Call for Projects — Rough Cut Pitch 2026
Submission Period: June 1 to 19, 2026
Forum RIDM is launching its call for projects for Rough Cut Pitch 2026.
Taking place from November 23 to 25, 2026, this initiative offers a showcase of feature-length documentary projects in the editing or advanced post-production stage. For the first time, Rough Cut Pitch is open to international projects, in addition to Quebec and Canadian productions.
Projects must be auteur-driven documentaries that demonstrate a strong artistic vision and intend to seek distribution within national and international markets. Projects still in production during the submission period are eligible. However, applicants must be able to provide a 10-minute excerpt offering an overview of the work, and the project must be in the editing or advanced post-production stage by November 2026.
Selected teams (filmmakers and/or producers) will take part in a pitch session followed by the screening of a film excerpt before an audience of influential documentary industry professionals, including festival representatives, distributors, sales agents, broadcasters, and digital distribution platforms.
Participants will also benefit from exclusive access to Forum RIDM’s professional activities, including participation in Face-à-Face, a full day of one-on-one speed meetings. Selected projects will also be eligible for several cash and service awards.
______________________________________
OBJECTIVES
• Generate interest in the project among local and international buyers.
• Generate interest among buyers and professionals from local and international markets around the selected works.
• Support the development and refinement of distribution, audience outreach, and international marketing strategies.
• Foster networking opportunities and professional connections between producers, distributors, buyers, and programmers attending Forum RIDM.
______________________________________
ACTIVITIES OFFERED
Selected teams will have access to:
• A pitch session in front of professionals from national and international markets
• The Face-à-Face activity, a full day of one-on-one speed meetings
• Full access to Forum RIDM’s professional programming, as well as festival screenings
Forum RIDM is committed to strengthening its position as an international meeting space while striving to make its activities accessible in both French and English. However, due to the international nature of the program, including the diverse backgrounds of jury members and international guests, pitch sessions are generally conducted in English.
Please note that Forum RIDM does not cover participants’ travel or accommodation expenses. However, our team works in collaboration with institutional partners, consulates, and embassies to identify possible support opportunities for certain participants. Preferred rates with partner hotels will also be offered to selected teams.
______________________________________
SUBMISSION
Projects must be submitted online no later than June 19, 2026.
Please note: for the international stream, the call may close before the official deadline if the maximum quota of 50 applications is reached.
______________________________________
Quebec and Canada stream
This stream is open to:
• Filmmakers and/or producers holding Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
• Auteur-driven documentary projects in the editing or post-production stage with a minimum runtime of 60 minutes
• Majority Canadian productions, whether represented by a production company or not
Projects still in production during the submission period are eligible. However, they must be in the editing or post-production stage by November 2026.
All applicants must submit a link to an excerpt of up to 10 minutes, subtitled in English or French, offering an overview of the project by June 19, 2026. If selected, the final excerpt presented during the pitch session must be submitted no later than October 15, 2026, and must be subtitled in English.
Application Form — Quebec and Canadian Feature-Length Projects
International stream
For the first time, the Rough Cut Pitch is opening its call to international projects.
This stream is open to:
• Non-Canadian filmmakers and producers residing outside Canada
• Auteur-driven documentary projects in the editing or post-production stage with a minimum runtime of 60 minutes
• Projects represented by a production company based outside Canada
Projects still in production during the submission period are eligible. However, they must be in the editing or post-production stage by November 2026.
All applicants must submit a link to an excerpt of up to 10 minutes, subtitled in English or French, offering an overview of the project by June 19, 2026. If selected, the final excerpt presented during the pitch session must be submitted no later than October 15, 2026, and must be subtitled in English.
The number of international applications is limited to 50 projects. Consequently, this section may close before the June 19, 2026 deadline if the maximum number of submissions is reached.
Application Form — International Feature-Length Projects
Participation Fees (Applicable only if selected)
200 CAD + taxes per person
(Includes RIDM + Forum RIDM accreditation + Face-à-Face access.)
In certain cases, participation fees for international projects may be waived depending on the project’s country or region of origin. Requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Applicants wishing to request a fee waiver are invited to explain their situation in the submission form.
For any questions or additional information:
forum@ridm.ca
FAQ — Rough Cut Pitch 2026
What types of documentary projects are eligible?
Rough Cut Pitch is intended for auteur-driven feature-length documentary projects (including hybrid works) that demonstrate a strong artistic vision and, ideally, have the potential to reach national and international markets.
Journalistic, promotional, institutional, advertising, or strictly television-oriented projects are not eligible.
At what stage should the project be?
Projects must be in the editing stage or in advanced post-production (sound design and mixing, color grading, etc.) by November 2026. Projects that have not yet wrapped shooting at the time of submission are eligible, provided they are able to submit an excerpt from the film offering a clear overview of the work.
Are self-produced projects eligible?
Yes.
Is it mandatory to have a teaser or filmed material?
Yes. Projects must be submitted with an excerpt of up to 10 minutes that provides an overview of the work, including its artistic vision.
Does Forum RIDM cover travel and accommodation expenses?
No. However, the team works with various institutional partners to identify possible support opportunities for certain participants. Preferred rates with partner hotels are also offered to selected teams.
Are documentary series projects eligible?
No. Rough Cut Pitch is dedicated to single-format auteur-driven feature-length documentary projects.
Why is the number of international applications limited?
Due to the program’s capacity and the limited resources of the selection team, the international stream is limited to 50 applications. Please note that the call may close before the official deadline if the maximum quota of 50 applications is reached.