Unlocking Funding Success: Key Takeaways from Our Canadian Funds Workshop
Posted on July 24, 2025
Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting our inaugural Funding Fundamentals workshop at TELUS Garden in Vancouver. This event brought together industry experts and aspiring filmmakers to demystify the complex landscape of Canadian film and television funding.
We were thrilled to welcome representatives from Creative BC, Canadian Media Producer’s Association, Independent Production Fund, Canada Media Fund, Bell Fund and our TELUS originals team. A special thank you to Marcia Douglas of Bell Fund for facilitating such an insightful and dynamic session.
What We Learned: 6 Key Trends and Takeaways
Diversified Funding Landscape: Participants learned about the various funding bodies in Canada, each with unique mandates and priorities. Understanding these differences is crucial for crafting targeted applications.
Importance of Market Interest: Many funders emphasized the need for demonstrable market interest or partnerships. This highlights the growing importance of having a clear distribution strategy early in the development process.
Focus on Feasibility: A recurring theme was the importance of presenting feasible projects. Funders are looking for a balance between creative vision and practical execution.
Emphasis on Diverse Voices: There's a growing focus on supporting projects from underrepresented communities and emerging creators. Many funds have specific programs or evaluation criteria to encourage diversity in storytelling and storytellers.
Strategic Approach to Applications: Successful applications require a holistic approach, considering not just the creative elements but also team experience, marketing strategies and budget feasibility.
Evolving Evaluation Criteria: Funders are increasingly considering factors such as audience engagement plans, sustainability practices, and potential for IP development in their evaluations.
The workshop provided valuable insights into crafting competitive applications, understanding evaluation processes, and navigating the unique requirements of different funding bodies. As the Canadian media landscape continues to evolve, staying informed about these trends and best practices is crucial for content creators.
We're grateful to all who participated and look forward to seeing how these insights will shape the next wave of Canadian content. Stay tuned for future workshops and opportunities from TELUS originals!
Want to Learn More? Tune Into Our Podcast
Curious about pitching strategies? Check out Episode 4 of the TELUS STORYHIVE First Frame podcast: “How do I prep the perfect pitch?”.
In this episode, we are joined by Michelle van Beusekom, President & CEO of Knowledge Network, and Ken Tsui, Senior Production Executive at TELUS originals. They share what it takes to deliver a winning pitch based on decades of industry experience.
Watch now on TELUS Optik TV Video on Demand channel 9, Stream+ and YouTube. Or, listen wherever you get your podcasts.