Deadline: 31-Dec-2026
The Community Development Grant supports screen sector professionals in the Edmonton region by helping them access career development, professional training, networking opportunities and business formation support. The grant is available for individuals working in film, television and video game sectors who need assistance with event attendance, professional development or incorporation-related costs.
Funding is available across several streams, including up to $1,500 for event attendance or out-of-region professional development, up to $1,000 for local professional development, and up to $500 for incorporation support. The maximum total funding an individual may receive within one year is $5,000.
Grant Overview
The Community Development Grant provides support to screen sector professionals in the Edmonton region.
The grant is designed to strengthen career development, professional growth and business readiness across the film, television and video game industries.
It helps reduce financial barriers that may arise during the professional journey of creators, producers, developers and other screen-based professionals.
Main Objective
The main objective of the Community Development Grant is to support the professional growth of individuals working in Edmonton’s screen-based industries.
The programme aims to:
- Strengthen career development
- Improve professional skills
- Support industry training
- Encourage event attendance
- Support business incorporation
- Increase production activity in the Edmonton region
- Help grow film, television and video game businesses
- Encourage investment in local creative projects
- Expand professional networking opportunities
- Improve local, national and international visibility
Key Focus Areas
The grant supports professional development and industry capacity building.
Key focus areas include:
- Film sector development
- Television sector development
- Video game sector development
- Festival and market attendance
- Out-of-region professional development
- Local training opportunities
- Virtual training opportunities
- Incorporation support
- Business license support
- Legal fee support
- Professional networking
- Screen media business growth
- Industry visibility and recognition
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility is limited to individuals directly involved in the creation of film, television or video game projects in the Edmonton region.
Eligible applicants must:
- Be based in the Edmonton region
- Work in film, television or video game creation
- Be in good standing with Edmonton Screen
- Submit the application before the activity begins
- Receive approval before incurring eligible expenses
- Complete the activity within eight months of submission
The grant is intended for individuals, not for general project production expenses.
What the Grant Supports
The grant supports expenses linked to professional development and business readiness.
Eligible activities may include:
- Attending festivals
- Attending markets
- Participating in industry events
- Out-of-region professional development
- Local training
- Virtual training
- Professional courses
- Required course materials
- Business incorporation
- Business licensing
- Legal fees related to incorporation or business setup
The grant does not fund direct production costs for film, television or video game projects.
Funding Streams
The Community Development Grant provides support through different funding streams.
Each stream has its own funding limit and eligible cost coverage.
Event Attendance and Out-of-Region Professional Development
Applicants may receive up to $1,500 per application for event attendance or out-of-region professional development.
This stream may cover up to 75 percent of eligible costs.
Eligible costs may include:
- Registration fees
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Daily per diem of $60, depending on location
This stream is useful for applicants attending festivals, markets, conferences, workshops or professional development activities outside the Edmonton region.
Local Professional Development
Applicants may receive up to $1,000 per application for local professional development.
This stream may cover up to 75 percent of eligible costs.
Eligible costs may include:
- Registration fees
- Required course materials
- Local training activities
- Virtual training opportunities
- Professional skill-building programmes
This stream supports individuals who want to improve their skills without travelling outside the region.
Incorporation Support
Applicants may receive up to $500 per application for incorporation support.
This stream may cover up to 50 percent of eligible costs.
Eligible costs may include:
- Incorporation fees
- Business license fees
- Legal fees related to business setup
This support is intended for individuals establishing new screen media companies.
Annual Funding Limit
The maximum total funding an individual may receive within one year is $5,000.
Applicants should plan their activities carefully to stay within the annual funding limit.
Funding is non-transferable between individuals or activities.
Reimbursement-Based Funding
All support is provided on a reimbursement basis after approval.
This means applicants must first receive approval before incurring expenses.
Expenses are only eligible if they are incurred after approval.
Applicants should not begin the activity or spend funds before receiving confirmation of approval.
Application Rules
Each application must correspond to one single activity.
Separate applications are required for:
- Different activities
- Different individuals
- Different professional development opportunities
- Different events or training programmes
There are also limits on simultaneous applications and participation from the same company or project for a single event.
Activity Completion Timeline
Activities must be completed within eight months of submission.
Applicants should ensure that their proposed event, training, incorporation activity or professional development opportunity can be completed within this timeframe.
What the Grant Does Not Support
The programme does not support direct production costs.
Ineligible costs include expenses directly related to producing film, television or video game projects.
The grant is intended for professional development, industry participation and business readiness, not production financing.
The programme also does not allow funding to be transferred between individuals or activities.
Why This Grant Matters
The screen sector depends on skilled professionals, strong networks and business-ready creators.
