AT A GLANCE
- Dates: Wednesday, December 2, 2026 - Friday, December 4, 2026 (9:30am - 4:30pm)
- Fees: WIFT+ Toronto Members: $ 300 + hst | Non-members: $ 375 + hst
- Designed For: Funding applicants (companies and individuals) interested in applying to the Ontario Creates IP Fund - Development and Production programs
- Eligibility: Open to all members and the public (members get a discounted rate)
- Deadline to register: Sunday, November 15, 2026 (11:59pm)
See below for all the details.
ABOUT
The Futures Forward program is designed to assist and fast-track applicants applying to Ontario Creates IP Fund - Development and Production. Let us help you submit a winning application!
- Recognize the key elements of business & marketing plans
- Deepen your understanding of business operations
- Learn more about budgeting and financing for IP Fund - Development and Production - projects
- Enhance your project pitch
The Futures Forward program is a three-day program that provides potential funding applicants (companies and individuals) with the skills required to fast-track their knowledge acquisition and enhance the competitiveness of their company when applying to the Ontario Creates IP Fund - Development and Production programs.
The curriculum focuses on application requirements and deliverables to provide less-experienced applicants with the knowledge and resources necessary to submit a complete and well-crafted funding application.
Participants must be prepared to attend all three days of this intensive program.
More details on Ontario Creates (formerly Ontario Media Development Corporation): ontariocreates.ca
DATES
Applications Open: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Scholarship Applications Open: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Scholarship Application Deadline: Sunday, November 15, 2026
Application Deadline: Sunday, November 15, 2026
Program Runs:
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 - Friday, December 4, 2026 (9:30am - 4:30pm)
2026 FEES
WIFT+ Toronto Members: $ 300 (+ HST)
Non Members: $ 375 (+ HST)
Once your application has been approved, you will be sent a link to process your payment.
One (1) scholarship will be available to cover program fees for a participant for this program and is made available through the Foundation for Women in Film & Television – Toronto. Scholarships are open to both WIFT+ Toronto members and non-members alike.
To apply for a scholarship for this program, please visit this page. The deadline to apply for a scholarship is November 15, 2026 (11:59pm).
ELIGIBILITY
This program is targeted to:
- New companies that are led by individuals with LESS THAN three years of professional content creation experience or with no previous digital media credits (e.g. a start-up company led by recent graduates); and,
- Established companies that are transitioning to IP Fund - Development and Production content creation from other industries (e.g. a film company exploring digital-first content opportunities).
Candidates must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for consideration:
- Be an Ontario-based company (established company) or ordinarily resident in Ontario (new company);
- Be a screen-based professional or entrepreneur with less than three years of professional content creation experience.
- Applicants must have an IP Fund - Development and Production-eligible project that they would like to develop or produce; and,
- Successful candidates must be prepared to participate in ongoing evaluations and provide a testimonial on completion
- WIFT+ Toronto members and non-members (all genders) can apply provided they meet the overall eligibility requirements.
LOCATION
This program will be held IN PERSON ONLY at:
CSI Spadina
Toronto, Ontario
M5T 2C2
SESSIONS & INSTRUCTORS
Day 1
Creating a Business Plan
A well-developed business plan is essential for any project to be effectively executed. In this session, participants will review successful business plans through case studies and examples, as well as workshop their own business plans through group exercises and discussion. Emphasis will be given to the criteria required in the IP Fund - Development and Production applications.
Instructor: TBA
Business Operations
It’s not enough to be creative – it’s business. In this session, participants will get an overview of business and operational fundamentals (finance, business affairs, and human resources) and gain an understanding of how these elements work in tandem to support a company’s business and strategic plans.
Instructor: TBA
Day 2
Creating a Marketing Plan
Having a plan for marketing is not just about getting eyeballs to your project. It is also about understanding and showcasing how your project is in a unique position to satisfy your target audience and generate revenue. In this session, participants will review successful marketing plans through case studies and examples, as well as workshop their own marketing plans through group exercises and discussion. Emphasis will be given to the criteria required in Ontario Creates funding applications.
Instructor: TBA
Effective Pitching in the Digital Space
You know your story – now tell it and sell it! In this session, participants will learn the proper ways to “pitch” an IP Fund - Development and Production project for investors, channel partners and funding agencies. Using their own projects as examples as well as employing case studies, participants will see what makes a digital pitch different.
Instructor: Marina Cordoni
Day 3
Budgeting & Financial Considerations
Being able to clearly and concisely define the financial aspects of your project is paramount to showing responsibility for your project’s success. In this session, participants will get an overview of the budgeting and financial variables to be considered when further developing their project. Emphasis will be given to working within the framework of the Ontario Creates templates.
Instructor: TBA