Program Information
Ontario Creates - Futures Forward Program
*Applications OPEN September 7, 2026.
*Applications CLOSE September 25, 2026.
Ready to take your project — and your Ontario Creates application — further?
Futures Forward gives emerging Ontario screen creators practical tools, industry
knowledge, and connections to strengthen their projects and prepare competitive
funding applications.
Through this program, you’ll:
- Build stronger business and marketing plans
- Better understand budgeting, financing, and business operations
- Strengthen your project pitch
- Navigate Ontario Creates application requirements with greater confidence
- Connect with industry professionals and potential Executive Producers
The Futures Forward program is an eight-part intensive program designed to help emerging and early-career Ontario screen content creators strengthen their business skills, develop their projects, and prepare a competitive application for Ontario Creates funding.
Through practical sessions led by industry professionals, participants will build their knowledge of business and marketing plans, budgeting and financing, project development, pitching, and the Ontario Creates application process. The program also creates opportunities to connect with experienced industry professionals and potential Qualifying Executive Producers (QEPs).
The curriculum is built around the requirements and deliverables of Ontario Creates funding programs, giving less-experienced applicants the tools, resources, and guidance they need to develop a complete and well-crafted application — while building skills they can carry forward into future projects and their broader careers.
Teams must designate one member who is available to attend all eight sessions of the intensive program.
Qualified companies that successfully complete Futures Forward may be eligible to receive one of a limited number of non-repayable contributions from Ontario Creates to support project development activities.
More details on the Ontario Creates website.
Free to apply.
If selected for the program:
- WebSeries Canada Members: Free
- Non-Members: $25 program fee
Program application can be accessed using the button below.
Email jen@webseriescanada.org with any questions.
Workshop Schedule & Instructors
October 7, 2026
Topic: Marketing Plans & Publicity
October 14, 2026
Topic: Pitching Your Project
October 21, 2026
Topic: All About Ontario Creates
October 28, 2026
Topic: Creating a Strong Distribution & Sales Strategy/Business Plan
November 4, 2026
Topic: Legal, Bookkeeping & Accounting
November 11, 2026
Topic: Production Management & Scheduling: Casting (non-union or union) & Suppliers
November 18, 2026
Topic: Budgeting & Financial Structure
November 25, 2026
Topic: The Pitches (Live)
December 2, 2026 – Graduation Party and Networking Event
**Includes one-on-one meetings with select producers
Price: Free for Futures participants, Free for WSC members, $25 + tax for non-members; includes 2 drink tickets and food
Client Testimonials
TESTIMONIAL
“Thank you so much to WebSeries Canada for facilitating this training program. It has assisted my new production company ‘BetterHalf Films’ in meeting the eligibility requirements. With such project-focused consultations, support, and partnerships, WSC is bridging the gap between new web series creators and Canadian funding agencies. Congratulations to everyone on the team for creating this space!”
-Gursimran Datla, Founder of BetterHalf Films
TESTIMONIAL
“For emerging creators, understanding the ins and outs of the Canadian entertainment industry can feel pretty overwhelming. The IDM: Futures Forward program is an incredibly valuable opportunity for early-career artists to better understand the industry at large while defining their own projects and companies through workshops with like-minded people. Having participated in many programs, workshops, and classes over the years this program has been the most effective in opening doors which led to establishing my production company, I’m Chips Productions, and receiving development funding for my first web series.”
-Sydney Boniface, Founder of I’m Chips Productions
TESTIMONIAL
I just wanted to say thank you so much for allowing me to participate in the Futures Forward program. This process has been life changing and helped me to once again find that passion for my art and love for film, I very much appreciate the fact that you took the chance and allowed me the opportunity to tell a story that I truly believe in. I would not have been able to understand and write these submissions without the invaluable lessons that I learned during your program.
-J. Lee Williams
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