| by: | Apr 5, 1999 |
Following is the 1999 edition of Playback's annual digest of provincial funding and investment sources available for Canadian independent film and television program development, production and/or distribution.
ALBERTA
A-Channel Drama Fund
As part of its condition of licence for tv stations A-Channel Edmonton and A-Channel Calgary, Craig Broadcast Systems has earmarked $14 million over seven years to trigger productions by giving Alberta-based producers the financial backing to move their projects forward
Development $$$: Writers can access up to $5,000 to bring a project to a treatment or first-draft phase.
Development funds of up to $15,000 per project are available, paid out in stages and earmarked for writer and story editor fees. All other development funding must be in place.
Production $$$: The fund offers national rights licence fees for all free, pay and specialty uses in English and French Canada and undertakes to sub-license to ensure national exhibition. The licence fee is calculated as a percentage of the production budget to a maximum of $150,000 per hour.
Eligible projects: tv movies, miniseries, theatrical films, music and variety programs.
Best bets: Prefer Canadian stories.
Opps for foreign producers: Priority is given to Alberta indie producers with control equal to or greater than any copro partner and to projects shooting in Alberta. An Alberta producer must apply. Writers from across Canada can apply for development money if they have an Alberta producer or coproducer.
Contacts: Joanne Levy in Calgary (403) 508-2222, in Edmonton (403) 424-2222; e-mail levy@a-channel.com; Website www.a-channel.com
Alberta Film Development Program
Production $$$: The Alberta Film Development Program provides grants for film and video projects based on 20% of production costs spent in Alberta by a resident producer, not to exceed 10% of the total production costs. The maximum project grant is $500,000. Eligible companies may receive support for several productions, up to a total of $500,000 in any one fiscal year. Applicants proposing production of dramatic series may make two applications for that series in one fiscal year.
Criteria: Applicants must be Alberta-based and controlled companies, or coproductions including such companies. A minimum of 75% of all corporation salaries and wages must be paid in Alberta to qualified Alberta residents.
Eligible projects: Projects must undertake principal photography in Alberta. In the case of television programs, projects must be supported by a broadcast licence. Projects for theatrical release must have a distribution advance or guarantee from a recognized distributor for release in Canada. Sports, instructional programs, game shows, news, current affairs programming, reality tv, infomercials and commercials are not eligible.
Deadlines: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the year, but must be made prior to commencement of principal photography.
Contact: afdp (403) 427-6315
CFCN Production Fund (CFCN TV/Baton)
A five-year, $7.5-million initiative created by CTV Television and CFCN Television.
Development $$$: Loans of up to 25% of development budget capped at $20,000. Scriptwriter funds are capped at $3,000.
Production $$$: Equity investments of up to 20% of budget, capped at $300,000 per project.
Other $$$: Up to $50,000 is available annually in professional development grants.
Criteria: Projects must be Alberta-based, earn a minimum number of Cancon points, employ a significant number of Alberta talent and crew, demonstrate broadcaster interest, and the prodco must be incorporated or registered in Alberta.
Eligible genres: Dramas, documentaries, kids' and variety programs.
Best bets: Projects with demonstrated national and international appeal.
Opps for outside producers: Coproductions qualify provided a minimum 50% ownership is retained by a prodco incorporated or registered in Alberta. Eligible international coproductions require a minimum 65% level of Canadian participation.
Deadlines: Sept. 2, Jan. 15, April 1
Contact: Wendy Sulzle (403) 240-5685
CFRN-TV Program Production FUND
a $1-million per year fund for Western Canadian independent producers, with priority given to Alberta-based producers or coproductions with Alberta-based producers.
Development $$$: The fund allocates a minimum of $100,000 per year for development. There are no per project caps, each project is assessed individually. Grants range from $2,500 to $50,000.
Production $$$: An annual total of $900,000 is available for licence fees, loans and equity investments for pilots and series.
Eligible projects: Drama, documentaries, children's variety specials and feature scripts, with emphasis on pilots.
