Development

Individuals/Sole Proprietors, Collectives and Groups: $20,000 for one (1) project
Companies: $40,000 for a slate of two (2) projects
Up to $25,000 per project if it has confirmed funding from CMF or TELEFILM or a public broadcaster

• A maximum 10% of the total budget can be allocated towards producer fees;
• Recipients may receive less than the request amount as recommended by peer assessment and approved by the ISO.

All applicants to ISO programs must confirm they have read the General Funding Guidelines prior to submitting an application.

Indigenous Identity and Project Ownership

The spirit and intent of ISO funding is to support Indigenous storytelling and Indigenous companies and organizations that are controlled by Indigenous people, who have decision-making authority and creative control.

For the purposes of ISO programs, “Indigenous” is defined as status and non-status First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples of Canada. All applicants must be residents of Canada and have spent 8 months out of the last year living in Canada.

Please consult the Building Trust and Accountability: Report on Eligibility in the Indigenous Screen Sector which informs the ISO in regards to Indigenous identity, relationality, and access to funding programs. We also encourage applicants to consult the ISO’s working document on identity: ISO Policies and Processes for Eligibility in Relation to Indigenous Identity.

Applicants to ISO Funding Programs:

• Must own, control, or have optioned 100% of the project copyright;
• Must not receive funding from other ISO programs for the same project activities or initiative. For example, funding for trainees cannot be included in another application to ISO Funding Programs;
• Must be able to accept a direct deposit in the name of the applicant;
• Must show proof that the Indigenous creatives have final decision making power in the case of co-writing/directing;
• If you are an emerging filmmaker, during the application process you must have a minimum of one (1) previous credit in the key role you hold in the project: director, writer, or producer and be able to demonstrate your ability to accomplish this project;
• Applicants whose project includes the hiring, selecting and/or engaging of First Nations, Inuit, and /or Métis employees, trainees, mentees or other, must adhere to the ISO Policies and Processes for Eligibility in Relation to Indigenous Identity;
• Must not be in a state of bankruptcy within the meaning of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada);
• Must be in good standing with ISO, with no outstanding final reports, defaults or pending complaints or investigations.

Individuals and Sole Proprietors

• Are a First Nations, Inuit or Métis person residing in Canada and who is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
• Working in screen-based content, including TV, film, and web, gaming, apps, and XR (VR, AR);
• The project is under the financial and creative control of the applicant; two of the three key members of the creative team (director, screenwriter, showrunner/lead producer) must be Indigenous;
• Is not in a state of bankruptcy within the meaning of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada).

Individual Applicants:

Please be advised the Canada Revenue Agency considers this funding as taxable income.

Sole Proprietors:

If you are applying as a sole proprietor, you may apply under your business name for the funding to be deposited to your business bank account. Please keep all expense receipts related to this funding to offset your tax obligations. Funds will not be deposited to an account in any name other than the applicant name.

Companies

• Indigenous-controlled: minimum 51% ownership by person/s who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis who is/are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada;
• The project is under the financial and creative control of Indigenous persons; two of the three key members of the creative team (director, screenwriter, showrunner/creative producer) must be Indigenous;
• Registered as a corporation with its head office in Canada;
• Main activity of the company is the production or support of screen-based content, including TV, film, web, digital narrative content, and XR (VR, AR);
• Is not insolvent or bankrupt, or in the course of the reorganization of its business within the meaning of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada);

First Nation, Inuit or Métis Collectives

• Indigenous-led (if two members, both must be Indigenous, if more than two, the majority of the collective/group must be persons who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis), by citizens or permanent residents of Canada;
• Provide a collective agreement, signed by all members;
• Two or more artists working together under a group name with a bank account held in that name;
• The project is under the financial and creative control of Indigenous persons, two of the key members of the creative team (director, screenwriter, showrunner/creative producer) must be Indigenous;
• Main activity of the collective/group is the production or support of screen-based content, including TV, film, web, digital narrative content, and XR (VR, AR).

First Nation, Inuit or Métis Band Office or Registered community or Settlement

• Must currently be recognized as an Indigenous nation/established community;
• The project is under the financial and creative control of Indigenous persons, two of the three key members of the creative team (director, screenwriter, showrunner/creative producer) must be Indigenous and are permanent residents of Canada;
• Must demonstrate capacity for undertaking a screen-based project, community interest, and support;
• Can accept a direct deposit in the name of the applicant.

