Independent Saskatchewan Producers: Call for Applications to Participate in New Market Accelerator!

Creative Saskatchewan has teamed up with the 2023 Whistler Film Festival (WFF23) to present a unique opportunity for independent Saskatchewan producers.

Take your career to the next level with this multi-phased project development and business mentorship program for independent Saskatchewan producers, developing original narrative or factual projects with strong market potential.

• Applications open: March 14, 2023
• Application deadline: April 11, 2023 at 11:59 PM PST

Apply

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Program Description

The WFF23 Saskatchewan Market Accelerator is an intensive multi-phase project development program designed to accelerate the careers of up to six independent Saskatchewan-based producers while developing their original narrative, factual, and digital projects in film, television, or online formats.

Over the course of eight months, selected producers work intensively with key media industry advisors and mentors in individual, group and market-oriented development sessions to expand creative and business skills and receive project-specific feedback to strengthen their ability to take advantage of networking opportunities, continued project development, and to position their project for investment in the lead-up to the Whistler Film Festival.

• Phase I (June – September 2023) – Producers take part in online creative and business workshop sessions designed to develop their projects and increase their knowledge of the business side of the industry. Each session will be followed by project-specific ‘homework’ intended to further develop projects.
  • Participants can expect 10-12 online sessions ranging from 75 min. to two hours within the first two months followed by individual mentorship sessions.
  • *Final Schedule will be determined once projects are selected to facilitate industry guests.
• Phase II (October – November 2023) – Producers take part in online sessions focusing on market preparation, including an all-important pitching workshop.
  • Participants can expect 4-6 online sessions ranging from 75 min. to two hours.
  • *Final Schedule will be determined once projects are selected to facilitate industry guests.
• Whistler Film Festival and Content Summit (November 29 – December 3, 2023) During the Whistler Film Festival and Content Summit, producers have access to scheduled 1+1 Market Meetings and panel sessions and will receive a complimentary Industry Pass (non-transferable) to the festival and summit.
• Phase III (December 2023 – January 2024) – Producers will ‘debrief’ on their WFF23 festival experience and receive feedback from their producer-mentor on final steps required to take their projects to the marketplace.
• Final Deliverables and Reporting (February 2, 2024) – Producers will submit their final project deliverables and report on their program experience.

The WFF23 Saskatchewan Market Accelerator offers unparalleled access to high-level industry experts from across Canada including senior producers, distributors, broadcasters, financiers and key decision-makers.

In the lead up to the Whistler Film Festival and Content Summit, WFF23 Saskatchewan Market Accelerator producers will also participate in a pitching workshop, and may apply to participate in the Power Pitch Competition and pitch their project to some of the world’s top sales agents for motion pictures, and compete for a prize package worth over $36,000 (TBD).

WFF23 Saskatchewan Market Accelerator producers will receive a heightened public profile through the Whistler Film Festival.

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Benefits

A chance to develop your project, deepen connections and build industry relationships for long-term success!

• Intensive project and career development opportunities through customized mentorship from carefully selected advisors and established industry professionals and decision-makers.
• Specific feedback on your project and career development with access to:
  • Project-specific workshops and sessions designed to increase producer’s industry knowledge and project development skills.
  • Distributors and financiers most relevant to the projects.
  • Dedicated producer advisor throughout the process.
• Gain visibility for your project and test your ideas in a safe, creative space, amplified through attendance at WFF23.
• Build your brand: Recognition as a WFF23 Saskatchewan Market Accelerator producer in WFF and industry communications.
• Build a peer support (cohort) network of Saskatchewan producers at a similar stage in their careers.
• Market preparation sessions to prepare for application to or attendance at key markets.
• Industry pass to attend the Whistler Film Festival + Content Summit, December 2023.

*WFF23 Saskatchewan Market Accelerator producers are responsible for their own airfare, transportation, accommodation and incidental expenses for attendance at WFF23 – contact Creative Saskatchewan to explore funding assistance with travel costs. Preferred accommodation rates are available.

Participants can expect to take part in case studies, one-on-one and small-group meetings with the facilitators and producer-mentor during all phases and a pitch training session from a seasoned industry veteran.

After the program you’ll join the dynamic community of more than 3,000 WFF alumni having charted a course for further development and production of your project!

Application Deadline: April 11, 2023 at 11:59 PM PST

Apply

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Who Can Apply?

