The deadline to apply for a letter of recommendation is April 5th!
Filmmakers applying to the Telefilm Talent to Watch program can apply to receive a Letter of Recommendation through the Industry Partner Stream from Sask Filmpool, PAVED Arts, the University of Regina Department of Film and ScreenSask.
This year, applications for a Letter of Recommendation are being accepted through a shared portal.
How to apply for a Letter of Recommendation:
1 – Review the guidelines for Telefilm Talent to Watch here to ensure you qualify, and to download all necessary Telefilm forms and templates you will require for your application.*
*Note that Telefilm has not released their 2026 guidelines or dates. Monitor their website for updates.
2 – Review the Industry Partner Minimum Qualifications for all four organizations (below) to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications of at least one Industry Partner.
3 – Complete all necessary components in Telefilm’s List of Required Documents, including your Script and Presentation Video.
4 – Use this form to submit your application for a Letter of Recommendation no later than April 5, 2026. You must submit all the components / documents with your application including Script and Presentation Video.
5 – Successful applicants will be notified by April 13, 2026, and be sent a Letter of Recommendation from the Industry Partner organization providing their letter.
6 – You must then apply to Telefilm Talent to Watch by the program deadline.
Industry Partner Minimum Qualifications
ScreenSask
To apply for a Letter of Recommendation from ScreenSask you must:
- Be a member in good standing of ScreenSask
- Be a resident of Saskatchewan
To apply for a Letter of Recommendation from Sask Filmpool Cooperative you must:
- Be a member in good standing of Sask Filmpool Cooperative
To apply for a Letter of Recommendation from PAVED Arts you must:
- Be a member in good standing of PAVED Arts
To apply for a Letter of Recommendation from U of R Dept of Film you must:
- Be an alumni of the Film program and have not previously directed a feature film.
Evaluation
The Selection Committee(s) will make a decision based on the project’s creative elements and track record of the team, specifically key creatives, project viability, cultural impact and potential audience reach. Telefilm Talent to Watch is a highly competitive program, and we encourage you to only apply when you feel you, and your project, are ready. Why? Because you can only apply with any given project once, so you want to do it when the time is right. If the project isn’t ready yet, it’s okay to hold back another year while you continue to hone your script, budget, financing & production plans.
KEY DATES 2026:
- April 5, 2026: Deadline for requests for letters of recommendation (11:59pm SK time)
- April 13, 2026: Only those whose applications who will receive a recommendation letter will be contacted. We do not give feedback on applications.
- April 14, 2026: Telefilm opening date
- April 28, 2026: Telefilm closing date
