Updated June 2026 · Verified against Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC) guidelines
Milestone-Based
Grant Provincial Active

SODEC — Film Production Aid (Quebec production companies)

Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)
Maximum Funding
Feature fiction: up to 65% of the Québec budget
Fixed intake windows per volet (volet 1: two per year; volet 2: one per year;...
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Difficulty
Hard
Payment
Milestone-Based
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
—
Co-Funding
65%
SODEC — Film Production Aid (Quebec production companies) provides up to Feature fiction: up to 65% of the Québec budget (no stated dollar ceiling below a $3.5M total budget; capped at $4,000,000 when the total budget is ≥ $3.5M); medium/feature documentaries: up to 65% of the Québec budget, max $500,000; minority co-productions: up to 49% of the Québec budget, generally not exceeding $350,000; short films: grant up to $165,000. SODEC's Production Aid program is Quebec's primary provincial grant for domestic film and television production companies, covering up to 65% of eligible production expenses to a maximum of $4,000,000 per project. The program covers up to 65% of eligible costs. Fixed intake windows per volet (volet 1: two per year; volet 2: one per year; volet 3: two per year); postproduction, minority co-production and English-language ≥$3.5M sub-streams accept files at any time.

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Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

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Program Description

SODEC's Production Aid program is Quebec's primary provincial grant for domestic film and television production companies, covering up to 65% of eligible production expenses to a maximum of $4,000,000 per project. Open to Quebec-incorporated production companies with demonstrated professional experience, the program supports feature fiction films, short films, documentaries, and animated works across three volets. At least 80% of total annual funds are allocated to French-language originals, with rolling intake windows multiple times per year.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Quebec-based film and television production company, duly incorporated (sole proprietorships are ineligible)
  • Administrators and producers must demonstrate relevant professional experience: volet 1 (feature fiction) requires one prior feature of equivalent budget when the total budget is under $3.5M, and two when $3.5M or more; volet 2 (short films) requires one relevant professional audiovisual work in the past 8 years; volet 3 (medium/feature documentaries) requires a prior relevant work in the past 8 years
  • First-time applicants or experienced companies applying in a new production format must contact SODEC at least 1 month before the submission deadline to establish eligibility
  • Applicant must hold all rights and options necessary for the project's development and production
  • Projects must qualify as Quebec productions under SODEC's production standards
  • Broadcasting companies licensed under the Broadcasting Act are excluded or have restricted eligibility
  • Analysis fee per project and intake (paid via ACCEO Transphere pre-authorized debit; refundable if the project is refused at the eligibility stage): volet 1 $350 (budget ≤ $1.5M) or $1,000 (budget > $1.5M) plus taxes; volet 2 $50 plus taxes (≈$57.49 with taxes); volet 3 $250 plus taxes
  • Volet 1 (≥$3.5M budget): a Québec distributor minimum-guarantee commitment is required before filing; volet 3 (documentaries): a broadcaster, Québec documentary distributor, or SODEC-recognized digital platform commitment is required before filing
  • 2026-2027 rule: the project must have been developed only by Quebec company/companies (minority co-productions excepted)
  • Timing rules: the production request must be filed before the first day of shooting; any SODEC development file for the same project must be closed first (closing elements due at least 4 weeks before the production filing date); a project refused twice may only be resubmitted on SODEC's invitation
  • Volets 1 and 2: if a company (including related companies) files more than one fiction project in the same intake, at least half must be written or directed by women (a majority if an odd number of projects)
  • Any non-French-language production must budget French subtitling or dubbing in its production budget or distribution agreements; if dubbing is used it must be performed in Quebec by Quebec-based performers
Provinces
Quebec
Industries
Film Creative Industries
Business Stage
Startup Growth Established

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Hard
Competition
High
First-Timer
Not rated

Funding Details

Amount
Feature fiction: up to 65% of the Québec budget (no stated dollar ceiling below a $3.5M total budget; capped at $4,000,000 when the total budget is ≥ $3.5M); medium/feature documentaries: up to 65% of the Québec budget, max $500,000; minority co-productions: up to 49% of the Québec budget, generally not exceeding $350,000; short films: grant up to $165,000
Type
Grant
Level
Provincial
Co-Funding
Up to 65% of eligible costs
Deadline
Fixed intake windows per volet (volet 1: two per year; volet 2: one per year; volet 3: two per year); postproduction, minority co-production and English-language ≥$3.5M sub-streams accept files at any time

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
High
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Varies
Accessibility
2/5

Difficult — significant preparation needed

Competition
4/5

High competition — many applicants

Difficulty
4/5

Complex — detailed documentation needed

Processing Time
Budget Trend
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How to Win

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

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Insider Tip

Contact SODEC's [email protected] at least one month before your target submission deadline to confirm your eligibility — this is mandatory for first-time applicants and for experienced producers applying in a new format (e.g., transitioning from shorts to features).

