Media Room

Canwest-Hot Docs Development Fund

The Canwest-Hot Docs Development Fund is a loan program designed to help producers get specific projects developed, researched, written and/or packaged and ready for market. The Fund will provide no-interest loans averaging between $10,000 - $15,000 in the early development stage, when projects are at the highest risk and may have not yet secured a market partner. The Development Fund is expected to support on average 10 to 12 projects per year.

The objectives of the Development Fund are:

  • To provide financial support to independent Canadian documentary filmmakers and producers;
  • To increase the quality and quantity of social, cultural and political documentaries produced by Canadian production companies;
  • To ensure that the Canwest-Hot Docs’ Documentary Funds have the maximum positive impact on the independent documentary production community in Canada;
  • To nurture Canadian talent, give voice to diverse points of view and help Canadian documentaries reach wider audiences in Canada and in the international marketplace; and
  • To assist Canadian production companies and/or producers at the early development stages of their projects where the financial risk is highest and there may not yet be a market partner.

2010 Applications

Applications for the next round of Canwest-Hot Docs Development Funds will be available in mid-April and the deadline will be towards the end of May.

Canwest-Hot Docs Dates

  • Mid-April
    Online Application Form Available
  • Late May
    Application Deadline
View the Hot Docs Collection.

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