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International
affairs

The CMPA is dedicated to helping Canadian producers establish international partnerships and bring their content to screens around the world.

To thrive in today’s global marketplace, Canadian content needs to travel across our borders and onto international screens.

The CMPA works to:

  • Promote co-production opportunities for CMPA members.
  • Expand our members’ international market knowledge.
  • Strengthen our links with offshore industry organizations looking to broaden their own international market reach and presence.

The CMPA is as interested in working within established markets and festivals as it is in building strategic industry contacts and exploring new opportunities outside of these.


Join a CMPA delegation

Take your networking to another level—and another country—by joining one of our international delegations.

Our delegations are designed to help our members succeed in a globally competitive market. Previous CMPA delegations have travelled to Hong Kong, Beijing, London, Berlin, Melbourne, Los Angeles and more.

COMING SOON: Canada–UK Co-Production Forum

Applications will open soon for the CMPA’s annual Canada–UK Co-Production Forum, which will take place on December 1, in advance of Content London 2025, the world’s leading development market and conference. The forum offers Canadian producers opportunities to connect directly with UK producers, commissioners, and other partners through a full-day, in-person series of events.

Deadline: TO BE ANNOUNCED


Upcoming international events

American Film Market – 2025

November 11-16, 2025

AFM is the premier film acquisition, development and networking event where more than $1 Billion in distribution and film financing deals are closed each year on completed films and those…

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Content London – 2025

December 1 – 4, 2025

The three-day event, which runs between December 2-5, with registration and the opening night screenings taking place on December 2, will dedicate this year’s programming focus on how to adapt…

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FOCUS – 2025

December 8-9, 2025

FOCUS, the meeting place for the international production community, returns in December 2025 for its eleventh edition. The 2-day live event takes place at Business Design Centre London, on December 8-9,…

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Realscreen Summit – 2026

February 2-4, 2026

Realscreen Summit brings together creators, buyers and distributors of unscripted and non-fiction programming for engaging keynotes and panels along with meaningful pitching and networking opportunities. Ultimately, our goal is to power business transactions.

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Berlinale – 2026

February 12-22, 2026

The Berlinale is a unique place of artistic exploration and entertainment. It is one of the largest public film festivals in the world, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from…

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Upcoming international calls for submissions

First Cut Lab Canada

Deadline: October 15, 2025

First Cut Lab Canada 2026 is a consultancy program designed for 2 feature films in editing phase supported by Telefilm Canada. The selected teams (director/producer/editor) are offered a creative framework, both benevolent &…

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Cartoon Movie 2026

Deadline: October 24, 2025

The Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC) and Telefilm Canada are proud to be partners in the 2026 edition of Cartoon Movie, from March 3rd to March 5th in Bordeaux, France. 

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Berlinale & the European Film Market (EFM) – 2026

Deadline: Various

The European Film Market (EFM), an indispensable yearly event of international scope for the film industry, is the commercial component of the Berlinale. Its infrastructure is designed for buyers, sales…


International co-productions

International treaty co-productions are films and TV programs jointly created by Canadian and foreign producers, each contributing creatively, technically and financially to the project.

These productions enjoy national status in each country. Co-productions are an excellent way for Canadian producers to tap into international financing and talent and create content with global resonance.

International treaty co-productions must be approved by Telefilm Canada and the recognized authority in the partnering country.

Canada currently has co-production agreements with more than 60 countries. For the complete list, along with more information about qualifications and guidelines, visit Telefilm Canada.


CRTC co-ventures

Canadian producers interested in working with a producer from a country with which Canada has no official co-production treaty can do so as a CRTC-certified co-venture.

These productions don’t qualify for Canadian-content tax credits, but do qualify for production services tax credit and are classified as “Canadian content” for domestic broadcast purposes.

Canadian producers participating in co-ventures must have equal decision-making responsibility and retain 50% share of investment and profits, while the foreign producer can own 100% of copyright.

For more information about the Canadian program certification process, including eligibility criteria for CRTC-certified co-ventures, please visit the CRTC website.


Exporting Screen-Based Content and Services

A workshop designed to offer you comprehensive, hands-on training to facilitate selling screen-based content and services into new international markets.

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Exporting Canadian Screen-based Productions in a Global Market

Trends, Opportunities and Future Directions (July 2021)

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