SODEC — Aide aux entreprises culturelles
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Quebec's primary provincial cultural industries funder. Grants for film/TV production, publishing, music, performing arts, digital media, and crafts companies. All programs require French-language applications via the SOD@ccès portal. Multiple program streams with separate intake schedules.
Eligibility Requirements
- For-profit company incorporated under Quebec law
- Principal establishment in Quebec
- Majority control by Canadian citizens/PR with Quebec fiscal residency
- Active in relevant cultural sector
- Film/TV: min 2 years operations
- Publishers: agrément certification required
- Applications must be in French
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Varies by stream ($25K-$500K typical)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Provincial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Varies by stream; multiple annual intakes
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 TipFirst-timers: contact SODEC 1 month before deadline — showing up without prior contact leads to rejection. Publishers need agrément before applying. Corporate TV production offers 3-year envelopes to established exporters.
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Success Profile
Quebec-based independent production company with 2+ years, strong track record, prior SODEC relationship, project increasing QC cultural output.
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Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation varies by stream but common criteria across all: (1) Project quality and artistic/cultural merit; (2) Company track record and capacity to deliver; (3) Market viability and distribution plan; (4) Quebec cultural content and contribution to the French-language cultural landscape; (5) Financial viability of the project budget; (6) Prior SODEC relationship (established clients have advantage via envelope systems); (7) Export potential (for export-eligible streams). Film/TV: broadcaster attachment and co-production potential are critical factors. First-time applicants must pre-consult with SODEC at least one month before the intake deadline.
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 6
Eligible Expenses 10
- Development costs: script, rights acquisition, concept development (audiovisual streams)
- Pre-production and production labour costs (Quebec-based talent and crew)
- Post-production and finishing costs (editing, VFX, sound, colour correction)
- Distribution and promotion costs (marketing materials, festival submissions, publicity)
- Trade show participation and export market development costs
- Publishing costs: author advances, editorial, design, printing (book/publishing streams)
- Music recording, production, and promotion costs (music streams)
- Performance creation and touring costs (live performance streams)
- Digital interactive media development costs (digital creativity streams)
- Artisan product development and business development costs (crafts streams)
Ineligible Expenses 7
- Projects not in French or not increasing Quebec cultural content
- Costs incurred before the official project start date in the funding agreement
- General business overhead not directly tied to the funded project
- Projects by broadcaster-controlled entities (arm's-length requirement)
- Distribution costs for non-Quebec content
- Costs covered by other SODEC programs in the same fiscal year (no double-funding)
- Projects that do not meet the minimum Quebec content and labour requirements
Intake Periods
Audiovisual: 2 intakes per year: Typically spring and fall intake windows. Exact dates published annually on sodec.gouv.qc.ca. First-time applicants must pre-consult 1 month before the intake deadline. Book/Publishing: Annual — April–May: Primary intake for book and publishing programs in spring. Agrément required before applying. Music and Performance: Multiple intakes: Music promotion, gérance/édition musicale, and spectacle programs have separate intake schedules. Check current calendar at sodec.gouv.qc.ca. Digital and Crafts: Annual or rolling: Digital creativity and crafts programs have individual intake schedules — consult SODEC directly or check the current program calendar.
Deadline Notes
Each stream has its own intake. Audiovisual: 2 intakes/year. Book/Publishing: April-May. Check sodec.gouv.qc.ca for current calendar. First-time applicants must consult SODEC 1 month before deadline.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Companies not incorporated under Quebec law
- Companies without principal establishment in Quebec
- Companies not majority-controlled by Canadian citizens or permanent residents with Quebec fiscal residency
- Broadcaster-controlled entities (arm's-length from broadcaster required for audiovisual)
- Publishers without valid agrément certification (for book publishing streams)
- Individuals (programs are for incorporated enterprises, not sole proprietors)
- Non-profit organizations (programs are for for-profit cultural enterprises)
- Companies outside eligible cultural sectors
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskSee which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How SODEC — Aide aux entreprise... Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SODEC — Aide aux entreprises culturelles | Varies by stream | Hard | Reimbursement | Varies by stream;... |
| Telefilm Canada Funding Programs | Varies | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Multiple annual intake... |
| Canada Media Fund | up to $250K | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing (multiple... |
| Canada Council for the Arts Grants | Varies | Moderate | Milestone-Based | Ongoing (various... |
| Creative Export Canada — Export-Ready... | Up to $2,500,000 per application | Hard | Milestone-Based | Ongoing |
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