This funding provides up to $18,000 to support the development of individual Alberta artists, arts administrators, or an ensemble of artists by providing funding for a specific film and video arts project.
Deadline Information
March 3, 2025
September 2, 2025
Who can apply
Individual eligibility criteria
The AFA celebrates and supports diversity and is committed to creating equitable, inclusive, and accessible programs for all, free of barriers and discrimination. We recognize the unique contributions all artists make towards our community, and encourage applicants representing diverse communities, including Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, women, people with disabilities, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
To be eligible for individual project funding, you must be a resident of Alberta. This means you:
- are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Person with an open work or study permit from inside Canada
- have had your primary residence in Alberta for at least one full year before applying
- ordinarily live in Alberta for a least six months of each year with the exception of attending a formal program of study
You must be in good standing with the AFA with no open or outstanding projects or reporting to apply. Previous grant recipients must ensure all final reporting has been approved by the AFA before new applications are accepted.
Applicants, including ensembles or collectives, must not be incorporated under either provincial or federal legislation.
Collaborating artists, ensembles, and collectives
Collaborating artists, ensembles, and collectives are eligible to apply to this program if all project co-owners meet the individual eligibility criteria as defined above.
The AFA defines project co-owners as:
- those who share in the ownership or copyright of the created work
- those who have a significant financial stake in the project
For the purposes of this funding opportunity, in addition to the lead applicant, co-owners include, but may not be limited to, the following:
- writers
- directors
- producers
Unless identified as retaining ownership or copyright of the work, contributors who are not normally considered co-owners include, but may not be limited to, the following:
- performers and/or narrators
- director of photography
- assistant directors
- production designers
- art directors
- Mentors, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers
Project co-owners must select a lead applicant to submit the application. The lead applicant must ensure all co-owners are listed in the application and is responsible for submitting the complete application before the program deadline.
If the project is approved for funding, the lead applicant is also responsible for receiving and managing any funds and completing any related reporting for the project.
If you are unsure whether an artist should be listed as a co-owner in your application, please contact your Arts Development Consultant as listed.
What does this funding support?
For the purposes of this funding opportunity, eligible film and video arts projects are independent works in film and video produced by individual artists.
Please note, AFA funding is not assured for any project.
Eligible genres
For the purposes of this funding opportunity, eligible film genres include, but are not limited to:
- narrative shorts and features
- experimental shorts
- documentary
- animation
For a project to be eligible for AFA funding, the applicant must have complete editorial and creative control over the proposed project and must retain at least 75% of copyright.
Types of projects
Through this opportunity, you may apply for project funding to support artistic activities in:
- art production
- marketing
- research
- training and career development
Art production includes the development, creation and production of a work in film and video arts. Projects should be confined to a distinct phase of a work, such as:
- script or screenplay writing
- pre-production
- production
- post-production
- commission to create new work (excludes ongoing activities)
Marketing includes a program of activity for a specific period of time to disseminate a completed film and video arts work and/or to develop audiences for the artist's work.
Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
- film festival submissions
- online distribution and promotion initiatives
- attendance at screenings, exhibitions, presentations or conferences featuring the artist's work
- award presentations by invitation
Research includes a program of activity for a specific period of time that supports or results in the development of new work in film and video arts.
Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
- experimentation
- exploration
- research (including research for documentaries) related to production
Training and career development includes enrollment in a course or program of study designed to develop an artist's training in film and video arts.
Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
- workshops
- master classes
- retreats
- mentorship programs
- professional development
- professional courses of study in film and video arts
Eligible expenses
You can receive up to $18,000 to support your project. You may apply for up to 100% of eligible expenses that are directly related to carrying out your proposed project.
These expenses may include, but are not limited to:
- contracted artist and/or technician fees
- commission fees
- production
- promotion and publicity
- transportation and accommodation
- tuition or training fees
- royalties
- administration and contract fees
- basic living/subsistence expenses (housing, local transportation, food, child care, dependent care) up to $3,000/month
- other expenses and supplies considered by the AFA to be reasonable and necessary
Ineligible projects and expenses
Projects and expenses that are ineligible for AFA project funding include:
- projects eligible for funding, or already funded by, the Alberta Media Fund (AMF)
- expenses for capital purchases, such as buildings or property, or for capital development, and studio construction or renovations
- recreational training projects
- artistic activities or projects undertaken in order to fulfill credit or thesis requirements
- projects that are primarily commercial in nature
- expenses already inccurred prior to application submission, including grant writer fees