The FOFS Director Development Incubator, co-presented by POV, is a six-week mentorship program designed for emerging filmmakers, offering hands-on training in essential disciplines such as cinematography, production design, directing actors, budget creation, production financing, and applying an anti-oppression lens to storytelling.

The program culminates in a live pitch competition, where participants present their projects for a chance to win a cash prize and in-kind services.

All incubator participants receive all-access passes to the 2025 Future of Film Showcase.

May 1st: Mentorship Session #1
May 8th: Mentorship Session #2
May 15th: Mentorship Session #3
May 22nd: Mentorship Session #4
May 29th: Mentorship Session #5
June 5th: Mentorship Session #6

Application Guidelines:

Before submitting, create a project under the “My Projects” section of your profile titled:
“FIRST AND LAST NAME – FOFS PITCH COMPETITION – 2025” (Film / Video project type).

All materials must be submitted as a single PDF. If available, include a pitch deck for your project. Submissions are evaluated on Concept (what you’re creating and for whom), Budget (the feasibility of your project), and Key Creatives (the team behind it).

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

1. Concept
Project Description: Include story synopsis, logline, target audience, and creative comparables (1-2 pages max).
Full Outline or Screenplay: For a short film (15 minutes max).
Pitch Deck: Include festival strategy.

2. Letter of Intent (500 words)
Outline your creative strategy, inspiration, and goals as a director. Discuss how the program will further your career, what you aim to gain from mentorship, and topics you’d like covered.

3. Video Introduction (1-2 minutes)
Introduce yourself: Who are you? What drives your passion for filmmaking? Why is this story important to you?

4. Production Timeline
Detail pre-production, production, and post-production milestones. The project must be completed by March 2026.

5. Budget
Include confirmed funding and in-kind support.
Include pending funding.
Explain how you would complete the project with only the FOFS grant ($5,000).

6. Key Creatives
Portfolio links (e.g., IMDb, YouTube, Vimeo).
Names, contact info, and bios of key creatives (Director, Producer, DOP, Writer, Editor).
CVs (one PDF).

7. Reference Letters
Provide two (2) reference letters from individuals familiar with your work and skills.

Awards & Prizes

The pitch competition winner will receive:

- $5,000 cash prize to be used for production of the selected project ($2,500 on the 1st day of production, and $2,500 upon delivery of the completed project).

Grande Camera:
One (1) camera package donated from Grande Camera to use for production on the selected project.

Sunbelt Rentals:
One (1) grip-lighting package donated to use for production on the selected project.

Alter Ego:
Two (2) days donated in a colour studio to complete colour grading for the selected project.

POST CITY Picture and Sound:
Consultation with POST CITY Picture and Sound for sound design, mixing and editing.

Archipelago Productions:
Three (3) days in studio at Archipelago Productions, with grip and lighting gear provided in studio.

ShotDeck:
One (1) year subscription to ShotDeck (provided to all incubator participants).

Rules & Terms

The submitter must define as Canadian and emerging according to a minimum of one of the below criteria.

• Studying film in a Canadian institution at the time of production, or have made your film with support from a program in a Canadian institution, if applicable.

• Very little to no distribution of their work (for example, your films exclusive rights have not been purchased for distribution throughout Canada).

• Has not received significant funding, including Telefilm production funding, but excluding Talent to Watch funding.

• Has not screened at more than 10 of the film festivals listed here: https://telefilm.ca/wp-content/uploads/annexes-programme-de-promotion-internationale-en13-mai-2021.pdf

• All entries must be either in English or contain English subtitles. Non-English entries submitted without subtitles or supplementary printed translations will be automatically disqualified.

The project you’re submitting must:

- Be eligible to screen at FOFS -- we accept narrative (live action) shorts, documentary shorts, animated shorts, music videos, and episodic pilot episodes (pilots or short form web series under 40 minutes)
- Have already completed progress on pre-production, including full outline or screenplay
- All pitching filmmakers must define as emerging at the time they start production on their film.

If you receive funding:

- Project must demonstrate that it is in active production to receive cash payments.
- Project is expected to run an accessible and inclusive set — in alignment with FOFS values, and in compliance with all public health and safety guidelines.
- Progress on the project is expected to report to FOFS.
- Project must acknowledge FOFS support in end credits, by including "This project was proudly supported by the FOFS & POV Pitch Competition."
- Project must submit a final budget at the end of production.