Telefilm’s Talent to Watch 2024
FilmPEI – Industry Partner Stream
FilmPEI is pleased to be a Designated Industry Partner for the 2024 edition of Telefilm’s Talent to Watch program. The Talent to Watch Program supports emerging filmmakers looking to finance the production stage of their first feature film project(s) with support of up to $250,000.
FilmPEI Members who meet Telefilm’s eligibility criteria can submit their projects and all required documents to FilmPEI for a jury review process. FilmPEI will then select projects to continue on to Telefilm’s own juried application process, with a letter of support included from FilmPEI. FilmPEI is able to nominate three projects in total under the Industry Partner Stream; one under Main component, one under the Indigenous component and one under the Official Language Minority Community (OLMC) component.
Your Talent to Watch application to FilmPEI must include the following:
1. Completed Script.
2. Presentation Video – A downloadable pitch video of a maximum of five minutes that will:
- state the project’s working title.
- identify the genre, the type, and thelength of the project.
- identify the key creative team involved in the project and their individual track records (including samples of past work if applicable or relevant).
- provide a brief synopsis of the story from beginning to end.
- outline the creative team’s vision/visual treatment of the material.
- outline any other relevant information that sets the project apart (e.g.: personal connection to the story material, confirmed appearance by an established actor, successful crowdfunding campaign, relationship with VFX professionals or animators).
- identify the target audience.
- include 1-minute segment of the director’s previous short films.
3. Synopsis of the Project – Maximum of 750 words, which includes the main story developments, and tells the basic story from beginning to end.
4. Director’s Vision – Maximum three pages in length.
5. Promotion and Distribution Plan – Maximum two pages in length. This document must identify the project’s audience (age, sex, sensibility, culture, etc.). It must also identify how the team will find and access this audience and why will they connect with the project.
6. Track Record for Producer, Screenwriter, and Director.
7. Production Schedule (from Pre-Production to Release) – Such schedule shall outline how the team plans to start principal photography of the project within 18 months of Telefilm’s positive decision letter.
8. Budget Top Sheet for the Project.
9. Details of All Confirmed and Projected Financing – The financial structure should be realistic and reflect the scope of this program.
10. Letter of Recommendation from the Designated Industry Partner (provided by FilmPEI if project is selected).
11. Community Engagement Plan.
12. Sustainability Plan.
Applications must be submitted to FilmPEI no later than April 23rd, 2024, in order for FilmPEI’s jury process to take place. The Talent to Watch opening date is April 16th, 2024, and the closing date is April 30th, 2024. Applications can be sent to info@filmpei.com.
For more information about the Talent to Watch program, and full program details, please visit Telefilm’s website.
The other Telefilm streams filmmakers can apply through, which FilmPEI has no involvement in, are:
- Festival Selection Stream -For emerging filmmakers who have directed a short film that was selected at a recognized film festival.
- Filmmaker Apply-Direct Stream – All Key Members of the Creative Team must be:
- Indigenous;
- Black;
- People of Colour;
- Women;
- Gender-diverse individuals;
- 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals;
- Persons with disabilities; and/or
- Members of an Official Language Minority Community.
FilmPEI has had 3 of its applications to the program accepted over the last six years. The feature film ” Kooperman” Jason Rogerson/Harmony Wagner, the webseries “Lovely Witches Club” Renee Laprise/Patti Larsen and the webseries “Wharf Rats” Jason Arsenault/Jenna MacMillan.