PROGRAM SUPPORT AND EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

Throughout the program, you will receive support to create the following, which you will be expected to deliver by the end of the program: 

1. A polished, industry-ready pilot script for your television series (including writing an outline, first draft and second draft).
2. A series outline that includes short episode breakdowns for the first season.
3. A professional pitch deck that includes a logline, character descriptions, series overview, episode summaries, and visual style.
4. A pitch presentation ready for commissioners, producers, and potential investors.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for the program, you must:

• Have a writer, co-writer or story editor credit on at least one of the following:
• • One episode of a TV show that has been broadcast;
  • A feature or short film released theatrically or premiered at an international film festival; List of eligible festivals.
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Self-identify as Black or a racialized person.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be committed and available to participate fully in the program, including attending all workshops, meetings, and retreat.
• Satisfy either of the following criteria:
  • You, the writer, must currently own 100% of the rights/intellectual property (IP) in the project in order to be eligible for the writing fee. Projects that were previously optioned but where rights have since reverted to the writer are eligible.
  • Projects that are currently under option are eligible. We encourage producers to have input in the script development; however, 100% of the fee must go to the writer.

ELIGIBLE FORMATS

The SCRIPTED series pilot you are applying to develop must have 30-minute, 45-minute, or 60-minute episodes and be an ongoing or limited series.

INELIGIBLE FORMATS 

Soap Operas, Lifestyle Programs, Short Films, Feature Films, and Movies of the Week (MOWs).

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Funding is being provided for projects that are original concepts to be developed through the program for a television series. While it is preferred that writers bring a new script, it is not required—the key requirement is that the writer is committed to working on this particular script throughout the program. Projects that are currently under option by a Producer or were previously optioned will be considered.

When preparing your proposal, please include the following info in a single document, clearly labelled “Main Application”:

1. A summary of your series concept, including genre, logline, key themes, target audience(s) and length.
2. A synopsis of the pilot episode (maximum one page).
3. The main characters’ descriptions, including their backgrounds, motivations, and arcs.
4. A high-level outline of the first season (maximum two pages).
5. Short bios and main credits for lead creatives clearly identifying their role in the project (bullet points acceptable).
6. Previous Development: What work has already been undertaken on this project, if any? If you have already received previous development support for this project, please provide details, including the source of any financial support and when it was received. Please provide short answers (bullet points acceptable).
7. A personal statement explaining your background, why you are interested in this program, and how your perspective as a Black or racialized writer influences your storytelling. Tell us about yourself and the experience, relationships and skills you are bringing to this story (500 words max.)
8. Written confirmation of your ability to commit to the program’s schedule and requirements, including attendance at workshops, meetings, retreat, and deadlines for deliverables.
9. If the project is currently optioned by a producer, please provide a written statement that includes the name of the producer or production company and the option expiry date.
10. Additional documents to be uploaded:
    • A current resume or CV highlighting relevant writing and industry experience.
    • A sample of your previous screen-based work, such as a script for a TV hour or half-hour series (not including news programming); multiple episodes of a web, animation or children’s series (20+ pages); or a short or feature film. 
      • Samples are not required to have been broadcast on TV or released theatrically. We encourage you to submit a sample that best reflects your voice as a screenwriter.
      • Your writing sample must be a different script from the one you are applying to develop through this program.
    • Completed Attestation Form 

Selected projects will be granted industry standard fees for the following:

30 minutes – $11,000
60 minutes – $21,375

KEY DATES FOR SCRIPTED
The BSO organizes additional programming for successful applicants, some directly tied to deliverables. Program participants are expected to be available for the following key dates:

• November 21–Nov 23, 2025 – Writer’s Retreat (Location TBA)  
• December (2 Weeknights, TBA) 2025 – 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm (EST) Story Workshops 
• February 11–March 6, 2026 – Script Review Period
• April (2 Weekdays, TBA) 2026 – 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm (EST) Pitch Workshops
• May (1 Weeknight, TBA) 2026  – 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm (EST) Pitch Document Workshop
• June 1–30, 2026 – Pitch to Producers
• July 2026 – Wrap-up session and final payment

PROGRAM SUPPORT AND EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

Documentary writers will be supported to produce and deliver:

1. A polished and comprehensive proposal ready for pitching to producers or networks. 
2. A thorough research portfolio that includes all relevant background information, interviews, and sources that support the documentary’s narrative. 
3. A 2-3 minute demo, trailer or character reel.  
4. A detailed treatment that includes critical elements such as the logline, synopsis, character descriptions, visual style, and writer’s connection to the subject and target audience. 
5. A final presentation or pitch session where participants present their developed projects to a panel of industry experts for feedback and potential opportunities. 
6. A full budget.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for the program, you must:

• Have a writer or director or producer credit on at least one of the following:
  • A short doc, a feature doc, or a short film that has been released on a professional broadcast or streaming platform (i.e., not user-generated), theatrically, or premiered at an international film festival;  List of eligible festivals
  • Have a writer or co-writer credit on a docu-series that has been broadcast.
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Self-identify as Black or a racialized person.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be committed and available to participate fully in the program, including attending all workshops, meetings, retreat, all elements of the Doc Institute’s Breakthrough program. The DOC Institute’s Breakthrough Development Lab is a rigorous, intimate market-preparation course guiding documentary filmmakers through high-level industry readiness—complete with tailored guidance and development funding for standout participants, and the Hot Docs Industry Events (TBA).
• Satisfy either of the following criteria:
  • You, the writer, director or producer, must currently own 100% of the rights/intellectual property (IP) in the project in order to be eligible for the fee. Projects that were previously optioned but where rights have since reverted to the writer, director, or producer are eligible. 
  • Projects that are currently under option are eligible. However, 100% of the fee must go to the grant recipient.

