Important Dates/Fees:
Regular Deadline: $44.99 - May 3rd
Late Deadline: $69.99 - July 26th
Finalists Announced: September 7th
Tech Rehearsal: October 23rd
Pitch Competition: October 24th
Winner Announced: October 25th
Further Details/Timeline:
For filmmakers looking to get their first feature film made + learn how to pitch their work.
Phase 1:
Filmmakers pitch their debut feature films to us through this application process. Our industry judges examine each project. From submissions 10 finalists are selected. The 10 projects are announced September 7th + these teams enter our cohort + proceed to the live pitch competition.
Phase 2:
The 10 final projects receive assistance in honing their pitches through our cohort program. This entails a minimum of one group virtual session with industry professionals. This takes place in the lead up to the festival. Teams will also have the opportunity for an in-person session during the festival. Each project will also be assigned a mentor for check ins.
Phase 3:
The cohort culminates with the 10 teams pitching their films live in front of a studio audience on Saturday October 24th during the Chilliwack Independent Film Festival. There will be a tech rehearsal the evening before on Friday October 23rd. The winning pitch is announced Sunday October 25th at our awards ceremony.
Note: Only two representative per project can pitch on stage + participate in the cohort.
What Finalists Receive:
The 10 final pitch teams receive:
* Hotel Accommodation x 3 nights
(1 room per team. Check in October 23rd. Check out October 26th).
* 2 Festival Passes
(Access to all festival events + industry sessions).
* Pitch Cohort + Training
(1 x Virtual Session. 1 x In-Person Session. 1 x Mentor)
Additional Info:
Finalists must be present at the festival for the three nights October 23-25th. Tech rehearsal takes place Friday October 23rd where you can practice your pitch in the space. Pitch competition takes place Saturday October 24th in front of a live audience.Winner announced at our closing awards October 25th 2026.
What Winner Receives:
The winning pitch receves $2,500 Cash (e-transfer to Canadian bank only).The winning pitch also becomes our Telefilm Talent To Watch Nominee for 2027 for a chance at $250,000 in funding.
General Eligibility Criteria:
Note: Our general eligibility criteria adhere to Telefilm's own for the Talent To Watch program. Therefore we are not able to accommodate changes or requests.
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. For finalists: All final pitch slides + materials must be delivered on pdf. Pitch Competition is recorded + by taking part you consent to the have the recording released at the festival's discretion on our socials or YouTube.