French Documentary Unit

The French-language Documentary Unit works closely with talented and skilled Canadian directors and co-producers to produce creative, powerful and lasting documentaries that reflect the diverse perspectives of the regions we serve.

Since the creation of the NFB’s French Program in the late 1950s and the advent of direct cinema, creators have taken up cameras to capture and interpret reality, discovering new formats, new technologies and new grammars. With the establishment of regional French production centres — opened in Moncton and Winnipeg in 1974, then in Toronto in 1975 — Francophones across the country were able to share their stories and give voice to their realities in their own language. All of these legacies are deeply embedded in the very DNA of the Unit.

Today, Francophone filmmakers in Canada travel both their own territory and the globe to highlight essential, universal stories. Their works, bearing strong authorial signatures and unique perspectives, offer us new and often daring views of the world.

All projects developed in French on Canadian soil are overseen by the Francophone Documentary Unit, which includes five producers located across the country.

What are we looking for?

• A powerful and meaningful commitment to contemporary issues, approached in an original way and likely to have a real impact on the public and society.
• A clear point of view, an unusual angle and a surprising narrative arc related to the subject.
• An original approach and remarkable access to the subject, participants or events.
• Proposals that highlight the diversity of experiences and representations of the regions in which we work.
• An approach that innovates in documentary practices and breaks new ground.

Submission:

Projects can be submitted at any time of the year and are reviewed on a quarterly basis. We prefer to review projects at an early stage of pre-development. To learn more about the process and criteria for submitting your project, visit the following page:

• Propose a project.

To submit your project, please click here.

Some details are included in the form, so please read it carefully and follow the instructions to ensure that your submission is complete.

Regarding Indigenous projects:

Projects featuring Indigenous stories and subjects must have significant participation from Indigenous creators and respect Indigenous ways and protocols, as outlined here.

Questions regarding the Francophone Documentary Unit and our project submission process can be directed to documentairefrancophone@onf.ca.