The Black Screen Office (BSO) is delighted to announce that applications for Round 6 of the Rogers-BSO Script Development Fund will open on August 7, 2026, administered by the Canadian Independent Screen Fund for BPOC Creators (CISF)
The Rogers-BSO Script Development Fund has grown significantly since its inception in 2021, supporting 72 Black and racialized writers across its first five rounds. Designed to advance the careers of Black and racialized writers, the Fund has led to meaningful industry outcomes. Alumni have gone on to join writers’ rooms at major broadcasters and studios including HBO, Netflix, and CBC, with one participant now serving as a Co-Executive Producer on a CBC series. Projects developed through the Fund have been optioned, secured development financing, attracted international production partners, and one project was sold to Hulu/Disney+ for network development. The documentary stream has also seen strong success, with one project premiering on TVO, one in production with CBC and others moving into production and financing.
Participants have also highlighted the Fund’s impact on their creative development. As one participant shared “This program gave me the tools, confidence, and momentum to move forward with a difficult but necessary story. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity and believe this fund is essential for helping Black and racialized filmmakers develop bold, urgent, and meaningful work.”
Beyond project advancement, the Fund continues to create opportunities for writers to build lasting industry relationships. Participants pitch directly to producers, broadcasters, streamers, and distributors, attend international markets, and expand their professional networks in Canada and abroad. Several participants have also secured literary representation and follow-up development meetings with Canadian production companies.
In 2024, Rogers committed an additional $900,000 over three years, bringing its total investment in the Rogers-BSO Script Development Fund to $1.65 million since the program’s launch. Now in its final year, the Fund continues to support Black and racialized writers in developing market-ready projects. In addition to funding, participants are matched with experienced mentors, story editors, script evaluators, and pitch coaches, and gain exclusive opportunities to pitch their projects to producers at the end of the program.
To apply, please visit the submission portal managed by CISF. Applications must be completed in the CISF portal.
Opening Date: August 7, 2026
Closing Date: August 28, 2026, 8:59 pm PT / 11:59 pm ET.
Late submissions will ot be accepted under any circumstances.
PLEASE NOTE: Writers who have received funding in a previous round are eligible to apply for Round 6; however, writers who have already received two rounds of funding are not eligible to apply to Round 5.
Stay connected with BSO and CISF:
Follow BSO on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and join the BSO mailing list
Follow CISF on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and join the CISF mailing list.
For more information about the Rogers-BSO Script Development Fund, contact: Hoda Ali, BSO Programming Manager at programming@bso-ben.ca for programming inquiries,
or
Samir Ballou, CISF Fund Manager at info@independentfund.org for questions about applications and fund administration.
“Talent has never been the missing piece. Writers need time, resources and access to develop their work properly and get it in front of people who can help bring it to screen. Six rounds in, we are seeing the results: writers are joining rooms, projects are being optioned and financed, and stories are reaching audiences. Rogers’ continued commitment has given writers the backing to do the work and build lasting careers.”
— Joan Jenkinson, Co-Founder and CEO, Black Screen Office
“By investing at the beginning of the creative process, we are helping bring more Black and racialized stories to screens, creating jobs, strengthening production companies, and contributing to a more inclusive and competitive screen sector.”
— Lalita Krishna, Chair, Canadian Independent Screen Fund for BPOC Creators (CISF)
