Our 12-month operational roadmap
A month-by-month execution plan built from the Fajr Films business plan
— from legal incorporation to our first festival submission.
12
MONTHS
4
PHASES
$16K
SEED CAPITAL
1
CALLING CARD FILM
MONTHS 1-3
BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE
Lock the legal, financial, and brand foundations before a single frame is shot.
Month 1 · January
Legal & Financial Launch
Incorporate Fajr Films Inc. federally (Corporations Canada)
Inject $16,000 founder's capital into a dedicated business bank account
Register Alberta provincial business license
Apply for Business Number (CRA) and GST registration
Secure business credit card for expense tracking
Obtain WCB (Workers' Compensation Board) account
Initiate Front Row Insurance Brokers application
Consult an entertainment lawyer - draft sub-contractor agreement template
Month 2 · February
Brand & Digital Identity
File trademark application for "Fajr Films" (CIPO)
Register fajrfilms.ca domain + all social handles (@fajrfilms)
Build one-page holding website: mission, contact, brand story
Create Vimeo Pro account for show reel hosting
Finalize brand guide: logo, colour palette, typography
Create IMDb page for Mahmood Bachh
Set up LinkedIn company page for Fajr Films Inc.
Set up accounting system (QuickBooks or Wave) for bookkeeping
Month 3 · March
Equipment & Industry Entry
Purchase core equipment package from founder's investment
Obtain Transport Canada drone license (if applicable)
Map all 12-month grant deadlines into a master calendar
Join AMPIA (Alberta Media Production Industries Association)
Join FAVA (Film and Video Arts Society - Alberta)
Attend first Edmonton film industry event or meetup
Begin curating 5-year portfolio footage for show reel
Confirm Front Row Insurance is active
Q1 Milestone: Fajr Films is a legally operating Canadian corporation
By April, the company is incorporated, the $16K is deployed and tracked, brand assets are secured, insurance is active, and a full 12-month grant calendar is mapped. You are legally ready to produce.
MONTHS 4-6
Build the human infrastructure — relationships and stories — before the camera rolls.
NETWORK, SCRIPT & FIRST GRANTS
Month 4 · April
Community & Network Building
Contact 3–5 Edmonton MSAs and mosques about partnership
Attend EIFF events and AMPIA/FAVA networking sessions
Identify 2–3 Fajr Collective collaborators (DP, editor, writer)
Pitch "Fajr Films founding" story to CBC Arts and Muslim Link - no film needed
Begin story development: write 3–5 short film concept loglines
Research Alchemiya - initiate early distribution conversation
Approach U of A and MacEwan University media programs re: co-production
Month 5 · May
Script Development
Select strongest calling card concept - Edmonton-set, $8–12K budget
Write or commission first draft of short film script (15–20 pages)
Submit Alberta Foundation for the Arts - Film & Video Arts Grant (first application)
Contact Mosquers Film Festival about submission requirements and timelines
Edit and publish a showreel to Vimeo and website
Begin building email list through website and social channels
Post first Instagram content: brand story, behind-the-scenes development
Month 6 · June
Script Lock & Grant Pipeline
Lock final shooting script with trusted creative writers and readers
Submit the Canada Council for the Arts - Explore and Create grant application
Assemble core crew - all signed under Fajr Films Inc. contracts
Begin casting through MSAs, Edmonton Muslim community, and local theatre
Scout and lock filming locations in Edmonton
Expand the website: project page, about/mission, blog section
Draft Kickstarter or Seed&Spark crowdfunding campaign plan ($5–7K goal)
Q2 Milestone: Script locked, two grant applications submitted, crew in place
By July, the calling card script is production-ready, AFA and Canada Council applications are filed, a core crew is assembled, and Fajr Films has a growing presence across Edmonton's Muslim and film communities.
MONTHS 7-9
SHOOT, DOCUMENT, & POST-PRODUCTION
Execute the calling card film and build the brand through documented storytelling.
Month 7 · July
Pre-Production Sprint
Lock the production schedule and confirm all the shooting days
Launch the Kickstarter / Seed&Spark campaign - target $5,000–$7,000
Sign all talent and crew contracts under Fajr Films Inc.
Obtain the City of Edmonton filming permits for all locations
Build production design plan: props, wardrobe, set dressing
Submit Telefilm Canada - Talent to Watch application for next project
Begin social BTS content: development updates to build pre-film audience
Month 8 · August
Principle Photography
Execute the production - prioritize coverage + artistic vision
Document the shoot extensively: BTS photos, vlogs, daily SM content
Maintain strict on-set budget tracking against $8–12K production target
Post regular BTS content to IG Reels/Stories during shoot
Close crowdfunding campaign - publicly acknowledge all backers
Conduct a wrap debrief with crew: lessons learned
Begin organizing and logging all raw footage immediately post-wrap
Month 9 · September
Picture Edit and Sound
Complete picture edit: rough cut → fine cut → picture lock
Commission an original score or source professional music licensing
Begin the sound mix and sound design with a professional mixer
Apply for supplementary post-production grants (AFA)
Research and build tiered festival submission list: Mosquers, EIFF, Hot Docs, TIFF
Update the Fajr Films website with "in post-production" project status
Begin Year 2 service revenue client outreach - mosques, Muslim businesses, MSAs
Q3 Milestone: Calling card film shot and in picture lock
By October, principal photography is complete, the film is in picture lock, and professional sound work is underway. Crowdfunding generated community investment. A visible digital presence has been built.
MONTHS 10-12
FESTIVAL CIRCUIT & YEAR 2 FOUNDATIONS
Deliver the finished film to the world and lay the groundwork for Fajr Films' second year.
Month 10 · October
Post-Production Finish
Complete full sound mix, colour grade, and final mastering
Deliver festival-ready DCP and screener files
Create subtitled versions: English and French for Canadian submissions
File copyright registration for the completed film
Finalize Alchemiya distribution conversation - target distribution agreement
Write and finalize full press kit: synopsis, director's note, stills, bio
Confirm Year 2 service revenue client - draft first contract
Month 11 · November
Community Premier
Submit to Mosquers Film Festival - world premiere target
Submit to TIFF Short Cuts, Hot Docs, and EIFF
Host community premiere screening at a mosque or MSA venue in Edmonton
Pitch CBC Arts, Rabble.ca, and Muslim Link on the Fajr Films founding story
Announce the Fajr Collective publicly - name the collaborators
Launch expanded website: full portfolio, film page, company story
Begin developing next project: 2–3 new concept loglines
4+
GRANTS APPLICATIONS
1
PRESS STORY PLACED
$6K
CROWDFUNDING TARGET
1K+
SOCIAL FOLLOWERS
Month 12 · December
Year-End Review & Year 2 Roadmap
Conduct full Year 1 financial review
File Year 1 corporate tax return with accountant
Review festival submission results; update strategy
Build Year 2 grant calendar: Canada Media Fund, new AFA cycle, Telefilm follow-up
Formalize first service revenue contract
Define Year 2 project slate: second short, documentary, or co-production
Write Year 1 impact report - share with backers, partners, and grant bodies
Pass board resolution setting salary / reinvestment policy
Q4 Milestone: Fajr Films' first film is in the world
By year-end, Fajr Films has a completed, festival-submitted film, a growing community following, press coverage placed, an active grant pipeline, first service revenue signed, and a defined Year 2 project slate.
5+
FESTIVAL SUBMISSIONS
Y2
SERVICE REVENUES OPEN
1
SHORT FILM COMPLETED
3+
COMMUNITY PARTNERS