March 2, 2026 Submissions
General Expert Panel Comments
Comments made by the panel during its assessment of applications submitted to the March 2, 2025 deadline are outlined below. Please note these comments provide a summary of the panel's assessment and do not necessarily relate to every application submitted to this deadline. The panel does not provide individual comments.
Project Descriptions
- Panelists appreciated when applicants provided a one-sentence summary of what they were planning to do at the top of their project descriptions (e.g. “I am requesting $16,500 for production and post-production for a 30-minute documentary on [SUBJECT].”)
- The panel appreciated when applicants clearly outlined what they sought funding for, their plan of action, and provided context on completed work and planned activities.
- Panelists emphasized the importance of involving individuals with lived experience or subject matter expertise in projects, as applicable, whether representing marginalized communities or niche subjects—to ensure authenticity, accuracy, and informed input.
- When approaching subject matter that includes First Nations, Metis, and Inuit subjects, applicants are encouraged to review resources such as imagineNATIVE’s “On-Screen Protocols and Pathways”1 to ensure the applicant is the right person leading the project.
- For clarification, it was advised by the panel to disclose whenever AI was used to assist in writing an application.
- For projects with industry specific techniques, the panel appreciated whenever said techniques were clearly outlined (i.e., various animation processes).
- The panel appreciated applicants who provided clear, feasible timelines, particularly when broken down into distinct project phases such as pre-production, production, and post-production.
- While pitch decks are appreciated as support material whenever relevant, the panelists encourage applicants to adhere to the AFA guidelines, regarding building the Detailed Project Description.
- For projects with a large scope, especially those dependent on multiple unconfirmed revenue sources or external opportunities like film festival submissions, the panel appreciated when contingency plans were included, outlining how the project would adapt if those elements did not materialize.
- Panelists appreciated when emerging filmmakers and/or animators identified experienced mentors/producers they would work with, noting that support letters or visual support material from these collaborators reinforced the applicant’s capacity for success.
- Panelists emphasized the importance of realistic timelines for projects. They felt some artists were not giving themselves adequate time to complete their projects, if awarded funding.
- When building upon a previous project, the applicant should consider how requested funding will evolve said project beyond its current form and why the project scope expansion is necessary.
- The panelists appreciated when applicants showcased how the project will allow them to progress in their practice, in relation to previous works.
Budgets
- The panelists prioritized funding projects with practical budgets that ensured fair compensation for all artists involved, including the applicant.
- For projects more experimental in nature, the panelists liked to see more detail in the budget, as niche practices require additional context for a panel to properly assess the intent and feasibility of a respective project.
- The panel appreciated when applicants included enough detail to explain how they justified their expense costs. Wherever relevant, including quotes, receipts and/or invoices helped. For projects with multiple revenue sources, it was helpful when applicants identified which expense items would be covered by the AFA, and which would be supported by other revenue sources.
- The panel emphasized that the budget and project description should align with all activities and costs clearly reflected in both sections.
- Review the Project Budget and Project revenue sections carefully. Whenever applicants included their requested amount from the AFA in the Non-AFA Revenue section of the application, it subtracted the original requested amount.
- The panel found that many projects requested less than the $18,000 maximum amount and utilized personal contributions in the Non-AFA Revenue section of the Project Budget, where they otherwise could have increased applicant artist fees.
Support Materials
- The panel appreciated when applicants labelled their documents as per the example below:
- 01_ApplicantName_AFANumber or Date_DocumentName (Project Description)
- 02_ApplicantName_AFANumber or Date_DocumentName (Support Materials), and so on. - Panelists appreciated when applicants submitted visual support material, such as previous work, that would showcase the feasibility of the proposal. For projects in post-production, providing sample footage of said project was important. Visual support that was illustrative of their proposal was seen as an asset.
- Panelists appreciated when video support material had sound quality that matched the visual components.
- It was considered an asset whenever support letters were included from high-value creative partners, when they are specifically cited in the body of the application.
- For script development proposals, the panel appreciated when the script excerpts were properly formatted to industry standards.
- Panelists appreciated when applicants clearly stated how and why support materials were included in relation to the project in question.
- Applicants are encouraged to proof all support material before final submission. Ensure that all uploads and relevant hyperlinks have no additional sign-in requirements and are properly embedded in their respective support documents.
- When applicants were affiliated with local artist-run support organizations in their field, it benefitted the feasibility of their overall proposal.
1 imagineNATIVE, “On-Screen Protocols & Pathways: A media production Guide to Working with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Communities, Cultures, Concepts and Stories.” imagineNATIVE.org, 15 May 2019, https://imaginenative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/OSPP-Guide-EN.pdf