| Required documents | |
|---|---|
| Development Budget Template | Download template |
| Final Application Checklist | Download checklist |
| Sustainability checklist template for scripted development | Download checklist |
| Useful Resources | |
|---|---|
| Evaluation Criteria | Download grid |
Frequently Asked Questions
An incorporated production company is required to meet the program eligibility. Your incorporation papers will be required as part of your application materials.
Yes, both student films and short films are eligible as credited experience.
One attached producer must have experience producing at least one fictional audiovisual work (short film, short form series, TV series or feature film) or one attached writer must have experience writing a fictional audiovisual work. In the case where the producer and writer are the same person, they must have been credited as a writer or producer on at least one fictional audiovisual work.
You must be able to provide proof of this credit (i.e. IMDB link, or link to the project where there are credits listed). The fictional audiovisual work must have been completed and released online, theatrically, or played at a festival. Projects still in development, production or post-production are not considered eligible experience.
Prior experience as a producer or writer on a non-fiction project (such as a documentary, docu-series, reality show etc.) is not eligible experience.
You can apply with a short form series (also known as web series or digital series). The series must have a minimum of three episodes, with a maximum length of 20 minutes per episode. All genres are eligible.
“Drama” shall be defined as fictionalized live action, or animation programming that meets the CMF’s definition of Drama or Children and Youth Programming. Appendix A https://cmf-fmc.ca/document/appendix-a-definitions-and-essential-requirements/
Docu-series, lifestyle series, reality series, feature films and short films are not eligible in this program.
No. The series must be new and original and being developed for its first season.
A production company/parent company (and any kind of crossed ownership) may only submit one short form series project annually.
An individual producer may only submit one application each year and may not appear in any producer-related role on any other application.
Yes you can resubmit it two additional times.
Yes. In this case, this person must have previous credits as either producer or writer on scripted episodic or short form content.
At least one attached Canadian writer must be attached. However, if additional writers are attached, they can be non-Canadian. Please note that 75% of the project’s eligible expenditures must be Canadian costs.
Yes. You will need a letter of agreement for each writer confirming their attachment to your project included with your application.
No. However, having a platform licence or letter of interest will help with the evaluation of the application.
Yes, if you are unsuccessful in receiving development financing in your first attempt, you can re-apply with the same project to the Short Form Series Development Program on the following deadline.
No. However, having confirmed financing will help with the evaluation of the application. If included, it must be confirmed in writing with your application materials.
It is not encouraged. The Development Program mandate is to support short form series. If during development you attract interest from platforms or other financing to turn the IP into a feature film or TV series, it’s at the producer’s discretion to determine the potential for success in those mediums. If the IP is turned into a feature film or TV series, you would not be eligible to apply for the IPF’s Short Form Series Production Program, the development advance would still be repaid and the IPF would have a stake in the subsequent work.
If you have developed the series to the extent that you are ready to go into production or apply for production financing you are likely not eligible to apply.
If you have already shot a proof of concept video, that alone does not make you ineligible to apply. The development financing can be used for other materials (such as scripts, audience engagement plans, a show bible) or even to shoot a new proof of concept video.
If there have been previous phases of development you are required to provide details in your application.
If you are unsure if you are eligible based on previous phases of development, we recommend you contact us at info@ipf.ca
Yes, you may hire an actor to be in your proof of concept video who is not Canadian. Please note that 75% of the project’s eligible expenditures must be Canadian costs.
Yes. However, it is extremely rare that in the development phase we see either provincial or national co-productions.
A vision document is a place for the creator to sell their short form series to the evaluators beyond the three page creative document. It is an outline of the passion to create the series – why does it need to be made now, what drives you to create it – and what you hope it will accomplish when it is created and released to audiences. Inspire us with your enthusiasm!
The maximum funding available for each eligible project in the Short Form Series Development Program is $30,000. Funding will be in the form of a repayable advance.
