Updated April 2026 · Verified against Government of Alberta guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Reimbursement Est. 2020
Grant Provincial Active

Post-Production, Visual Effects and Digital Animation Grant (PPG)

Government of Alberta
Maximum Funding
18% of eligible costs
March 1 annually (or when funds exhausted)
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Easy
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
18%
Post-Production, Visual Effects and Digital Animation Grant (PPG) provides up to 18% of eligible Alberta labour costs, up to $200,000 per organization per year. Reimburses Alberta post-production companies 18% of eligible invoiced labour costs on qualifying VFX, animation, and post-production projects, capped at $200,000 per organization per year. The program covers up to 18% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted March 1 annually (or when funds exhausted). (As of April 2026, verified against Government of Alberta program guidelines)

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

Free

Program Description

Reimburses Alberta post-production companies 18% of eligible invoiced labour costs on qualifying VFX, animation, and post-production projects, capped at $200,000 per organization per year. Unusually, organizations can submit unlimited applications within a year against the cap, making it accessible for companies with multiple client projects.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Incorporated in Alberta under the Business Corporation Act, registered as extra-provincial company in Alberta, or sole proprietorship with registered Alberta trade name
  • Provides post-production services to arm's-length, third-party organizations on a regular basis
  • In good standing with all Government of Alberta funding
  • Minimum grant request of $500 per submission
  • Submissions under $4,000 combined eligible invoice value not considered
Provinces
Alberta
Industries
Film Media Creative Industries Technology Digital
Business Stage
Growth Established

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Low
Est. Hours
5h
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
18% of eligible Alberta labour costs, up to $200,000 per organization per year
Type
Grant
Level
Provincial
Co-Funding
Up to 18% of eligible costs
Deadline
March 1 annually (or when funds exhausted)

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Hybrid
Competition
Low
Effort
~5 hours
Approval
Moderate
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win PPG — $19

Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.

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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

Unlike most grants, you can submit unlimited applications throughout the year up to the $200K cap — each client project can be a separate submission. Submit within 60 days of each project's post-production completion. The 18% rate applies to Alberta resident labour only — non-Alberta workers don't count. Internal corporate productions are ineligible — the work must be for third-party clients. This is one of the most accessible ongoing grants for Alberta VFX and animation studios.

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Success Profile

Alberta VFX studios, animation companies, and post-production houses regularly serving third-party clients. Companies with steady project flow maximizing the $200K annual cap across multiple submissions.

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Evaluation Criteria

Not merit-based — assessed on eligibility compliance. Must demonstrate arm's-length client relationship, Alberta-resident labour, and eligible post-production activities.

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Common rejection pitfalls, what winners look like, and exactly what reviewers score on
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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

Premium 4 steps 5 docs

Application Steps

1 Complete eligible project Perform post-production work for a third-party client using Alberta residents.
2 Gather documentation Collect invoices and proof of Alberta labour costs.
3 Submit within 60 days Apply within 60 days of post-production completion for each project.
4 Receive reimbursement 18% of eligible labour costs reimbursed within 4-8 weeks.

Required Documents 5

✓ PPG application form
✓ Invoices for eligible Alberta labour
✓ Proof of arm's-length client relationship
✓ Alberta corporate registration documentation
✓ Project details (editing, VFX, animation work performed)

Eligible Expenses 5

  • Invoiced labour costs for Alberta residents performing post-production work
  • Editing labour
  • VFX creation labour
  • Digital animation labour
  • Subtitling and closed captioning labour

Ineligible Expenses 5

  • Labour costs for non-Alberta residents
  • Equipment purchases or rentals
  • Overhead and facility costs
  • Internal corporate production labour
  • Marketing and distribution costs

Intake Periods

Year-round submissions, each within 60 days of project completion. Annual cap resets March 1.

Deadline Notes

Annual deadline of March 1 each year (extended to next business day if falls on weekend). Submissions accepted throughout the year against the annual cap. Must submit within 60 days of post-production completion for each project.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

  • Companies not registered in Alberta
  • Companies doing internal/corporate productions only
  • Adult entertainment producers
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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC) Production Services Tax Credit (PSTC) Alberta Film and Television Tax Credit Canada Media Fund (CMF) Telefilm Canada
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

None Risk

Reimbursement model — funds only flow after verified invoices. No clawback risk.

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Stacking amounts, clawback details, government stacking limits, and tax implications
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How PPG Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

Free
Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
Post-Production, Visual Effects and D... up to $200,000 Easy Reimbursement March 1 annually (or...
Canadian Film or Video Production Tax... 25% Moderate Tax Credit Offset Ongoing
Film or Video Production Services Tax... 16% Easy Tax Credit Offset Ongoing
Canada Media Fund up to $250K Hard Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing (multiple...
Telefilm Canada Funding Programs Varies Hard Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Multiple annual intake...

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about PPG

Free
Can sole proprietors apply?
Yes, if registered with an Alberta trade name. Must be incorporated or registered as extra-provincial in Alberta for sole proprietors to qualify.
What's the typical award amount?
Mid-size VFX studios typically receive $50,000-$150,000 annually. Smaller studios average $5,000-$20,000 per year based on project volume.
When are decisions made?
Decisions are made within 30 days of submission. Applications accepted year-round until the annual $200K cap is reached.
Do I need to submit all projects at once?
No — submit each project within 60 days of post-production completion. Unlimited submissions allowed per year up to $200K cap.
Why do applications get rejected?
Common rejections: internal corporate work (not third-party), non-Alberta resident labour costs, or combined eligible invoices under $4,000.

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