Export Assistance Program is now open, with a closing date of February 25, 2022, subject to availability of funds, of course. Head over to Telefilm’s website for more information about how to apply and all the details and specifics on eligibility, regulations, and more.