• Saskatchewan producers with rights to an original narrative or factual project in the early stages of development are eligible to apply.
• Producer applicants must have production or industry experience in one or more of these areas – production, business affairs, legal, marketing, distribution. Please indicate past production credits on your application.
• Applicants must demonstrate ownership of, or option on, all underlying rights (if any) in the project (chain of title).
• Producer applicants must be able to commit to attending all program phases.
• It is strongly encouraged that producers plan to attend the 2023 Whistler Film Festival and Content Summit from November 29-December 3, 2023 to take full advantage of the program.
• Applicants must be age 18 or over, be a full-time resident of Saskatchewan, and be a Canadian citizen or have landed immigrant status.
• Feedback on applications is only provided to the accepted participants.

Only one producer per project will be allowed to attend the WFF23 Saskatchewan Market Accelerator. Producers must successfully complete Phase 1 of the program before being allowed to continue in the program. It is mandatory that producers be available for all phases of the WFF23 Saskatchewan Market Accelerator in its entirety, and that all deliverables be submitted on time.

WFF values the fair and just treatment of all community members by creating opportunities and removing barriers to address historical and current disadvantages for under-represented and marginalized groups. Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQ+, women over age 45 or people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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Application Fee:

There is no application fee. The program is supported by Creative Saskatchewan.

Tuition Fee:

There is no tuition fee. The program is supported by Creative Saskatchewan.

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Participant Support:

Financial Assistance: Finalists are encouraged to reach out to Creative Saskatchewan as soon as possible when applying for assistance with travel costs to attend WFF23. 

In addition to participation in the program, all participants will receive a Whistler Film Festival Industry Pass (non-transferrable), which provides access to screenings, industry sessions and networking events during the Whistler Film Festival and Content Summit.

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Questions?

Email us with the subject “WFF23 Saskatchewan Market Accelerator” to industry@whistlerfilmfestival.com.

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Faculty

2023 Facilitators and Mentors:

• Brendon Sawatzky (MB) – WFF Producer-in-Residence & Program Facilitator
  • See Brendon’s IMDb profile
• Shelly Quade (MB) – Talent Programs Manager, WFF
• More to come!

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FAQs

At what stage should projects be in development?

Submitted projects are expected to be in the early stages of development, i.e. treatment stage.

How long and detailed should the financing, marketing and distribution plans be?

Just early stages as we will be bringing experts to help you with this. To find a template for the budget, we advise using the Telefilm budget template.

Are international co-productions or all Canadian projects preferred?

All are considered but must be from a Saskatchewan-based producer.

Do we accept late applications?

Late applications will NOT be accepted. The deadline is April 11, 2023 at 11:59 PM PST, no exceptions.

What do you mean by additional documents?

CV, Bio, letters of recommendation or interest (i.e. CMF, broadcast, distribution interest) etc.

Can I email you my material?

No, we will only accept applications that have gone through our online application process.

Can I choose my own mentor?

We have an experienced producer mentor facilitating program. Project-specific mentors may be assigned based on producer/project needs.

If I am successful and get into the WFF23 Saskatchewan Market Accelerator – can I change my project partway through?

No, we are accepting the producers for the program based on the projects applied with.

Who will be evaluating the projects and producers being submitted?

We have a jury of key industry decision-makers helping us with our decision.

Can we apply with a big budget project?

We don’t look at the overall budget amount on the projects – we select producers based on their suitability for the program and projects with good story potential and current market appeal, but budgets should be realistic for the current market in Canada.

Is the WFF23 Saskatchewan Market Accelerator open to people outside of Saskatchewan?

No. The program is only open to Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents over the age of 18 who currently reside full-time in Saskatchewan.

Can my project be animated?

Yes, we accept animated projects.

Can projects be in French?

The WFF23 Saskatchewan Market Accelerator is an English-language program. French-language producers are invited to apply, but the projects must be in English for this edition.

Do applicants get feedback?

No, feedback is provided only for final participants that make it into the program.

Can you apply for this program with more than one producer attached?

It can be a co-produced project, but only one of the producers can attend the training.

Can we have a director attached?

Yes, but the project cannot go into any kind of actual production outside of the program until program completion in February 2024.

Is it ok if the producer and/or their script participated in other WFF Talent Programs before?

Yes, in fact we encourage it.

Can you apply to more than one WFF Talent Program?

Yes.