National Film Board of Canada’s 2025-26 Departmental plan: At a glance
A departmental plan describes a department’s priorities, plans, and associated costs for the upcoming three fiscal years.
Key priorities
National Film Board of Canada’s (NFB) top priorities for 2025-26 are as follows:
- The launch of the NFB’s 2025–28 Strategic Plan, which will set out the organization’s vision for the next three years. Here are the elements on which the organization will focus for the first year of the plan, 2025–26:
- Audiovisual Programming and Production
- Nurture the NFB’s culture of creativity and innovation;
- Ensure national programming that reflects pan-Canadian perspectives;
- Support emerging talent and creative film communities across the country.
- Content Accessibility and Audience Engagement
- Expand and improve the accessibility and discoverability of NFB content;
- Better understand our audiences and strengthen public engagement with the NFB;
- Ensure a preserved, living collection and its sustainability for future generations.
- Internal Services
- Develop human capital and pursue equity, diversity and inclusion commitments;
- Continue to support the government in achieving its sustainable development goals;
- Support the principles of sound governance.
- Audiovisual Programming and Production
Highlights
In 2025-26, total planned spending (including internal services) for the NFB is $73,272,888, and total planned full-time equivalent staff (including internal services) is 352. For complete information on the NFB’s total planned spending and human resources, read the Planned spending and human resources section of the full plan.
The following provides a summary of the department’s planned achievements for 2025-26 according to its approved Departmental Results Framework. A Departmental Results Framework consists of a department’s core responsibilities, the results it plans to achieve, and the performance indicators that measure progress toward these results.
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Core responsibility 1: Audiovisual Programming and Production
Planned spending: $37,920,032
Planned human resources: 125
Departmental results:
- The National Film Board works reflect pan-Canadian perspectives;
- The National Film Board is a global centre of excellence in audiovisual production;
- The National Film Board supports Canadian industry talent and cultural diversity.
By renewing its commitments to Indigenous Peoples, following the appropriate protocols and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and keeping its commitments to gender parity both in front of and behind the camera, the NFB can continue to produce works that represent Canadian diversity. A leader in the audiovisual industry for more than 85 years, in 2025–26 the NFB will continue to explore new storytelling formats and methods. It will also support Canadian creators, both by providing mentoring programs to emerging filmmakers and by continuing to provide assistance to independent filmmaking.
More information about Audiovisual Programming and Production can be found in the full plan.
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Core responsibility 2: Content Accessibility and Audience Engagement
Planned spending: $22,961,618
Planned human resources: 152
Departmental results:
- The National Film Board works are accessible on digital platforms;
- The National Film Board works are viewed around the world;
- The National Film Board forges relationships with its online audiences;
- The National Film Board works are conserved and their longevity assured for future generations.
The NFB seeks to enlarge its footprint in the audiovisual universe in order to reach more Canadians, for whom it creates works that are relevant and engaging. The NFB will expand its audience by implementing a new programming framework, increasing the number of partnerships that provide NFB productions with visibility, developing measurement and management tools, and providing an optimal online viewing experience. The NFB will also engage the interest and participation of younger generations by producing innovative material for schools while continuing the work of preserving its rich collection, which bears witness to Canada’s past.
More information about Content Accessibility and Audience Engagement can be found in the full plan.