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 a script 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 prepared pitch presentation ready to be delivered to commissioners, producers and potential investors.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for the program, you must:

1. 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 that has been released theatrically or premiered at an international film festival; List of eligible festivals.
   • A writer, director, or producer credit on a short documentary or feature documentary that has been released on a professional broadcast or streaming platform (i.e., not user-generated), released theatrically, or premiered at an international film festival (List of eligible festivals).
2. Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
3. Self-identify as Black or a racialized person.
4. Be at least 18 years old.
5. Be committed and available to participate fully in the program, including attending all workshops, meetings, and retreat.
6. Own 100% of the rights/intellectual property (IP)

ELIGIBLE FORMATS

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

INELIGIBLE FORMATS 

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

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Funding is being provided for projects that are original concepts to be developed in the program for a television series that has not been previously produced or distributed. When preparing your proposal, please include the following info in a single document, clearly labeled 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 bio(s) for the lead creatives, clearly identifying each person’s role on the project (e.g., Writer, Director, Producer). Bullet points are 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. 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.
8. 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).
9. Written confirmation of your ability to commit to the program’s schedule and requirements, including attendance at workshops, meetings and the retreat, and deadlines for deliverables.
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 an hour or half-hour TV 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. In order for all projects to be fairly assessed, the writing sample submitted must NOT be connected to the pitch treatment included in the application. 
    • Completed Attestation Form 

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

30 minutes – $11,000 

60 minutes – $21,000

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:

• TBC October 30-November 2, 2026 OR November 6-November 9, 2026 – Writer’s Retreat. Must be available to attend. More details to follow. Travel and accommodation is provided
• October – pair with a mentor. Regular meetings/check-ins with mentors/story editors every two weeks during the program
• November 2026 (Virtua)- 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm (EST) Workshops #1
• November 2026 (Virtual)- 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm (EST) Workshops #2
• March 2027 – 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm (EST) Rogers-BSO Pitch Session #1
• March 2027 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm (EST) Rogers-BSO Pitch Session #2
• May 2027 – Pitch to Producers
• June 2027 – Closing Session

PROGRAM SUPPORT AND EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

Documentary writers will be supported to produce and deliver:

• A polished and comprehensive proposal ready for pitching to producers or networks. 
• A thorough research portfolio that includes all relevant background information, interviews, and sources that support the documentary’s narrative. 
• A 2-minute demo, trailer or character reel. 
• 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. 
• A final presentation or pitch session where participants present their developed projects to a panel of industry experts for feedback and potential opportunities. 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for the program, you must:

1. 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 that has been released theatrically or premiered at an international film festival; List of eligible festivals.
   • A writer, director, or producer credit on a short documentary or feature documentary that has been released on a professional broadcast or streaming platform (i.e., not user-generated), released theatrically, or premiered at an international film festival (List of eligible festivals).
2. Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
3. Self-identify as Black or a racialized person.
4. Be at least 18 years old.
5. Be committed and available to participate fully in the program, including attending all workshops, meetings, and retreat.
6. Own 100% of the rights/intellectual property (IP)

ELIGIBLE FORMATS

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

INELIGIBLE FORMATS 

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

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Funding is being provided for the development of documentary projects that are original concepts which have not been previously produced, or distributed. When preparing your proposal, please include the following info in a single document, clearly labeled Main Application: 

1. An outline of  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 that includes objectives and potential impact of the project. Explain how you have identified a subject(s) that is/are compelling and worth exploring.
3. 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).
4. Short bio(s) for the lead creatives, clearly identifying each person’s role on the project (e.g., Writer, Director, Producer). Bullet points are acceptable.
5. 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 and Hot Docs Industry Events (TBA), and deadlines for deliverables.
6. 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. 
   • 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 

• (TBC) October 30-November 2, 2026 OR November 6-November 9, 2026 – Writer’s Retreat. Must be available to attend. More details to follow. Travel and accommodation is provided
• Fall 2026 – research, writing prep and workshops 
• Last weekend of January 2027 – trailer prep and pitching workshops 
• Last weekend of February 2027 – business and storytelling workshops
• Throughout March and April 2027 – virtual workshops (including more pitch training and pitching to executives)
• End of April 2027 – prep for Hot Docs and final pitch 
• June 2027 – Closing Session

Documentary programming offered in partnership with the Doc Institute’s Breakthrough Program.

• 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 three rounds are eligible to apply for Round 6. (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, 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)