Telefilm has increased the budget for all streams in its development program to fund all eligible projects following an “overwhelming” number of applicants.

“This year is unlike any other, and as such Telefilm has made a decision to treat it unlike any other year,” wrote Telefilm in a letter to applicants, obtained by Playback Daily. “Productions have slowed down tremendously during the pandemic, and at the same time Telefilm has received an overwhelming response of applications in all its streams under the Development Program. For this year only, in response to the needs of the industry, Telefilm will increase the budget allocation for this program to accommodate the funding of all eligible projects.”

The move means the external jury process will not be required for the remainder of the fiscal year. However, due to the high number of applications, contracting will take place over the next few months, with the eligibility process currently underway.

According to Telefilm’s website, all eligible applicants must be a Canadian-controlled and operated company, function as a feature film prodco and prove that key members of the development team are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Applicants under selective funding must have “produced at least one Canadian fiction or documentary feature film that was theatrically released or premiered at a qualifying festival in the last five years.”

Playback understands that information on how many projects will receive funding under the development streams will be announced in the coming months.

Telefilm introduced a new development stream earlier this year for projects that are written and produced by racialized persons, created as part of its ongoing equity and representation action plan. The application period for the stream closed on Oct. 30. Telefilm also runs the Indigenous stream, dedicated to projects from Indigenous-owned companies.

The funder is in the midst of a pan-Canadian consultation process to modernize its Success Index. Telefilm suspended use of the Index and moved to a selective-only funding process for the fiscal year, which has sparked both praise and criticism from members of the industry.

An open letter from more than 500 individuals and 49 organizations was released supporting the consultation process and elimination of the Fast Track program. The letter came in response to public comments made by producers with access to automatic funding, critical of its cancellation. The Directors Guild of Canada published its consultation submission last month, calling for the end of the Success Index, which has created a class system within the industry, and an overhaul of Telefilm’s funding model.

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