Ontario Creates | Futures Forward Program

Description

Ontario Creates and the Canada Media Fund (CMF) are pleased to announce a pilot partnership program to fund early-stage, interactive digital media development projects from emerging and equity-deserving Ontario companies.

Ontario Creates Futures Forward Program

The Ontario Creates Futures Forward Program provides funding for early-stage project-related development. This program seeks to support companies that often have barriers to accessing project funding and to support the very beginning of a project’s creative process with the objective of giving a project a better chance to succeed in future stages of funding.

Companies may submit an application (one per company) to the Program to receive one of a limited number of grants (non-repayable contributions) to assist them with their early-stage project development activities. Applicants are encouraged to seek mentorship support for their activities.

An Eligible Applicant to the Program is a for-profit company that meets the following eligibility criteria:

• The owner or lead producer of the company either:
  • Completed the Ontario Creates Futures Forward Workshop in 2025; OR
     
  • Completed an approved* workshop or course (see Appendix 1 of Guidelines) between January 1, 2024 and October 31, 2025.

*Applicants may reach out to Ontario Creates at ipfund@ontariocreates.ca to confirm if a workshop or course that does not appear on the list in Appendix 1 is eligible. See Appendix 1 for additional details.
 

An Eligible Project must be:

• Interactive Content or Linear Content
• A new project that has not received and spent other development funding for the phase of work being proposed.

If you are unsure if your project is eligible, please contact Ontario Creates at ipfund@ontariocreates.ca.

For clarity, eligibility for the Ontario Creates Futures Forward Program does not guarantee project eligibility to other Ontario Creates funding programs.
 

DEADLINE 

December 15, 2025, by 5:00 pm ET

FUNDING AVAILABLE

The maximum contribution to a project funded through the Program shall be the lesser of $20,000 or 75% of the project’s eligible costs.

Ontario expenses must account for no less than 75% of the total budget. The balance of the budget not covered by the Program contribution may be in the form of cash or non-cash contributions from the Applicant or a third party.

 

GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION FORM

Ontario Creates – Futures Forward Program Guidelines

Interactive projects:  Interactive Content Budget and Financing Guidelines and Template

Linear projects: Linear Content Development Budget Template

Application Form in Ontario Creates Online Application Portal

APPLICATION PROCESS

• All applications must be submitted via the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal (OAP). Applications submitted by any other method will not be accepted.
• Applicants are encouraged to start the application process well in advance of the deadline in case technical support is required.
• Prior to starting an application, your company’s corporate information must be registered with the OAP. If you do not have a user account on OAP, please go to https://apply.ontariocreates.c... and click on “Register”.
• If your company is registered, the program deadline will appear in your dashboard. To start the application, click on “Start new application” and follow the onscreen directions to access the application form.