Telefilm Canada has made a number of updates for its 2025-26 Production Program including a new framework for specific minority copros and the expansion of its carbon footprint requirement.

The changes, announced Thursday (Oct. 21), were made as a result of consultations with the industry, according to a news release. They are meant to streamline processes and increase efficiencies, as well as support sustainability, in alignment with Telefilm’s 2024-27 strategic plan.

The evaluation criteria for minority coproductions with a Canadian share of 30% or less will differ from other projects, with significantly less emphasis placed on the creative elements and more on the track record of the key personnel and project viability. In order to be eligible for funding, these projects will need to have at least 60% of their financing confirmed.

The submission dates for these projects will also differ, with openings in early March and June.

Telefilm is also simplifying its recoupment structures to only look at the amount of funding it provided and not the budget of the film. The recoupment policy is now divided into three categories depending on whether Telefilm provided $500,000 or less, up to $1.5 million or more than $1.5 million.

Telefilm has also updated the carbon footprint reporting requirement, as all financed productions with budgets over $500,000, with the exception of post-production projects, will be required to submit their carbon footprints.

For French-language projects of all budgets, they will now have the option to be submitted in both late fall and early summer in order to better align with the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC) decision dates.

Telefilm has also made a change to its evaluation criteria. Previously, applicants would have the track record of their previous projects and the key creative team, as well as their industry expertise, examined in part of Telefilm’s decision-making process. Those aspects will all still be considered, but Telefilm will also review the applicant’s history in fulfilling their contractual obligations towards the funder.

Telefilm is also reducing the number of required documents and introducing new templates to simplify the application process.

Lastly, in the upcoming year, Telefilm will be evaluating how to provide greater flexibility for projects with international Indigenous filmmakers in co-key creative positions.

“The changes we are making to the program reflect our commitment to proactively respond to the realities of our ever-changing Canadian film industry,” said Francesca Accinelli, Telefilm’s SVP, program strategy and industry development, in a statement.

“By aligning our processes with the needs and priorities of the industry, we are supporting Canadian and Indigenous cinema that shines both at home and abroad. These updates ensure greater transparency, simplify and strengthen our support for our creators.”

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