Breakthroughs: The Sloan Science on Screen Programme
Returning for a second year, the Sloan Science on Screen Programme puts science in the spotlight at TIFF and equips screen creators with industry connections and creative support to strengthen and highlight their feature-length projects about science and technology.
Funding for this programme is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s Public Understanding of Science and Technology program, which supports books, radio, film, television, theatre, and new media to reach a wide, non-specialized audience and to bridge the two cultures of science and the humanities.
Supported by
- campaignProject Pitch
- groupsWriter Fellowship
- videocamFilm Showcase
Sloan Science and Technology Writer Fellowship
Applications are now closed. Selected participants will be notified in March 2024.
The Sloan Science and Technology Writer Fellowship offers a project development grant and access to creative support for one emerging to mid-level feature film or episodic screenwriter whose project explores themes of science and technology. The Fellowship will equip the participant with connections, insights, and resources to help develop the script and support the eventual production and theatrical release of the project.
Please note the application will contain questions on the writer's engagement with scientific experts and research.
Please also note: as a component of the Sloan Writer Fellowship is participation in TIFF Writers' Studio, previous Writers' Studio participants are not eligible to apply.
Funding for the Fellowship is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s Public Understanding of Science and Technology program, which supports books, radio, film, television, theatre, and new media to reach a wide, non-specialized audience and to bridge the two cultures of science and the humanities.
What’s Included
- A $35,000 grant towards further developing a science and technology-focused screenplay
- Inclusion in TIFF Writers’ Studio, a five-day intensive lab — focused on screenwriting and the creative process — taking place April 15–19, 2024
- Mentorship and support from a scientific script consultant
- Invitation and travel for the Sloan Film Summit in 2025
- Audience access to all Sloan programs at TIFF 2024, including the Sloan Showcase and Project Pitch
Eligibility
The Sloan Science & Technology Writer Fellowship is designed for emerging to mid-level screenwriters and writer-directors who wish to extend their creative skills.
- Applications are open to international applicants as well as Canadians.
- Applicants must be credited as a writer on a minimum of either one (1) feature film or one (1) television series.
- Applicants must submit a completed first draft of a feature-length or episodic project. A final draft must be submitted by March 11, 2024, so that it may be read by mentors and peers and workshopped during the programme.
- Applicants must commit to attending the full programme and completing the required readings, viewings, and assignments in order to be considered.
Key Dates
Application Materials
Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documents:
- A copy of the applicant’s resume in PDF format (maximum one page)
- The applicant’s filmography (project title, year, role(s), festivals played, and a maximum of five awards or nominations received per project) in PDF format
- One high-resolution headshot in colour (format: .jpg; orientation: portrait; minimum resolution: 300 dpi)
- A short version of a professional biography (maximum 50 words)
- A video pitch of less than two minutes in duration. The applicant should comment on their project and writing approach, as well as why they want to participate in the Sloan Writer Fellowship.
- A one-minute clip from a previous project on which the applicant is credited as writer or co-writer
- The following written materials from the submitted project:
- Logline (50 words)
- Synopsis (250 words)
- One-page outline
- A writing sample (five pages)
- First draft of a completed script
Please note: TIFF’s Industry team takes applicants’ confidentiality seriously and will ensure that submitted materials (excluding headshots and bios) are not shared with any third parties without the owner’s explicit consent. The material will be downloaded by the TIFF Industry team and the selection committee.
Questions? Contact us by email at industry@tiff.net.
Sloan Science on Film Showcase
The Sloan Science on Film Showcase will spotlight two science-forward feature films per year: one Official Selection title at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, and one year-round programming title at TIFF Lightbox. One screening of each film will include a discussion between a member of the film team and a scientific expert.
Stay tuned for more information on this initiative in upcoming TIFF announcements regarding both Festival and year-round programming.
Sloan Science and Technology Project Pitch
Applications are now open!
The Sloan Science and Technology Project Pitch provides four Canadian and international creators the opportunity to pitch their science and technology–related film or episodic project at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
Participants will deliver a maximum 15-minute presentation in front of a live audience of industry experts and decision makers. In addition to the non-competitive pitch event, each creator will be awarded $15,000 CAD to help further their project.
What’s included
- $15,000 CAD award to help further develop the selected projects
- Mentorship from an expert pitch coach
- Participation in a pitch event at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival
- Access to the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival
- Access to TIFF’s Industry Conference, Business Centre, and Delegate Resources
- A complimentary one-year TIFF Membership, which includes discounts on film tickets at TIFF Lightbox
- Membership to TIFF Talent alumni network
Eligibility
The Sloan Science and Technology Project Pitch focuses on science and technology–related narrative projects. Documentary projects are not eligible.
- Applications are open to Canadian and international early- to mid-career creators with a minimum of two short-film credits or one feature-film/series credit, and a maximum of three feature-film/series credits, as a writer or writer-director
- Only one submission per applicant will be considered
Application Materials
Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documents:
- The applicant’s filmography (project title, year, role or roles, festivals/platforms screened, and a maximum of five awards or nominations received per project) in PDF format
- The applicant’s high-resolution headshot in colour (format: .jpg; orientation: portrait; minimum resolution: 300 dpi)
- A video pitch, up to two minutes in duration ― the applicant should comment on their submitted project and creative approach, as well as why they want to participate in the programme.
- The following information on the submitted project:
- logline and synopsis
- any confirmed attachments, if applicable
- an outline of the audience-building strategy
- financing projections (approximate estimate of development, production, and post-production costs)
- A completed draft of the submitted project’s script, in PDF format
- A 10-page writing sample from the script that highlights the submitted project’s focus on science and/or technology, in PDF format
- A continuous one-minute clip from a previous project (short film, feature film, or series) on which the applicant is credited as writer or writer-director
Key Dates
Submission Guidelines
- Applicants must fill out the application in full, attaching itemized supporting documents as outlined above. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Applications must be completed by applicants themselves and not by third parties (e.g. assistants, co-workers).
- Those selected for the programme will be required to include the following language on a separate frame in the main title credits of their completed project: “Funding provided by TIFF’s Sloan Science & Technology Project Pitch, supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.”
One-Minute Clip Submission
- If you would like to password-protect your Vimeo file, please use the password SPP24.
- Demo reels, trailers, and music videos will NOT be accepted.
- Collectively, the total running time of your Vimeo file cannot exceed one minute.
- Please add information on the clip’s context to the description on Vimeo.
- Submissions of full-length films indicating a time code of a one-minute segment will not be considered by the jury.
- Please ensure that the clip includes English subtitles if the language spoken is not English.