Further Details + Dates
Finalists announced first week of October. Final 10 Pitch Teams receive hotel accommodation for 3 nights November 21st to the 23rd 2025 + 2 Festival Passes. Tech rehearsal takes place Friday November 21st where you can practice your pitch. Pitch competition takes place Saturday November 22nd in front of a live audience. Winner announced at our closing award ceremony November 23rd 2025. Winner becomes our Telefilm Talent To Watch Nominee for 2026 + receives $1,000.
General Eligibility Criteria:
The Producers, Directors and Screenwriters are considered as the key members of the creative team. They must all adhere to the following. To be eligible, all the key members of the creative team must:
a) be Canadian citizens, within the definition of the Citizenship Act, or permanent residents within the definition of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (unless the project is an audiovisual treaty coproduction);
b) be emerging talent, i.e.: - they must have previously produced, directed and/or written at least a: ▪ short film (a film of 30 minutes or less); ▪ web production; ▪ television content; ▪ commercials; ▪ music videos; Or equivalent experience in the screen-based industry.
c) They must not have previously held the same key position on a feature film . .
d) A pitch team must have a producer, director and screenwriter attached. (Director and screenwriter can be the same person).
e) Whilst not part of the materials submitted, projects are strongly recommended to have a completed draft of the script upon submission.
Note: Finalists must be present and in-person at for pitch competition + award ceremony. Travel not covered by festival.