CBC-APTN Early Stage Scripted Development Program for Indigenous Creators in association with the ISO

Applications must be completed in the ISO portal iso-bea.smapply.io and submitted by July 28, 2023. The portal will close at the deadline and applications will not be accepted after that time.

• Funding notifications can be expected one (1) month following the deadline;
• Administrative follow ups may be conducted via email for additional information on the application if required;

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.

• First Nations, Inuit and Métis writers and/or producers residing in Canada
• Applicants who own, have secured the rights to the original IP, or can demonstrate that rights are available to them
• Maximum of two (2) people per project
• Must have experience working in their field with at least two (2) credits as producer, director or writer of screen-based content including feature film, short film, or web-based series
• Must apply with one scripted project suitable for development, without broadcaster funding attached and still at the pre- and early-development stage

The program will run from September 2023 to the end of March 2024 and will provide custom tailored training and support in areas such as:

• Development of bible, character and story arcs, and scripts
• Building broadcaster relationships
• Industry standards and practices re: development
• Building a team
• Pitching the project
• Budgeting
• Broadcast requirements
• And more

Requirements for this program include:

• Project description
• Pitch document or creative outline detailing the shows
• Audience, tone, genre, characters, key environment, story, and the elements that define it as a ‘singular’ series that will speak to audiences
• Answer to the question: What do you need, in terms of training and professional development support for your team and your project?
• Bios and CVs for key creatives

In addition to the requirements applicants can include an optional short pitch video in the application.

This program will be assessed by a peer review committee made up of representatives from APTN, CBC and the ISO.

The scoring criteria will be based on the following:

• Vision and strength of the project idea
• The viability of the project and readiness, including its leads, scope and timeline;
• Impact, including the advancement of the applicant’s career within Indigenous storytelling and possible enrichment of the cultural life of relational community(ies) or contribution to the Indigenous Screen Sector.

If applicants wish to access the application in the portal, they must contact funding@iso-bea.ca within 10 business days of the program’s closure. The ISO will provide a downloaded copy if requested. Otherwise, all in-progress applications will be deleted 10 business days after the program has been officially closed.

The ISO provides up to $500.00 CAD in additional funding to cover accessibility costs incurred during the stages of applying for funding, completing a project, and writing your final report. Requests for support are encouraged at least two (2) 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 funding@iso-bea.ca.

Support may include telephone or video application submission, language interpretation, or support worker assistance. Equipment purchases are not eligible for accessibility support.

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

An initial review for eligibility and missing documentation will be conducted by the ISO Program Manager. The ISO program manager will reach out if any of this information is needed and applicants will be given a short period (maximum 10 days) to submit anything outstanding.

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 at any time, an Applicant, as required by the Criteria or as 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; and
• 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.

A final report will be required within three months following the completion of the project. Applicants with overdue final reports will not be eligible for ISO funding until the report is submitted and approved.

When sharing information about your participation in the proposed activity, please also tag the ISO on any social media posts related to this contribution:

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

Questions are encouraged and may be directed at any time to funding@iso-bea.ca.