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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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How SODEC — Film Production Aid (Quebec produc... judges your application

What the reviewer scores, what gets applications rejected, and what to write.

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Written answers7no length limits stated
Judged on7 criteria
Can reject you16 rules
To attach4 documents

Distilled from 6+ source documents on sodec.gouv.qc.ca, condensed into one brief. Sources as of 2026-09-11.

6 of the sources

What SODEC — Film Production Aid (Quebec produc... favours

Quality, originality, engaging nature, financial feasibility, outreach potential◦

“La SODEC procède à une évaluation des projets soumis afin de reconnaître ceux qui se démarquent par leur qualité, leur originalité, leur nature engageante ainsi que par leur faisabilité sur le plan financier, et par leur potentiel de rayonnement au Québec comme à l’étranger.”

2 more, in their words

The form2 prompts shown

Eligibility and programme3 sections
  1. 1Établir l’admissibilité au préalable (au moins un mois avant le dépôt)short answer
  2. 2Choisir le programme SOD@ccès (code 20-13-*)selection
  3. 3Formulaire d’inscription (formulaire en ligne)short answer
Rights and financing4 sections
  1. 4Chaîne de titres (historique) et ententes de coproductionlist
  2. 5Structure financière (gabarit.xlsx du volet)spreadsheet
  3. 6Ententes confirmant les participations financières acquiseslist
  4. 7Sommaire et devis de production détaillé; main-d’œuvre admissible; coûts hors Québecspreadsheet
Creative dossier7 sections
  1. 8Résumé du projet (10 lignes maximum)written answer

    Résumé du projet présentant l’idée maîtresse du film - 10 lignes maximum

  2. 9Fiction — Version finale du scénario et description des personnageslist
  3. 10Documentaire — Proposition documentaire détaillée et liste des participantswritten answer

    Proposition documentaire finale détaillée

  4. 11Traitement cinématographique du ou des réalisateurswritten answer
  5. 12Lettre(s) d’intention de l’équipe créativewritten answer
  6. 13Filmographies et œuvres antérieures (gabarit Œuvres soumises)table
  7. 14Projet en appel seulement — résumé des changementswritten answer
Exploitation and release3 sections
  1. 15Volet 1 — Stratégie d’exploitation et devis préliminaires (fiction)spreadsheet
  2. 16Volet 3 — Stratégie d’exploitation et devis préliminaires (documentaires)spreadsheet
  3. 17Volet 2 — Distribution et mise en marchéwritten answer
Coproduction and postproduction2 sections
  1. 18Coproduction minoritaire — documents supplémentaireswritten answer
  2. 19Demande en postproduction — documents supplémentaireslist
Declaration and company file3 sections
  1. 20Déclaration de l’entreprise (signée)checkbox
  2. 21Autorisation de signature (extrait de résolution des administrateurs)short answer
  3. 22Dossier maître (première demande) et actionnariat (à chaque dépôt)list
Analysis fee1 section
  1. 23Frais de gestion et d’analyse (par projet et par dépôt)selection

SODEC — Film Production Aid (Quebec produc... states no length limits for these answers.

20 more prompts, in the funder’s words

Judged against4 questions · 7 criteria

  1. 1

    Is this a film worth making?

    Show them Show a final script or a detailed documentary proposal, a director’s treatment that fits the genre, and why this proposition is original against current releases.◦

    In the funder’s words · 3
    • Volet 1 — Sur le plan créatif: l’intérêt et la nature engageante de la proposition, son originalité dans le contexte de l’offre cinématographique actuelle; le scénario (sa structure dramatique, le rythme du récit et l’évolution des enjeux, la cohérence et la transformation des personnages, la qualité des dialogues, son état d’achèvement); la réalisation (la qualité de l’incarnation cinématographique proposée, la cohérence du traitement selon le genre, l’expérience du cinéaste)
    • Volet 2 — Sur le plan créatif: l’intérêt et l’adhésion que suscite la proposition globale ainsi que son état d’achèvement pour reconnaître les projets de qualité, originaux, engageants et diversifiés qui ont la capacité de rayonner au Québec ou à l’étranger; la force du propos et l’efficacité de la structure narrative en fiction ou discursive en documentaire
    • Volet 3 — Sur le plan créatif: l’intérêt et la nature engageante de la proposition, son originalité dans le contexte de l’offre actuelle; la proposition documentaire (la qualité de la recherche et des personnages ou intervenants, la force et la clarté de la trame documentaire ou de la démonstration du propos)
  2. 2

    Is the financing real and sized right?