This program provides support for pre-development and development phase activities:

• Applicants cannot have more than 1 project or slate (2) in Development with ISO support at the same time (including Individual owners in other funded projects);
• Applicants can apply in a subsequent fiscal year if they successfully complete the development phase of their proposed project.

• Costs associated with the Development phase of screen-based content including research and script/project development for new works, and cultural and community engagement work;
• Accessibility costs during Development *including necessary equipment;
• Fees and honorariums for guests, Elders, translation and language support and community engagement;
• Producer, Director, Writer fees;
• Fees for story editors, mentors, advisors, and contractors engaged for development work;
• Trainee and mentorship positions during Development;
• Legal fees such as licensing of existing IP (optioning; requires proof that the option is available to you);
• Translating existing Intellectual Property (IP) into new screen-based works;
• Engagement with industry experts, consultants, mentors or for project-related professional development;
• Fees and costs for the creation of pitch decks, storyboards, schematics, production bibles and proof of concept videos, etc.

• Development costs that have already been incurred or paid;
• Costs for projects not included in the application.

An initial review for eligibility and missing documentation will be conducted by the ISO Program Coordinator and Program Manager. The ISO Funding team will reach out if additional information is needed and applicants will be given a short period (maximum 10 business days) to submit any outstanding documents.

Ineligible or incomplete applications can be withdrawn at any time in the process. Applicants will be notified by the ISO when the application is withdrawn.

Applicants must supply the following information in the portal: ISO Apply.

Details for each requirement can be found in the program in the ISO Apply portal, as well as in the Application Requirements checklist.

• Eligibility Form
• Applicant Information Form – Individual, Sole Proprietor, Company, Organization or Educational Institute, Council, Community, or Settlement, Collective or Group
• Project Information Form
• Confirmation letters or contracts for confirmed financing sources (if applicable)
• Project Proposal
• Development Schedule
• Transportation and Accommodation References
• Training Plan (if applicable)
• Budget and Financial Structure (template provided)
• Letters of Support
• Support Materials
• Bios and CVs
• Chain of Title and IP Agreement
• Community Engagement Plan (optional)
• Application Requirements Checklist
• Voluntary Personal Data (optional)
• ISO Declaration

Applications must be completed in the application portal at : ISO Apply Applications must be completed in the ISO portal and submitted by August 20, 2024 at 5pm PST on the closing date. The portal will close on the deadline and applications will not be accepted after that time. Please refer to the ‘Requesting an Extension” section for information on receiving an extension.

Funding notifications can be expected 3-4 months following the closing. Please expect delays for holiday closure in December.

This program will be assessed through a peer review process made up of Indigenous individuals representing different nations, a range of industry practices, and regions of Canada. All final funding decisions will be made by ISO using peer assessment recommendations.

The assessment criteria will be based on:

• Relationality and Context: The key creatives telling the story are well placed to do so. The project presents grounded understandings and interpretations of Indigenous expressions, cultures, languages and/or realities;
• Storytelling and Approach: The storytelling is interesting, creative, and has the potential to engage diverse audiences. Respect, care and thoughtfulness are demonstrated in the approach;
• Feasibility: The team has the capacity, knowledge and expertise to be successful and complete the project as proposed. The overall project plan is sound and has a clear vision and timeline to move forward;
• Impact: The project has potential to advance Indigenous storytelling, cultural life in community and contributes to the Indigenous Screen Sector. Project is aligned with the applicants goals and in reaching or impacting desired audiences;
• Alignment with current ISO priorities.

The ISO also considers the following priorities during assessment and allocation of funding:

• Regional and intersectional representation;
• Availability of funds, ISO mandate, and strategic goals;
• Thoughtfulness, thoroughness, and clarity of application;
• Representation of Indigenous languages;
• Sustainable production practices and that encourage environmental responsibility.

The Development Program has a deadline of August 20, 2024 at 5:00pm PST, at
which time the ISO will:

• Close the program in ISO Apply;
• Update the website, and announce the closure on social media and via the ISO newsletter.

Please contact funding@iso-bea.ca within 10 business days of the program’s closure if you require a downloaded copy of your application. Otherwise, all in-progress applications will be deleted 10 business days after the program has been officially closed.

