Telefilm Canada — Marketing Program
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
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
Quick Assessment
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
See how this program compares on approval odds, difficulty, and competition — so you know if it’s worth your time. Unlock with Premium →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipThe 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.
See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it. Unlock with Premium →
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
See the most common reasons applications get rejected — before you submit yours. Unlock with Premium →
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.
See what successful applicants for this program actually look like. Unlock with Premium →
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).
See exactly what reviewers score on — so you know where to focus. Unlock with Premium →
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 7
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
Get the step-by-step application guide — documents, timeline, and what to prepare. Unlock with Premium →
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 Telefilm Canada — Marketing... Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| 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;... |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for