Documentary: Selective Production Support
Purpose of the scheme: Supports documentary production. The 2026 application deadlines were 7 August, 4 September and 2 October; all have passed. Beneficiaries mentioned: production companies. Funding recorded: a grant covering up to 40% of the work’s final cost (or of the French share in an international co-production). Total aid from the State, its agencies and local authorities cannot exceed 50% of the work’s final cost (or of the French share in an international co-production). The President of the CNC can grant exemptions from the 50% public aid intensity threshold, up to 60%, on a reasoned request from the production company, for difficult or low-budget audiovisual works. Before applying, check the rules in force, detailed criteria, timetable and cost basis with the funder.
The CNC describes this selective aid as support for producing heritage audiovisual works by production companies established in France. The CNC page showed an application deadline of 2 October 2026 for the committee of 3 December; as this date has passed, the next session must be confirmed.
Funded by Centre National du Cinéma (CNC)
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Who can apply
Beneficiaries indicated in the catalogue: production companies. Compare this information with the official page and check exclusions, size, legal form and area.
Eligibility conditions
Catalogue conditions: Companies (or associations) without an automatic account must not be controlled (within the meaning of Article L. 233-3 of the French Commercial Code) by a company with an automatic account, and must be independent of any television channel (within the meaning of Article 311-93 of the CNC’s General Aid Rules). The works must receive financial participation in the form of a pre-purchase of broadcasting rights and, where applicable, a co-production, set out in a contract, from one or more French broadcasters (national or local terrestrial, cable or satellite French channels authorised by or under agreement with the regulator). The work must be financed by a French contribution of at least 30% of its final cost, with production spending in France of at least 50% of the French contribution. Where the French contribution is 80% or more of the final cost, the work must be made wholly or mainly in an original French-language version or in a regional language used in France. Only applications using the standard forms set by the CNC are accepted, completed with the documents requested. Check the current rules, criteria and exclusions before concluding on eligibility.
What the scheme covers
Operations indicated in the catalogue: Creative documentary projects by companies without an automatic account, whatever their length; documentary programmes under 45 minutes intended for “magazine” slots (including projects by producers with an automatic account); any documentary project financed by a cash contribution per hour below €12,000 from one or more television or on-demand service publishers must be submitted to the selective aid, whether or not the producer holds an automatic account. Such a work cannot generate automatic support (reserved for projects financed by a broadcaster’s cash contribution of at least €12,000 per hour for documentaries). Check the eligible basis, exclusions, combination and when the application must be made.
Amount and funding terms
The 40% rate in the catalogue should not be treated as definitively confirmed. Check the caps, aid intensity rules and required documents in the current CNC rules.
How to apply
1. Consult the official page and the rules in force. 2. Confirm that the window or session is open. 3. Check the criteria, costs and caps. 4. Where a prior application is required, do not commit costs before the required application/approval. 5. Keep quotes, supporting documents and acknowledgements of receipt.
Timeline
The CNC timetable showed a deadline of 2 October 2026, which has passed. Confirm the next session and its deadline on the CNC page before applying.
Key facts
- Funder
- Centre National du Cinéma (CNC)
- Type of funding
- Grant
- Status
- Closed
- Funding rate
- 50%
- Automatically extracted — check the official source
- Closes
- 2 October 2026
- Geographic scope
- All of France
Frequently asked questions
What is the purpose of the “Documentary: selective production aid (CNC)”?
Supports documentary production. The 2026 application deadlines were 7 August, 4 September and 2 October; all have passed.
Who may be concerned by this aid?
The catalogue mentions: production companies. The criteria and exclusions in the current rules must be checked.
What amount or type of support is provided?
The 40% rate in the catalogue should not be treated as definitively confirmed. Check the caps, aid intensity rules and required documents in the current CNC rules.
Which costs or operations can be taken into account?
Creative documentary projects by companies without an automatic account, whatever their length; documentary programmes under 45 minutes intended for “magazine” slots (including projects by producers with an automatic account); any documentary project financed by a cash contribution per hour below €12,000 from one or more television or on-demand service publishers must be submitted to the selective aid, whether or not the producer holds an automatic account. Such a work cannot generate automatic support (reserved for projects financed by a broadcaster’s cash contribution of at least €12,000 per hour for documentaries). Check the eligible basis and any requirement for a prior application.
Official source
No official URL is available in our data for this grant.
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