The Marketing and Distribution Initiative (MDI) is only open to projects that have received support through the Ontario Creates Film Fund through the Drama or Documentary Productionstream OR Ontario Creates IP Fund (Linear) - Production and is intended to assist producers to make a meaningful contribution to the domestic marketing and distribution of their projects leading up to and during their release.

Available during fiscal 2025-26, this initiative is intended to support strategies and tactics that are an extension of traditional marketing and distribution activities and/or innovative exploitation strategies that enhance and build audience and revenue. These strategies and tactics can work independently and/or in conjunction with pre-existing distribution and licensor strategies.

Deadline

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until December 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for Marketing Support at minimum eight weeks prior to the planned official release date of the project.

Funding Available

Successful applicants are eligible to receive up to $25,000, capped at 75% of the total costs for all activities.

Please review the program guidelines carefully before submitting your application.

Eligible Applicants, Activities and Costs 

Applicants must be recent, successful recipients of the Ontario Creates Film Fund through the Drama or Documentary Production stream OR Ontario Creates IP Fund (Linear) - Production. Eligible projects must be completed, delivered or close to delivery and undertaking domestic release. The project’s release date must be slated to occur between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026. Projects that have previously been commercially released are not eligible for this initiative.

Eligible activities are those that build awareness of the title and enhance its value in domestic sales channels including theatrical, broadcast, digital and non-theatrical across all platforms. The activities should complement and leverage the functions of a distributor when a distribution agreement is in place and work alongside licensor promotional strategies as applicable. Activities must be detailed in a Marketing and Distribution Plan that outlines the overall strategy for the film across all platforms and identifies the respective roles of the Producer and the Distributor (if there is one).

Eligible costs are those incurred by the Producer that are integral to the Marketing and Distribution Plan for the release. These can be internal costs allocated to staff time, expenses directly in support of marketing activities, direct costs of goods and services, and costs related to hiring a third party contractor. Activities and associated costs must be within a defined six month window surrounding the commercial release.

Application Process

Before submitting an application, applicants must first provide an update on the status of their Film Fund – Production or IP Fund (Linear) -Production project to the relevant Program Consultant by sending an Applicant Inquiry from their project page in the OAP. The applicant must receive approval to apply from the Program Consultant.

All applications must be submitted via the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal (OAP). Applications submitted by any other method will not be accepted. For technical assistance, please contact applyhelp@ontariocreates.ca.

Guidelines and Application Forms

Ontario Creates MDI Guidelines
Ontario Creates Program Policies
Application Form/ Online Application Portal
Applicant Affidavit

Enquiries

For more information, please contact:

Anna Newallo, Program Consultant (Film & TV)
Phone: 416-645-8521
anewallo@ontariocreates.ca

Enquiries regarding the Online Application Portal (OAP) should be directed to applyhelp@ontariocreates.ca.

To receive notification of upcoming deadlines and program updates, please register here.