Many professionals face barriers when trying to attend industry events, access training or establish companies.
The Community Development Grant helps reduce these barriers by supporting professional growth and career advancement.
It also contributes to the broader development of Edmonton’s screen industry by increasing skills, visibility, production capacity and business development.
Benefits for Screen Professionals
The grant can help Edmonton-based screen professionals:
- Attend important industry events
- Build professional networks
- Access training and mentorship
- Improve technical or business skills
- Gain exposure at festivals and markets
- Establish new screen media companies
- Strengthen career pathways
- Increase visibility in the industry
- Respond to planned or unexpected professional needs
Benefits for the Edmonton Screen Sector
The programme also supports the growth of the wider screen industry in the region.
Expected sector benefits include:
- Increased production activity
- Stronger local talent development
- More experienced screen professionals
- Growth of film, television and video game businesses
- Greater investment in local creative projects
- Stronger professional networks
- Higher visibility at local, national and international levels
How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants should prepare a clear application that explains the activity, its professional value and how it supports career development.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Applicants should confirm that they are directly involved in creating film, television or video game projects in the Edmonton region.
They must also be in good standing with Edmonton Screen.
Step 2: Choose the Correct Funding Stream
Applicants should select the stream that matches their activity.
Choose event attendance or out-of-region professional development for festivals, markets, conferences or training outside the region.
Choose local professional development for local or virtual training.
Choose incorporation support for business setup costs.
Step 3: Apply Before the Activity Starts
Applications must be submitted before the activity begins.
Expenses are only eligible if incurred after approval.
Applicants should not assume that costs paid before approval will be reimbursed.
Step 4: Prepare a Clear Activity Description
The application should clearly explain:
- What the activity is
- When and where it will take place
- Why it is relevant
- How it supports professional development
- How it benefits the applicant’s screen sector career
- How it contributes to Edmonton’s film, television or video game industry
Step 5: Prepare a Budget
Applicants should provide a clear budget showing eligible costs.
The budget may include registration, transportation, accommodation, per diem, course materials, incorporation fees, business license fees or legal fees depending on the stream.
Step 6: Confirm Reimbursement Requirements
Applicants should understand that funding is reimbursement-based.
They should keep records, receipts and documentation needed to claim approved expenses.
Step 7: Submit Separate Applications for Separate Activities
Each application must be linked to one activity only.
Applicants should submit separate applications for different events, training opportunities or incorporation support needs.
Step 8: Complete the Activity on Time
The activity must be completed within eight months of submission.
Applicants should choose activities that fit this required timeline.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:
- Applying after the activity has already started
- Incurring expenses before approval
- Requesting support for direct production costs
- Submitting one application for multiple activities
- Applying while not in good standing with Edmonton Screen
- Failing to show a clear link to film, television or video game work
- Requesting more than the stream limit allows
- Forgetting the annual $5,000 funding limit
- Assuming funds can be transferred to another person or activity
- Missing required documentation for reimbursement
- Not completing the activity within eight months
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should:
- Clearly explain the professional development value
- Show how the activity supports career growth
- Connect the activity to the Edmonton screen sector
- Provide a realistic and eligible budget
- Apply before the activity begins
- Avoid direct production expenses
- Include clear dates and activity details
- Explain expected outcomes
- Show how the opportunity improves skills, networks or business readiness
- Keep all receipts and documentation for reimbursement
FAQ
1. What is the Community Development Grant?
The Community Development Grant supports screen sector professionals in the Edmonton region with professional development, event attendance, training and incorporation-related costs.
2. Who can apply?
Individuals directly involved in creating film, television or video game projects in the Edmonton region can apply, provided they are in good standing with Edmonton Screen.
3. How much funding is available for event attendance?
Event attendance and out-of-region professional development may receive up to $1,500 per application.
4. How much funding is available for local professional development?
Local professional development may receive up to $1,000 per application.
5. How much funding is available for incorporation support?
Incorporation support may provide up to $500 per application.
6. What is the maximum annual funding per individual?
An individual may receive up to $5,000 within one year.
7. Are production costs eligible?
No. The grant does not fund direct production costs for film, television or video game projects.
Conclusion
The Community Development Grant supports Edmonton region screen professionals by helping them access training, events, networking opportunities and incorporation support.
The programme provides targeted reimbursement-based funding for professional development activities that strengthen careers and support the growth of the local film, television and video game sectors.
Applicants should submit applications before activities begin, choose the correct funding stream, avoid production-related costs and clearly demonstrate how the activity will support their professional growth and the broader Edmonton screen industry.
For more information, visit Edmonton Screen.