About
With the support of the Canada Media Fund and as part of its Sector Development Support initiative, Main Film is offering a comprehensive professional training program focused on the craft of production and the integration of audiovisual production networks, P·R·I·S·M·E – Racialized and Afro-descendant Integrated Producers for a Fair Media Sector. The program emphasizes practice in order to render more tangible the notions and the different teachings presented.
P·R·I·S·M·E is designed to be a career accelerator led by recognized and inspiring industry professionals who reflect the diversity of the cohort and will foster collaborative relationships.
The program is open to 6 emerging producers with a project ready for development in fiction or documentary:
- feature or short fiction film
- feature-length documentary
- web series or linear series (fiction or documentary)
This may be a project in which you serve solely as a producer or a project that you are self-producing.
If you have a more creative profile, you are invited to submit your application by clearly demonstrating your commitment to professionally developing the production aspect of your practice and explaining why.
DESCRIPTION
OBJECTIVES
- Gain an in-depth understanding of the key aspects of the producer’s role and related professions, including their roles and responsibilities.
- Develop a professional understanding of funding applications, administrative management (budgets, contracts, unions), as well as the associated institutional and legal obligations.
- Master the theoretical concepts of production through real-world case studies and apply the acquired knowledge to individual projects.
- Put the skills of a producer into practice through training activities culminating in a competitive pitch contest in front of industry professionals.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
- Integration into the community through networking activities.
- 25 hours of personalized project mentoring over the course of a year.
- Grants and awards for pitch competition winners.
Total length of training: approximately 120 hours (including networking and off-session mentoring)
Cost of training for selected participants: $ 400 *
* In case of financial difficulties (low income, unemployed, etc.) Main Film may cover your registration fee ($400) after reviewing your application.
Call for applications – Cohort 6
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- Participants must identify as Black or a person of color. If you are a member of First Nations, you are invited to submit your application.
- Your project must be a work of fiction (feature-length, mid-length, or short film, or web series/linear series) or a documentary (feature-length or web series/linear series) and ready for development.
- You already have practical experience in the audiovisual industry, whether in production or directing.
- You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- The training is in-person. Please ensure you are available for the entire duration of the program (main training location: 2025 Parthenais Street, H2K 3T2 Montreal).
- Some workshops will be conducted in English. Please ensure you have the necessary proficiency to follow along.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- A letter of no more than 2 pages:
- outlining your background and experience in the audiovisual sector
- clearly describing your desire to professionally develop the production aspect of your work, and why and how this will impact your career
- listing your short-, medium-, and long-term goals and your future ambitions
- Your resume highlighting relevant experience
- Supporting materials (links to 1 or 2 previous works you have produced or directed, depending on your experience)
- The project proposal you will develop throughout the program, including:
- A detailed synopsis (maximum 2 pages)
- A presentation of your project idea, your perspective on why it is important to bring it to life, and its impact on today’s world (maximum 3 pages)
- A description of the specific and unique contributions of the project’s producer and director (maximum 1 page per profile—both perspectives must be included, even for self-produced projects)
- A draft budget (for assistance, please refer to the Telefilm template – https://share.google/K0gpTgk5XeNIwGyod) and production schedule (from pre-production to the film’s release)
- An excerpt from the screenplay (if available—first 15 pages maximum)
Your application must be submitted via the submission form.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact Camila at
prisme@mainfilm.qc.ca
PLEASE NOTE
- The program is in-person. Please make sure you are available for the entire duration of the program. Classes and activities will mainly take place in the evenings and on weekends, with the exception of virtual meetings with institutions, organizations, and broadcasters.
- Most courses will be given in French. Please ensure that you have the necessary level of comprehension to successfully complete the program.
Schedule (for reference purposes only)
See the 2025 schedule
MAY 2026 :
Welcome & introduction
JUNE 2026:
The producer’s trade
Financing institutions
Institutional & legal obligations and distribution
Financing a short series
The industry and pitch philosophy
Information session – Financial institutions (VIRTUAL)
Budgets, contracts, unions and professional associations
Distribution and Festivals
Submitting a funding application
Please note: there will be no activities between July 1 and August 31.
SEPTEMBER 2026 :
Information session: Sector representative organizations (VIRTUAL)
Structure and benefits of representative organizations
Visualizing your network with Ella Cooper
Industry trends
A producer’s career path
Setting up a production company
Making your voice heard
OCTOBER 2026:
Case study of a web series
Round table with broadcasters
The art and methods of pitching
Pitch session
Pitch practice
Final Pitch to the PRISME jury
Diversity in the spotlight at the FNC
APPLICATION FORM
To be submitted via this form on May 13th 2026 at 11:59pm at the latest: