In October 2023, Screen Nova Scotia will host the 7th annual Nova Scotia Content Market, an industry event for emerging and established producers in Nova Scotia to meet with influential Canadian, U.S. and U.K. broadcasters, distributors 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.
This year we’ll be presenting a hybrid event, with one day of in-person meetings followed by a VIP reception and one day of virtual pitch meetings the following day. Please read below for a full breakdown of the market, including dates/locations.
Thank you to our 2023 sponsors: William F. White International Inc., Canada Media Fund, National Bank of Canada, Telefilm Canada, Cape Breton Partnership, and the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage. This event would not be possible without their generous support.
SCHEDULE
Training for Emerging Producers
Dates: October 16 – 17
As part of Screen Nova Scotia’s mandate to provide professional development initiatives, this two-day training course for selected emerging producers will include:
– An in-person Business Affairs day hosted at the Westin Hotel, with information sessions and case studies hosted by national funding agencies, financiers, and film industry professionals.
– A full-day in-person interactive Market Preparation Program from international consultant Kevin Wright. This master class will provide selected emerging producers with an overall introduction to preparing for the pitch, with a significant focus on the project content.
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.
In-Person Pitch Meetings & VIP Networking Reception
Date: October 23
The main event, with over 200 1-2-1 pre-scheduled pitch meetings taking place between attending broadcasters, distributors, studio executives, and Nova Scotia film and television producers. The market will take place at the beautiful Harbourfront Marriott in downtown Halifax, followed by a private VIP networking reception at waterfront restaurant Pickford & Black.
We’ll be announcing our full list of participating delegates in the coming weeks, which will include top executives from Canadian, U.S. and U.K. broadcasters, distributors, 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).
Virtual 1-2-1 Pitch Meetings
Date: October 24
Following the in-person market, Screen Nova Scotia will be providing a virtual day of pre-scheduled pitch meetings for delegates/producers who are unable to travel or attend the in-person event. All meetings will take place via Zoom, similar to last year’s online market.
PRODUCER APPLICATIONS
1.) Emerging Producers
Extended Deadline: September 27, 2023 at 4 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 info@screennovascotia.com with the title: 2023 Emerging Producer Application Form. Emerging producers who were selected in 2022 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 (350-400 words).
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.
Please Note: There are limited spots available 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.
2.) Established Producers
Extended Deadline: September 27, 2023 at 4 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 info@screennovascotia.com with the title: 2023 Established Producer Application Form.
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;
b. The genre and format of the project(s) on your current slate;
c. 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 package. 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.
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
Last year’s online market saw over 300 meetings booked for producers across both days. Please read below for testimonials.
“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, Ruby Tree Films
“The Nova Scotia Content Market is getting better and better with every year. Now that Screen Nova Scotia has established it as a yearly event everyone can count on, it has given local producers unprecedented access to the essential buyers in Canada and beyond. It truly has put us on the map – I’m looking forward to seeing it continue to grow in the future!” — Caley MacLellan, Alright Pictures
“Nothing is more important to the international export success of a product than a discerning local market. That’s what puts NS lobsters on the map and this market is what puts fresh Nova Scotia creative content on the map.” — John Wesley Chisholm, Arcadia Entertainment
“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, Cineflix
“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, VVS Films
“This event was a great opportunity to spend some in-person time with industry peers and meet exciting new filmmakers from Nova Scotia. It’s clear there is a lot of energy and excitement in the Nova Scotia filmmaking community right now and the Content Market was great exposure to that.” — Hilary Hart, Game Theory Films
“The Nova Scotia Content Market has proven year after year to be an essential venue for a company like eOne 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, eOne
“Another successful Nova Scotia Content Market! I always meet the best producers with interesting projects — it’s guaranteed time well spent from both a business and social perspective.” — Michael Baker, Partner, levelFILM
Questions: If you have any questions about the 2023 Nova Scotia Content Market, please contact Melanie Solomon at melanie@screennovascotia.com / 902-229-1499.