Breakthroughs: The Sloan Science on Screen Programme

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Breakthroughs: The Sloan Science on Screen Programme

A new initiative putting science in the spotlight at TIFF and equipping screen creators with industry connections and creative support to strengthen and highlight their feature-length or episodic projects about science and technology.

Funding for this programme provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s Public Understanding of Science and Technology program, which supports books, radio, film, television, theatre and new media to reach a wide, non-specialized audience and to bridge the two cultures of science and the humanities.

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Sloan Science and Technology Project Pitch

Applications are now open!

The Sloan Science and Technology Project Pitch is a new initiative providing four Canadian and international creators the opportunity to pitch their science and technology-related film or episodic project at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.

Participants will deliver a maximum 15-minute presentation in front of a live audience of industry experts and decision makers. In addition to the non-competitive pitch event, each creator will be awarded $15,000 CAD to help further their project.

What’s included

  • $15,000 CAD award to help further develop the selected projects
  • Mentorship from an expert pitch coach
  • Participation in a pitch event at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival
  • Access to the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival
  • Access to TIFF’s Industry Conference, Business Centre, and Delegate Resources
  • A complimentary one-year TIFF Membership, which includes discounts on film tickets at TIFF Bell Lightbox
  • Membership to TIFF Talent alumni network
Two men on stage talking about their film

Eligibility

The Sloan Science and Technology Project Pitch focuses on science and technology-related narrative projects. Documentary projects are not eligible.

  • Applications are open to Canadian and international early- to mid-career creators with a minimum of two short-film credits or one feature-film/series credit, and a maximum of three feature-film/series credits, as a writer or writer-director
  • Only one submission per applicant will be considered

Application Materials

Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documents:

  • The applicant’s filmography (project title, year, role or roles, festivals/platforms screened, and a maximum of five awards or nominations received per project) in PDF format
  • The applicant’s high-resolution headshot in colour (format: .jpg; orientation: portrait; minimum resolution: 300 dpi)
  • A video pitch, up to two minutes in duration ― the applicant should comment on their submitted project and creative approach, as well as why they want to participate in the programme.
  • The following information on the submitted project:
    • logline and synopsis
    • any confirmed attachments, if applicable
    • an outline of the audience-building strategy
    • financing projections (approximate estimate of development, production, and post-production costs)
  • A completed draft of the submitted project’s script, in PDF format
  • A 10-page writing sample from the script that highlights the submitted project’s focus on science and/or technology, in PDF format
  • A continuous one-minute clip from a previous project (short film, feature film, or series) on which the applicant is credited as writer or writer-director

Key Dates

Applications open
May 1
Applications close
June 12
Participants notified of selection
August 14
Pitch Event
During Industry Conference in September 2023 (date TBC)

Submission Guidelines

  • Applicants must fill out the application in full, attaching itemized supporting documents as outlined above. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Applications must be completed by applicants themselves and not by third parties (e.g. assistants, co-workers).
  • Those selected for the programme will be required to include the following language on a separate frame in the main title credits of their completed project: “Funding provided by TIFF’s Sloan Science & Technology Project Pitch, supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.”

One-Minute Clip Submission

  • If you would like to password-protect your Vimeo file, please use the password SPP23.
  • Demo reels, trailers, and music videos will NOT be accepted.
  • Collectively, the total running time of your Vimeo file cannot exceed one minute.
  • Please add information on the clip’s context to the description on Vimeo.
  • Submissions of full-length films indicating a time code of a one-minute segment will not be considered by the jury.
  • Please ensure that the clip includes English subtitles if the language spoken is not English.

Questions?

Contact us at industry@tiff.net.

Apply Now



Sloan Science and Technology Writer Fellowship

Applications will open in Fall 2023.

The Sloan Science and Technology Writer Fellowship offers a project development grant and creative support ― including participation in TIFF Writers’ Studio in March ― for one early- to mid-career screenwriter whose feature film or episodic project explores science and technology.

Sloan Science on Film Showcase

The Sloan Science on Film Showcase will spotlight two science-forward feature films per year: one Official Selection title at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, and one year-round programming title at TIFF Bell Lightbox. One screening of each film will include a discussion between a member of the film team and a scientific expert.

Stay tuned for more information on this initiative in upcoming TIFF announcements regarding both Festival and year-round programming.