NFB Filmmaker Assistance Program (FAP)
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Provides independent Canadian filmmakers with either cash reimbursement (up to $7,500 for shorts, $15,000 for features) or in-kind post-production services at NFB's Balmoral studios in Montreal. Covers editing, colour correction, sound mixing, and DCP authoring. Filmmakers retain full copyright.
Eligibility Requirements
- Director must be Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Film must be an independent Canadian production
- Must demonstrate secured financing
- Cannot be developing another project with NFB concurrently
- Eligible: documentary, animation, short fiction (under 30 min), experimental
- Language: English only (French projects go to NFB ACIC program)
- Currently enrolled film students NOT eligible
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $7,500 (short films); up to $15,000 (feature-length); or 100% in-kind post-production services
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 100% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Three terms per year (July, November, March deadlines)
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipTwo options: Local (cash reimbursement, Canada-wide) or Balmoral (in-kind at NFB Montreal studios). The Balmoral option is significantly more valuable — full post-production suite including colour, sound mix, and DCP. Filmmakers within 150km of Montreal pay only 10% of Balmoral costs; those farther get 100% covered. NFB retains only a non-exclusive streaming option, not ownership — you keep your copyright.
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Success Profile
Independent Canadian documentary filmmakers, animators, and experimental filmmakers in post-production phase needing colour correction, sound mixing, or DCP authoring.
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Evaluation Criteria
Creative merit, director track record, project readiness for post-production, financing plan completeness. Balance between emerging and established filmmakers.
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 5
Eligible Expenses 6
- Online editing
- Colour correction
- Sound mixing
- DCP authoring
- Closed captioning
- Described video
Ineligible Expenses 4
- Production costs
- Equipment purchase
- Distribution
- Marketing
Intake Periods
Three terms per year with specific deadlines.
Deadline Notes
Three intake terms: Term 1 (Apr-Jul), Term 2 (Aug-Nov), Term 3 (Dec-Mar). Specific deadlines vary by year — check NFB production site. One project per company per term.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Non-Canadian producers
- Film schools (student projects)
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Stacking partner data not yet available.
Clawback Risk
None RiskReimbursement/in-kind model.
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How FAP Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFB Filmmaker Assistance Program (FAP) | Up to $7,500 | Moderate | Reimbursement | Three terms per year... |
| Creative Industries Funding | Varies | Moderate | Reimbursement | Ongoing (multiple... |
| Canada Council for the Arts Grants | Varies | Moderate | Milestone-Based | Ongoing (various... |
| Project Development Fund (Creative BC) | Up to $20,000 | Hard | Advance Payment | Annual window ~May;... |
| Canada Book Fund — Publishing Support | Up to $850,000 | Moderate | Advance Payment | April 1, 2027 (annual... |
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