General Admission Festivals Program
The General Admission Festivals Program (the “Program”) provides financial support to emerging and small-scale Canadian film festivals that help promote Canadian films and talent and stimulate demand for our multiscreen content. As a partner of choice, Telefilm Canada (“Telefilm”) is committed to advancing the development of the industry and reaching audiences where they are. Through this Program, Telefilm supports film festivals across the country and remains committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and environmental sustainability to foster and support an industry that is representative and accountable to all communities in Canada.
Grant Deadline
2025-10-31
Funding Amount
Deadline not available
Type of Grant
Grant
Sectors
Arts & Culture, Film
Demographics
Black, Women, Indigenous, Visible minority, Person with Disabilities
Incorporation
For Profit
Perks
Region Restriction
This grant is restricted to whole of Canada This grant is restricted to whole of Canada This grant is restricted to whole of Canada
Keywords
canada, program, Film project, encourage film, festival
Age Restriction
This grant is age restricted from 18 to 100
Eligibility and Requirements
1. Eligibility Criteria for Applicants
To be eligible, the applicant must meet all the following criteria:
a) have a head office in Canada and operate in Canada; and
b) be a Canadian-controlled organization, as determined under sections 26 to 28 of the Investment Canada Act, working in the film, television, or digital media sectors^3.
2. Eligibility Criteria for Festivals
2.1. Basic Eligibility Criteria
This Program aims to support film festivals in Canada:
a) that are aimed at the general public. Student or amateur film festivals, screening series as well as festivals whose mandate is to screen and promote television, XR, podcasts and web-based content are not eligible;
b) that will be taking place over three consecutive days or longer in the same city or regional municipality;
c) that have had at least 2 editions before the one for which funding is requested;
d) that either have been held at least once in their current format in the last three years or can demonstrate ability to deliver current format;
e) who exhibited a minimum of five feature films (or equivalent) and 15% of Canadian works in the programming of their previous edition; and
f) who undertake to exhibit a minimum of five feature films (or equivalent) and 15% of Canadian works in the programming of the edition for which they seek funding.
Note: When the festival’s programming consists of a combination of feature films (75 minutes and more), mediumlength films (30 to 74 minutes) and short films (less than 30 minutes), the ratio will be 2:1^4 for medium-length films and 4:1^5 for short films^6 .
Telefilm may, at its discretion, provide flexibility on the minimum number of feature films (or equivalent) in the programming of the previous or current edition and accept festivals whose previous or current edition programming include a minimum of 10% of Canadian works. For more details, please see the Essential Information Guide available on the Program webpage.
2.2. COVID-19 Pandemic Considerations
The festival must be held in conformity with any and all municipal, provincial or federal public health measures that are applicable to it, in order to protect the health and safety of its participants, collaborators, employees and other organizers, as applicable.
Grant Application website
https://telefilm.ca/en/programmes/general-admission-festivals-program
Contact
Atlantic Region
Email: promotion@telefilm.ca
Quebec and Francophones outside of Quebec
Sophie Therrien
Phone: 438-469-1263
Toll free: 1-800-567-0890
Email: Sophie.Therrien@telefilm.ca
Pacific, Prairies, Ontario and the Northwest Territories
Barbara Chirinos
Phone: 604-376-1046
Toll free: 1-800-567-0890
Email: Barbara.Chirinos@telefilm.ca
For any question regarding enrolment: enr@telefilm.ca