Domestic Industry Initiatives

The 2025/26 Domestic Industry Initiatives closed for applications on March 2, 2026. 

The 2025/26 Domestic Industry Initiatives Program now has a single, rolling application period. Applicants must submit their application at least 10 weeks prior to their event start date.

IMPORTANT: Applicants must submit their application at least 10 weeks before their event start date. Due to an increasing demand for funding, late applications cannot be guaranteed support regardless of the initiative’s history of previous funding through Creative BC.

The Domestic Industry Initiatives Program will be determining financial commitments based on the categories outlined in the Evaluation Matrix. Note that financial commitments for previous applicants may be reduced following Creative BC’s assessment.

Applications will not be accepted for projects or events that have already occurred.

New Applicants: New or prospective clients, as well as returning clients with new projects, are required to schedule a meeting with Creative BC staff before applying to ensure they meet eligibility requirements. Projects that align with the program’s goals will be invited to submit a full application and will be provided the link to the online application form.

Returning Applicants: Returning applicants must submit all final report deliverables for any previous projects before applying for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. If you have any outstanding deliverables, please contact us as soon as possible. Returning applicants who have submitted all final report deliverables are welcome to contact us for a link to the online application form.

In order to be eligible, applicants must be:

• Incorporated under British Columbia’s Societies Act; or
• A British Columbia based not-for-profit organization (with its head office in BC);
• Governed by a Board of Directors (where applicable);
• Engaged in the production of programs and initiatives consistent with Creative BC’s objective of developing the province’s creative industries; and
• An organization whose principals, directors and officers are in good standing with Creative BC.

In addition, organizations applying must have a primary focus in the motion picture, interactive digital media, or magazine and book publishing sectors. This should be demonstrated through the organization’s mandate, activities, and track record. Organizations whose primary operations fall outside of these sectors are not eligible for funding under this program.

Creative BC encourages applications from the following systemically excluded groups: Indigenous Peoples (First Nations [Status/Non-Status], Métis, and Inuit), Black, People of Colour, people living with one or more disability, the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and other groups who experience systemic barriers to participation.

The DII program supports initiatives and events that build the capacity of B.C.’s creative industries by developing knowledge, skills, processes, resources, opportunities, and abilities to meet existing needs.

Projects must demonstrate a broad benefit to B.C’s domestic motion picture, interactive digital media, or magazine and book publishing industries, or to an aspect of B.C.’s creative industries. Projects cannot predominantly benefit one company, organization, or their clients.

Examples of eligible projects include:

• Industry conferences, events, panels, workshops, and in-person or online forums.
• Opportunities for training, mentorship, and professional development.
• Resources, policies or manuals to share best practices in the areas of business, harm reduction, sustainability, equity, etc.
• Projects that increase the capacity of systemically excluded group in B.C.’s creative industries; and
• Economic research projects that develop knowledge to benefit those working in motion picture, interactive digital media, or magazine and book publishing industries.

Ineligible events, initiatives and costs may include:

• Events in their inaugural year (e.g., first-time festivals).
• Ceremonies, award shows, fundraisers, luncheons, dinners, receptions, galas and parties.
• Prize money for awards.
• Live performances, including theatre, music, and dance.
• Film festival screenings.
• The development or production of creative content or projects, such as films, web series, PSAs, commercials, episodic television, educational videos, etc.
• Work placements and internships (e.g. on-set placements).
• Entrepreneurial activities that primarily benefit a single company, individual, and/or their clients/business partners. To be considered eligible, projects must demonstrate broad public benefit by being accessible, affordable, and/or have an open callout for participation.
• Events or initiatives for youth that do not directly focus on growth and skill development in the motion picture, interactive digital media, or publishing sectors.
• Business travel for groups or individuals – including event speakers/panelists/moderators – to attend industry events, conferences, panels, or workshops is not eligible for funding through this program. Funding for certain kinds of business travel may be available through the Passport to Markets Program;
• Capital purchases (i.e. property, equipment, vehicles, etc.).
• Administrative fees (up to 10% of project-specific staffing costs may be considered with Creative BC’s approval); and
• Year-round organization operational costs.

For all inquiries: 

Raquel Dominguez Simpson
Email: rdsimpson (at) creativebc.com