Contact: Alan Brooks (780) 486-9271
BRITISH COLUMBIA
BC Tel New Media and Broadcast Fund
Production $$$: Managed by the BC Telecom Foundation, the New Media and Broadcast Fund will distribute $10 million through a combination of loans, investments and grants over about five years. The fund will assist new media projects with market potential by a recoupable advance against revenue or a loan. Broadcast financing is available to creative productions which have excellent broadcast market potential.
Applicants can apply for interim financing secured by committed funding agreements, broadcast licences, distribution agreements and other sources. The fund will consider applications as long as funds are available in any given year.
Criteria: For new media projects, at least 75% of the key creative personnel must be residents of b.c., and a minimum of 75% of the project's total budget must be spent in the province. Applicants for broadcast financing must have a commitment of financing from an arm's-length source, and be guaranteed a primetime broadcast release in Canada within two years of delivery (except children's programs).
Eligible projects: Original entertainment or educational programming with experienced British Columbians in creative and financial control.
Contact: Robert Dubberley (604) 432-2041; fax (604) 439-7354; e-mail b_creative@bctel.com
British Columbia Arts Council Project Assistance For Media Artists Program
Development $$$: Eligible development costs cannot exceed 10% of award. Up to $25,000 is available for filmmakers with a minimum five years' experience and an accumulated body of work in their field. Less experienced artists are eligible for a maximum of $10,000.
Production $$$: Support is capped at 50% of budget.
Post $$$: Funding of up to 50% of post-production budget is available.
Criteria: Applicants must be independent filmmakers, video and new media artists who reside in b.c. and have completed at least one prior production. Applicants must have final editorial authority over the project.
Eligible projects: Innovative, experimental and non-industrial film, video and new media projects. Animation, documentary and drama qualify. Ineligible projects are those intended exclusively for theatrical release or primetime tv, industrial promotions or sponsored works.
Deadlines: April 30, Oct. 31
Contact: Walter Quan (250) 356-1718
British Columbia Film
Production $$$: Production financing will be provided to selected b.c. television and film projects in the form of recoupable advances and/or equity investments. Whereas previous contributions were provided to producers after delivery and audit of the production, this financing will be available during production.
The amount provided is made within the following funding maximums: feature films and tv movies - up to $200,000 per project; tv series - up to $300,000 per project; programming under 75 minutes - up to $75,000 per project.
Development $$$: Development assistance for b.c. films and television programs is available in the form of a recoupable advance through two envelopes: an ongoing market-triggered fund, and a selective fund with deadlines. Through the market-triggered envelope, BC Film will match eligible cash commitments from a broadcaster or distributor on a first-come, first-served basis, within specified funding maximums, until the program cap has been reached. Through the selective envelope, funding will be made at BC Film's discretion. Applications to this program must be received before announced deadlines.
Projects may not apply to both envelopes for the same phase of development. Projects may apply for a maximum cumulative incentive of $40,000, with the exception of television series, which may apply for a cumulative development incentive of $60,000. The maximum development assistance available annually to each eligible applicant (including affiliated entities) is $100,000. There are also funding caps for each phase of development.
Criteria: Except for feature films, all productions must have a guarantee of a primetime broadcast in b.c. for a licensed Canadian broadcaster. Producers must apply to BC Film before the project has been completed and delivered.
Other $$$: There will be support for selected professional internships in the areas of producing, writing, and marketing/distribution. Applicants must arrange their own internships and submit proposals. Deadline: April 19, 1999.
Contact: BC Film (604) 736-7997, bcf@bcfilm.bc.ca, www.bcfilm.bc.ca
Equity Capital Program
Individuals who invest in a Venture Capital Corporation, which invests in eligible small-business ventures, including ongoing b.c. indigenous film production, can garner a 30% tax credit. The vcc can acquire up to 49% of a company. A total of $3 million can be invested in one company.
Criteria: Investors must be arm's length from the small business.
Contact: Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture 1-800-665-6597 (for b.c.) or (604) 660-2421.
Film Incentive B.C.
FIBC is a new package of refundable corporate income tax credits to encourage film and tv production in b.c.
The Basic Incentive tax credit is 20% of eligible labor costs and can be accessed by b.c. producers.
The Regional Incentive tax credit is 12.5% of eligible labor costs and is available for production outside Vancouver (can be accessed with the Basic Incentive or alone).
