Finishing Fund program

Indigenous-owned production companies:
$60,000 for Feature Films and TV series;
$25,000 for Short Films, Web Series’, and Interactive Immersive projects.

• A maximum 10% of the total budget, including all proposed or confirmed financing, can be allocated towards producer fees;
• The total amount awarded cannot exceed 20% of the total production budget and up to the maximum of $25,000.00 or 60,000.00, depending on format;
• Recipients may receive less than the request amount as recommended 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 citizens or permanent residents of 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, except for international treaty co-productions;
• 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 authority in the case of co-writing/directing;
• 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 insolvency or bankruptcy, or in the course of the reorganization of its business within the meaning of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada);
• Applicants must adhere to the AI (Artificial Intelligence) guide in the General Funding Guidelines;
• Must be in good standing with ISO, with no outstanding final reports, defaults or pending complaints or investigations.

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/lead 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);

This funding is intended to support projects in the post-production phase, helping ensure their successful completion and readiness for delivery to audiences that have demonstrated a clear need for these funds.

• To be eligible, projects must have received prior ISO funding. Projects that have not received ISO funding may still be considered on a case by case basis if they have secured a National or International broadcaster or significant public funding;
• Applications must have a rough or fine cut of the project at the time of submission;
• The cost report must be dated and signed within 15 days from application submission.

ISO prioritizes projects that have been financed under the ISO Production Program.

• Any post-production activities, not previously budgeted or under-funded in the original Post-Production budget (clearly defined in the budget notes);
• Hiring of additional post-production creatives and technical expertise;
• Above the line and post-production fees;
• Fees and honorariums for community engagement, consultants/advisors, facilitators, mentors, or knowledge keepers;
• Translation and language support;
• Accessibility costs during post-production;
• Technology and facility expenses related to the project;
• Special effects and colour grading;
• Online edit, title creation;
• Music composition, sound editing and mixing;
• Voice-over, versioning;
• Mastering, output time and materials;
• Master copies and some screening formats (such as Digital Cinema Package);
• Other associated project costs clearly identified with project description.

• Activities that are not usually considered a part of the post-production phase, please reach out to the Program Manager;
• Promotional or sponsored content;
• Recoupable expenses (incurred or paid costs).

Please refer to the General Funding Guidelines for further information about ineligible activities.

An initial review for eligibility and missing documentation will be conducted by the ISO Program Coordinator and Program Manager. This review is intended to confirm the eligibility of an application and the application’s readiness to move forward to assessment.

The ISO Funding team will reach out if additional information is needed to confirm eligibility and readiness, and applicants will be given a short period (maximum 5 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. If an applicant is unable or does not submit the required information within the specific time frame then the project will be deemed ineligible for funding.

Applications will immediately be deemed ineligible if they are missing any of the following core eligibility materials:

• Budget
• Schedule
• Rough or fine cut of project

Applications must be submitted in the ISO Portal. Details for each requirement can be found in the program in the ISO Portal, as well as in the Application Requirements.

• Eligibility Form
• Applicant Information Form – Companies
• Project Information Form
• Project Proposal Form
• Post Production Schedule and Activities (template provided)
• Training Plan (if applicable)
• ISO Budget, Financial Structure, and Declaration of Costs Incurred (templates provided)
• Transportation and Accommodation References (if applicable)
• License agreements/funding contracts
• Support Materials
• Rough Cut
• IP Agreement
• Bios and CVs
• Community Engagement Plan (optional)
• Applicant Data
• ISO Declaration

Applicants are encouraged to review the Application Requirements prior to submitting an application to this program.

Applications must be submitted in the ISO Portal. Applications will be assessed on a continual basis until the funding is depleted.

Funding decision notifications will be provided 2-3 months after the application is submitted. Please expect delays for holiday closure in December.

Please refer to the “Program Closure” section for information about steps taken by the ISO once the funding has been depleted for the fiscal year.

The ISO’s funding priorities across all programs, as further defined in the General Funding Guidelines, are as follows:

• Provide support to authentic Indigenous storytellers;
• Strive to support Indigenous storytelling where it is happening across regions;
• Create paid employment and career development opportunities for Indigenous people;
• Encourage environmental responsibility and sustainable production practices in development, production and distribution of their projects.

Please refer to the General Funding Guidelines for further details.

The Program Manager will review applications to ensure that the applicant has met eligibility requirements and has completed their application with required supporting documentation.

