Now in its fifth year, the DOC Atlantic Breakthrough Program – led by Lunenburg Doc Fest in partnership with DOC Atlantic — supports emerging documentary filmmakers from Atlantic Canada who identify as Indigenous, Black, and/or People of Colour (IBPOC).

From late August 2026 to May 2027, six filmmakers will embark on a 10-month journey designed to help transform promising ideas into strong, market-ready documentary projects. Through workshops, mentorship, and real-world industry experiences, you'll build your creative and professional toolkit while connecting with the people who can help move your career forward.

Whether you're making your first documentary or developing your next project, Breakthrough is an opportunity to learn from experienced filmmakers, receive personalized feedback, and become part of a supportive community of storytellers from across Atlantic Canada and beyond.

What’s Included:

• Hands-on workshops covering storytelling, interviewing, producing, budgeting, financing, distribution, and the business of documentary filmmaking.

• One-to-one mentorship from experienced Canadian documentary filmmakers.

• Personalized pitch coaching to help you confidently present your project.

• Full access and covered travel to the Dock Market industry conference at the 13th Lunenburg Doc Fest (September 23–27, 2026).

• A delegate pass and covered travel to industry events at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in Toronto (Late April/ early May 2027).

• A participant honorarium upon successful completion of the program.

Program Timeline:

1. Launch Your Project (July – September 2026)

Start your Breakthrough journey with two workshops focused on developing and pitching your short documentary project. You'll learn how to shape your story, strengthen your pitch, and prepare to introduce your project to industry professionals.

You'll also meet your cohort, lead mentor, and fellow filmmakers through a welcome mentorship session designed to share your projects, receive early feedback, and build connections within the group.

The first phase culminates at the 13th Lunenburg Doc Fest (September 23–27, 2026), where you'll attend the Dock Market, take part in industry programming, watch documentary films, and connect with filmmakers and industry professionals from across Canada.

2. Develop Your Documentary (Fall 2026 – Winter 2027)

Continue developing your project through six additional workshops covering key areas of documentary filmmaking, including:

• Storytelling and creative development

• Interview techniques

• Producing and budgeting

• Financing and distribution

• Legal essentials

• Preparing for the documentary marketplace

Throughout the program, you'll receive ongoing support through:

• Three group mentorship sessions with the lead mentor:

  • Welcome session and project introductions

  • Mid-program project check-in and feedback

  • Final preparation session ahead of Hot Docs

• Three one-on-one mentorship sessions with the lead mentor to receive personalized project feedback and guidance

3. Pitch & Connect at Hot Docs (Spring 2027)

The program concludes with a trip to the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, where you'll attend industry events, discover new work, and connect with broadcasters, funders, distributors, and fellow filmmakers.
Following Hot Docs, participants will pitch their projects to an industry jury for the chance to receive a $5,000 development prize, supported by the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), to help bring their documentary project to the next stage.