The Training Incentive tax credit is the lesser of 30% of trainee salaries or 3% of eligible labor costs and must be accessed in conjunction with the Basic or Regional Incentive.
Eligible labor costs during a taxation year are capped at 48% of total production costs.
Criteria: To access the Basic Incentive, companies must be b.c.-controlled with controlling ownership of the copyright. The producer must be a b.c. resident and a Canadian.
The Regional Incentive is for productions that shoot a minimum 85% of principal photography and have production offices outside Vancouver. Trainees must be registered in recognized training programs for the Training Incentive.
Opps for outside producers: The corporation claiming the tax credit must be Canadian-controlled, whether it owns the copyright in the production or is a production services company.
Productions must achieve six out of 10 Cancon points and at least 75% of total production and post-production costs must be paid to b.c. residents or companies. At least 75% of principal photography must occur in b.c. The production must be distributed by a Canadian distributor or broadcaster and be shown in Canada within two years.
Special rules apply for international and treaty copros.
Contact: Karen Lam, B.C. Film (604) 736-7997
MANITOBA
Manitoba Arts Council
Development $$$: The Film/Video Script Development Grant offers up to $6,000 to aid in the creation of scripts or may be used as a living allowance (up to $1,500 per month).
The Film/Video Project Grant offers up to $6,000 for a range of development and production-related costs.
Production $$$: The Film/Video Production Grant offers up to $20,000 in funds.
Criteria: Applicant must be the principal creator/director.
Eligible projects: Dramas, documentaries, animation and experimental films and videos. Ineligible are tv pilots, instructional, promotional and industrial films.
Best bets: Artistic and innovative projects without an educational or commercial motivation.
Opps for outside producers: A Manitoba resident must have primary creative control.
Deadlines: April 1, Oct. 1
Contact: Richard Holden, visual arts officer (204) 945-0399
Manitoba Film and Video Production Tax Credit
A rebate of 35% on approved Manitoba labor expenditures up to a maximum of 22.5% of eligible production costs.
Criteria: Applicant must have a permanent establishment in Manitoba, be incorporated in Canada, be a taxable Canadian corporation with assets of less than $50 million and not hold a crtc broadcasting licence. A minimum 25% of all the corporation's salaries and wages must be paid in Manitoba to eligible employees.
Bonus feature: 35% of a qualifying non-resident employee's salary where at least one Manitoba resident is trained in the same department; eligible non-resident salaries capped at 20% of total eligible Manitoba salaries if at least two Manitoba residents are trained per non-resident; capped at 10% if one Manitoba resident is trained.
Eligible projects: Fully financed tv movies, docs, features, dramatic series, animation, children's programming, music programming, informational series, variety, multimedia, digital and cd-rom productions.
Opps for outside producers: Coproductions qualify. There are no Canada or Manitoba content requirements. No copyright ownership is required.
Contact: Manitoba Film & Sound (204) 947-2040
Manitoba Film & Sound Recording Development Corporation
Development $$$: Through the Development Financing Program, equity investment is committed according to the following phases:
1. Concept to fully developed treatment: up to 50% of approved eligible costs capped at $5,000 (depending on genre category and length).
2. Treatment to first draft screenplay: up to 50% of approved eligible costs to a maximum of $10,000.
3. First-draft screenplay to final-draft screenplay: up to 50% of approved eligible costs, dependent upon amount accessed in other phases as total development financing. Has maximums based on project genre category and length.
Total development financing cannot exceed $25,000 for one project, $30,000 for two projects, and $40,000 for three projects or more. Producers who have a financially viable track record with Manitoba Film & Sound may be entitled to develop additional projects under a revolving line of credit, not to exceed at any one time $40,000.
Criteria: Applicants must have confirmed funding in place from a third-party source and a broadcaster's cash commitment of 20% of the budget for the development of the project or a strong letter of interest from a distributor. When the writer is part of the prodco applying, they must defer 50% of the writer's fee until the first day of principal photography.
Production $$$: Under the Production Financing Program, Manitoba Film & Sound will assist in the financing of fully developed features and tv programs through equity investments and/or recoupable advances bearing no interest.
