Filmmaker Assistance Program – FAP

Table of Contents

Local

Program Details

This program offers selected filmmakers’ reimbursement in support of post-production costs.

• The maximum amount of support is $7,500 per filmmaker for short films and $15,000 per filmmaker for feature films (other lengths and formats are subject to capacity and filmmaker requests).
• If an application is accepted, support is provided through cash reimbursement of the filmmaker upon receipt of expense reports and proof of payment.

Eligible Expenses

Eligible expenses are limited to post-production services provided by arm’s length, third-party local Canadian suppliers, including services such as image and sound editing rooms, online editing services, title and credits design, sound effects, voice and music recording, sound mixing, master copies and the creation of digital files.

Selection Guidelines

1. The application package must be complete and compliant with all the eligibility criteria.
2. Selections are made in alignment with the NFB’s mandate to reflect a balance of genres and formats, a balance between emerging and established talent, regional representation, and adherence to our commitments to Indigenous sovereignty and to diversity. Learn more about our engagements

In-House @ Balmoral, the NFB’s Headquarters in Montreal

Program Details

This program offers selected filmmakers the opportunity to travel to Montreal to complete a portion of their post-production work in-house at our Balmoral studios. The services provided by the FAP to filmmakers working in or travelling to Montreal include NFB post-production services and access to post-production equipment such as picture and sound editing suites, online editing services, title and credits design, sound effects, voice recording, mixing, access to the NFB archives, master copies and authoring of a complete digital cinema package (DCP).

Filmmakers living in Montreal or within 150 km of Montreal must cover 10% of the total cost of requested post-production services. The NFB covers the remaining 90% in the form of an in-kind contribution at the post-production stage in our studios in Montreal. For filmmakers who live more than 150 km from Montreal but wish to travel to Montreal to access the services, the NFB waives the 10% fee and covers 100% of the cost of post-production services to acknowledge additional costs accrued.

All services are provided as in-kind contributions. Outside labour resources such as editors and sound designers are not covered under the FAP, except in the case of the sound edit or colour correction.

Post-Production Services offered at Balmoral

• Offline Editing (excludes labour)
• Online editing
• Colour correction
• Titles, credits & supers
• Sound Editing (excludes labour)
• Foley
• Music and Voice Recording (excluding performers)
• Sound Mixing
• Reduced Rates for NFB Stock Shots
• Digital Masters
• Digital Cinema Package (DCP) authoring
• Animation Support – based on availability, animation workstations & equipment may be available

Selection Guidelines

1. Feasibility: the filmmakers’ needs must match the NFB’s capacity.
2. The application package must be complete and compliant with all the eligibility criteria.
3. Selections are made in alignment with the NFB’s mandate to reflect a balance of genres and formats, a balance between emerging and established talent, regional representation, and adherence to our commitments to Indigenous sovereignty and to diversity. Learn more about our engagements

Eligibility criteria

1. The director must be a Canadian citizen or have permanent resident status.
2. The film must be an independent Canadian production.
3. Secured financing for the project must be demonstrated and shared (support provided through the FAP should be complementary to the financing structure).
4. The filmmaker cannot be developing or producing another project with the NFB or another FAP program (i.e., only one project at a time allowed).
5. Production and post-production schedules or production must be finalized to allow us to situate the filmmaker’s submission in our calendar and evaluate capacity.
6. Eligible formats and genres include:
   • short, medium-length or feature-length documentary;
   • short-form documentary series for the web;
   • animated short, medium or feature film;
   • short fiction film;
   • experimental short film.

The following are not eligible: films produced for an educational program, promotional films, commissioned films, commercial products, public service announcements, demo reels or music videos.

When do I submit my application?

Filmmakers can submit their application at any point in their production period when they have a clear sense of when and what types of post-production support will be required.

To submit an application for in-house services at Balmoral, you need to have a sense of your post-production schedule (with flexibility of 6–8 weeks) to allow us to assess your request against availability.

To submit an application for reimbursement of post-production services locally, funds must be used during the fiscal year in which your submission is accepted.

Submissions will be assessed three times per year at the following times:

Term 1: April–July

• Review period: 2nd week of July
• Filmmakers notified: last week of July

Term 2: August–November

• Review period: 2nd week of November
• Filmmakers notified: last week of November

Term 3: December–March

• Review period: 2nd week of March
• Filmmakers notified: last week of March

Submission requirements

Local

1. All applications must be submitted through our submission form.
2. Applicant information:
   • Key info: name, phone number, address, email;
   • Self-declaration form: The NFB strongly encourages each filmmaker to complete its self-declaration questionnaire to support our mandated commitments to diversity, equity and accessibility. This information will be utilized as part of our project-selection process.
3. Project information:
   • One-page summary of the project, including a synopsis and a filmmaker’s statement summarizing their creative approach;
   • Budget and financing structure;
   • Production and post-production schedule, with a list of the post-production services requested in order of priority with corresponding quote for services requested;
   • CV of key creative team members (editor, producer and any other key creatives you’d like to include).
4. Letters of intent from all funding sources or partners.

In-House @ Balmoral

1. All applications must be submitted through our submission form.
2. Applicant information:
   • Key info: name, phone number, address, email;
   • Self-declaration form: The NFB strongly encourages each filmmaker to complete its self-declaration questionnaire to support our mandated commitments to diversity, equity and accessibility. This information will be utilized as part of our project-selection process.
3. Project information:
   • One-page summary of the project, including a synopsis and a filmmaker’s statement summarizing their creative approach;
   • Budget and financing structure;
   • Production and post-production schedule, with a list of the post-production services requested in order of priority;
   • Picture-lock link to view the film: projects requiring online post-production and/or sound services must be at the locked-edit stage before work begins at the NFB;
   • CV of key creative team members (editor, producer and any other key creatives you’d like to include).
4. Letters of intent from all funding sources or partners.

 

Submit my project

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Contact

Please contact the FAP team if you have any questions.

 

Submit my project