    What to show, and the funder’s 2 criteria behind it in Premium

  3. 3

    Will audiences actually find this film?

    What to show, and the funder’s 1 criterion behind it in Premium

  4. 4

    Does it stand out on every axis?

    What to show, and the funder’s 1 criterion behind it in Premium

6 questions the reviewer answers about you, in Premium.

Where applicants failin SODEC — Film Production Aid (Quebec produc...’s words

“Une demande d’aide financière déposée par une entreprise dont l’admissibilité n’a pas été établie au préalable ne sera pas prise en considération.”
“Les demandes incomplètes à leurs dates limites de dépôt seront déclarées non recevables et devront être déposées de nouveau.”
“De façon générale, la SODEC n’offre pas d’aide rétroactive, quel que soit le volet dans lequel un projet est déposé.”

7 more, in the funder’s words

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See all 16 rules that can reject you and every criterion you are judged on. Then we draft your application for you.

14 more rules that can reject you · 4 more criteria · 20 more prompts

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Do you pass?16 checks

Each one can rule you out. Tick the ones you meet.

Your business

  • Québec production company only

    La SODEC reçoit dans le Programme d’aide à la production des demandes d’entreprises québécoises de production.

  • Incorporated, registered company only

    Non, seuls les projets déposés par une entreprise dûment incorporée et immatriculée sont admissibles.

14 more checks

Documents to attach4

Ticks are kept on this device.

The money

Volet 1 formRecoverable investment

Dans le cas d’un long métrage de fiction (volet 1) ou d’un moyen et long métrage documentaire (volet 3), l’aide est consentie sous forme d’investissement récupérable.

Volet 2 formGrant

Dans le cas d’un court métrage de fiction, d’un court métrage documentaire (volet 2), l’aide est consentie sous forme de subvention.

Volet 1 capmax 65% of Quebec budget

L’investissement cumulatif de la SODEC dans un long métrage de fiction dont le devis total est inférieur à 3 500 000 $ peut atteindre un maximum de 65 % du devis québécois.

Large feature capup to 4 000 000 $

L’investissement cumulatif de la SODEC dans un long métrage de fiction dont le devis total est égal ou supérieur à 3 500 000 $ (excluant les coproductions minoritaires) peut atteindre un maximum de 65 % du devis québécois sans dépasser 4 000 000 $.

Minority copro capup to 350 000 $

L’investissement cumulatif de la SODEC dans ce type de production peut atteindre un maximum de 49 % du devis québécois, mais ne dépasse généralement pas 350 000 $.

Volet 2 capup to 165 000 $

La participation financière cumulative de la SODEC peut atteindre un maximum de 165 000 $ et doit servir à financer la part québécoise du devis.

Volet 3 capup to 500 000 $

L’investissement cumulatif de la SODEC peut atteindre un maximum de 65 % du devis québécois sans dépasser 500 000 $.

Volet 3 copro capmax 49% of Quebec budget

Dans le cas d’une coproduction minoritaire de moyens ou de longs métrages documentaires, l’investissement cumulatif de la SODEC demeure un complément de financement et ne peut dépasser un maximum de 49 % du devis québécois.

Volet 1 fee350 $ plus taxes

350 $ plus les taxes applicables dans le cas d’un long métrage de fiction dont le devis total de production est égal ou inférieur à 1 500 000 $

Volet 1 large fee1 000 $ plus taxes

1 000 $ plus les taxes applicables dans le cas d’un long métrage de fiction dont le devis total de production est supérieur à 1 500 000 $

Volet 2 fee50 $ plus taxes per filing

Des frais de gestion et d’analyse de 50 $ plus les taxes applicables sont exigés par projet et par dépôt.

Volet 3 fee250 $ plus taxes per filing

Des frais de gestion et d’analyse de 250 $ plus les taxes applicables sont exigés par projet et par dépôt.

Fee refundRefunded if rejected at eligibility

Ces frais, auxquels s’ajoutent les taxes applicables (TPS et TVQ), sont remboursables si le projet est refusé à l’étape de l’admissibilité.

Fee paymentACCEO Transphere preauthorized debit

Vous devez utiliser le service de débit préautorisé ACCEO Transphere pour acquitter les sommes dues à la SODEC.

Deferral ceilingDeferred fees max 20% of budget

Les cachets et les salaires dont le paiement est différé font l’objet d’ententes écrites et ne dépassent généralement pas 20 % du devis total de la production.

