The Canada Media Fund (CMF) has announced its 2026/2027 Guidelines for the Predevelopment Program to support eligible projects at the beginning of a project’s creative process.
Provincial funding agencies are considered a triggering group alongside Canadian broadcasters. As Manitoba Film & Music (MFM) is limited to a maximum of two projects it can trigger, potential applicants who would like to be considered for a letter of interest must email the following information to MFM by 11:59 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, May 19, 2026:
1) Preliminary project outline including, but not limited to:
- a synopsis / description of the story, detailing the themes, subject matter, and setting
- intended format (i.e. 10 episodes x 60 minutes)
- intended shooting location(s) should the project move into physical production
- creative talent attached or intended including provincial residency
- projected objective and deliverables of the current phase of development (i.e. pitch documents, sizzle reel, etc.)
2) Detailed budget and financing plan for the pre-development phase on which the application is based.
3) Pre-development schedule.
4) Market readiness and pitch strategy (an overview of the intended pitch targets including broadcasters, distributors and platforms, target audience, and anticipated market potential).
5) Resumes of all producers, writers, directors, and any other key creative talent attached or intended.
MFM will review and rank the complete applications utilizing criteria established for its Development Programs. Please refer to MFM’s Pitch Readiness Program Guidelines (Section B) for more details. MFM will provide a letter of interest to the two successful applicants prior to CMF’s first opening date of June 2, 2026. Late applications will not be considered.
The CMF Predevelopment Program is a first-come, first-served program with a first opening date of June 2, 2026, and a final closing date of December 8, 2026. The complete guidelines are available on the CMF’s website. For clarity, only an eligible English or French-language Television Component (defined in section 3.2 of the CMF Predevelopment Program Guidelines) will be considered an eligible project in this program. Please ensure that your project is eligible under the CMF Predevelopment Program Guidelines or it will not be considered for a letter for interest.
Please submit your request for consideration of a letter of interest along with the supporting documentation detailed above, and direct any questions to Isabella Harrison, Film Programs & Tax Credit Administrator at isabella@mbfilmmusic.ca.