Rules & Guidelines

• To be eligible, the project lead who will apply on behalf of the project must identify as part of the MENA/SWANA community or region and reside in Canada. They should also occupy a key role in the team (producer/director/writer).

• The applicant must simply be based in Canada. However, the proposed production itself doesn't have to be within Canada.

• Projects in a language other than English must have translation and subtitling costs as part of its proposed budget. We ask, however, that grant applications be in English.

• All submissions by established and emerging artists are welcome and will be guaranteed reading by the grant team before referral to the external jury board; films by first-time and early-career artists will be given particular consideration. If awarded, these projects may be paired with a project facilitator or mentor to ensure timely completion of the proposed film if deemed necessary.
• The $5,000 fund may be part of a larger production budget.
• Productions may already be underway, or in pre-production phase with a projected shooting start date of no later than March, 2025. But the final delivery must be by September 1, 2025 with a guaranteed premier at the MENA Film Festival the following January (See timeline below).

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All genres are welcome, and experimental and original portrayals of the MENA/SWANA identity and narratives are encouraged.

For any inquiries about the guidelines, eligibility or timeline of the grant, feel free to email info@menafilmfestival.com

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Schedule & Timeline

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Applications

• August 1 – Applications open
• September 8 (23:59 PT) – Applications close
• September 15 – 30 (subject to change depending on volume of applicants) – Interviews with shortlisted teams scheduled
• October 1 – 15 – Winning team announced
  

Pre-Production

• October 1 – 15 (cont'd)– Briefing with the winning team; First round of deliverables: Signed grant contract and distribution of funds
• December 15 – Second round of deliverables: locked budget and script (feedback provided as necessary)
  

2025 MENA Film Festival

• January 25 – February 1 – The winning applicant team will be invited as guests to the MENA Film Festival in Vancouver to access industry development workshops, programming and network!
  

Production, Delivery and Premiere

• March 1 – Shooting start (latest)
• May 1 – Third round of deliverables: Rough cut
• May 15 – Meeting and feedback provided as necessary
• July 1 – Fourth round of deliverables: Fine cut
• August 1, 2025 – Fifth Round of deliverables: Finished trailer
• September 1, 2025 – Final delivery of the film: Final cut in required formats
• Late January, 2026 – Premiere at the 2026 MENA Film Festival in Vancouver