Events play a vital role in our creative communities by fostering connection, culture, and economic growth. They bring people together, creating opportunities for social interaction, shared experiences, and the exchange of ideas. Events could include meet-ups, networking events, festivals, workshops, webinars, or panels.

Edmonton Screen provides event sponsorships to help cover event costs, allowing organizers to invest in high-quality production and experiences. This sponsorship aims to not only provide financial support, but also help enhance the event’s visibility and create mutually beneficial partnerships.

Event sponsorships funded through this program help achieve the following goals:

promote screen media projects created/produced by Edmonton creators
promote screen industries in Edmonton
promote Edmonton as a centre for project creation/production
support the professional development of Edmonton creators

Program Highlights

Event sponsorship funding is available up to $1,000 for the event
Events are aimed at promoting Edmonton, its creatives, their projects and the industry as a whole.

Eligibility

This program is open to screen media organizations based in the Edmonton region.

Applicants must be in good standing with the ESIO and the City of Edmonton.

Events may be held virtually or in-person (within the Edmonton region)
Event must be related to the film, television or video game sectors
Events that contain propaganda; elements of serious or gratuitous sexual violence or exploitation; obscene, indecent or pornographic content within the meaning of the Criminal Code; or elements which are libelous or in any other way unlawful, are ineligible.

Application Information

Applicants must submit a separate application form for each event they are seeking funding for. Priority will be given to applications that best align with the program goals. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application Requirements
Information required for the application form:

Applicant contact information (company, phone, email)
Organization Description (1000 characters max)
Diversity and Inclusion Information (1000 characters max)
Event information
- Event Name
- Event Summary (activities, prices, marketing, partners) (1500 characters max)
- Event History (1000 characters max)
- Dates
- Attendance (anticipated and historical) (500 characters max)
- Links
Sponsorship Request
- Requested Amount
- Sponsorship Summary (1000 characters max)

The following general criteria will be used to assess funding requests:

Alignment to Event Sponsorship program goals
Alignment to one or more ESIO Objectives
Impact on local economy/ecosystem

Other criteria may also be considered

Process

All applications will first be reviewed for eligibility.
Eligible applications will then be assessed based on the criteria above.
Funding decisions will be made based on the available funding (requests may receive full, reduced or no funding for the initiative).
Applicants will be notified of decisions within 30 days of application and informed of next steps.

Detailed recognition and reporting requirements can be found in the participant toolkit.
Reporting deadlines will vary based on the activities completed and will be indicated in the funding agreement provided.

Applicants with overdue final reporting for this program will not be eligible for future ESIO funding until the reporting is submitted.

Applications Open: February 2025
Applications Close: when available funding has been exhausted
Notification within: 30 days of receipt of the application
Reporting due within: as outlined in the agreement

April 2025 – Added sponsorship of ‘training initiatives’ such as workshops, panels, etc. to the program (previously included under the Community Development Grant).