Applications that pass the administrative review will move forward to the internal assessment stage where the Program Manager and two (2) members of ISO Staff will review applications. The applications will be scored based on ISO assessment criteria and will be either recommended or not recommended for funding. The Program Manager will make the recommendations based on the team’s internal assessment, program priorities and budget, to the Director of Funding Programs and CEO for approval.

ISO staff will internally assess each application in line with the program focus and the assessment criteria as follows:

Relationality, Context & Accountability:

• Cultural authority & accountability.
• Leads have lived/community connections.
• Indigenous ways of knowing inform the work.
• Protocols & engagement plans are articulated

Feasibility & Execution

• The team demonstrates experience, skills, and leadership and has a clear plan to address any capacity gaps.
• Budget alignment with project scope.
• Realistic timeline and project readiness.

Impact, Reach and Contribution

• Contribution to Indigenous cultural life.
• Alignment with the applicants career trajectory.
• Audience accessibility and reach pathways.
• Industry, market, or international relevance.
• Contributes to the screen sector and job creation.

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

• Availability of funds;
• ISO mandate and 3-year strategic plan;
• Thoughtfulness, thoroughness, and clarity of application.

The Finishing Fund Program has a rolling deadline and applications are assessed as they are submitted. The program remains open until the funds have been fully allocated. This means the program can close at any time without notice.

Once the funding has been allocated, the ISO will:

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

For incomplete or in progress applications, applicants are encouraged to save any work offline if intending to apply at a later date.

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. Extensions to submit applications, if approved, are limited to 5 business days after the deadline. Extension requests must include a rationale and be emailed to: [email protected].

The ISO acknowledges that within the screen industry, numerous individuals require assistance beyond the conventional support offered. 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. Applicants will be asked to provide a detailed invoice and rationale included with their request. A maximum of $1,000.00 CAD per year per applicant can be requested.

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 [email protected].

Responsible: The adoption of AI must be ethically responsible and carefully considered. This includes safeguarding intellectual property, privacy, and data, while being vigilant about potential bias and discrimination.

Collaborative: AI should be viewed as a tool to enhance human capabilities rather than replace them. Its implementation should foster collaboration between humans and technology.

Transparent: The use of AI must be transparent and accountable. Clear and relevant contextual information about its application and usage should be provided to ensure understanding and trust.

Please see the General Funding Guidelines for more information.

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. It is the responsibility of the Applicant to notify the ISO of updated banking information upon receipt of a successful letter.

Please see the General Funding Guidelines for an example of an ISO Contribution Agreement.

A final report will be required for all funding Recipients. 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 ISO portal.

Requests for extensions to submit final reports are submitted via the ISO Portal and can be found in each program application. Extension requests should be made prior to the agreement end date to prevent outstanding report status.

Applicants with outstanding final reports in any ISO program will not be eligible for further funding or opportunities until the report is submitted and approved. It is the responsibility of the Applicant to keep track of final report deadlines.

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:

• Facebook: @ISO.BEA
• Instagram: @indigenousscreen
• Threads: @indigenousscreen
• LinkedIn: @indigenous-screen-office
• Bluesky: @iso-bea.bsky.social
• X (Twitter): @screen_office

Questions are encouraged at least two weeks prior to submission or the application closing date and may be directed at any time to [email protected].

What is the demand for this program?

There is an increased demand in this program and 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 happens to my in-progress application if the program closes before I submit?

Please refer to the “Program Closure” section of the Guidelines.

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

Up to $60,000.00 for Features and TV Series and up to $25,000.00 for Short films, Web series and Interactive and Immersive projects. A reminder that the ISO can allocate less than the requested amount to successful projects.

When should I apply for this program funding?

Applicants should apply to this program once principal photography has been completed, and a rough cut of the project is ready. The application should be submitted before any post production costs that require funding support have been incurred. Applicants with a strong rationale for support are encouraged to apply.

Is there accessibility support in completing this program application?

Yes, the ISO provides up to $500.00 CAD in additional funding to cover accessibility costs incurred during the stages of applying for funding on a case-by-case basis. A maximum of $1,000.00 CAD per year per applicant can be requested. Requests for application support are encouraged at least two weeks prior to the application due date. 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 [email protected].

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

If you or your company has previously received ISO funding for the same project in a different program and the funded activity is not yet complete or has not been reported on, you must submit and fulfill the final report requirements before applying to the Finishing Fund program.

The project I am applying with has already been funded in a previous round of ISO Finishing Funds. Can I apply again to this program?

Unfortunately, applications to this program that have already received previous ISO Finishing Funds will not be eligible to apply again.

I’m not sure my project is a good fit for this program, or have other questions.

Reach out to [email protected]!