The Pre-Development Program is designed to provide emerging creators and producers the skills they need to fast-track their knowledge and enhance the competitiveness of their project through tailored training. The program is designed for emerging talent with some experience of content creation. Creative teams participate with a feature film, series, or one-off project in development that’s intended for commercial release.
Training and feedback will assist participants to develop their project to a stage where they can apply for development funding from Screen Nova Scotia’s Amplified Voices Development Fund and other funds, and/or to pitch to distributors, broadcasters or other platforms.
There is no fee to apply and participation in the program is free of charge.
Applications are now open for 2026. The deadline to apply is August 14th.
Program Training
The program offers interactive workshops for participants to prepare applicants to apply for development funding with Screen Nova Scotia or for other development funding. Wherever possible, workshops will be led by members of Underrepresented Communities from Nova Scotia. Workshop instructors will provide resources and will tailor workshops to the participants’ objectives.
In-person workshops will be presented at a two-day weekend retreat, and at the Nova Scotia Content Market. Following the in-person training, additional workshops and consultations will be held virtually on Zoom. Travel stipends are available for participants travelling from outside HRM, and accessibility accommodations are available as needed, provided requests are provided in advance. Hotel accommodation and meals at White Point Beach Resort will be provided.
Participants must commit to participating in all required training. Absence from the retreat, Content Market, or Zoom workshops will result in disqualification from the program.
In addition to group workshops, each team will have the opportunity to meet with a development consultant for tailored feedback on their project.
A schedule and sample workshop roster includes:
AMPLIFIED VOICES RETREAT: October 2-4, 2026
- Friday, October 2nd, White Point Beach Resort
– Late afternoon arrival (transportation available from Halifax).
– Welcome dinner and introductions. - Saturday, October 3rd, White Point Beach Resort
– Program orientation and goal setting.
– Development activities overview.
– Lunch.
– Development budgeting and financing – including typical cost ranges for various development activities
– Pitch deck building – hands-on design tools, examples, and what to include.
– Networking dinner. - Sunday, October 4th, White Point Beach Resort
– Content session – finding the project’s hook, developing a synopsis and logline.
– Working lunch.
– Afternoon departure (transportation available to Halifax).
NOVA SCOTIA CONTENT MARKET – TRAINING FOR EMERGING PRODUCERS: October 7, 2026
- October 7th – Business Affairs Day, in-person in Halifax
– Info sessions and case studies TBC.
ZOOM WORKSHOPS: October – November, 2026
- DEIA Plans (October date TBC) – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility – Raising awareness of issues and solutions, and empowering producers to implement best practices as they develop their projects.
- Application support (November date TBC) – How to position an application, supporting documents., peer feedback on in-progress materials.
Workshop topics, formats, and schedules are subject to change, based on the needs and objectives of participants.
Program Eligibility
Applicants will apply to develop a pitch package for one creative project. The following eligibility requirements and conditions apply:
- The applicants must be Nova Scotia Residents.
- The program is open to producer and screenwriter teams. The producer and screenwriter positions may be held by one or two individual(s).
- Both members of the team must self-identify as members of an underrepresented community. *
- Both members of the team must be emerging talent. **
- Applicants must show a demonstrated interest or experience in working in the screen industries, and at least one member of the team must show a track record of content creation (any screen format, including but not limited to short film, series, and short-form video content for digital social media platforms is acceptable).
- Projects may be scripted or documentary feature films, one-offs, short form digital series, or broadcast TV series.
- SNS will reserve the right to assess teams and projects for eligibility on a case by case basis.
* Underrepresented Community means a member of one or more of the communities of Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, People with a long-term, intermittent or recurring Disability, or Official Language Minorities.
** Emerging Talent means Nova Scotia resident producers, directors and/or screenwriters who have previously produced, directed and/or written no more than one feature film or four hours of television content which have been produced for intended commercial release.
Application Information
Forms: Complete and submit the Application Form below with all required submission materials and attachments. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that SNS receives all required and relevant documentation.
APPLICATION FORM – CLICK HERE
Applications will be evaluated by a national selection committee overseen by Screen Nova Scotia.
Application Checklist: To apply for participation in the Pre-Development Program, a complete submission must be received by the Program Administrator. That consists of a completed application form with all required accompanying documentation and supplementary information, including:
- Completed self-identification forms for both the producer and screenwriter.
- Filmography/CVs for both the producer and screenwriter (if available).
- Project logline.
- One page concept description of the project.
- A link to an example of previous work by either the producer or screenwriter
The deadline to apply is August 14th at 5:00 p.m. ADT.
Please contact Danya Knowles, Industry Services & Workforce Deevlopment Officer, if you have any questions about this program, the application process, or if you need accessibility accommodations in order to submit your application: danya@screennovascotia.com