The Black Screen Office (BSO) is delighted to announce that applications for Round 5 of the Rogers-BSO Script Development Fund will open on August 25, 2025, 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 60 French and English-language projects across its first four rounds. Designed to advance the careers of Black and racialized writers, the fund has led to meaningful industry outcomes. Six alumni have gone on to join writers’ rooms at major broadcasters including HBO and Netflix, while four scripts have been optioned and one licensing deal signed. One documentary project is completing production, two have development deals with the National Film Board and with CBC. In its latest phase, the fund continues to open doors: several participants have secured literary agents and follow-up meetings with Canadian production companies. Others have begun to make their mark internationally, attending global markets and expanding their professional networks beyond Canada.
The program is designed to provide meaningful, hands-on support throughout the development process. In addition to funding, participants are matched with experienced mentors, story editors, script evaluators, and pitch coaches. They also gain access to exclusive industry opportunities to pitch their projects to producers, broadcasters, and streamers both in Canada and internationally. Rogers has invested $1.65 million to support the Rogers-BSO Script Development Fund since it launched in 2021.
To apply, please visit the submission portal managed by CISF. Applications must be completed in the CISF portal.
Opening Date: August 25, 2025
Closing Date: September 19, 2025, 8:59 pm PT / 11:59 pm ET. (Application Closed).
Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.
PLEASE NOTE: Writers who have received funding in a previous round are eligible to apply for Round 5, 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.
