FAQ

No, but projects with commitments from platforms accessible to both languages are more competitive.

Projects may include third languages, but the project must be available in either the English or French language.

The program guidelines outline TELUS Fund’s definition of well-being, which encompasses a broad range of topics.

Yes, but they may not be a good fit for funding. Refer to FAQs about the decision-making process for more details.

Yes. Applicants with web series aimed at caregivers are welcome to apply for financing, provided they have obtained at least one Health Organization Support Form and one Platform Support Form.

The TELUS Fund has earmarked development and production financing for projects that have received support from the Stories for Caregivers platform operated by S4C Media Inc. Projects supported by other eligible Platforms are also welcome to apply.

No. Applicants must now apply through the regular application process and meet the same eligibility criteria and deadlines as all other applicants, as outlined in the program guidelines.

Yes! The Stories for Caregivers platform operated by S4C Media Inc. meets TELUS Fund’s definition of an eligible Platform.

Please visit the Producers page on the Stories for Caregivers website to learn more about how to request their support and prepare your application.

Yes, applicants with web series ideas aimed at Canadian caregivers must now meet the same eligibility requirements as all other applicants and apply at the same deadline dates.

Stories for Caregivers is a platform designed to meet a specific need in the English-language market: unpaid caregivers seeking inspiring and meaningful web series. That’s why S4C currently only accepts proposals submitted in English.

Web series may, however, be produced in French, but must be delivered in English (via dubbing or subtitling).
This approach allows the platform to focus its efforts on impact and engagement within the English-speaking community, while still welcoming content that reflects Canada’s linguistic and cultural diversity.

If your web series has received support from the Stories for Caregivers platform, marketing and audience development will be managed by S4C Media Inc. In this case, no additional marketing agency or marketing budget is required.

However, if your project is supported by another eligible Platform, you must follow TELUS Fund’s requirements for marketing allocations and the use of pre-approved marketing agencies.

You can apply for production, IF sufficient time remains to complete the Project — including creation of Comprehensive Audience Development Plan with a pre-approved Marketing Agency — before delivery to the eligible Platform.

It depends on your production timeline. Sufficient time must remain to complete the development stage before the start of production.

Feature-length films must wait to apply for post-launch financing until after the project has premiered and the initial audience development plan has been completed. TV and web series must wait until the final season has premiered and the initial audience development plan is finished.

If your project received production financing from TELUS Fund and your request is less than $75,000, you may apply at any time after receiving your final production financing payment. In this case, there are no application deadlines.

If your project did NOT receive production financing from TELUS Fund, or if you are requesting more than $75,000, you must be able to demonstrate that the project has achieved audience success. This means over 20,000 views for a feature-length film, or an average of 20,000 views per episode for a series. These applications will only be accepted at the posted application deadline dates published on the TELUS Fund website.

No, individual healthcare professionals do not qualify, but their support may strengthen your application.

At least one support form is required, but multiple Health Organization Support Forms from across Canada will strengthen your application.

For projects aimed at positively impacting the well-being of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada, the Fund welcomes Health Organization Support Forms from Indigenous Healing Specialists, Knowledge Keepers, and Elders recognized by their communities. This approach acknowledges and values the unique perspectives and traditional practices of healthcare within Indigenous populations.

Yes, you can include their support form with your application, but if the Health Organization is not accepted, the application will be immediately withdrawn.

Health Organizations can be involved in all these activities provided they also are currently delivering professional healthcare services in Canada that are relevant to the story. These healthcare services must involve direct care or treatment that supports physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual well-being provided by, or under the supervision of an authorized medical practitioner.

Here is a listing of authorized medical practitioners in Canada by province to help you get started. The authorized medical practitioner must hold formal medical qualifications and be actively registered with a Canadian medical regulatory authority (e.g. college or board). They must also be willing to provide feedback on the creative materials.

Yes. The Fund uses a broad definition of “on the team” that may include for example staff, contractors, members, volunteers, and the board of directors at the Health Organization. A brief bio for the individual must be included within the Health Organization Support Form demonstrating their qualifications and experience delivering healthcare services relevant to the story.

No, the Health Organization must complete the most current online support form to meet minimum eligibility requirements. Expert Organization Support Forms from 2024 and earlier will not be considered.

A list is not published. However, many funded projects thank their Health Organizations in the final credits of the Programming. Check out the Project showcase to learn more.

No, it just needs to be accessible across Canada.

No, the form is used to demonstrate support for the project and confirm eligibility requirements. It is not a binding agreement.

No, intermediary distributors and sales agents undertaking to sell the Programming on your behalf to other entities that will then make the Programming accessible by Canadians do not meet TELUS Fund’s definition of an eligible Platform.

Yes, provided it meets specific criteria outlined in the program guidelines.

No, the Platform must complete the most current online support form to meet minimum eligibility requirements. Platform Support Forms from 2024 and earlier will not be considered.

TELUS Fund does not currently have a listing. Check out the Projects Showcase and all the platforms on which funded projects can be watched.

Yes, the Stories for Caregivers platform operated by S4C Media Inc. is a CAVCO-approved Online Service that meets their “shown in Canada” requirement and is accessible across Canada.

Yes, they may also qualify as Audience Ambassadors, but they have their own support forms. There is no need for them to also complete the Audience Ambassador Support Form.

