DOCS-IN-PROGRESS 2026
CANADIAN SHOWCASE at CANNES DOCS as part of the Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival

Telefilm Canada and Forum RIDM are proud to announce Canada’s seventh participation in Docs-in-Progress.

Cannes Docs, the documentary section of the Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival, presents an annual initiative entitled Docs-In-Progress, whose objective is to provide international exposure to feature-length documentary projects at an advanced editing or post-production stage.

Under an agreement between Telefilm Canada and the Marché du Film, a Showcase Canada, highlighting four documentary projects, will be presented this year. Forum RIDM will oversee the coordination of this initiative, including project selection and preparatory support for the selected teams.

This call for projects is intended for documentary producers and filmmakers seeking an international premiere, sales representation, and, more broadly, significant international exposure.

 

IMPORTANT DATES

• Call for projects opens: January 21, 2026
• Application deadline: February 27, 2026
• Preparatory workshops: April 2026 (dates to be announced)
• Cannes Docs dates: May 14–19, 2026
• Showcase Canada dates: Between May 15 and 19, 2026 (exact date to be confirmed) 

 

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Representatives of the selected projects will have the opportunity to take part in a range of activities organized as part of Cannes Docs - Marché du Film, including:

• Access to two Marché du Film accreditations for two team members (producer and director);
• Presentation of their project at the Docs-in-Progress – Showcase Canada at Cannes Docs, during a public pitch session before an audience of international distribution and exhibition professionals;
• Invitation to a networking reception following the Showcase, offering an informal opportunity to connect with attending professionals;
• Priority access to Cannes Docs activities, including speed meetings, group consultations with a wide range of industry professionals, conferences, roundtables, and networking events, as well as the Doc Day Lunch and Doc Day Mixer, which brings together the entire documentary community in Cannes (Tuesday, May 19);
• One group mentorship session, including pitch training and guidance on making the most of the Cannes Docs experience and navigating the Marché du Film;
• One individual mentorship session, offering tailored feedback on each project’s pitch and specific needs.

 

OBJECTIVES

• Support the professional development of Canadian documentary producers and filmmakers;
• Contribute to the development of international distribution and marketing strategies for Canadian documentaries;
• Help Canadian documentaries break into the international market;
• Foster networking and collaboration between Canadian producers and filmmakers and international industry professionals.

 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Who can apply?

Applicants must be:

• Canadian documentary producers and filmmakers (Canadian citizenship or permanent residency required);
• Working on a feature-length documentary project (75 minutes or longer) at an advanced editing or post-production stage;
• Able to present a 10-minute continuous excerpt from the project;
• Able to deliver a five-minute pitch in English;
• Available to participate in online preparatory sessions in April 2026 (dates to be confirmed);
• Available to travel to Cannes and attend the Marché du Film, and more specifically Cannes Docs, between May 14 and 19, 2026.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Materials to be submitted via the online application form

All attachments must be submitted in PDF format.

• Updated CVs of the producer and the filmmaker;
• A short project dossier including:
• Synopsis;
• Director’s statement;
• Summary of the budget and financing structure;
• Production schedule;
• A note on the current stage of the project and the producers’ objectives at the Marché du Film in Cannes(maximum 4 pages);
• A 10-minute continuous excerpt from the project;
• A link to the full working version of the film.

Please submit all required materials no later than February 27, 2026 via the online application form.

Please note that, due to limited staff capacity, individual feedback will not be provided for unsuccessful applications.

 

CONTACT

For any questions, please contact us at forum@ridm.ca.