Screen Nova Scotia presents the 10th 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, financiers, 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 2026, we’ll present a two-day market, with one day of virtual meetings with LA-based and international delegates on October 13th, followed by one day of in-person meetings with North American executives and a networking reception on October 14th.
Producer applications are now open. The deadline to apply is September 10th.
Please read below for application requirements and eligibility criteria, as well as the market schedule.
“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
2026 SCHEDULE
Training for Emerging Producers
Dates: October 7-8, 2026
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 an intensive masterclass program delivered by award-winning producer and development executive for Bell Media, Lauren MacKinlay.
– An in-person Business Affairs day with information sessions and case studies hosted by national funding agencies and film industry 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.
Virtual Pitch Meetings
Date: October 13, 2026
We will continue to host our virtual Content Market day, 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, 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.
In-Person Pitch Meetings & Networking Reception
Date: October 14, 2026
The main event, with over 200 pre-scheduled pitch meetings taking place between attending broadcasters, distributors, sales agents, studio executives, and Nova Scotia’s film and television producers. The 2026 in-person market will take place at the historic Westin Nova Scotian Hotel, followed by a networking reception 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 companies (including broadcasters, distributors, sales agents, financiers, and studios). Payment will not be required until the attending delegate list has been released. Producers will make their top meeting selections 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, and 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
2026 PRODUCER APPLICATIONS
Please note this is a market for producers. Directors and/or writers can attend as second delegates with established producers, pending SNS approval (see below for more info).
I. Emerging Producers
Deadline: September 10th at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Criteria: Please read the below eligibility criteria carefully.
There are limited spots (10 total) available at this event for emerging producers, who will be selected through a competitive application process. All applications will be evaluated and selected by an independent committee of experienced and respected members of the national screen industry. Jury decisions will be final and late applications will not be considered.
Please note that participation in the training component of the market (October 7-8) is mandatory for emerging producers.
1.) Must have a minimum of one full producer credit on a film that has been selected by a recognized festival – list HERE – 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, CMPA/Telefilm Producer Mentorship programs, AIFF and/or WIFT-AT programs and filmmaker labs, 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 Process: Please see below.
Step 1: All producers must first submit THIS Google Form that confirms their eligibility for the program.
Step 2: After submitting the form above, producer applicants can submit all the following information electronically in a one-sheet (.PDF file) via email to alex@screennovascotia.com with the title: 2026 Content Market – Emerging Producer Application.
Emerging producers who were selected in 2025 may reapply for this year’s market, but with a different project. Please note that if selected to participate in the market, the project you apply with will be the one you workshop in the pitch training workshop and bring to the market.
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. At this time, emerging producers are not able to bring a second delegate.
II. Established Producers
Deadline: September 10th at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
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: 2026 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 all meetings (especially those for highly requested delegates with limited meeting spots) based on the information you provide to us in your application package/slate. Please clearly outline the requested information in your application. 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.
Please Note: This is not a competitive application process. If the established 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
2025’s market saw a record-breaking total of 520 meetings booked for producers across two days – an impressive increase in pitch meetings for producers from 2024. We had 57 resource delegates participate across two days of meetings, a 5% increase in attendance from 2024. We also included a number of broadcasters, distributors, sales agents, and studio executives who had not attended the market previously – 12 first-time attendees – expanding the overall reach and scope of the market. Please read below for testimonials.
“There’s something special about the creative energy in Nova Scotia — generous, grounded, and full of heart. This event captured that East Coast spirit completely. It was collaborative, inspiring, and a reminder of how vibrant the Canadian storytelling community truly is. I can’t wait to find ways to work here and bring shows to this incredible community.” – Mackenzie Donaldson, SVP, Scripted Television, Blink49 Studios
“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 is by far one of the most productive markets in the country with crucial access to potential studio partners, broadcasters, streamers, distributors and sales agents.” – Karen Wentzell, Producer, Waterstar Entertainment
“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 2026 Nova Scotia Content Market, please contact Alex Brundige: alex@screennovascotia.com