CANADA CONNECT
About the program
Canada Connect is a competitive, curated co-production program designed for established Australian and Canada-based film and TV producers seeking global partners and financing and held as part of the SPA Connect Market at SCREEN FOREVER 39.
After the success of UK Connect in 2023 and Ireland Connect earlier in 2024, the 2025 Canada Connect initiative is slated to grow with an up to 30-person strong delegation made up of Australian and Canadian producers, which is significantly larger than the previous two iterations.
The initiative aims to accelerate global partnerships and leverage additional funding streams to create new award-winning film and TV projects for global audiences. Canada Connect will provide selected Australian producers with unique advantages to progress and finance their film or TV projects with Canada-based production partners and agencies.
Recognising the importance of Indigenous storytelling and shared experiences, both SPA and the CMPA will make positions in the program available for Indigenous practitioners. Australian Producers who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander are exempt from the requirement to have first purchased a SCREEN FOREVER Gold Coast badge and do not need to meet all the credit and experience requirements.
The producers selected to participate in the program will be offered a day of events focused on doing business and unlocking additional funding with their counterparts, including exclusive talks, networking and bespoke 1-1 meetings on 5 May 2025 before the official opening of SCREEN FOREVER 39.
Before you apply
Australian applicants must hold a valid, fully paid SCREEN FOREVER 39 Gold Coast Registration before applying to participate in Canada Connect (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicant exempt).
You can register here.
Applicants must demonstrate they have a producer or executive producer credit on at least one,
- feature film or long-form TV series, or
- an episodic short-form series (minimum 30 minutes total duration) acquired or commissioned by and broadcast on a local Australian platform, or
- equivalent credits on a successful interactive project.
Producers will be selected based on their previous experience and their specified interest and motivation to grow internationally and expand their international networks.
Incomplete applications on the Canada Connect website cannot be saved, so refer to this sample application guide before starting your application.
SPA is serious about diversity and inclusion, and we strongly encourage applications from those whose voices and experiences are underrepresented in our industry. If you require any support in your application or feel the eligibility requirements are a barrier to applying for this program, we would love you to contact us to discuss your involvement.
Key Dates
- 13 Nov 2024, 12pm AEDT - Applications Open
- 13 Jan 2025, 5pm AEDT - Applications Close
- 12 Feb 2025 - Successful applicants notified
- 5 May 2025 - Canada Connect on the Gold Coast, Queensland
- 6 - 8 May 2025 - SCREEN FOREVER on the Gold Coast, Queensland
Canadian applicants should apply via the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) website.
Why you should apply
Hear from some of the participants in our UK Connect program held at SCREEN FOREVER 37 in 2023, and our Ireland Connect program held at SCREEN FOREVER 38 earlier in 2024.
In both iterations of the initiative, dynamic producers and a number of agencies, buyers and distributors joined ten Australian producers to forge new relationships and launch new projects.
SPA is happy to see several projects progressing and strategic alliances developing between the UK, Ireland, and Australian producers who have participated in our Global Connect program to date.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for Canada Connect or need to modify your submitted application, contact the SPA Connect team at connect@screenproducers.org.au
Canada Connect is proudly supported by the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA)
SCREEN FOREVER is proudly supported by the Queensland Government, through Screen Queensland.
Principal Partner
Major Government Partner
Major Partner
Presented by
Screen Producers Australia respectfully acknowledges the people of the Yugambeh language region, the traditional owners of the lands on which we met. We thank the traditional custodians for welcoming us all onto their lands.
We acknowledge and pay respects to them and all their descendants both past and present. We also acknowledge the many Aboriginal people from other regions as well as Torres Strait and South Sea Islander people who now live in the local area and have made an important contribution to the community.