Investment in any production will not normally exceed the lesser of 20% of the total production budget, or 30% of the portion of the Manitoba expenditure of the budget. Dramatic series are capped at $750,000 (depending on number of episodes), theatrical features and mows at $400,000, and docs at $100,000.
Eligible projects: Drama, children's programming docs, animation, variety.
Other $$$: The Non-Theatrical Production Support Program provides equity investments of up to 20% of a project's total budget, to a maximum of $25,000.
Criteria: Eligible projects are those not destined for theatrical distribution or primetime tv exhibition. Projects must be supported with a distribution and marketing plan and an agreement with a recognized, non-theatrical or educational film/ video distributor and/or a broadcast licence.
Projects must use the highest possible proportion of Manitoba resources in crew, cast and facilities, and applicants must be Manitoba residents.
Eligible projects: Culturally relevant shorts, docs, experimental films, animation and dramas not made for the theatrical exhibition market.
Other $$$: Promotional and Marketing Materials For Distribution: participation is in the form of a contribution of up to 50% of approved eligible costs not to exceed $1,500 for promo material.
Other $$$: The Special Loan Program assists in the financing of a fully developed feature or tv program for which the risk component is smaller than that associated with other projects financed by its funds. Manitoba Film & Sound will accept a risk equivalent of up to 35% of its loan, with the remaining 65% being guaranteed in one form or another.
Criteria: General regulations for all Manitoba Film and Sound programs include satisfying a Manitoba crew point system and use of the province as the principal film location.
Opps for outside producers: Applicants must be Manitoba residents or companies with a head office in Manitoba. Domestic and foreign coproductions qualify provided the Manitoba producer has a 50% share in corporate control, copyright, management and creative decision-making.
Contact: Alexa Saborowski (204) 947-2040.
NEW BRUNSWICK
Film New Brunswick
Development $$$: Non-interest-bearing development loans up to 40% of approved budget capped at $35,000 for features, miniseries and mows, and $20,000 for other projects.
Production $$$: Film nb makes equity investments up to 25% of the total production budget in projects with sufficient recoupment and profit potential and remaining financing in place. Film nb participation is capped at $500,000 for dramatic series and features; $350,000 for tv miniseries and mows; $200,000 for doc features; $125,000 for docs under 60 minutes; and $75,000 for short films, in projects with a significant benefit to the province's film industry.
Opps for outside producers: Coproductions between indigenous producers and out-of-province or international partners are supported as long as they meet New Brunswick content regulations.
Contact: Ray Wilson, executive director (506) 453-8540, or Ghislain Labbe (506) 869-6868. E-mail filmnb@gov.nb.ca, www.gov.nb.ca/filmnb
Fundy Communications Program Development Fund
Sponsored by Fundy Community Television, the fund earmarks $50,000 annually for the development of New Brunswick screenplays and treatments.
Deadlines: Jan. 1, April 1, July 1, Oct. 1
Contact: Sean Kiely, vp, consumer markets (506) 462-3696
New Brunswick Labour Incentive Film Tax Credit
The tax credit can equal up to 40% of wages paid to New Brunswick residents. Salaries in excess of 50% of total production costs are not eligible. Under certain conditions, Film nb will waiver non-New Brunswick residents when qualified New Brunswick residents are not available, and these employees would be eligible for the tax credit.
The province is expected to remove the current limit of $1 million per production and $2 million per corporation in any 12-month period for the tax credit by the fall of this year.
Criteria: Production companies must have less than $25 million in assets and the project must pay at least 25% of salaries to New Brunswick residents.
Contact: Ray Wilson, executive director (506) 453-8540, or Ghislain Labbe (506) 869-6868. E-mail filmnb@gov.nb.ca, www.gov.nb.ca/filmnb
NEWFOUNDLAND
Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation
Equity Investment Program:
$$$: The nlfdc will normally provide a maximum of 20% contribution of the overall costs of the project. Money may be used at the scriptwriting level, through production, post-production, distribution and marketing.
Criteria: Only incorporated Newfoundland and Labrador film and video production companies may apply. Individuals, non-incorporated groups or licensed broadcasters are not eligible.
Eligible projects: Feature films, tv movies, miniseries, documentaries, tv specials and variety shows, pilots and series, kids' programming, and non-theatrical films where a market can be demonstrated.
