Filmmaker's Grant Guidelines

The Filmmaker’s Grant program supports emerging Saskatchewan filmmakers with mentorship and production funds to produce content under ten minutes intended to build the filmmakers’ professional portfolio.

The Guidelines were approved on April 1, 2023 for the 2023-24 Fiscal Year. Any amendments made after the fact will be posted here:

• No changes to date.

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Grant Overview

This grant provides financial support and mentorship to filmmakers to create short-form content under approximately 10 minutes. Content can be in most genres, including dramatic, animation, and documentary, web series and music video.

Ineligible genres include experimental, game shows, pornography, sports, news, and magazine-style content.

Filmmakers must be the grant applicant. If applying for Book to Screen Adaption or Music Video, the filmmakers are responsible for finding a Saskatchewan publisher or musician collaborator.

Short-form Content:

• Filmmaker must have rights to produce the content.
• The primary intent is commercial.
• Applicants can apply at any stage of production.

Book to Screen Adaptations:

• Filmmakers working with an eligible Saskatchewan Book Publisher or Self-Published Author can apply for an additional $5,000 to be used for option and writing expenses only.
• A letter of support for the project from the publisher must be included in the application. A formal option agreement demonstrating that the filmmaker/producer has the right to produce and distribute the content is only required if a grant is awarded.

Music Videos:

• For musicians, the program’s objective is to promote an upcoming single through the production of a music video. For filmmakers (director or producer, or an individual acting as both), the program’s objective is to create capacity development opportunities, as selected applicants will gain experience managing production and working with clients.
• Both parties (musicians and filmmakers) will have a completed music video to add to their professional portfolio. However, the musicians will maintain ownership of the finished project.
• A letter of support for the project from the musician must be included in the application. Musicians must be a signatory on the funding agreement should a grant be awarded.

Filmmakers will be paired with a mentor throughout the production process who will advise and work with the teams to finalize video treatment (shot list or storyboard etc.), production budget, production schedule, production agreements, rough cut, and fine cut.

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Eligible Applicants

• Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria defined in the Creative Saskatchewan Investment Fund General Program Guidelines.
• Applicants may be an individual or a corporation – see the Creative Saskatchewan Investment Fund General Program Guidelines for definitions.
• Filmmakers must be the applicant and are financially responsible for the grant.
• Filmmakers must have a short film or demo reel of the director’s work.
• This is an emerging filmmakers’ program. Filmmakers who have received a “Director” and/or “Producer” credit on any commercially broadcast project (excludes commercials, public service announcements, or unpaid community television productions) or who have received a “Director” and/or “Producer” credit on a feature film are not eligible to apply.
• Publishers must meet the Book Publishing Production Grant eligibility criteria (either stream). See Appendix A.
• Musicians must have a song to promote that is slated for commercial release within six months of the application closing date.
• Musicians can be at any level of their career.
• Musicians must not have previously had music video(s) produced or directed by the applicant filmmaker.
• If applying for Music Video Production, film companies can have no more than two employees.

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Project Eligibility Requirements

• Short Form Content production budgets must not exceed $25,000. The Book to Screen production budget must not exceed $30,000, of which $5,000.00 can apply for an additional $5,000 to be used for option and writing expenses only.
• Music Video Production budgets must not exceed $7,500.
• Approved projects must be completed in eight months for a music video and ten months for short-form content from the date the grant agreement is issued.
• Publishers or Self-Publishers must have the screen rights to the short story and include in the letter of support that demonstrates the non-exclusive, worldwide short film screen-based rights that will be made available to the filmmaker if the grant is approved.
• Productions must be written, directed, and produced by eligible Saskatchewan residents.
• Musicians must have the rights to record and distribute the submitted song.
• All production phases (pre-production, production, post-production) must occur within Saskatchewan.
• For short-form content, excluding Music Videos, applicants can apply at any stage of production. However, only new activities can be included in the approved expenses. For example, the applicant could only apply for post-production expenses if the film is shot. *Exceptions for third-party writing fees.
• Third-party scripting writing fees occurring up to six (6) months before the application date can be included in the application (includes first and final drafts).
• In-house expenses up to 5% of the budget can be included (this doesn’t include the 15% allowed for Director/Producer fees).
• Travel expenses for Saskatchewan musicians and film crews who travel out of town to filming locations can be included.
  Marketing expenses directly related to the project being applied for, no more than 10% of the total project budget for a music video and 5% for short-form content can be included.

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Ineligible Projects and Expenses

• Films with no commercial intent that are eligible for SK Arts support.
• Films that have received SK Arts Creation (Development) support.
• Music song covers of previously recorded and released material.
• Director/Producer fees over 15%.
• Capital expenditures.
• Book trailers. Publishers may be eligible to apply for the creation of book trailers through the Market & Export Development Grant.
• Projects that have received funding through the Creative Saskatchewan Micro-Budget Grant, Web Series or Television Production Grant programs.

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Assessment

• An initial review of applications is conducted by Creative Saskatchewan program staff to ensure the project and applicant meet eligibility to the program.
• Applications will be assessed by an external assessment process against the criteria as defined here.

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Financial Participation

• Creative Saskatchewan may provide up to 100% of the approved budget to a maximum of $7,500 for a music video, $25,000 for short-form content, and $30,000 for Book to Screen adaption, of which $5,000 to assist with option and adaption to screenwriting expenses.
• Project financing must be used to cover direct expenses related to the production and post-production of the project.
• Funding will be in the form of a grant.

