In October 2022, Screen Nova Scotia will host the 6th annual Nova Scotia Content Market, an industry event for emerging and established producers in Nova Scotia to meet with influential Canadian and U.S. 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 virtual pitch meetings and one day of in-person meetings followed by a VIP closing reception. Please read below for a full breakdown of the market, including dates/locations.
Thank you to our 2022 sponsors: William F. White International Inc., Canada Media Fund, National Bank of Canada, and Telefilm Canada. This event would not be possible without their generous support.
SCHEDULE
Training for Emerging Producers
Dates: October 17 – 18
As part of Screen Nova Scotia’s mandate to provide professional development initiatives, this two-day training course for emerging producers will include:
– A full-day in-person interactive Market Preparation Program from intentional consultant Jan Miller. 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. Participation in this program includes a private online 1-hour consultation with each producer following the workshop, to review their one sheet and project content, and revise their final pitch.
– A virtual Business Affairs day, with online information sessions and case studies hosted by national funding agencies and financiers.
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 1-2-1 Pitch Meetings
Date: October 24
Prior to 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.
In-Person Pitch Meetings & VIP Networking Reception
Date: October 25
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 Pickford & Black.
We’ll be announcing our full list of participating delegates in the coming weeks, which will include top executives from Canadian and US broadcasters, distributors, and studios. Producers will make their top meeting selection 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).
PRODUCER APPLICATIONS
1.) Emerging Producers
Deadline: The extended deadline for emerging producer applications is September 28, 2022.
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.
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: 2022 Emerging Producer Application Form. Emerging producers who were selected in 2021 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 comprised of experienced and respected members of the screen industry.
2.) Established Producers
Deadline: The extended deadline for established producer applications is September 28, 2022.
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: 2022 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 $200 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 $50 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 a total of 300 virtual meetings booked for producers across three days. Please read below for testimonials.
“The Nova Scotia Content Market has consistently offered well-packaged projects, represented by Canada’s best storytellers.” — Brian Nitzkin, SVP, Business Affairs, Myriad Pictures (LA, USA)
“The Nova Scotia Content Market is a wonderful place to connect with established and emerging talent from the region. The virtual event was really well run, with a great mix of participants at different levels.” — Hilary Hart, Director, Acquisitions & Distribution, Game Theory Films (ON, Canada)
“It was a fun and exciting process to participate in the market and hear what Nova Scotia’s producers have to offer. We look forward to next year’s event!” – T.J. Ross, Original Drama Series, Netflix (LA, USA)
“The Nova Scotia Content Market continues to do a great job connecting Nova Scotia creators and filmmakers with the world, even in the middle of a global pandemic.” — Michael Amo, Producer / Showrunner, Two East Productions (N.S.)
“The Nova Scotia Content Market seems to get better and bigger every year. The fact that Nova Scotian producers of all levels can count on having one-on-one conversations with some of North America’s biggest content buyers greatly strengthens our industry and provides opportunities for new voices to break in.” — Caley MacLennan, Producer, Ocean Entertainment / Alright Pictures (N.S.)
“The Nova Scotia Content Market is absolutely an essential entry point for east coast filmmakers to get access to executives in Central Canada and the USA. It’s a great entry market for junior and senior producers alike: intimate and constructive.” — Noah Segal, Co-President, Elevation Pictures (ON, Canada)
“The Nova Scotia Content Market is essential for the continued growth of the screen industry in Nova Scotia.” — Doug Pettigrew, Producer, Emotion Pictures (N.S.)
“The Nova Scotia Content Market is truly an impactful event that helped connect us with a wide variety of filmmakers and projects from the east coast.” — Robin Smith, CEO, Blue Ice Docs / KinoSmith (ON, Canada)
“The Screen Nova Scotia team did a magnificent job arranging this year’s virtual Nova Scotia Content Market. The online meetings were run smoothly and professionally, and the delegates that were brought in for the market were top-notch. We feel very fortunate to have a team at SNS who understand the industry and the important players.” — Jessica Brown, Producer, Peep Media (N.S.)
Questions: If you have any questions about the 2022 Nova Scotia Content Market, please contact Tara McClair at tara@screennovascotia.com / 902-229-1499.