Opps for outside producers: For interprovincial and foreign coproductions, Newfoundland-based producers must hold majority interest in the project, which must have sufficient Cancon to be certifiable.
Contact: Leo Fury, executive director (709) 738-3456
Newfoundland and Labrador Film and Video Industry Tax Credit
Development $$$: The tax credit provides incentives to the private film and television production industry to create economic growth in the province. The credit is based on a calculation of eligible labor limited to the lesser of 25% of the total eligible budget or 40% of the total eligible labor expenditures.
Criteria: At least 25% of the total salaries and wages must be paid in Newfoundland and Labrador to eligible employees.
Contact: Leo Fury, executive director (709) 738-3456
NOVA SCOTIA
Nova Scotia Arts Council
Development $$$: The nsac provides grants to individuals up to $4,000 for research leading to the creation of specific works.
Production $$$: Grants of $2,000 to $12,000 are available to help with the creation of new work by contributing to the artist's project and living costs.
Other: Up to $3,000 is available for formal study programs, mentoring, apprenticeships and conferences, etc. Travel grants up to $3,000 and presentation grants up to $5,000 to assist with direct costs of public presentation of the artist's work are available.
Criteria: Individual artists working in any arts discipline including media arts (experimental film, video and electronic art).
Deadlines: Professional development, research, travel - May 15, Oct. 15; presentation and creation - June 30, Jan. 15
Contact: Peter Kirby (902) 422-1123
Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation
Development $$$: Interest-free loans of up to one-third of the total development budget to a limit of $25,000, which must be repaid in full on the first day of principal photography or the transfer of the project to a third party. The development loan may be rolled into an equity investment.
Criteria: Preference is given to projects involving private-sector investors and which demonstrate support from broadcasters/distributors.
Production $$$: Equity investments of up to one-third of the production budget expended in Nova Scotia, capped at $200,000.
Criteria: The nsfdc requires financial commitments from distributors/broadcasters except in the case of productions for the educational and non-broadcast market.
Eligible projects: tv series, specials, movies, documentaries, non-theatrical programs for non-commercial broadcast.
Opps for outside producers: Coproductions are eligible but applicants must be Nova Scotia-based and -controlled production companies or residents of Nova Scotia for the previous 12 months.
Other $$$: Special Projects Grants are one-time only grants, to a maximum of $6,000, for emerging producers, with preference given to projects which can demonstrate financial support from other organizations.
Deadlines: Feb. 15, early June, early September (subject to change)
Contact: Paul Kimball, nsfdc (902) 424-7177
Nova Scotia Film Industry Tax Credit
a fully refundable corporate income tax credit of 32.5% of the eligible Nova Scotian labor content to a maximum of 16.25% of the total eligible production budget.
Opps for outside producers: Coproductions are eligible but the applying producer must have a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia.
Contact: Paul Kimball, nsfdc (902) 424-7177
ONTARIO
BBS/CJOH-TV Concept and Script Development Fund
Development $$$: An annual budget of $115,000 is administered for concept and script development. Up to $5,000 is available in interest-free loans, repayable on the first day of principal photography. If the project does not go into production, the loan is not repayable. cjoh-tv acquires the right to consider further development or production of the project for six months from delivery of final material.
Criteria: Applicants must be Ottawa-based production companies or indie producers, writers, directors working in the cjoh broadcast area (eastern Ontario and western Quebec).
Eligible projects: All programming for tv.
Best bets: Preference is given to concepts that lend themselves to local production, with emphasis on the children's, drama and variety categories.
Other $$$: Grants are available for professional development activities.
Deadlines: Quarterly, submit anytime: Feb. 1, May 1, Aug. 1, Nov. 1.
Contact: Maggie Ker (905) 707-6993
BBS MCTV Fund
Development $$$: Interest-free loans of $1,500 to $7,000 per project, repayable on the first day of principal photography. A total of $100,000 is available per year.
Production $$$: The Showcase Fund has $300,000 available annually to produce pilots for primetime broadcast on mctv, which takes all rights for the pilot.
Criteria: Applicant must reside in mctv coverage area (Ottawa-Hull).
Deadlines: Quarterly, submit anytime.