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Submission Requirements and Deadlines

• Please refer to the specific program page for application deadlines and instructions.
• Applications to the Filmmaker’s Grant will be accessed and supported based on the availability of funds.
• Applications must be complete in order to be accepted.
• Creative Saskatchewan provides templates for each grant application.
• By submitting an application for this grant, applicants confirm they have read the Creative Saskatchewan Investment Fund General Program Guidelines. If awarded a grant, they will be obligated by all criteria in the Creative Saskatchewan Investment Fund General Program Guidelines, as well as criteria specific to this grant as described herein.

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Required Acknowledgements

• Recipients of Creative Saskatchewan’s Filmmaker’s Grant must include the following credit prominently on all copies of the project and all promotional material: “Production made possible through the Filmmaker’s Grant Program” (followed by the Creative Saskatchewan logo).
• The Creative Saskatchewan logo and guidelines for acknowledgement can be found here.

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Confidentiality of Information

• Please refer to the Creative Saskatchewan Investment Fund General Program Guidelines for details of Creative Saskatchewan’s Confidentiality Policy.
• If you are not awarded a grant, all information in and about your application is held in confidence.
• If you are awarded a grant, your name, a description of the project and the amount of funding will be made publicly available.

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Appendix A

Activities must be in support of project(s) that would meet the criteria for Creative Saskatchewan production grants.

The intent of this Appendix is to provide a snapshot of the production grant’s eligible and ineligible activities. It is the applicant’s responsibility to read complete grant guidelines before applying.

Book Publishing Production

The Book Publishing Production Grant assists eligible Saskatchewan book publishers in the production and marketing of titles intended for commercial release.

Eligible Projects:

• Applications must be in support of the production of book publication.

Ineligible Projects:

• Titles commissioned or paid for by an individual, group, political party or company where the publisher does not have complete and independent editorial control.
• Titles for which the author or illustrator does not receive compensation.
• Magazine, newspaper, industrial sales catalogues, calendars, maps or books of maps, loose-leaf updates, sticker books and activity books, games, agendas, sheet music and periodical publications.

Craft and Visual Arts Production Grant

The Craft & Visual Arts Production Grant supports craft persons and visual artists in the production of creative products intended for the commercial marketplace. (This criterion does not apply to eligible commercial galleries).

Eligible Applicants:

• Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria defined in the Creative Saskatchewan Investment Fund General Program Guidelines.

Eligible Projects and Expenses:

• Applications must be in support of the production or refinement of commercially viable, creative products.

Ineligible Projects and Expenses:

• Personal hygiene items (examples include bath bombs, perfume, and soap).
• Candles where the applicant is not creating their own molds.

Digital Game Development Grant Program

The Digital Game Development Grant provides eligible Saskatchewan applicants with financial investment in support of the production of innovative and original digital games and eLearning properties.

Eligible Projects and Expenses:

• This program supports expenses related to creating digital games and eLearning properties that are market-ready and aimed for commercial exploitation.
• eLearning projects must include gamification (game mechanics that add interactivity, engagement, and motivate the user in learning).
• The core product must be intended to entertain or educate the user.

Ineligible Projects and Expenses:

• Projects developed exclusively for corporate use (where the applicant no longer owns the IP).
• Video content creation for streaming services, broadcast, or theatrical release.
• Games with real or simulated gambling.
• Projects primarily intended to sell products or services.
• Projects primarily intended for interpersonal communication.

Feature Film and Television Production Grant

The Feature Film Production Grant provides financial support to eligible applicants for feature film and television productions that have secured a relevant market trigger or distribution agreement of fair market value.

Eligible Projects:

• Applications must be in support of the production of feature films or television production.

Ineligible Projects and Expenses for Feature Film and Television Production Grant:

• Projects that have received funding through the Creative Saskatchewan Micro-Budget Production Grant or Web Series Grant programs.
• Genres of production NOT eligible for funding include:
  • News, current events or public affairs programming, or a program that includes weather or market reports.
  • Programming created for community cable providers (Access Communications, Shaw, SaskTel Max, etc.)
  • Talk shows.
  • Productions in respect of a game or contest (other than a production directed primarily at minors).
  • Sports event or activity.
  • Productions that solicit funds.
  • Pornography.
  • Advertising.
  • Productions produced primarily for industrial, corporate, or institutional purposes.
  • Productions, other than documentary, that consists of more than 25% stock footage.
  • Video distribution platforms or aggregators.

The Filmmaker’s Grant

The Filmmaker’s Grant supports emerging Saskatchewan filmmakers with mentorship and production funds to produce commercial screen content under ten minutes in length. Content can be in most genres, including dramatic, animation, and documentary, web series and music video. Ineligible genres include experimental, game shows, pornography, sports, news, and magazine-style content.

Live Performing Arts Production Grant

The Live Performing Arts Production Grant assists eligible Saskatchewan individuals and companies in the production of a series of performances intended for paying audiences.

Eligible Projects and Expenses:

• Applications must be in support of commercial productions.
• Production and streaming of live radio plays.

Ineligible Projects and Expenses:

• Applications to host fringe festivals or theatre festivals.
• Community theatre productions.
• Expenses related to script development, writing and workshopping.

Sound Recording Grant

The Sound Recording Grant supports the production of commercially viable sound recordings for commercial release.

Eligible Projects:

• Applications must be in support of the production of a commercial sound recording.

Ineligible Projects and Expenses:

• Projects that do not have commercial intent as their primary purpose and focus.
• Podcasts.