RecoupmentRecouped per financing agreement

Pour toute aide consentie sous forme d’investissement, la SODEC récupère son investissement selon les modalités stipulées dans la convention d’aide financière.

Recoupment 50/5050/50 recoupment under 2 M$ investment

PROJETS DE LANGUE FRANÇAISE DANS LESQUELS L’INVESTISSEMENT DE LA SODEC EST INFÉRIEUR À 2 M$: MODALITÉ 50/50

Recoupment share10% of net production revenues

La SODEC récupère un montant équivalant à dix pour cent (10 %) de la participation de l’Entreprise dans les revenus nets de production.

Payment timingStipulated in financing agreement

Les modalités, l’échéancier et les obligations liées aux versements sont stipulés dans la convention d’aide financière signée avec la SODEC.

Payment conditionSubject to fund availability and approvals

Les versements sont toujours conditionnels à la disponibilité des fonds et aux approbations appropriées et suffisantes des crédits par l’Assemblée nationale.

Costs before approvalNo retroactive aid

De façon générale, la SODEC n’offre pas d’aide rétroactive, quel que soit le volet dans lequel un projet est déposé.

FeesManagement fees due at submission

Des frais de gestion pour l’analyse des projets sont exigibles au moment du dépôt de toute demande d’aide à la production.

From application to money

  1. Check eligibility firstEstablish eligibility one month before intake
  2. Feature windowFeature intake 3 Nov–3 Dec 2025
  3. Documentary windowsDocumentary intake 20 Mar–22 Apr 2026
  4. Short film windowShort film intake 28 Sep–28 Oct 2026
  5. Approximate decisionDecision date varies by volume
In the funder’s words · 5
Check eligibility first
Communicate with SODEC at least one month before the intake to have your eligibility established. (au moins un mois avant la date de dépôt prévue au calendrier de dépôt)
Feature window
Volet 1 features file in this window or in the 15 June–15 July 2026 window, while postproduction, minority coproduction and English-language features of 3.5 M$ or more are accepted at any time.
Documentary windows
Volet 3 files in this window or in the 21 August–23 September 2026 window, and minority coproduction or postproduction documentary files at any time.
Short film window
Volet 2 accepts one intake per year.
Approximate decision
La date peut varier en fonction du volume de dossiers reçus.

Quoted lines are word for word from the source documents; lines marked ◦ are our reading of them.

What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win SODEC — Film Production Aid (Quebec produc...

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Application Playbook

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

Premium 5 steps 9 docs

Application Steps

1 Confirm eligibility with SODEC Email [email protected] at least 1 month before your target submission deadline. This step is mandatory for first-time applicants and for producers applying in a new production format.

Required Documents 9

✓ Application submitted via SOD@ccès portal (sodecapply.smapply.io)
✓ Completed application form in French

Eligible Expenses 7

Ineligible Expenses 6

Intake Periods

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

Premium The full guide for this program also covers:
  • 4 more application steps
  • 7 more required documents
  • 7 eligible expenses
  • 6 ineligible expenses
  • Intake periods
  • Deadline notes
  • Ineligible organizations

Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

Canada Media Fund (CMF) Telefilm Canada Quebec Film or Television Production Tax Credit (QFTC)
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about SODEC — Film Production Aid (Quebec produc...

Free
Can a first-time production company apply to SODEC?
Yes, but producers must demonstrate at least one professionally produced and distributed audiovisual work in Quebec within the past 8 years. Truly first-time producers without this track record are unlikely to be eligible. First-time applicants to SODEC must also contact [email protected] at least one month before the deadline.
Must the application be submitted in French?
Yes — all SODEC applications must be submitted in French regardless of the production's language. English-language productions can apply but compete for a smaller allocation (SODEC dedicates at least 80% of funds to French-language originals).
What is the difference between the Production Aid and Development programs?
The Development program covers the project development phase (script, rights, financing) at up to 100% of eligible development costs (max $50,000). The Production Aid covers actual production at up to 65% (max $4M for features). Development funding is typically obtained first, before production funding is applied for.
Can I combine SODEC production funding with Telefilm Canada or CMF?
Yes — stacking SODEC, Telefilm, and CMF funding is the standard financing structure for Quebec films. Each funder reviews the complete financing plan, and each government assistance amount reduces the eligible cost base for the others.
How long does it take to receive a decision?
Typically 3-5 months from the submission deadline to the funding decision, depending on the volet and intake cycle. Feature film applications (Volet 1) may take up to 5 months due to external review committee assessment.

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