Contacts: Keith Campbell (905) 707-6993 or Monique Johnson (705) 674-8301
DGC Entertainment Ventures Corporation
This Directors Guild of Canada-sponsored investment fund makes non-controlling investments in private or publicly traded corporations, but does not invest in individual productions. Currently the fund has $6.5 million in assets and is limited to investing no more than 10% of its capital in any one company.
Criteria: At the time of investment, the number of company employees cannot exceed 500 and total assets must not exceed $50 million.
Contact: Robert Goodwin (416) 365-8002
Ontario Arts Council
Production $$$: The Artists Film and Video Fund.
Criteria: Filmmaker must have made/directed one self-assigned video/film work and have creative control over the project, which must not be budgeted over $200,000.
First projects: The Film and Video Grant offers $5,000 for first-time and emerging Ontario film/video artists undertaking original projects.
Eligible projects: All genres, but commercial and instructional films do not qualify.
Deadlines: Jan. 25, 2000
Contact: Arts Programs (416) 969-7450
Ontario Film Development Corporation
The OFDC administers the following tax credits jointly with the Ministry of Finance:
Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit: A 20% refundable tax credit available to Ontario-based, Canadian-controlled prodcos for eligible Ontario productions. Credit is calculated on the lesser of Ontario labor expenditures and 48% of the eligible cost of a production.
First-time productions are eligible for an enhanced tax credit rate of 30% on the first $240,000 of qualifying labor expenditures. There are annual corporate and per-project limits on productions which commenced principal photography before Nov. 1, 1997.
Opps for outside producers: Interprovincial and international treaty coproductions are eligible but the credit is calculated only on the Ontario portion of the production.
Ontario Film and Television Production Services Tax Credit: An 11% refundable tax credit based on qualifying Ontario labor expenditures for eligible productions.
Qualifying corporations are taxable Canadian or foreign-owned corporations with a permanent establishment in Ontario who own copyright in the production or contract directly with the copyright owner to provide production services.
Productions must be in an eligible genre and have production expenditures in excess of certain minimums.
Opps for outside producers: Available to non-Canadian-content productions and foreign-based companies producing in Ontario.
Ontario Computer Animation and Special Effects Tax Credit: A 20% refundable tax credit available to qualifying corporations on Ontario labor expenditures for activities directly in support of the creation of digital animation or digital visual effects for use in eligible film or television productions. Credit is calculated on the lesser of Ontario labor expenditures and 48% of the prescribed cost of eligible activities net of government assistance.
Productions must be for commercial exploitation, be in an eligible genre, and if for tv and produced before May 6, 1998, must generally be suitable for broadcast in a minimum 30-minute time slot.
Opps for outside companies: Available to taxable Canadian or foreign-owned corporations if they carry out digital animation or digital visual effects activities at a permanent establishment in the province. Digital animation and digital visual effects created for non-Canadian productions qualify for the credit.
Ontario Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit: A 20% refundable tax credit available to qualifying small corporations based on Ontario labor expenditures incurred to develop eligible interactive digital media products in Ontario.
Qualifying small corporations have annual revenues not exceeding $20 million nor whose assets exceed $10 million and own copyright in the eligible interactive digital media product.
Opps for outside companies: Available to taxable Canadian or foreign-owned corporations who develop eligible interactive digital media products in Ontario.
Contact: Sara Morton (416) 314-6858; fax (416) 314-6876
OFDC Skills Development and Marketing Initiatives
SDMI focuses on content producers in television, film and new media.
Calling Card Program: Assists Ontario producers in making a calling-card short film to advance their career in long-form drama. sdmi has added a marketing fund whereby Calling Card recipients at fine-cut stage or later may receive up to 50% of specific marketing costs, including attendance at festivals to a ceiling of $1,500.
Production $$$: Grants of up to $30,000 per project, as well as a credit of $2,000 toward film stock from Kodak Canada Professional Motion Imaging; deluxe toronto will process up to 15,000 feet of 35mm camera stock and supply optical stock, print and processing, a 30% discount on all other lab work and 15% discount at deluxe video; and The Lab offers a processing rate of 12.5 cents per foot. Plug 'n' Play offers a 30% discount on Avid editing facilities and the cftpa offers one-year free membership, which may allow candidate to access cpip.
