International Co-production Accelerator Program 2.0

Deadline: October 20, 2023

Overview

The International Co-Production Accelerator Program (ICAP) 2.0 is a premier training and project incubator program for scripted live-action feature films. The CMPA first offered ICAP in 2021 to respond to the continuing need to facilitate international collaboration during the global pandemic. The initiative will return this year in a hybrid format, combining virtual instruction with in-person events at Berlinale/European Film Market in 2024.

The program will facilitate international cooperation between Canadian and international companies for the creation of feature films. The driving force of this initiative is to create project partnerships and long-lasting business relationships between Canadian and international production companies. Participating in the program can significantly increase the potential of successful international co-production projects as well as the future success of companies capitalizing on the knowledge and networks they will have built during the program.

The program will run virtually in January and February, 2024, culminating in in-person sessions, business to business meetings and networking opportunities in Berlin. ICAP will feature masterclasses with industry players in the international production arena, content development, case studies, and pitching. It will also include networking opportunities with international producers and 1-2-1 project consultations, with experts providing targeted feedback. The time commitment will be two group sessions per week as well as three one-to-one sessions with industry experts over the course of the virtual portion of the program. In-person activities will take place on February 15, in Berlin.

In addition to group sessions, the program will put great emphasis on personalized support services for each participant. In advance of the program launch, each producer will meet with the program leadership team to establish goals and objectives for their company and project. All the masterclasses, panels and presentations will be designed to move forward projects in development with resources and information that will be applicable to each participating producer. As well, the one on one coaching and consultation sessions will be tailored to meet the needs of each participant.

The CMPA is working with Jan Miller, International Consultant on the program design and delivery.

Program content

• Global landscape for feature film financing internationally
• Overview of legal considerations for doing business internationally
• Distribution/marketing/festival strategies, structures and players
• One-on-one consultations with experts, providing targeted feedback on project content development and pitching, financing, and distribution
• One-on-one meetings between participating producers

The deadline to submit your application was October 20, 2023, 8:00 pm ET / 5:00 pm PT. 

Eligibility criteria

• Canadian applicants must be CMPA members in good standing
• International producers must be from countries that have a co-production treaty with Canada or from the US. For a list of Canada’s audiovisual coproduction treaties and memorandums of understanding please visit Telefilm Canada’s website
• Producers must have at least five years of experience in the screen content production industry
• Producers must have at least one producer credit on a feature film and/or at least one producer credit on a series created for a traditional broadcaster or on an OTT platform
• Must have a scripted live-action feature film prject in development that is suitable for international co-production
• International producers’ projects in development must be suitable for co-production with Canada
• Feature film project minimum requirement: first draft stage
• Selected participants must attend the in-person event in Berlin on February 15, 2024. Please note that participants are responsible for covering their own travel costs but are encouraged to reach out to support agencies in their respective countries/regions for financial support.

Selection process

A Selection Committee will choose a maximum of 16 producers. Of the 16 participants, a maximum of 8 CMPA members and 8 international producers will be selected.

Participation cost

The program is financed by the CMPA but a participation fee is required to offset some of the costs associated with the design and delivery of the program:  CAD $1,500 for CMPA members and CAD $2,000 for international producers . Fees are payable upon the first consultation session.