iff is Ontario Creates feature film co-financing / co-production event at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Selected international and Canadian producers are brought together with international sales agents, US distributors, agents, equity financiers and executive producers for brokered meetings and exclusive networking opportunities.

Now celebrating its 19th year, Ontario Creates iff has introduced hundreds of projects to the international marketplace with over 125 successfully financed to date. Canadian and international feature film producers are invited to apply to iff. Registration is free but very competitive. Final selection is based on company track record, pitch package and suitability of projects.

iff 2024 will be an in-person event and we are looking forward to welcoming this year’s participants to the Toronto International Film Festival.

Ontario Creates values and supports diversity and gender parity at all levels and business roles within creative industries. We acknowledge that many communities continue to face systemic barriers, preventing them from participating meaningfully in these industries. Ontario Creates applies a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion to the evaluation criteria for this program. Applicants proposing projects/activities that support, reflect, and strengthen diversity and gender parity in Ontario are expected to tangibly demonstrate a genuine and sustained commitment to these equity-deserving communities*. Ontario Creates encourages applications from companies that are led by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour) or Francophone individuals and applicants that otherwise meet the provincial definition of diversity.**

Ontario Creates is committed to fostering respectful workplaces in all sectors and companies we support.

Ontario Creates welcomes applications from disabled people, Deaf people, and people who have barriers to accessing technology. If you would like to request an alternative process or format for submitting an application please contact us in advance of the deadline.

* Equity deserving communities are those that face significant collective challenges in participating in society. This marginalization may be caused by, but not limited to, attitudinal, historic, social and environmental barriers based on age, ethnicity, disability, economic status, gender, nationality, race, sexual orientation and transgender status. Equity-deserving communities identify barriers to equal access, opportunities and resources due to disadvantage and discrimination and actively seek social justice and reparation.

** The provincial definition of diversity states: the dimensions of diversity include, but are not limited to: ancestry, culture, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, language, physical and intellectual ability, race, religion (creed), sex, sexual orientation and socio-economic status.

Eligibility

Applicants must have:

• One full producer credit on a theatrically released feature or on a feature released on a viable digital platform.

• One market-oriented project in development that requires international co-production and financing partners.

Please note:

• Applicants with a full producer credit on a non-theatrically released film should contact the iff producer directly to enquire about eligibility.

• Producers with only Executive Producer, Co-Producer and Associate Producer credits are not eligible.

• Priority will be given to projects that have not premiered at other co-financing or co-production markets.

• Two producing companies are allowed per project. If there are more than two producing companies, please consult the iff producer.

• We accept one project application per company(ies), please do not submit several projects.

• iff accepts non-English-language projects only with prior approval of the iff producer.

Application Deadline

Timelines/deadlines for Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (iff) are as follows. All dates may be subject to change.

Deadline for Canadian and International producers: June 10, 2024 at 5:00 PM ET

Event Dates

Sunday, September 8, 2024

Monday, September 9, 2024

Application Process

• All new applications going forward must be submitted via the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal (OAP). Applications submitted by any other method will not be accepted.
• Prior to starting an application, you must register your organization’s corporate information through the OAP. If this has not already been done, you must register by going to: apply.ontariocreates.ca and click on “Register”.
• Applicants are encouraged to start the application process well in advance of the deadline in case technical support is required. There is flexibility for completing the application form – you may begin at any time and save information as it is entered. Once saved, you can go back to edit and/or add information until the time when the application is actually submitted.
• If you encounter problems setting up your organization’s corporate information, please email applyhelp@ontariocreates.ca for assistance. This email address can also be used for any technical questions you have about the OAP.
• If your company is registered, the iff program deadline will appear in your dashboard. To start the application, click on “Start new application” and follow the onscreen directions to access the application form.

To submit an application please click here. Please note that all applicants will be required to submit Ontario Creates' Applicant Affidavit affirming that you have both guiding principles and a process for maintaining a respectful workplace.

Representatives from the following companies attended iff 2023:

What are participants saying?

“The level of executives that came to the meetings was fantastic. I would never have the capability to reach these people on my own. The connections I’ve formed at this event are fantastic both for this project and future projects.” – Virginia Abramovich / Alex Jordan, Artificial Dreams Production / Jordan Entertainment (Ontario)

“It was great meeting with other Canadian producers, and we were able to reconnect with a couple post-IFF. We’re now strongly considering filming our production in Canada.” – Gerry Kim / Ming Jin Woo, Greenlight Pictures/PPW Films (US/Malaysia)

“Definitely built upon my network and honed my pitching.” – Collie McCarthy, Forty Foot Pictures (Ireland)

“In addition to the projects that we discussed, getting to know producers from other countries broadens our relations and co-production strategy for potential projects in the future.” – Jennifer Pun / Rosalia Chilelli, Edge Entertainment / 64A Films (Ontario)

“We thought the meetings were an excellent match. We were happy with the selection and obtained the majority of the meetings we wanted. At the very least it helped to expand our network. At the most it led us to fruitful collaborations.” – Emma Slade & Victoria Dabbs / Firefly Films (New Zealand), Michelle Morris / Lily Pictures (British Columbia)

“We managed to close a co-producer for our project.” – Laura Rossi, Gullane (Brazil)

“[We] received some really good market and financial feedback that will be helpful as we continue to package our feature.” – Julie Strifler, Wildling Pictures (Ontario)

“I established professional connections within the North American market and I remain in contact with the executives I met with.” – Krystyna Kantor, Shipsboy (Poland)

“It was the first time we presented our project in early stages of development and IFF was the launching pad. We gained very enthusiastic responses and looking forward to the next stage with the project.” – Paul Barkin & Tchavdar Georgiev, Alcina Pictures (Ontario)

“Conversations are ongoing with key players, so that is very positive and [that] wouldn’t have happened without the IFF selection.” – Pietro Greppi / Jessie Magnum, Good Witch / Lunapark Pictures (UK)

“Most of the executive meetings on my schedule were incredibly valuable, and I had the opportunity to meet with many producers who provided valuable insights and guidance.” – Maytham Jbara & Ahmed Yassin Al-Daradji, Purattu Films (Ontario)

“There was a broad range of executives at the IFF, and many felt like a good match for our project. It was a great way to introduce our project to the marketplace and it felt like there was genuine interest in our project that we are now following up on.” – Kristian Moliere, Triptych Pictures (Australia)

2023 Founding Partners

Enquiries

Please direct any program enquiries to: 

programs@ontariocreates.ca

To receive notification of upcoming deadlines and program updates, please register here with your complete contact information, including your full name, company name and telephone number, as well as the name of the program that you are interested in.