Deadline: December 3, 2025
Applications are open for the LIFT Digital Cinema Residency 2026. The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is seeking applications from emerging filmmakers and artists between the age of 18 and 30 for a Digital Cinema Residency. The residency will run full-time over the course of three months between January 12 to March 31, 2026. The successful filmmaker / artist will join them in residency at the LIFT facility to work on the creation of a new digital cinema work.
LIFT is an artist-run production and educational media arts organization dedicated to celebrating excellence in the moving image. The Digital Cinema Residency focuses on the production and post-production of a digital cinema work, with the assistance of on-site mentors, who will teach the successful applicant the necessary skills to create their projects.
Benefits
- The residency includes funding of $8,000 CAD payable as an hourly wage for 40 hours for 11 weeks to be put towards living and project costs (Mandatory employer deductions for Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI) and Vacation Pay will be applied to this funding).
- Equipment and facilities will be provided by LIFT to a maximum of $3,000 CAD in-kind.
- The filmmaker / artist will be provided with an on-site studio space at the LIFT facility in Toronto.
Eligibility
- Be between 18 and 30 years of age.
- Be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Refugee (a person who was forced to leave their home country and is now located in Canada).
- Work permits are not eligible.
- Live in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), or within commuting distance from the city, in order to participate in this residency.
- Self-identify as underemployed (i.e. employed below their level of education, holding part-time employment, or in emerging fields with few jobs).
- Have completed post-secondary studies.
- Have no immediate family relationship or previous working relationship with the employer.
Application
Proposals must include:
- Proposal and/or Artist Statement including how they intend to use LIFT’s equipment to create a new Digital Cinema artwork. (500 – 1,000 words)
- Curriculum vitae. (2 pages maximum)
- Proposed budget including funding sources for materials. (2 page maximum)
- Visual support material of past work. Do not send originals, documentation will not be returned. (Up to three (3) examples maximum)
- Identify any accessibility accommodations you need so we can support you through the application process and into the project phase.
- Two (2) work related references. (Provide emails of current or past employers and / or arts related collaborations)
For more information, visit LIFT Digital Cinema Residency.
