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Film & TV Development

The Film and Television Development Grant assists qualified Saskatchewan production companies with undertaking the development of eligible projects and bringing productions to fruition.

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Investment Streams, Deadlines & Processing Time

  • Pre-development stream: On hiatus

First Draft Stream

Opening date: July 14, 2025
Deadline: October 8, 2025

  • This stream supports the continuing development of projects that have secured development monies from a market relevant source (broadcaster, distributor, pay television, or other funding agencies) to a minimum of 10% of the development cash budget.
    • Related-party financing will not be considered as a relevant market source.
    • A long form or similar agreement outlining terms of the agreement is required at the time of application.
      • Supportable activities include, but are not limited to, taking a script treatment to an outline or first draft.
      • Projects may apply to create a non-broadcast demo.

Final Draft Stream

Opening date: July 14, 2025
Deadline: October 8, 2025

  • This stream supports the continuing development of projects that have secured development monies from a market relevant source (broadcaster, distributor, pay television, or other funding agencies) to a minimum of 10% of the development cash budget.
    • A long form or similar agreement outlining terms of the agreement is required at the time of application.
    • Supportable activities include, but are not limited to, script polish, and preproduction activities.

Applicants are scored and ranked based on posted criteria. Funding is allocated to highest scoring applicants until funds are exhausted. In both streams, a long form or similar agreement outlining terms of the agreement is required at the time of application.

Applicants and their parent companies are limited to two First or Final Draft Development grants (or combination thereof) per fiscal year.

Slate Development Stream

Opening date: August 11, 2025
Deadline: November 5, 2025

  • This stream supports the development of a minimum of two and a maximum of five eligible film or television projects in order to leverage development financing from other funding agencies and private sector investment.
  • In order to be considered eligible for Slate, applicants must have at minimum one-hour of commercially distributed content (for animation, applicants must have at minimum one half-hour of commercially distributed content) created and made available to audiences in the past two years (applicant companies must demonstrate ownership of the property).
  • Projects must demonstrate strong market potential.
  • Co-productions can make up to 50% of the development budget. Co-productions must demonstrate that a minimum of 50% of the copyright is owned by the applicant.
  • Applicants must demonstrate they have the rights to develop, produce, and exploit the property for a two-year minimum plus a renewal from date of application.
  • Applicants and their parent companies are limited to one Slate Development Stream grant per fiscal year.

Applicants can expect to receive results within 8 weeks from deadline date.

Pre-Development Stream – On Hiatus

All deadlines close at 4:00 PM Saskatchewan time. If a deadline falls on a statutory holiday or a weekend, applications will be accepted until 4:00 PM the following business day.

Results will be delivered via e-mail and will be available in GMS

Our Investment

Creative Saskatchewan’s financial commitment shall be a grant for projects that proceed into production within Saskatchewan.

First Draft Stream

  • Eligible applicants may apply to Creative Saskatchewan for a maximum of $25,000 or 50% of the total development cash budget (for this phase), whichever is the lesser.

Final Draft Stream

  • Eligible applicants may apply to Creative Saskatchewan for a maximum of $15,000 or 50% of the total development cash budget (for this phase), whichever is the lesser.

Please note that in 2023-24, the first and final streams for this program had an approval rate of 67% (six out  of nine applications were approved).

Slate Stream

  • Eligible applicants may apply to Creative Saskatchewan for a maximum of $40,000 or 75% of the total development cash budget (for this phase), whichever is the lesser.
  • Please note that in 2023-24, the slate stream for this program had an approval rate of 38% (five out of 13 applications were approved).

If you still need to finance the remainder of your project budget that Creative Saskatchewan does not cover, some options include:

Saskatchewan Production Requirement

Recipients will be required to re-pay the grant in the following instances: 

  • In the case of dramatic projects, where less than 50% of principal photography and/or 75% of post-production occurs within the province. 

  • For non-dramatic projects, where less than 50% of post-production takes place in Saskatchewan.  

Are you Eligible?

TV hosts and a cameraman walk through the snow.
Treaty Road

General Program Guidelines

  • Important details that apply to all Creative Saskatchewan grants.

Film & TV Development Guidelines

  • The official guidelines supersede all information contained elsewhere on this website, delivered to applicants by Program Advisors, or otherwise made publicly available.

Please note that if ineligible expenses (outlined in the Guidelines above) exceed 50% of the project budget, the application will be deemed ineligible.

Activities that receive funding from SK Arts or SaskCulture are not eligible for support through Creative Saskatchewan investment programs.

Application Tips & Process

Two women review a script in front of animal cages.
Staying Wild

Assessment Criteria – Coming Soon

You’ll be asked these questions as part of the online Grant Management System application process, pay close attention to the maximum number of points available!

Tip – Looking for co-production partners or suppliers in Saskatchewan? View a list here.

Tip – Grant writing webinars are available on our YouTube channel

Book a consult Our Film Department is happy to walk you through eligibility criteria, tips for success, and best practices.

  • Under Project Eligibility Requirements in the guidelines, the following changes have been applied:
    • Under the First Draft Stream section, “Non-dramatic” was removed from “Non-dramatic projects may apple to create a non-broadcast demo”.
  • Under Ineligible Projects and Expenses in the guidelines, the following changes have been applied:
    • Removed: Budget breakdowns and legal fees paid to producer and/or stakeholders (allowable if payable to a third party)
    • Added: Pornography
  • Under Submission Requirements and Deadlines, the following changes have been applied:
    • Added: Once the applicant is notified of an incomplete application, the applicant will have 48 hours to submit the required information or templates.
  • Please note that the General Guidelines have been updated for 2025-26.
  • In addition to the acknowledgement requirements for all grant recipients listed in the General Guidelines, successful recipients of Creative Saskatchewan’s Film and Television Development Grant must include Creative Saskatchewan’s logo in the credits and on any physical copies of the project.
  • 50% of the approved funds are provided to successful applicants when they sign the letter of agreement.
  • The remaining 50% of the funds are delivered after the project is complete, and we’ve approved your final report.
  • Don’t forget to acknowledge the support you’ve received from Creative Saskatchewan by following our guide here.
  • Check out our purpose-built, state of the art industry production studios here.
  • Saskatchewan’s weather, skies, and communities are as varied as its grasslands, forests, rivers, and lakes. Take a look at our location gallery or flip through our Saskatchewan Look Book for your next production!
  • View a list of Saskatchewan crew, cast, and partners interested and available for work in our Production Directory here.

For information on per diem, mileage, exchange rates, accommodations, and currency conversion requirements, please click here.

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