Yes, you are required to use this budget template https://www.ipf.ca/wp-content/uploads/dev-budget-template-jan.17-2025-1.xlsx for the Development Program. It can also be found on our Short Form Series Development Program guidelines page and our Useful Tools for Short Form Series page.
A development executive is an experienced professional in the creative industries, particularly in television, film, and digital media, who plays a role in commissioning/selecting projects that are viable for the market.
In the context of the Development Program, their primary responsibility is to guide and support the creative and producing team in refining their concept, scripts, and overall vision to ensure the project has the strongest potential for production and market success.
The story editor or development executive must be a third-party professional, distinct from the producer or writer, and confirmed as part of your application. Their experience and relevance to your project play a critical role in the evaluation process.
To strengthen your application, consider:
- Selecting someone with a background that adds substantial value to the team, ideally more experience than the producer or writer.
- Ensuring their expertise is highly relevant to your project’s genre, story, or creative vision.
- Choosing someone with a strong track record in the specific type of content you’re developing.
No, the story editor or development executive do not have to be Canadian.
However, at least one of the writers must be Canadian, and the producing company must be Canadian-controlled as per eligibility requirements and 75% of the project’s eligible expenditures must be Canadian costs.
Yes, a development executive or story editor can work on more than one project applying to the IPF Development Program. However, it’s important to ensure that they have the capacity to dedicate adequate time and attention to your project to provide meaningful contributions to its development.
While the IPF cannot help you find a story editor or development executive, here are some tips you may consider:
Research past IPF-funded projects: Check the credits to identify story editors or development executives who worked on similar projects.
Attend industry events: Professional programming at festivals, networking events, panels, and conferences are great places to connect with experienced professionals.
Leverage your network: Talk to other creative teams or industry colleagues for recommendations and referrals.
One of these roles is required to meet the Program eligibility. However, if you feel it would be valuable to attach both roles, and your budget allows, you are welcome to do so.
If you have to choose between one of these roles, prioritize filling a gap in your writing/producing team’s experience.
Yes, IPF eligibility requirements do not limit the size or number of roles you have in your creative team.
The sustainability checklist asks you to consider sustainable practices and climate storytelling early on in the development of your series. You should only check boxes next to actions you plan to implement on the production of your series. Ensuring these practices are planned from the very beginning increases the likelihood of their practical implementation. This will be the building block of your sustainability plan.
IPF is committed to reduce our environmental impact and increase the sustainability of our industry.
No. Currently, the sustainability checklist is not evaluated. It will be reviewed for feasibility and relevancy to the production and to understand key industry trends and challenges related to sustainable action. This is primarily a document to ensure the producers and core creative team are thinking about climate sustainability and climate storytelling from the very outset of their development of the series.
Recipients of the Short Form Series Development Program will be selected and notified in April.
Applications for the Short Form Series Development Program will be initially evaluated by a Selection Committee overseen by the IPF with final decisions made by representatives from the IPF.
Evaluators look for originality, quality of written creative materials, the experience of story editor or development executives, their commitment to the project, the experience of the writer/producer team, the overall potential for success and the appropriateness of the budget and activities.
The focus of the Development Program is to support outstanding story-driven content, so IPF does not look for, or prioritize any genre or theme over another.
No. For more details, see the evaluation criteria. https://www.ipf.ca/wp-content/uploads/ipf-evaluation-criteria-2025-one-pager.docx-1.pdf
No, the funding comes in the form of a repayable advance due back to the IPF if you go into the production of your series.
No. You are not liable to repay the advance if your project doesn’t get made.
Yes. In the event that the series is produced without financial participation from the IPF, the advance must be repaid on the first day of principal photography. In addition, the IPF will also receive 10% of the producer’s profit participation in the series, subsidiary rights and subsequent works based on the project developed through the Development Program.
No, but the intent of the Development Program is to fund the creation of the materials necessary to advance a series into production.
You are only eligible for IPF production financing in the calendar year you receive development funding. So if you do not apply to the IPF Production Program in that year, you will not be eligible for production financing from IPF for that project.