Marketing Program
The Canada Feature Film Fund (“CFFF”) seeks to improve the long-term viability of the Canadian audiovisual industry. These guidelines are for the CFFF Marketing Program (the “Program”). The Program reflects Telefilm Canada’s priority of supporting the Canadian media industry in the achievement of new levels of success by focusing on increasing visibility, improving audience access and stimulating demand for Canadian content. The Program seeks to provide effective and efficient support for the marketing and promotion of Canadian content and talent. The Program funds innovative marketing activities that will lead to increased theatrical accessibility and enhanced opportunities for audience access via digital distribution and multiple-viewing platforms, thus expanding the reach of Canadian productions and talent, both nationally and internationally.
Grant Deadline
2026-02-18
Funding Amount
75% of expense For projects submitted by an Eligible Distribution Company: 75% of the eligible Canadian marketing costs. • For projects submitted by production companies and distribution companies that do not qualify as Eligible Distribution Companies: the lesser of 75% of the eligible Canadian marketing costs or $75,000.
Type of Grant
Funding, Procurement, Market Expansion
Sectors
Film, Media
Demographics
Incorporation
For Profit
Perks
Region Restriction
This grant is restricted to whole of Canada
Keywords
marketing, marketing project, market expansion, encourage film, digital media, digital skills, distribution, platforms
Age Restriction
This grant is age restricted from 18 to 100
Eligibility and Requirements
1. Eligibility Criteria for Applicants
1.1. Basic Eligibility Criteria
In order to be eligible, an applicant must meet the following criteria:
i. be either a distribution company or a production company;
ii. carry out its activities in Canada;
iii. be a Canadian-controlled corporation, as determined under sections 26 to 28 of the Investment Canada Act with its head office in Canada;
iv. be financially stable1; and
v. hold all Canadian distribution rights of the project submitted (including ancillary rights)^2.
Furthermore, all key personnel exercising financial, distribution and marketing control over the project submitted to Telefilm must be Canadian citizens, within the definition of the Citizenship Act, or permanent residents within the definition of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Note: If a distribution company is affiliated^3 with a Canadian broadcaster, it must be a separately incorporated entity, distinct from the operations of the broadcaster(s) with which it is affiliated.
1.2. Additional Eligibility Criteria - Distribution Companies
Generally, in its assessment of a distribution company, Telefilm takes into account the following criteria:
i. whether the company has been active in theatrical distribution in Canada for a minimum of two years in the last five years, by demonstrating a sufficient volume of business^4;
ii. whether the company has the relevant expertise and has one or more senior executives with five-year experience in the distribution company or a distribution company of comparable size;
iii. whether it has demonstrated to Telefilm’s satisfaction a commitment to distributing Canadian feature films; and
iv. whether it possesses the experience and level of expertise necessary to distribute the type of projects for which it seeks to be considered eligible.
Telefilm’s specific requirements vary depending on the nature and scope of the projects for which the distribution company seeks consideration. Following its assessment, Telefilm, in its sole discretion, will make the decision as to whether or not, and to what extent, a distribution company qualifies as an “Eligible Distribution Company” for the purposes of this Program and/or of other Telefilm programs where there is a requirement for an Eligible Distribution Company.
A distribution company’s qualification as an “Eligible Distribution Company” can be limited to, notably, a specific type of project, a budget limit or a linguistic market. For example, a company can be considered as an Eligible Distribution Company exclusively for projects budgeted at less than $3,5M. Furthermore, qualification may be revoked, suspended, or restricted at any time^5.
On a case-by-case basis, Telefilm may allow access to funding under this Program to a distribution company that meets the basic eligibility criteria but does not qualify as an “Eligible Distribution Company”. In such case, the funding and recoupment terms shall be the same as for production companies. If your distribution company has not been qualified as an “Eligible Distribution Company” by Telefilm for the type of projects to which the project submitted to Telefilm belongs or has never been evaluated by Telefilm under this Program, please contact your Feature Film Executive before applying.
1.3. Additional Eligibility Criteria - Production Companies
In addition to the basic applicant eligibility criteria, a production company must meet the following criteria:
i. operate as a feature film production company;
ii. have produced the project submitted to Telefilm for funding; and
iii. have adequate promotion and marketing expertise.
2. Eligibility Criteria for Projects^6
2.1. Basic Project Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, a project must:
i. be a feature length (at least 75 minutes long) film that either:
o is being or has been funded at the production or post-production stage under the Production, Theatrical Documentary or Talent to Watch Programs; or
o is, or will upon completion be, either:
certified by the Canadian Audiovisual Certification Office (CAVCO) as a “Canadian film or video production” with a minimum of 8 out of 107 points under the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada); or
recognized as an official treaty coproduction by the Minister of Canadian Heritage (refer to Telefilm’s guidelines entitled International Coproductions);
ii. be made available in French, English, or an Indigenous language;
iii. be planned to be theatrically released^8;
iv. have a commitment from an exhibitor for the theatrical release of the film within 6 months of the application date unless the project is submitted by an Eligible Distribution Company^9; and
v. conform to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) Code of Ethics and to all other programming standards endorsed by the CAB or the CRTC, and does not contain any element that is an offence under the Criminal Code, is libellous or in any other way unlawful.
Note: projects which received production or post-production support from Telefilm will be prioritized for financing under this Program. If the project is not being or has not been funded by Telefilm, please contact your Feature Film Executive before applying.
2.2. Additional Project Eligibility Criteria for Versioning Assistance
To be eligible for versioning assistance, a project must:
i. have been completed in its original language;
ii. meet the basic project eligibility criteria outlined in section 2.1 above; and
iii. be seeking to be versioned into English, French, or an Indigenous language.
Further, a project is ineligible for versioning assistance if one, or more, production financiers contractually require that the project be versioned into a second language (i.e., it is a delivery requirement); in such cases, the cost of versioning that feature film must be included in the original language production budget.
Grant Application website
https://telefilm.ca/en/programmes/marketing-program
Contact
Phone: 438-806-4865
Toll free: 1-800-567-0890
Email: coordination@telefilm.ca