FAQ: Hot Docs-Slaight Family Fund

Projects in late rough cut, fine cut or completed stage will not be considered. The Fund encourages projects to apply as early as the development stage.

All applicants will be notified of the selection committee’s decision by our staff via email approximately four to five months after the application deadline. A public announcement of all successful projects will be made shortly thereafter.

If you have not entered production yet, we recommend cutting together a short audio-visual piece that conveys the tone, message, or style of your project.

A senior producer is an experienced producer who meets the Fund’s eligibility requirements, who can serve as a mentor and vouch for the applicant.

The senior producer agrees to executive produce and oversee the project and confirms their support in a written letter by them, on their letterhead with a signature.

Yes, a senior producer can support one emerging producer, and also apply to the same fund as the main producer of their own project. This may be a mitigating factor in the selection committee’s decisions.

Films that were acquired in the market by a third party, and either released: theatrically, or by broadcast, or online platforms/VOD.

There are a few milestones to be aware of for repayment of the Hot Docs-Slaight Family Fund loan. One is when you officially start the principal photography of the documentary. Another is if you transfer the sale of rights of the documentary to a third party. We don’t charge interest, unless payments are overdue.