Telefilm ‘Talent to Watch’ Program

The Talent to Watch Program – Funding of First Feature Films from Emerging Filmmakers aims to support a diverse array of emerging filmmakers. The intended outcome of this Program is to discover and develop the next generation of Canadian filmmakers, and to allow them to establish their voice and sensibility through a first feature.

Reel Asian may provide consultations to select filmmakers who will be applying to the fund via the Direct Stream. Before seeking advice from Reel Asian, review Telefilm’s guidelines extensively for the Talent To Watch DIRECT STREAM –  to see if you qualify. Only those selected for a consultation will be considered. 

Consultation Eligibility

• Priority will be given to Asian-identifying teams and films that feature those communities prominently.
• Directors/Producers/Writers do not have to have their work screened at Reel Asian, but prior relationship with Reel Asian is an asset.
• You must be a first-timer (for a feature) — but there’s some flexibility between roles (e.g. a producer who’s produced a feature already would still be eligible to direct or write a first feature). See Telefilm’s guidelines for more information.

ELEMENTS CHECKLIST

Items #1-5 outline what is required by Telefilm. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the program’s requirements, which can be viewed here.

Provide Reel Asian with an overview of your project (even in draft form) so we may assess your project. We will not review applications that do not include all the Telefilm-required documents.

1.  Application Outline

• Project Title
• Applicant Names and Project Role
• Festival Filmmaker
• Film
• Year screened at Reel Asian

Note: If you have a relationship with Reel Asian that is outside the two categories above (filmmaker, pitch or unsung voices), please contact programming@reelasian.com with “Talent to Watch” and your project title in the subject line.

2. Presentation Video: If you have a pitch video ready or a draft of one, you can submit it for us to review and provide feedback.

Notes: To submit the video, embed the link in a Word document. The video must NOT include footage from other projects that are not the team’s own work.

3. Supporting Material: Documents must be uploaded in .pdf format (These documents can be in draft form – they do not need to be finalized):

• Synopsis of the Project (PDF Format): Maximum of 750 words, which includes the main story developments, and tells the basic story from beginning to end
• Director’s Vision (PDF Format): Maximum three pages in length
• Promotion and Distribution Plan (PDF Format) Maximum two pages in length. This document must identify the project’s audience (age, sex, sensibility, culture, etc.). It must also identify how the team will find and access this audience and why they will connect with the project
• Creative team’s (producer, writer and director) Filmography: submit a filmography using the template available on the Telefilm website, which will indicate training, education, experience, accolades, outline past projects and history of team collaboration
• Production Schedule (from Pre-Production to Release): Such schedule shall outline how the team plans to start principal photography of the project within 18 months of Telefilm’s positive decision letter
• Budget Top Sheet for the Project: See template available on the Program’s webpage
• Up to one page detailing any other information that sets this project apart (e.g.: personal connection to the story material, successful crowdfunding campaign, confirmed appearance by a well-known actor, established fan base on social media)

4. A screenplay excerpt (6 pages)*

5. A link to previous work(s)

*Note: Reel Asian does not require a full screenplay for its application, but if selected for development and recommendation, note that Telefilm requires a full screenplay to be submitted. For Reel Asian’s review, please provide an excerpt(s) (approx. 10 pages) that represent(s) your full screenplay. Please include a brief statement (2-3 sentences) that provides context to each of the excerpt(s) of the screenplay you are submitting. The excerpt(s) could be the beginning of the script, a scene, or a couple scenes that you feel best represent your larger screenplay and your voice.

Only one member of your creative team must fill out the application via our intake form.

Reel Asian reserves the right to select projects at their discretion.

Please contact programming@reelasian.com if you have any questions! We look forward to your applications.

Fill in the intake form and submit your materials to be considered for a consultation with Reel Asian by Wed, April 17 at midnight.