The NSI (National Screen Institute) is currently accepting applications for their new NSI Series Incubator program. Note: the deadline is October 14, 2021.

Four writer/producer teams with an idea and treatment for a live-action fictional series will receive workshops, mentorships and hands-on training, over eight months to develop their idea and create a $28,000 proof-of-concept film by July 2022.

Applications are welcomed from people who identify as (one or more):

• Black
• Indigenous
• People of Colour
• Women
• Lesbian
• Gay
• Bisexual
• Transgender
• Queer or questioning and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S+)
• People with disabilities
• Those outside large urban centres (Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver)
• People from regional and remote areas and various religious groups

In addition, applicants must:

1. Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada, aged 18 or over
2. Have an idea and preliminary treatment for a series
3. Have demonstrated experience in a writer or producer role
4. Maintain creative and financial control over the project as well as technical ownership.
5. Not be a participant in any other training program that would conflict with your ability to commit to the NSI Series Incubator program
6. Have production or craft experience, or business affairs/legal experience, or marketing/distribution experience, or some combination of these
7. Demonstrate storytelling ability with past works (i.e.: short film, short story, journalism or another creative writing endeavour)
8. Commit the necessary time to complete this multiphase training

Your application must include one file that contains:

1. Project name; format; genre; time frame; setting/location; synopsis (one to two pages); source of series
2. Producer CV clearly stating production experience: include your role on the production and the following information about each project: the writer/producer; genre; if it was a student film; final running time; any broadcasts/theatrical release/festivals played; is it in development, production, post or completed?
3. Writer CV demonstrating your storytelling experience: include short film, short story, journalism or another creative writing endeavour.
4. Producer letter of reference AND writer letter of reference: these letters should help identify why the person providing the reference feels you are ready to develop a series.
5. Producer letter of expectation AND writer letter of expectation: both the producer and writer should provide a paragraph explaining what they hope to gain by participating in NSI Series Incubator.
6. Additional letter (if applicable): required for applicants who need to demonstrate their suitability to participate in the program because they don’t meet eligibility criteria.
7. Series proposal: including: overall concept, seasonal arc, lead character descriptions (maximum of four) and target audience.
8. Writing sample: (no more than 10 pages) from the writer.

Note: there is a $100 non-refundable application fee per project and $500 tuition per successful participant.

My take: full disclosure: I have never been successful with any of my applications to the NSI. However, I have heard from participants that they highly value the training they received. Although this application is quite lengthy, the $10,000 cash injected into your proof-of-concept short is well worth it, in addition to the training and mentorships. I highly recommend this program to my friends who identify as: Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S+), people with disabilities, those outside large urban centres (Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal), and/or people from regional and remote areas and various religious groups.