Criteria: The producer has some filmmaking experience in a producer-related capacity, other long-form dramatic projects in development, and demonstrates how the short film will be used to advance his/her career. Projects must be dramatic 15- to 25-minute films and the majority of the shooting and all post must take place in Ontario.
Showcase Television is granted a Canadian broadcast premiere and a one-year exclusive, three-year non-exclusive licence.
Deadlines: A quarterly call for applications. Upcoming deadlines are April 6, June 28, Sept. 27.
Other $$$: Market mentorships and exchanges: sdmi arranges for intensive market exchanges in active territories (e.g.: New York, l.a., u.k.), usually in partnership with producers from other provinces and/or Europe, or assists producers emerging onto the domestic or international market to better understand the marketplace through match-ups with mentors and attendance at established markets.
Market internships: sdmi arranges with the host of a specific market or conference to introduce an emerging producer to the marketplace and to help him/her establish initial contacts, while assisting as part of the market/ conference staff.
For foreign markets such as mip-tv or mipcom, only expenses and per diem are paid. For local events such as Hot Docs! or the Toronto International Film Festival, a weekly honorarium is provided to the intern.
Practical mechanics: In partnership with Rogers Communications, once or twice per year, sdmi places six emerging producers with small to midsize production companies in an associate producer capacity for a 20-week placement. The placement is supplemented by an intensive series of weekly workshops focusing on business concerns. Candidates receive a weekly honorarium.
Contacts: Cathy Katrib or Kathy Avrich Johnson (416) 314-6858
Toronto Arts Council Grants to Visual Artists and Media Artists Program
Production and post-production $$$: Grants of a maximum of $10,000 per project are offered to City of Toronto independent film and video makers at all stages of their careers.
Creative development $$$: Grants are available to City of Toronto independent film and video makers who have directed at least one independent production.
Criteria: Artists must retain full copyright, financial and creative control over projects and the total budget (including development and post) must not exceed $200,000.
Deadline: Nov. 22, 1999
Contact: Karen Tisch (416) 392-6802, ext. 208
TVOntario
The View From Here, tvontario's 13-part, commissioned social issues documentary strand; up to six additional, small-scale prebuys; plus up to 10 acquisitions.
Development $$$: Advanced to producers as a portion of the prebuy licence fee at the discretion of commissioning editor Rudy Buttignol.
Production $$$: Licence fees range from $10,000 to $50,000.
Eligible projects: Hour-long and feature-length. Feature-length docs with budgets ranging from $100,000 to $400,000. Science specials may qualify. Also seeking high-impact limited series (four to six partners).
Best bets: Preference is given to Ontario producers, but open to all Canadian producers or coproducers.
Contact: Rudy Buttignol (416) 484-2972
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Enterprise PEI
Development $$$: Enterprise pei will provide non-interest bearing development loans up to one-third of the proposed development budget, to a maximum of $25,000. Loans are repaid in full on the first day of principal photography.
Eligible expenses include: optioning and purchase of literary property; script development, writer's fees and story editing; development-related travel, market research; financing, packaging, marketing, related consulting and professional expenses; producer's fees and corporate overhead.
Equity investment: Enterprise pei will invest in qualifying projects where the potential of recoupment and profits is sufficiently high, and where there is significant benefit to the province's film industry in terms of employment and economic benefit to the province.
The investment will not exceed 20% of the approved eligible budget costs and will normally be subject to the following maximum within these genres: dramatic series, theatrical feature film - $500,000; television miniseries, mow - $350,000; documentary feature - $200,000; documentary (60 minutes or less) - $125,000; short film - $75,000.
Other $$$: Enterprise pei may also facilitate intermediate, long-term loans and bridge financing to companies which have strong export and growth potential, and those that contribute to jobs and wealth creation on Prince Edward Island.
Contact: Berni Wood (902) 368-6329; 1-800-563-3734 ext 5.
QUEBEC
La financiere des entreprises culturelles du Quebec (FIDEC)
fidec is a limited partnership of the Societe de developement des entreprises culturelles du Quebec and various financial and cultural companies, with a capital of $45.5 million. fidec has been established to make available financing adapted to various segments of the cultural sector, including film and television production.
$$$: fidec provides gap financing covering up to 40% of the production's financial structure to a maximum of $5 million per project. Financing is evaluated according to the sales potential of the product on international markets.
