Application deadline: September 15, 2026
How to apply: Complete the online submission form through First Cut Lab. Application materials and subtitles must be in English. Applicants must provide video material of at least 30 minutes through a password-protected streaming service such as Vimeo.
First Cut Lab Canada 2027 is accepting submissions from Canadian feature films in the editing phase.
The program will select two feature films from Canada and provide a creative consultancy framework for each team. Selected projects will receive feedback from three international film industry advisors, as well as tailored advice from a consultant editor. Each selected team includes the director, producer, and editor, with the director and producer required to be available during the Lab and the editor strongly encouraged to attend.
The Lab is designed to help teams open up new creative perspectives, explore the full artistic potential of their films, and increase the sales, festival, and circulation potential of the completed projects.
The workshop will take place online between October 10, 2026 and March 31, 2027. Each film is supported by First Cut Lab for approximately six weeks, with the core Lab taking place over two consecutive days. Exact dates will be chosen with each selected team based on the needs of the project.
Eligible projects must be feature-length films with a minimum length of 75 minutes, be in post-production, and be financed in production or post-production by the Canadian Feature Film Fund or the Talent to Watch Program of Telefilm Canada. Projects should be new or recent and should not have been presented at public screenings.
For co-productions, the film must be directed by a Canadian director and recognized as a majority treaty co-production by the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
