This program is currently between intakes. Multiple intakes throughout the fiscal year (April-March). Specific deadlines are announced on Telefilm's program deadlines page.
Updated March 2026 · Verified against Telefilm Canada guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Advance Payment Est. 2001
Grant Federal Between Intakes

Telefilm Canada — Marketing Program

Telefilm Canada
Maximum Funding
Up to $75,000
Multiple intakes throughout the year — see telefilm.ca
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Advance Payment
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
75%
Telefilm Canada — Marketing Program provides Up to $75,000 per project (75% of admissible expenses). Non-repayable funding for marketing, promotion, and distribution of Canadian feature films in domestic and international markets. The program covers up to 75% of eligible costs. Multiple intakes throughout the year — see telefilm.ca. (As of March 2026, verified against Telefilm Canada program guidelines)

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

Free

Program Description

Non-repayable funding for marketing, promotion, and distribution of Canadian feature films in domestic and international markets.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a Canadian distribution or production company
  • Project must involve marketing, promotion, or distribution of a Canadian feature film
  • Activities must target domestic or international markets
  • Covers up to 75% of admissible marketing expenses, up to $75,000 per project
Provinces
All Provinces
Industries
Film Media
Business Stage
Growth Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Moderate
Est. Hours
15h
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Up to $75,000 per project (75% of admissible expenses)
Type
Grant
Level
Federal
Co-Funding
Up to 75% of eligible costs
Deadline
Multiple intakes throughout the year — see telefilm.ca

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Hybrid
Competition
Moderate
Effort
~15 hours
Approval
Moderate
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win Telefilm Canada — Marketing Program — $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

The Marketing Program is one of Telefilm's true non-repayable grants — up to $75K for marketing and distribution of completed Canadian feature films. Unlike the Production Program (recoupable investment), this is a genuine grant. Multiple intakes per year means you are not locked into a single annual window.

Premium See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it.

Rejection Pitfalls 5

  • Film is not a Canadian feature film
  • Applicant is not a Canadian distribution or production company
  • Film is not completed or near completion
+2 more pitfalls
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Success Profile

Canadian distribution or production company with a completed or near-completed Canadian feature film that has confirmed distribution. Detailed marketing plan targeting Canadian and/or international audiences.

Premium See what successful applicants for this program actually look like.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are assessed on: (1) Quality and feasibility of the marketing and distribution plan, (2) Potential audience reach and market impact, (3) Budget reasonableness and alignment with marketing objectives, (4) Track record of the applicant (distribution/production company), (5) The film's Canadian content qualification status, (6) Distribution commitments across multiple platforms (theatrical, TV, VOD, digital).

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5 reasons applications get rejected, 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 6 steps 7 docs

Application Steps

1 Register on Dialogue Platform Create an organizational account on Telefilm's Dialogue platform (telefilm.ca/en/log-in). You will receive a confirmation email with temporary credentials. Complete your company profile with corporate documents.
2 Prepare Marketing Plan and Budget Develop a detailed marketing and distribution plan for your completed Canadian feature film. Include target audiences, marketing channels (theatrical, TV, VOD, digital, social media), timeline, and a line-item budget for all marketing expenses.
3 Submit Application Through Dialogue Complete the online application form in Dialogue during an open intake period. Upload all required documents including the marketing plan, budget, proof of completed film, distribution agreements, and corporate documents.
4 Telefilm Review and Decision Telefilm reviews the application against program criteria. Processing takes approximately 2-4 months. You may be contacted for additional information or clarification during this period.
5 Contribution Agreement and Advance If approved, sign the contribution agreement outlining the advance amount, eligible expenses, recoupment terms, and reporting obligations. The repayable advance is disbursed after the agreement is executed.
6 Execute Campaign and Report Execute the approved marketing campaign. Submit final cost reports, audience data, and revenue reports. Comply with ongoing recoupment obligations as the film generates revenue.

Required Documents 7

✓ Completed online application via Telefilm's Dialogue platform
✓ Marketing and distribution plan
✓ Detailed budget for marketing and promotional activities
✓ Proof of completed Canadian feature film
✓ Distribution or sales agreement (if applicable)
✓ Company corporate documents (incorporation)
✓ Financial statements

Eligible Expenses 9

  • Creation of marketing materials — posters, trailers, teasers, electronic press kits
  • Test screenings and audience research
  • Test marketing and marketing campaign creation
  • Prints and advertising (P&A) costs for theatrical release
  • Online and social media marketing campaigns
  • Publicity and public relations activities
  • Versioning and subtitling for multi-platform distribution
  • Marketing costs for TV, VOD, and digital distribution platforms
  • Festival screening fees and promotional travel (when directly tied to the film's marketing plan)

Ineligible Expenses 6

  • Production costs (pre-production, principal photography, post-production)
  • Distribution fees and commissions paid to sales agents
  • General corporate overhead not directly attributable to the film's marketing campaign
  • Costs incurred before the application is approved
  • Marketing for non-feature-length productions (shorts, series, web content)
  • Marketing for films that do not qualify as Canadian content

Intake Periods

Multiple intakes throughout the fiscal year (April-March). Specific deadlines are announced on Telefilm's program deadlines page. Typically 3-4 intake windows per year. Check telefilm.ca/en/programmes/marketing-program for current open intakes.

Deadline Notes

Multiple intakes throughout the year. Specific dates announced on Telefilm's program deadlines page.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

  • Non-Canadian companies (head office must be in Canada)
  • Individuals (must be a corporate entity — distribution or production company)
  • Companies without a completed or near-completed Canadian feature film
  • Foreign distributors without Canadian operations
  • Companies that have not met obligations on previous Telefilm agreements
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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

Premium 3 partners

Compatible Programs

International Promotion Program (Telefilm) Ontario Creates — Distribution Fund Creative BC — Marketing
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk
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Stacking amounts, clawback details, government stacking limits, and tax implications
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How Telefilm Canada — Marketing Program Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

Free
Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
Telefilm Canada — Marketing Program Up to $75,000 Moderate Advance Payment Multiple intakes...
Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit 25% of eligible BC Moderate 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...
Project Development Fund (Creative BC) Up to $20,000 Hard Advance Payment Annual window ~May;...

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Telefilm Canada — Marketing Program

Free
Can sole proprietors apply for Telefilm's Marketing Program?
No — only incorporated Canadian distribution or production companies qualify. Sole proprietors must incorporate to apply. The program requires a legal entity with a completed film.
What's the typical award amount for a feature film marketing campaign?
$20,000–$75,000 per project, covering up to 75% of admissible marketing expenses. Most successful applications request $30,000–$50,000 for targeted campaigns.
Do I need to have the film completed before applying?
Yes — the film must be completed or near completion (with distribution confirmed) to qualify. Applications for films still in production are rejected.
How long does it take to get funds after approval?
Funds are paid as an advance within 30 days of approval. The advance is non-repayable if marketing revenue meets targets, otherwise it becomes a repayable loan.
Can I stack this with other Telefilm programs?
Yes — compatible with International Promotion Program (funding festival attendance) and provincial programs like Ontario Creates or Creative BC for complementary marketing.

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