To apply for assistance under this program, you must:

• Be an artist or artists’ collective creating works independently;
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. In the case of a collective, at least one member must meet this requirement.

PRIM invites emerging, mid-career and established artists to submit a project. In an effort to support diversity and inclusion, PRIM encourages proposals from artists who identify as members of a minority.

Assistance granted

• Rabais de 85%* sur le tarif non membre des locations de salles, de studios et d’équipements de tournage.
• Project guidance and technical support

*Rabais applicable lorsque l’artiste utilise une salle, un studio ou des équipements avec un·e technicien·ne PRIM (si applicable) ou s’il ou elle travaille seul·e. Si l’artiste décide de travailler avec un·e technicien·ne externe, le rabais appliqué sera de 50%.

Projects accepted

One project per submission date may receive Aid – Doc at Risk.
Projects rejected for this program will automatically be evaluated by the same jury as part of the Creation Aid program.

General eligibility rules

An unlimited number of separate applications per application period and per artist are eligible.

The same project cannot be submitted to two programs simultaneously.

There is no limit as to the number of times a project may be submitted in the event it is rejected for a previous application period. However, we strongly recommend that you read and take into account the jury comments if you are thinking of submitting it later.

Eligible projects

All proposals for “risky” independent documentary productions

Note: Projects that are part of a school curriculum are not eligible.

Eligible costs

PRIM’s support for this program takes the form of a discount on the non-member rate for the rental of rooms, studios, and equipment enabling the following services:

• Sound and image recording (filming equipment)
• Sound recording
• Image editing
• Final assembly
• Colorization
• Sound mixing
• Scans, transfers, and deliverables

Non-eligible costs

The following expenses are not eligible:

• Technicians’ fees
• Distribution media and supplies

How to apply

To apply, you must complete the online application form and provide the following documents:

• CV of the artist or the members of the artists’ collective applying
• Audio/video supporting documentation (15 min max in total) in the form of links to Vimeo or other
• Any other documentation that the artist feels is pertinent (photos, illustrations, script…)

PRIM recognizes the challenges associated with cultural diversity. In order to support this diversity, PRIM has partnered with DAM to offer artists a support service to artists in the preparation of their application for assistance from PRIM (advice, proofreading and optimization of applications, etc.)

If this service interests you, please contact Sara Malpica (sara@diversiteartistique.org/ (514) 280-3581).

SPRING: Third Wednesday of April at 11:59 p.m.
FALL: Third Wednesday of October at 11:59 p.m.

Evaluation process

Applications are first evaluated by the person in charge of the program at PRIM based on the program’s eligibility conditions.

Eligible applications are then evaluated by a jury of peers made up of people recognized for their skills in media arts.

The jury evaluates on merit based on the program’s evaluation criteria. At the end of the evaluation, the jury members decide whether to award Doc at Risk Assistance. Projects that do not receive jury backing for this program will then be evaluated according to the criteria of the Creation Assistance program, which will determine whether the assistance is awarded. Decisions are final and without appeal.

Evaluation criteria

The projects are evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Project’s interest and relevance (80%)
   • Project’s artistic value and originality
   • Level of project risk
   • Impacts and repercussions
   • Effect of the project on the evolution of the candidate’s work
   • Quality and relevance of the supporting material

2. Project’s feasibility (20%)
   • Realism of the work schedule and budget forecast
   • Ability of the candidate to complete the project from a technical standpoint In the case of a first work, the experience of collaborators will be taken into account.
   • Impact of the PRIM assistance on the project’s realization

Ethics

Jury members must follow the Jury Member Professional Ethics Code and the Conflict of Interest rules.

Response time

PRIM will notify you of the jury’s decision no later than two months after the program’s deadline.

Obligations de l’artiste

Afin de bénéficier de l’aide au documentaire à risque, les récipiendaires devront devenir membre de PRIM, réaliser leur projet dans les deux années qui suivent la date de signature de l’entente et en respecter les modalités.