FILM & ART INCUBATION

A step by step system where we work with you on your project for three months, so you can get your shit made, and more importantly seen. Oh yea, and we help get it funded too.

*Now accepting applications for the Late 2019 term (Nov to Jan)*

Month One: Bootcamp

You work really intensely and closely with us to put out a new “prototype version” of your film every four days, while we raise funds with you.

Month Two: Blitzkrieg

Under our support, you create your project / art, or if it’s film then you film the entire feature the best you can. Yup, we told you it was intense.

Month Three: Breakdown

All loose ends are tied up, and post is near completion. Distributors and marketing ramps up until the very last day, which we call… “D Day.”

What is this “incubation” stuff, Curt?”

It’s a three-month intense program that gives that practical, actionable steps to developing not only films but filmmakers themselves. We don’t want to meddle in your art, but we do want filmmakers who are willing to experiment, adapt, and change.

The current countries we help out are: Canada, USA, UK, Germany, South Africa, and India.

Whatever your vision is, we’re big on taking MASSIVE action (as Curt always says). Whether you’re still developing your script, or you have a completed film trying to take it to market, we’re there to make sure you make enough money off of your films, that you can make a living making movies. That’s the goal.

You can get your film made the way you want. No selling out. No corporate hands. Just our passion, mixed with your vision.

We also understand that this is all vague terms and “marketise” so if you are ready to know what indiefilmTO’s incubation is all about then keep reading.

Hi, I’m Curt Jaimungal and I’m the director of indiefilmTO.

No, indiefilmTO is not some big corporation. We’re run by filmmakers who have all been through the worst nightmare sets and hell gigs. Sometimes, we feel like we’re still going through them!

This is exactly why we’re starting the world’s first film / art incubator.

What is “Incubation”?

In the tech world, an “incubator” is a place where startups go to get EVERYTHING they need in order to grow and reach “product market fit” — which is a fancy way for saying making your art generate money.

Just like how a startup incubator’s created such juggernauts like Dropbox and Airbnb, we’re an art / film incubator – with the plan of creating the not just new films, but a new industry; the Silicon Valley of art.

We want you to grow and cultivate your talent by taking to the next level.

How much experience do I need?

If you are making your first project, there are plenty of places you can go and we are more than happy to put you touch with some of them, but you’re not for us right now.

We are looking for the struggling filmmaker / artist. The filmmaker / artist who’s worked their ass off, and who’s just bursting with talent but doesn’t know what to do with it.

A PLACE TO WRITE AND CAST

Our office is at Northspace (21 Kodiak Crescent, Toronto). You can book unlimited amounts of office hours with us, to talk about your progress and stumbling blocks.

What we want

You must have made at least ONE feature OR a handful of shorts / made a bunch of projects within your field of art.

You must be ready to take ACTION on your project NOW.

You must be willing to meet us at our offices at least every Thursday.

You must be willing to take criticism and suggestions on your art.

indiefilmTO will never tell you what to do, or even expect you to do exactly as we say. We are here to serve your needs – not the other way around. So if you wanna make another corporate “product” for a “market”, we’re not for you.

NO.

We are independent artists and the independence of your art is something that should never be compromised. Else it’s propaganda.

When does this start and end?

Applications are being accepted for the Fall Incubation Round of 2019.

What is D Day?

Dinner and a Screening

You will showcase 15 minutes of your completed project, to a dinner with large white tables, and an industry speaker for a Keynote that has never been delivered, will not be recorded, and will never be heard of again. The speech will happen when dessert is being served.

Between and after the presentations on D Day, filmmakers, artists, and investors mingle and talk further.

Keynote and Speakers

The keynote speakers will speak very candidly about what the industry is truly like, encouraged by the fact that none of this is being recorded. We will see a stark difference in the speaker’s private persona here, versus how they act in regular interviews on TV.

Yes, the audience is composed of the cast and crew, but mainly it will have industry investors, distributors who want to lock-in a film, as well as other private investors. It’s where offers and futures will be made.

“How do you guys choose who to incubate?”

Hey, this is Curt.

I want you to know something. Everyone on staff at indiefilmTO is a filmmaker. That’s something I was adamant about from Day 1 and it still holds true more than a year later.

Just like any filmmaker, we’re soo fucking uninterested in anything unless it makes us really passionate. That’s how we feel about the projects we incubate.

We won’t incubate unless we feel really passionate about your project, and to be quite honest, we won’t incubate unless we feel really passionate about you.

We’re not just incubating a film, we’re incubating a filmmaker.

So the question then becomes, what are the factors that make us feel passionate about a film/filmmaker? There’s no formula but all I can say is that it’s a mix of:

High ambition
Realistic expectations
Unique film idea that will actually change lives
Technical expertise (high production values in previous work, especially sound)
Willingness to learn all aspects of filmmaking (even marketing, business, etc.)
Ability to follow through (take MASSIVE action when needed)

The fact that you’ve read this far puts you past 90% of filmmakers. It shows you’re taking things seriously. I’m excited to have you apply for our 2019 round of incubation. You’re beautiful.

Good luck.

– Curt

FAQ

Do we have to be in Toronto to apply?

Right now, we’re experimenting with a “pre-incubation” which is for anyone around the world. What that will consist of is two video chat meetings a week (45 minutes long) for one month, about your film / music / art, where we identify the challenges, and suggest strategies to overcome them.

For this you do not need to be in Toronto.

Do we need a business plan? Do we need to know how to market?

You don’t need a business plan or know how to market (although it would help). The business plan is not for us, it would be for people who invest in your project. If you get chosen, that means we really believe in your project, and we will help you come up with one.

What do the people look like that generally apply?

What are you, racist? Oh, you meant in terms of their skill / budget?

Well the majority of artists that come to us need funding in the range of $50k – $250k. Our largest budget is $1M, and our smallest was $5k.

Generally they’ve done several short form projects and sometimes a feature or two.

What about web series / doc / TV pilot / painting / theater piece / soundtrack / misc.

Good question. The fact that you’re even thinking of doing a web series is really interesting to me personally.

Only because it’s mildly non-traditional (the traditional thing being, trying to create a feature), which shows me you’re willing to experiment.

As for the misc. art forms: Yes! At least apply. We’re experimenting with how to monetize different forms of art, and how to produce them efficiently so that it doesn’t drain you SOUL while you create!

Based on this, I kind of like you already. So apply. You might be eligible.

Do you all fund films / art projects?

We don’t personally fund but if we believe in your film / piece of art then we will work with you to get financing for it (funding). We can’t promise anything, but honestly, if we believe in your project, we fight on your behalf.

Is this free? How much will this cost?

Yes it’s 100% free.

Why? Because I’m amazing. Also because we are experimenting with our models and testing a shitload of things out.

It’s not fair to you to be a “beta” tester, if you will, and charge you. That’s the honest truth.

We don't need funding, but can you give us advice?

Sure, a few of the filmmakers that came us were already fully funded.

They just wanted to know how they could take their movie to that “next level,” that is, have people see their films, have it sold, and have it so their next project gets funding. Of course, we have to believe in your project in the first place.

Plus we give our material for free via our newsletter.

Do I still own my project? And can I apply even though I'm in the middle of production?

We don’t take ownership of your project at all – you retain all rights. Unless you do some separate deal with a distributor or investor, which is your choice, it’s all your art. In fact, you don’t even have to put our logo on your film! (I’m hoping you will, but you don’t have to)

If we’ve chosen you, it’s because we believe in you, and we just wanna make your art grow.

And yes you can apply at any stage of development. Generally though, we work with those who are very close to finishing the planning the stages (script) so that they’re still malleable to new ideas.

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