All DGC Director Members in good standing are eligible. You must be the Director on the project you are planning to bring to market.

Selection is based on many factors: the project that you are developing; partners and funding already in place; market readiness and appropriateness. Regional representation and diversity of voices are also taken into account. The National Directors Division Executive Committee, as well as hired market experts, weigh in on the selection process.

Applications generally open five months in advance of the market. This time allows those selected to fine tune pitches, market strategy, pitch materials, and to seek any additional funding needed to go towards travel and accommodation expenses. You can refer to our Market Accelerator Road Map to help you plan for upcoming calls for application.

Yes, the NDD will generally purchase industry passes for the Delegation, budget permitting.

The NDD is not yet able to directly fund Delegates’ travel or accommodation. We are very pleased to have partnered with On Screen Manitoba to support some expenses for Manitoba Directors selected for our Market Accelerators. Selected Manitoba Delegates will apply directly to OSM for support. We are actively seeking new funding sources, and working with more partner organizations to be able to support more Directors with these costs.

Ultimately, it is up to Delegates to make the most of each market, leveraging their status as a DGC Delegate, doing extensive research, and reaching out directly to those of interest to set up 1:1 meetings. In collaboration with our hired consultants, we will actively work with you to identify the most appropriate attending decision makers for your project. When possible, we will make introductions. Networking sessions with other delegations or countries will be organized when possible.

Market readiness is essential for success as a Delegate, and in many cases, market readiness means a Canadian producer and some development financing are already in place. Existing financing and producing partners are factors decision makers often assess before serious conversations around co-production can begin. That said, we take all aspects of the application into consideration when making final selections.

Market Accelerator opportunities are designed to further the careers and projects of DGC Director members. All training, market prep sessions, DGC-funded pass discounts, and DGC-organized decision maker meetings and events are for Delegates alone.

This allows you to present your project with the authenticity and passion that only you can provide, and gives you the freedom to pivot to other projects if need be. Your producer can, of course, attend the same market and participate in general meetings with you, outside of the scope of the Accelerator.

Yes. If you have participated in a Market Accelerator, you are welcome to apply for others. What we look for in these applications is an indication of how you used your position effectively in the previous market, and how you have developed your approach to target the new market for which you’re applying.