In October 2024, Screen Nova Scotia hosted the 8th annual Nova Scotia Content Market, an industry event for emerging and established producers in Nova Scotia to meet with influential Canadian, U.S. and international broadcasters, distributors, sales agents and studio executives. This market provides Nova Scotia producers with direct access to top industry decision-makers at the national and international levels, across all genres.
In 2025, we’ll be presenting a two-day market, with one day of virtual meetings with LA-based and international delegates on October 6th, followed by one day of in-person meetings with North American executives and a networking reception on October 7th.
“The Nova Scotia Content Market is extremely well organized and the right size market to allow for meaningful conversations, new introductions, and reestablishing existing relationships. A pleasant change from the aggressive style of big markets, Screen Nova Scotia offers valuable introductions to the strong talent on the East Coast.” – Vanessa Case, Vice President of Content, Paramount+ and Pluto TV Canada
Producer applications are now closed for the 2024 market. Applications will open for 2025 in September. Please read below for application requirements and eligibility criteria.
Thank you to our 2024 sponsors: Canada Media Fund, National Bank of Canada, RBC – Royal Bank, Sunbelt Rentals (formerly William F. White International Inc.) and Telefilm Canada. This event would not be possible without their generous support.
2024 SCHEDULE
Training for Emerging Producers
Dates: October 7-8, 2024
As part of Screen Nova Scotia’s mandate to provide professional development initiatives, this two-day training course for selected emerging producers will include:
– A full day of in-person pitch training via a market preparation program delivered by LA-based script consultant and story editor Ruth Atkinson.
– An in-person Business Affairs day with information sessions and case studies hosted by national funding agencies, financiers, and film industry suppliers/stakeholders/experts.
This mandatory training component of the event will provide our emerging producers with the tools and information they needed to effectively pitch their projects during the 1-2-1 meetings during the market.
NEW THIS YEAR: Consultant Ruth Atkinson will also be holding a half-day pitch refresher for established producers. More details to come!
1-2-1 Pitch Meetings: Virtual
Date: October 15, 2024
We will continue to host our virtual Content Market day in 2024, allowing producers the opportunity to meet with LA-based and international delegates who are unable to join us on the ground in Halifax. Hosted via Zoom – the same format used for the successful virtual events over the past three years – this one day of pre-scheduled 1-2-1 pitch meetings will allow us to increase the number of attending resource delegates and the overall number of pitch meetings for our local producers. This year we’re excited to include new executives from LA, Spain, Germany, London, and Denmark.
In-Person Pitch Meetings & VIP Networking Reception
Date: October 16, 2024
The main event, with over 200 1-2-1 pre-scheduled pitch meetings taking place between attending broadcasters, distributors, sales agents, studio executives, and Nova Scotia film and television producers. The 2024 in-person market will take place at the scenic harbourfront Westin Halifax, with the networking reception taking place in the atrium at Lot Six Bar & Restaurant.
We announce our full list of participating delegates once producers have been selected, which will include top executives from Canadian, U.S. and international broadcasters, distributors, sales agents, and studios. Producers will make their top meeting selections for each day (virtual and in-person) which will then be scheduled by the SNS team based on information provided in producer applications and broadcaster/distributor/studio company profiles (what they are currently looking for/commissioning).
“The Nova Scotia Content Market is where Nova Scotia film and TV gets discovered and made, the team at SNS is committed to letting Canada and the world know that NS is open for business.” – Jason Levangie, Producer, Shut Up & Colour Pictures
2024 PRODUCER APPLICATIONS
I. Emerging Producers
Deadline: September 6th at 5:00 p.m.
Criteria: Please read the below eligibility criteria carefully.
1.) Must have a minimum of one full producer credit on a film that has been selected by a recognized festival within the past two years (short films are included) or have a full producer credit on a television series/one-off production with a minimum broadcast length of 30 minutes that has aired by the time the application is submitted.
2.) Must have a project currently in development.
3.) Other equivalent experience will be considered an asset (e.g. sponsored training initiatives such as AFCOOP’s Film 5 Program, National Screen Institute programs, Canadian Film Centre Producers Lab, CMPA/Telefilm Producer Mentorship programs, etc.) Please identify this experience in your application.
4.) Must be a resident of Nova Scotia and a Screen Nova Scotia Producer Member in good standing (for more information on membership, click HERE.
Please Note: This program is also open to Associate Members who identify as diverse (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color, 2SLGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities) and can meet the eligibility criteria. Please self-identify in your application email.
Application: Emerging producer applicants must submit all the following information electronically in a one-sheet (.PDF file) via email to alex@screennovascotia.com with the title: 2024 Content Market – Emerging Producer Application. Emerging producers who were selected in 2023 may reapply for this year’s market, but with a different project. Please note that the project you apply with will be the one you workshop in the pitch training workshop.
1.) Resume/CV of applicant.
2.) Letter of intent that briefly identifies the steps you will take to advance your career as a producer in the next year.