The ISO’s fiscal year is from April 1st to March 31st.

Applicants may request an extension to submit their application. Requests must be submitted at least 10 business days in advance of program deadlines to determine eligibility. Requests for extensions can be emailed to: funding@iso-bea.ca.

The ISO acknowledges that within the screen industry, numerous individuals require assistance beyond the conventional support offered by typical funding bodies. Consequently, the ISO will provide monetary support of up to $500.00 CAD on a case-by-case basis to address accessibility expenses during the application stages.

These expenses include but are not limited to;

• Application writing and support;
• Video or audio recording;
• Equipment rentals;
• Professional fees;
• Language interpretation/translation fees;
• Final report submission support.

If you have barriers to access including but not limited to language, internet or physical barriers, please contact the ISO to discuss accommodations and support at funding@iso-bea.ca.

If at any time, an Applicant, as required or requested by the ISO, provides false information or omits or misrepresents material information in connection with an application, including with respect to Indigenous identity, such provision of false information, omission or misrepresentation will be considered an event of default and the ISO may exercise the following contractual rights:

• Termination of any contracts, including any remedies thereunder;
• Denial of eligibility for existing and future funding;
• Repayment of any funds already advanced;
• Civil and potential criminal prosecution, in the case of fraud.

These measures may be imposed not only on the Applicant but also on related, associated and affiliated companies and individuals that are parties to the application. Any Applicant receiving approval for funding will be required to sign a legally enforceable agreement, which includes provisions concerning misrepresentations, defaults, and related matters.

All signatories of ISO Contribution Agreements must be Indigenous. Companies, collectives and non-profits with Indigenous and non-Indigenous owners, board members, and collective members must ensure the Indigenous representatives sign all contracts.

Funding must be deposited into an account belonging to the Applicant. If Applicants wish to update their company or Applicant information, they have 10 business days after their successful notice to update their information, by notifying funding@iso-bea.ca.

A final report will be required within three months following the completion of the project. Any material changes to a project and its budget must be approved by ISO before funding can be transferred to different project activities. The final report template and requirements are made available through the application portal.

All applicants are contracted on a two year term in this program. Requests for extensions to submit final reports are submitted via ISO Apply and can be found in each program application while in the Final Report stage.

Applicants with outstanding final reports in any ISO program will not be eligible for further funding until the report is submitted and approved.

Recipients must acknowledge ISO support with a textual reference and a bilingual animated logo in the credit sequence, or appropriate placement in the completed work, where applicable. ISO logos are available for download on the ISO website.

When sharing information about ISO funded projects or opportunities, Applicants are required to tag ISO on any social media posts related to this funding, and include the ISO logo when applicable:

• Instagram – indigenousscreen
• Twitter – screen_office
• Facebook – ISO.BEA

Questions are encouraged at least two weeks prior to submission or the application closing date and may be directed at any time to funding@iso-bea.ca.

When should I apply for this program funding?

Applicants should apply to this program once they have any initial research, permissions, an overview and synopsis and writers in place to continue or complete the Development stage of a project.

What is the demand for this program?

There is an increased demand in the Development program and it can be competitive. We encourage you to start your application early to ensure your eligibility and that you have adequate time or resources to make a complete application.

What is the maximum amount of funding I can request in this program?

Individuals/Sole Proprietors, Collectives and Groups: $20,000 for one (1) project; Companies: $40,000 for a slate of two (2) projects; OR, Up to $25,000 per project if it has confirmed funding from CMF or TELEFILM or a public broadcaster. *A reminder that the ISO can allocate less than the requested amount to successful projects.

What happens to my in-progress application if the program closes before I submit?

Please refer to the “Program Closure” section of the guidelines. If you wish to access the application after the program has closed, please contact funding@iso-bea.ca within 10 business days of the program’s closure.

What if I or my company already has received previous ISO funding for the same project?

If the main applicant(s)/company currently has an ISO supported Development application for the same project that has not yet been reported on, the applicant will be required to first submit a Final report on the previous application. The new application should support activities not covered by the previous application.

I am applying with a new project and have not completed a past project supported in Development from the ISO. Can I apply again to this program?

Applicants will be required to first submit a Final report on the previous application in order to be eligible to apply again.

I’m not sure my project is a good fit for this program.

Reach out! funding@iso-bea.ca.