Call for Proposals: Digital Cinema Residency 2026
THE LIAISON OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS OF TORONTO (LIFT)
ANNOUNCES CALL FOR PROPOSALS:
DIGITAL CINEMA RESIDENCY 2026
Toronto, November 19, 2025—The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is seeking applications from emerging filmmakers and artists between the age of 18 and 30 for a Digital Cinema Residency. The residency will run full-time over the course of three months between January 12 to March 31, 2026.
The successful filmmaker / artist will join us in residency at the LIFT facility to work on the creation of a new digital cinema work. The residency includes funding of $8,000 CAD payable as an hourly wage for 40 hours for 11 weeks to be put towards living and project costs (Mandatory employer deductions for Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI) and Vacation Pay will be applied to this funding). Equipment and facilities will be provided by LIFT to a maximum of $3,000 CAD in-kind. LIFT equipment rates can be found at https://lift.ca/equipment. The filmmaker / artist will be provided with an on-site studio space at our facility in Toronto.
LIFT is an artist-run production and educational media arts organization dedicated to celebrating excellence in the moving image. The Digital Cinema Residency focuses on the production and post-production of a digital cinema work, with the assistance of on-site mentors, who will teach the successful applicant the necessary skills to create their projects.
We have a roster of industry standard digital cinema cameras (such as the Canon C500 MKIII, RED Komodo, digital cinema accessories) along with industry standard lighting and grip equipment. The filmmaker / artist will have the opportunity to use LIFT’s newly upgraded Colour Correction and Finishing Suite, as well as the Digital Editing and Audio Suites. Software will include Adobe Creative Suite, ProTools, as well as DaVinci Resolve, and EasyDCP. The filmmaker / artist will work daily at LIFT’s facilities, surrounded by a vibrant and active film community in a dynamic arts environment. This residency is designed as a hands-on active learning experience.
Applicants must:
– Be between 18 and 30 years of age.
– Be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Refugee (a person who was forced to leave their home country and is now located in Canada).
– Work permits are not eligible.
– Live in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), or within commuting distance from the city, in order to participate in this residency.
– Self-identify as underemployed (i.e. employed below their level of education, holding part-time employment, or in emerging fields with few jobs).
– Have completed post-secondary studies.
– Have no immediate family relationship or previous working relationship with the employer.
While we welcome applicants from all creatives, priority will be given to applications who identify as candidates from equity priority groups; using the current Toronto Arts Council’s Equity Framework as outlined here.
Proposals must include:
– Proposal and/or Artist Statement including how they intend to use LIFT’s equipment to create a new Digital Cinema artwork. (500 – 1,000 words)
– Curriculum vitae. (2 pages maximum)
– Proposed budget including funding sources for materials. (2 page maximum)
– Visual support material of past work. Do not send originals, documentation will not be returned. (Up to three (3) examples maximum)
– Please identify any accessibility accommodations you need so we can support you through the application process and into the project phase.
– Two (2) work related references. (Provide emails of current or past employers and / or arts related collaborations)
*** Budgets must include a detailed list of all the revenue sources, pending or confirmed, and the amount requested from each source. You must use LIFT’s Simplified Budget template here: LIFTDigitalCinemaResidency2026_BudgetTemplate_19Nov2025.xlsx.
Deadline: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 10:00am ET
Results will be announced in mid December.
Questions can be emailed to:
LIFT Executive Director Chris Kennedy at director@lift.ca
Subject Heading: Call for Proposals for Digital Cinema Residency 2026 – First and Last Name
Application can be submitted at the following Google Forms link:
Coming shortly.
Submissions sent through Google Forms are preferred.
However, if you would prefer to apply via physical mail for accessibility purposes, please mail applications to: ***
Digital Cinema Residency 2026
c/o Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT)
1137 Dupont Street
Toronto, Ontario M6H 2A3
*** Physical application must reach the LIFT office before the deadline
This project is funded by the Digital Skills for Youth (DS4Y) program through the Independent Media Arts Alliance (IMAA) and the Government of Canada.
The Independent Media Arts Alliance (IMAA) is a member-driven non-profit national organization working to advance and strengthen the media arts community in Canada. Representing over 100 independent film, video, audio, and new media production, distribution, and exhibition organizations in all parts of the country, the IMAA serves over 16,000 independent media artists and cultural workers. https://www.imaa.ca
The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is Canada’s foremost artist-run production and education organization dedicated to celebrating excellence in the moving image. LIFT exists to provide support and encouragement for independent filmmakers and artists through affordable access to production, post-production and exhibition equipment; professional and creative development; workshops and courses; commissioning and exhibitions; artist residencies; and a variety of other services. http://lift.ca
LIFT is supported by self-generated revenue as well as the following year-round funders: the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA), the Ontario Arts Council (OAC), Ontario Arts Foundation, the Government of Ontario and the Toronto Arts Council (TAC).
As a charitable organization, LIFT graciously accepts donations via our CanadaHelps page. If you would like to support our filmmaking community, please visit https://lift.ca/donate
Wednesday 19 November 2025 – Wednesday 3 December 2025
Non-members: Free to apply.
Members: Free to apply.
Location:
Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT)
1137 Dupont Street
Toronto Ontario