3.) A project package that includes:
a. Project short synopsis (50-60 words) and long synopsis
b. Project status (e.g. in development, treatment, first draft etc.) Please note that priority will be given to producers with projects that are in the later stages of development
c. Project genre (e.g. drama, documentary, comedy) and format (e.g. film, TV, web series, digital, etc.).
d. Any partners/funders attached to the project and a proposed financing structure.
Fee: There will be a $100 participation fee for selected emerging producers. This will not be due until after the list of participating resource delegates (broadcasters, distributors, studios, etc.) has been released.
Please Note: There are limited spots available at this event for emerging producers, who will be selected through a competitive application process. Applications will be evaluated and selected by an independent committee of experienced and respected members of the screen industry.
II. Established Producers
Deadline: September 6th at 5:00 p.m.
Criteria: Please read the below eligibility criteria carefully.
1.) Must have a minimum of two full producer credits on completed productions within the last five (5) years of the following nature:
a. Television one-off production with a minimum broadcast length of 30 minutes.
b. Television series production.
c. Feature film that received financing from Telefilm Canada, Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund, AND/OR had a budget of $1 million or greater.
d. Digital media production that received funding from the Canada Media Fund, Bell Fund, Independent Production Fund, the Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund AND/OR has achieved distribution on a reputable nationally recognized platform.
2.) Must have at least one project in development.
3.) Must be a resident of Nova Scotia and a Screen Nova Scotia Producer Member in good standing (for information on membership, click HERE.
Application:Established Producers applicants must submit the following information electronically in a one-sheet (.PDF file) via email to alex@screennovascotia.com with the title: 2024 Content Market Established Producer Application.
1.) Resume/CV of applicant.
2.) Full list of credits to date (IMDb links are acceptable)
3.) A brief project package that outlines the project/slate of projects you’ll be pitching at the market. Your project package could include:
a. The budget range and any partners/funders attached to the project(s);
b. The status of the project(s) on your current slate;
c. The genre and format of the project(s) on your current slate;
d. The specific objectives you hope to achieve at this event with the project(s) on your slate.
Please note that we’ll be booking meetings (especially those for highly requested delegates with limited meeting spots) based on the information you provide to us in your application package/slate. Some delegates may request to view your project packages in advance of the market.
Fee: There will be a $250 participation fee for established producers. This will not be due until after the list of participating resource delegates (broadcasters, distributors, studios, etc.) has been released.
Second Delegates: If an established producer wishes to include a second delegate (co-producer/director/writer) in their 1-2-1 pitch meetings, please include this in your application so we can approve on our end and ensure our resource delegates are aware of who they will be meeting with. Non-approved second delegates will not be permitted to attend virtual or in-person meetings/events. The second delegate must also be a member in good standing of Screen Nova Scotia (Producer/Individual Professional membership level). There is a $100 participation fee for approved second delegates.
Due to capacity limits for the in-person event, we will only be allowing a max of two people per company/project. Third delegates will not be permitted.
Please Note: If the producer meets the criteria and submits all the requested application materials, they will automatically qualify for the pre-scheduled 1-2-1 meetings. However, Screen Nova Scotia can not guarantee the number of meetings that will be scheduled for each producer.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
2024’s market saw a total of 425 meetings booked for producers across two days – an impressive 21% increase in pitch meetings for producers from 2023. For a list of participating 2024 delegates, click HERE. Please read below for testimonials.
“The Nova Scotia Content Market has proven year after year to be an essential venue for our company to connect with local producers and content creators who are bringing specific, diverse perspectives and the wealth of incredible storytelling Nova Scotia has to offer to the global marketplace.” — Andrew Kelly, VP, Scripted Development, Lionsgate Canada
“The Nova Scotia Content Market is a beautifully organized event that showcases the strength of the local Nova Scotia film industry, perfectly balancing connection and collaboration. It provides an invaluable platform for industry professionals to forge new relationships and reignite old partnerships at the start of the market season.” – Tata Pemova, Senior Sales Manager, Epic Pictures
“The Nova Scotia Content Market has consistently offered well-packaged projects, represented by Canada’s best storytellers.” — Brian Nitzkin, SVP, Business Affairs, Myriad Pictures
“The Nova Scotia Content Market is the key component of my company’s annual marketing strategy. I had serious interest from executives for several projects including an agreement to develop a project with a broadcaster. This was by far the best market I have attended all year!” — Donna Davies, Producer, Ruby Tree Films
“The Nova Scotia Content Market is a superbly orchestrated industry event. The SNS team produced a seamless, well-supported experience for those coming in from out of town; and facilitated countless, valuable conversations – many of which are bound to prove fruitful in the months and years ahead. The 2022 in-person edition was a fantastic refresher on East Coast talent and partnership opportunities.” — Elizabeth Kantor, Director of Unscripted Productions, Cineflix Media
“The Nova Scotia Content Market is the perfect place to meet established and emerging filmmakers and producers from the province. The diversity of projects being pitched was fantastic and really highlighted the enormous amount of talent the province has.” — Claire Peace-McConnell, Head of Canadian Content Development, VVS Films
Questions: If you have any questions about the upcoming 2025 Nova Scotia Content Market, please contact Tara McClair: tara@screennovascotia.com