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Market Ready is a development program that provides a producer, director, or writer the opportunity to take a feature film or series concept to market. The goal is to provide the recipient with experience in preparing their project pitch for presentation to potential collaborators, funders, and partners. We accept both documentary and narrative submissions, in long-form (feature or series).
This program is intended for IBPOC women and gender-diverse members of GEMS Vancouver based in British Columbia, Alberta, or the Yukon. IBPOC refers to Indigenous People, Black People, and People of Color. Gender-diverse is a term used to encompass transgender, non-binary, two-spirit, gender non-conforming individuals. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, please email programs@gemsvancouver.org.
*Please note only one person per project may apply, and each person may only apply with one project to each market.
There is an application fee of $25 CAD plus GST. At GEMS, we strive to make our programs accessible in pricing. As a non-profit, we rely on your support, your membership fees, and your submission fees to make programs like Market Ready possible. You may write to us at programs@gemsvancouver.org to request accommodations in pricing, but we ask that you only do so if payment truly poses a barrier for you. We greatly appreciate your support in keeping our organization and our programs alive!
See below for individual application requirements.
The selected participant will receive tailored mentorship for their project, up to CAD $2,000 towards travel and accommodation, a pass to St John’s International Women’s Film Festival (SJIWFF37) + Film Industry Forum, and a festival pass to GEMFest 2027.
Key Dates
August 31, 2026
Applications open
September 14, 2026
Applications close at 11:59PM PT
September 21, 2026
Participant selected
September 24, 2026
Mentorship begins
October 20-24, 2026
SJIWFF37
Applicant Eligibility
The SJIWFF opportunity is best suited to those identifying as emerging or mid-career.
Please upload the required materials:
- A one-page synopsis of your feature film or limited series project, clearly stating the project title, and your role on it, as well as your project logline.
- Applicant CV with filmography (max. two pages).
- If applicable, a one-page description of the project’s development history to date, and listing any attached key creatives (include bio/info links, if possible).
- A one-page letter outlining how you and your project will benefit from the mentorship.
- If you are not the writer/creator of your project, provide the Chain of Title demonstrating your option agreement or other legal acquisition of this intellectual property.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Each of the four components should come in PDF files
- Please name each document FIRSTNAMELASTNAME_COMPONENT, for example JANEDOE_SYNOPSIS
Project Information
- Projects should be:
- A feature film or series project (documentary or narrative) in development suitable to pitch at SJIWFF37 Film Industry Forum.
- Well-suited to the contemporary Canadian Film and TV landscape (could be made within similar budget and scope of existing Canadian Film and TV projects).
- Project can be in any language, but application materials in languages other than English must contain translations.
Participants
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Key Dates
August 31, 2026
Applications open
September 14, 2026
Applications close at 11:59PM PT
September 21, 2026
Participant selected
September 24, 2026
Mentorship begins
October 20-24, 2026
SJIWFF37
Applicant Eligibility
The SJIWFF opportunity is best suited to those identifying as emerging or mid-career.
Please upload the required materials:
- A one-page synopsis of your feature film or limited series project, clearly stating the project title, and your role on it, as well as your project logline.
- Applicant CV with filmography (max. two pages).
- If applicable, a one-page description of the project’s development history to date, and listing any attached key creatives (include bio/info links, if possible).
- A one-page letter outlining how you and your project will benefit from the mentorship.
- If you are not the writer/creator of your project, provide the Chain of Title demonstrating your option agreement or other legal acquisition of this intellectual property.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Each of the four components should come in PDF files
- Please name each document FIRSTNAMELASTNAME_COMPONENT, for example JANEDOE_SYNOPSIS
Project Information
- Projects should be:
- A feature film or series project (documentary or narrative) in development suitable to pitch at SJIWFF37 Film Industry Forum.
- Well-suited to the contemporary Canadian Film and TV landscape (could be made within similar budget and scope of existing Canadian Film and TV projects).
- Project can be in any language, but application materials in languages other than English must contain translations.
The selected participant will receive tailored mentorship for their project, up to CAD $1,000 towards travel and accommodation, a pass to Whistler Film Festival + Summit 2026, and a festival pass to GEMFest 2027.
Key Dates
August 6, 2026
Applications open
August 24, 2026
Applications close at 11:59PM PT
September 8, 2026
Participant selected
November 2026
Mentorship begins
December 2 – 6, 2026
Whistler Film Festival + Summit
Applicant Eligibility
The Whistler Film Festival opportunity is best suited to those identifying as emerging or mid-career.
Please upload the required materials:
- A one-page synopsis of your feature film or series project, clearly stating the project title, and your role on it, as well as your project logline.
- Applicant CV with filmography (max. two pages).
- If applicable, a one-page description of the project’s development history to date, and listing any attached key creatives (include bio/info links, if possible).
- A one-page letter outlining how you and your project will benefit from the mentorship.
- If you are not the writer/creator of your project, provide the Chain of Title demonstrating your option agreement or other legal acquisition of this intellectual property.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Each of the four components should come in PDF files
- Please name each document FIRSTNAMELASTNAME_COMPONENT, for example JANEDOE_SYNOPSIS
Project Information
- Projects should be:
- A feature film or series project (documentary or narrative) in development suitable to pitch at Whistler Film Festival.
- Well-suited to the contemporary Canadian Film and TV landscape (could be made within similar budget and scope of existing Canadian Film and TV projects).
- Project can be in any language, but application materials in languages other than English must contain translations.
The selected participant will receive tailored mentorship for their project, up to CAD $3,000 towards travel and accommodation, a pass to TIFF: The Market 2026, and a festival pass to GEMFest 2027.
Key Dates
July 15, 2026
Applications open
August 4, 2026
(Extended Deadline)
Applications close at 11:59PM PT
August 10, 2026
Participant selected
August 14, 2026
Mentorship begins
August 14 – September 8, 2026
Travel booking & pitch practice
September 10-16, 2026
TIFF: The Market
Applicant Eligibility
The TIFF: The Market opportunity is best suited to those identifying as mid-career or established.
Please upload the required materials:
- A one-page synopsis of your feature film or limited series project, clearly stating the project title, and your role on it, as well as your project logline.
- Applicant CV with filmography (max. two pages).
- If applicable, a one-page description of the project’s development history to date, and listing any attached key creatives (include bio/info links, if possible).
- A one-page letter outlining how you and your project will benefit from the mentorship.
- If you are not the writer/creator of your project, provide the Chain of Title demonstrating your option agreement or other legal acquisition of this intellectual property.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Each of the four components should come in PDF files
- Please name each document FIRSTNAMELASTNAME_COMPONENT, for example JANEDOE_SYNOPSIS
Project Information
- Projects should be:
- A feature film or series project (documentary or narrative) in development suitable to pitch at TIFF: The Market.
- Well-suited to the contemporary Canadian Film and TV landscape (could be made within similar budget and scope of existing Canadian Film and TV projects).
- Project can be in any language, but application materials in languages other than English must contain translations.
Market Ready is proudly presented by:
