Call for Applications: Virtual Production Storytelling with Unreal Engine 2026
THE LIAISON OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS OF TORONTO (LIFT)
ANNOUNCES CALL FOR APPLICATIONS:
VIRTUAL PRODUCTION STORYTELLING WITH UNREAL ENGINE
Toronto, January 21, 2026—In December, Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT), in partnership with Screen Industry Training Hub (SITHub), announced a new training initiative for 2026 funded by the Canada Media Fund (CMF). We are pleased to announce that the Call for Applications is now open!
The Virtual Production Storytelling with Unreal Engine program is an intensive 36-hour training initiative scheduled over an eight week period from March to April 2026. This program is structured to educate ten (10) Ontario-based independent creators from equity-deserving groups on the leading-edge creative workflows and tools in Unreal Engine. Using a hybrid model, the program will deliver a comprehensive curriculum that incorporates practical training, live labs, mentorship, guest speaker presentations and an in-studio experience.
Each week filmmakers will explore the workflow with Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5.7 to learn the fundamental tools and techniques used to create short previsualization or animated films. Using real-time tools, this hands-on training will introduce and mentor students to the concepts of visualizing their scripts using high quality virtual environments, digital characters and animation to bring their stories to life.
Unreal Engine (UE) is a 3D computer graphics game engine developed by Epic Games, Fortnite’s online video game platform developer. It has since been used in a variety of genres of games and adopted by other industries, most notably the film and television industry for Virtual Production.
With UE, filmmakers have unprecedented creative control with 3D assets and developer tools that they can reuse across every phase of pre-production and production. The toolset allows artists to build stunning photoreal sets or uniquely stylized worlds, create compelling digital characters, visualize and block scenes, animate characters and cinematics, explore versions through editing and power entire productions from first concept to finished experience.
Because of the intensity of the project and the focus on supporting equity-seeking groups as outlined by the funder, interested participants need to apply in order to take part in this initiative. Once selected, participants will be sent a registration confirmation form and a payment form.
Cost:
– It is free to apply to the program,
– If selected for the program, the registration fee is $500.00 CAD.
– Additionally, non-members are required to join LIFT as an individual member. (Information about the various levels online at https://lift.ca/lift-membership)
Schedule:
All sessions are in Eastern Time (ET)
Week 0 – Orientation
Wednesday March 11, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM ET
Week 1 – Training, Live Tech Lab, Guest Speaker and Mentorship
Saturday March 28, 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM ET
Script Editing Lab: Weekday Evening – Day and Time: TBA
Week 2 – Training, Live Tech Lab, Guest Speaker and Mentorship
Saturday April 11, 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM ET
Script Editing Lab: Weekday Evening – Day and Time: TBA
Week 3 – Training, Live Tech Lab, Guest Speaker and Mentorship
Saturday April 18, 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM ET
Week 4 – Training, Live Tech Lab, Guest Speaker and Mentorship
Saturday April 25, 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM ET
Week 5 – Training, Live Tech Lab and Mentorship
Saturday May 2, 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM ET
Week 6 – Training, Live Tech Lab and Mentorship
Saturday May 9, 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM ET
Week 7 – Live Tech Lab and Mentorship
Saturday May 16, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
Week 8 – Live Tech Lab and Mentorship
Saturday May 23, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
Week 9 – Screening (TBA)
Commitment:
This program will require participants to dedicate a minimum of 20 additional self-guided hours per week to work on their projects.
Applicants must:
– Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
– Be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident.
– Live in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), or within commuting distance from the city, in order to participate in local events related to the training (We are unable to offer travel and/or cost of living subsidies.)
– Basic knowledge of 3D applications and filmmaking is recommended.
– Must have access to high-speed internet.
– Must have access to a computer. (We recommend a computer that can run Unreal Engine 5.7. A PC OS is highly recommended, however Unreal Engine is also available on macOS systems. We are unable to offer computer access via LIFT or SITHub.)
Priority will be given to applications who identify as candidates from Indigenous, Equity-Deserving, and Regional Communities; using the 2025-2026 Canada Media Fund’s Sector Development Support framework as outlined here:
– Indigenous peoples in Canada (First Nations, Inuit and Métis)
– Equity-Deserving Communities (Black and Racialized Communities, Women or gender-diverse individuals, 2SLGBTQ+, Disabled persons or a person with disabilities, Official Language Minority Communities and Regional Communities)
– A detailed breakdown outlined by the Canada Media Fund available here.
Applications must include:
– Draft of script you hope to work on during the training (2 page maximum).
– Proposal and/or Artist Statement on how this training will benefit your storytelling and creative career (350 words maximum).
– Curriculum vitae. (2 pages maximum).
– Visual support material of past creative work (Examples may include photographs, films and other Unreal Engine work (Up to three (3) examples maximum).
– Please identify any accessibility accommodations.
Application must be submitted at the following Google Forms link:
To be added shortly
Deadline: Monday, February 2, 2026 at 10:00am ET
Results will be announced in mid February.
Questions can be emailed to:
Screen Industry Training Hub’s Director, Shenaz Baksh at sbaksh@sithub.ca
Subject Heading: Virtual Production Storytelling with Unreal Engine 2026 – First and Last Name
This training initiative is funded by the Canada Media Fund’s (CMF) Sector Development Support Program.
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The Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters, develops, finances, and promotes the production of Canadian content and applications for all audiovisual media platforms. The CMF guides Canadian content towards a competitive global environment by fostering industry innovation, rewarding success, enabling a diversity of voice, and promoting access to content through public and private sector partnerships. The CMF receives financial contributions from the Government of Canada and Canada’s cable, satellite, and IPTV distributors. https://cmf-fmc.ca
The Screen Industry Training Hub (SITHub) is an Epic Games Unreal Authorized Training Centre, and a creative screen industry training and consulting company based in Toronto. With over two decades of experience, our team designs and delivers intensive professional development solutions in Filmmaking, Television Production, Video Game Production and Extended Reality. We focus on innovative tools and technologies, collaborate with our partners to promote inclusive opportunities and prioritize cultivation of the next leading storytellers. https://sithub.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
Starting: Wednesday 21 January 2026 00:00
Non Members: Free to apply.
Members: Free to apply.
Location:
Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT)
Virtual
Ontario