No, applications for development financing must include a pitch video of less than three minutes that describes the project and why it matters.

Applications for production financing must include a professional sizzle reel, trailer, or pilot episode.

While there is no minimum or maximum length specified in the guidelines, typically sizzle reels and trailers are less than 3 minutes in length.

Yes, TELUS Fund will allocate its financing to ensure the following minimum amounts are included in the project budget for producer-led marketing efforts:

• $5,000 minimum to work with a pre-approved Marketing Agency to develop a Comprehensive Audience Development Plan (CADP), which must include at minimum a digital marketing strategy for Canadian audiences.
• $50,000 minimum to work with a pre-approved Marketing Agency to execute the digital marketing strategy for Canadian audiences, including paid advertising.

Applicants may request additional financing from TELUS Fund to:

• Develop and implement Other Canadian Strategies within the CADP such as community engagement, traditional marketing, publicity or public relations.
• Create ample Complementary Content that supports the CADP. TELUS Fund recommends allocating at least 10% of the B + C sections of the production budget toward the creation of ample Complementary Content.

See the Program Guidelines for full details on minimum requirements and some exceptional considerations.

Ideally, all costs related to the Comprehensive Audience Development Plan (CADP) should be included in the project budget. However, if another financial source has different requirements for the CADP, you can propose a separate budget for audience development costs. TELUS Fund may accept this separate budget on a case-by-case basis, if it does not compromise the Fund’s repayment or credit position.

The average level of financing and budget size is provided within the program guidelines. Minimum and maximum budget levels by stage of financing are not currently available.

Yes, download the budget for your stage of financing from the Forms and Templates webpage. For business policies, the TELUS Fund refers to existing and generally recognized industry practices.

Over the past decade, TELUS Fund has gathered the best practices and data that show producer-led marketing ensures well-being content effectively reaches audiences. Producers that engage marketing agencies with proven expertise in audience development can significantly improve a project’s reach, engagement, and overall impact. This requirement positions producers and their projects for success while helping ensure TELUS Fund achieves its mandate.

Marketing Agencies on our website have diverse, dedicated teams with a strong track record.  Each has developed and executed all components of a digital marketing strategy – entirely in-house – for at least three recent Canadian screen media projects.

They also have in-house access to audience data and performance tools to inform decisions, and a track record of collaboration with Canadian Platforms, Health Organizations, and Audience Ambassadors to extend reach and strengthen engagement.

Consult the Program Guidelines for full details on minimum requirements and some exceptional considerations.

No, successful submissions receive funding to secure the services of a pre-approved Marketing Agency to create and execute the Comprehensive Audience Development Plan.

Consult the Program Guidelines for full details on minimum requirements and some exceptional considerations.

Contact the Marketing Agency at the time of making an application for financing to TELUS Fund. In the application form you will be asked to identify the pre-approved Marketing Agency that will create and execute the Comprehensive Audience Development Plan and the amount you have allocated in the budget for their services.

Each of the pre-approved Marketing Agencies has their own onboarding processes and fees for services. Check with the agency to confirm their requirements.

Funding decisions are made by an independent Board, separate from TELUS Corporation, government and industry.

Applicants usually receive an acknowledgment email within 5 to 10 business days of submitting their application. The Board typically makes decisions within 8 to 10 weeks depending on the volume of applications.

Yes, applications that have secured financing from other sources are often viewed more favorably, as they demonstrate readiness to proceed.

Not necessarily. One-off films and mini-series face unique audience development challenges. To be competitive, projects with fewer episodes typically require strong support from platforms and resources for ample complementary content to support audience development over an extended period.

Yes, but you will be asked to demonstrate all submissions are feasible before selecting more than one for funding.

You may apply for development financing first, followed by production and then post-launch financing after the project launches. If your project is declined, you may reapply once more at the same funding stage, provided there is increased support from Key Partners and other financial sources.

No, TELUS Fund does not have resources available to assist with preparing paperwork.

Yes, the TELUS Fund’s budget may not cover the full requested amount for all worthy projects.

Provincial and federal tax credit policies vary, so applicants should consult with relevant authorities. Generally, financing from the Fund is treated as a grant or “assistance”, reducing the tax credit.

Yes, the Fund provides a recoupable advance similar in nature to an unsecured, non-interest bearing, forgivable loan. The Fund does not acquire an equity interest in the copyright or participate in profits.

At the development stage, financing is repayable to the TELUS Fund if the project moves forward to the next stage or if the rights are transferred, sold or exploited in any manner. At the production stage, financing is repayable from production revenue, if any is earned. At the post-launch stage, financing is repayable from the producer’s share of production revenue, if any is earned.

Funding will be advanced once you have secured 100% of other required financial sources.

At the development and post-launch stages, TELUS Fund financing is allocated over 2 to 3 payments, depending on the complexities of the project and the amount of financing from the Fund. In the case of 2 payments, they are typically: 80% upon signing the financing agreement and 20% upon receipt of final deliverables.

At the production stage, TELUS Fund financing is typically allocated over 3 to 4 payments, depending on the complexities of the project and the amount of financing from the Fund. In the case of 3 payments, they are typically: 60% upon signing the financing agreement, 30% upon start of pre-launch, and 10% upon receipt of final deliverables.