ELIGIBLE FORMATS

DOCUMENTARY projects must be 30, 45, or 60 minutes ongoing or limited series, or one-off projects.

INELIGIBLE FORMATS 

• Feature length documentary projects. 
• Non-documentary projects.
• Projects not meeting the original content requirement.
• Previously produced or currently in-production projects.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Funding is being provided for original documentary concepts to be developed into a television series or one off projects through the program. While we encourage participants to bring new ideas, it is not a requirement. What matters most is that the filmmaker is fully committed to developing this specific project throughout the program.

Projects currently under option by a producer—or that were previously optioned—will be considered.

Regardless of a project’s starting point, all participants must go through the full development process, beginning with an outline document, followed by a completed treatment, and then a 2 to 3-minute teaser. If a writer brings an existing project—even one with a more fully realized treatment—it will be treated as source material. The development process will begin anew, using that material as a foundation for rethinking, reworking, and refining the project.

When preparing your proposal, please include the following info in a single document, clearly labeled “Main Application”: 

1. Outline the documentary’s purpose, target audience(s), your connection to the documentary topics and/or subjects, and unique angle/perspective. 
2. Include a brief synopsis, objectives and potential impact. 
3. Explain how you have identified a subject(s) that is/are compelling and worth exploring.
4. A personal statement explaining your background, why you are interested in this program, and how your perspective as a Black or racialized filmmaker influences your storytelling. Tell us about yourself and the experience, relationships and skills you are bringing to this story (500 words max.)
5. Short bios and main credits for lead creatives clearly identifying their role in the project (bullet points acceptable).
6. A statement of your ability to commit to the program’s schedule and requirements, including attendance at workshops, meetings, the Doc Institute’s Breakthrough program, the Hot Docs Industry Events (TBA) and deadlines for deliverables.
7. Additional Info to be uploaded:
   • A detailed resume or CV highlighting your writing or directing experience, relevant skills, and any previous industry work showcasing your range and skills. 
   • Include a one-page synopsis of a previous documentary film that has been broadcast on TV, released theatrically or premiered at an international film festival. List of eligible festivals. 
     • You must include your credit on the film, dates of broadcast, release, or premiere, and the name of the broadcaster or exhibitor. 
     • You may include a pitch document in your application.
   • Completed Attestation Form 

Selected projects will be granted industry standard fees for the following:

30 minutes –  $10,000
45 – 60 minutes – $19,000

KEY DATES FOR DOCUMENTARY

• November 21–Nov 23, 2025 – Writer’s Retreat (Location TBA)
• Doc Institute Breakthrough Programming Dates:
  • Weekend of January 24–25, 2026 – Trailer prep and pitching workshops
  • Weekend of February 21–22, 2026 – Business and storytelling workshops
• March–April 2026 – Bi-weekly evening Virtual workshops (including additional pitch training and pitching to executives) (Dates TBA)
• End of April 2026 – Prep for Hot Docs and final pitch
• Final Pitch Competition – Awards two filmmakers with $20,000 cash award from Rogers Group of Funds, plus a development deal with CBC
• July 2026 – Wrap-up session and final payment

Documentary programming offered in partnership with the Doc Institute’s Breakthrough Program. This rigorous and intimate market preparation course takes ​documentary filmmakers ​through high level market preparation with a development prize for two successful projects.

• Writers are not required to have a producer or a team attached to be eligible to apply. 
• Writers are only eligible to apply with one submission to the fund. 
• Writers who have received funding in any one of the previous four rounds are eligible to apply for Round 5 (Maximum two rounds).
• The applicant can team up with another writer to combine their credits.

Please note: Applications in this round must be submitted in English OR French only.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

Projects will compete for funding according to a selective process. To make its funding decisions, an independent jury will use the criteria noted below to evaluate the application submitted by the Applicants. Applicants must note that revisions will not be accepted once a project is submitted.  

Projects will be evaluated by the jury based on the following criteria: 

• Originality
• Premise 
• Plot 
• Characters 
• Structure 
• Themes

SELECTION PROCESS  

A jury of Black and other racialized screen content creators will select at least ten projects in this round.

SELF IDENTIFICATION

Black people: people who trace their roots to Sub-Saharan Africa, including those with origins in the United States, United Kingdom, Caribbean and Latin America. 

Racialized people: people who are from one or more of the following communities: 

• Latin Americans (Latino, Latina, Latinx) 
• Middle-Easterns and North Africans
• South Asians 
• Southeast Asians 
• East Asians 
• Pacific Islanders
• Multiracial (a combination of any of the above categories or any of the above categories with White or European ancestry)