Criteria: Quebec and foreign companies engaged in strategic alliances with a Quebec company or which maintain a stable place of business in Quebec and whose projects generate significant economic spin-off in Quebec.
Other $$$: Acquisition of rights to a maximum of $2 million per project, and a maximum of 10% of the capital committed by fidec in respect of a given company.
Contact: Pierre Leblanc (514) 940-7501; 1-877-613-3312
Fonds d'investissement de la culture et des communications
sponsored by Fonds de solidarite des travailleurs du Quebec and sodec, this $15-million venture-capital fund makes syndicated equity investments (stock purchase in a company) in certified Quebec companies in the cultural industries sectors. Maximum investment is limited to 5% of the current balance or $1 million.
Eligible projects: Projects from film, tv and multimedia production and distribution companies.
Contact: Marcel Choquette, president (514) 394-0700; info@ficc.qc.ca
Investissement-Quebec
Investissement-Quebec's financial program available to investors in the film and television industry is called the Quebec Business Investment Company. This program provides tax benefits (up to 150% of the investment) to investors interested in buying shares from small or medium-sized companies which have completed at least one film or tv production.
Contact: Judith Malenfant (514) 873-9280, 1-800-461-2433 or judithmalenfant@invest-quebec.com
Quebec Refundable Tax Credit Program
A content tax credit, administered by sodec, which covers one-third of eligible manpower costs incurred by a qualified Quebec company and paid to an individual or company established in Quebec. The credit is capped at 15% of a production's budget, 20.25% in the case of French-language feature films and single documentaries. The credit in all content categories is capped at $2.5 million per production.
Criteria: Companies must be controlled by a person(s) resident in Quebec for at least two years. Certification for a production of over 75 minutes stipulates that at least 75% of production expenditures, and at least 75% of post-production expenditures, excluding financing costs, are spent in Quebec. Productions of less than 75 minutes qualify if a minimum 75% of production costs are incurred in Quebec.
sodec guarantees loans to producers of up to 90% of the anticipated credit.
Eligible projects: Features, mows, documentaries and documentary series, children's, live-action, animated and certain variety and magazine programs.
Opps for outside producers: Coproductions qualify if a minimum of 75% of production costs are incurred in Quebec. The basic credit is calculated on the Quebec portion of the budget.
Refundable Tax Credit for Film and Television Production Services: The tax credit is equivalent to 11% of eligible labor costs incurred in respect of eligible productions for services rendered in Quebec and paid to taxpayers residing in Quebec. An additional enhancement is granted for animation and special effects.
Special-Effects and CGI Top-Up: An additional credit may be added to both the Quebec content and production services credits for special effects- and cgi-related costs incurred in Quebec.
The cgi top-up is scaled in a manner which maximizes the credit for Quebec content productions at 20.25% of the budget, and 15.5% of eligible activities for service productions. The credit for small-budget productions (budgets under $1 million in the case of single productions and under $200,000 for half-hour productions) is capped at 10% of the budget.
Contact: Stephane Cardin, director, Tax Credit Programs (514) 841-2200; 1-800-363-0401
Societe de developpement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)-Quebec
sodec has $11 million available annually through a series of investment and grant programs.
Development $$$: sodec provides funds at the screenwriting stage and preproduction advances for tv fiction, doc series, doc features and miniseries.
Production $$$: Support is available at the production phase.
Other: sodec supports exhibitors, festivals and other Quebec film events, distribution of foreign films in theaters with limited exhibition, corporate loans and export assistance.
Eligible projects: Short, medium and feature fiction and pov docs.
Contact: Suzanne Laverdiere, director film and tv department, or Diane Ste-Marie, co-ordinator at (514) 841-2200; 1-800-363-0401
SASKATCHEWAN
CTV Saskatchewan Program Development Fund
Development $$$: With an annual budget of $50,000, CTV Saskatchewan (cfqc-tv Saskatoon) administers forgivable loans of $4,000 to $5,000 per project toward the development of program concepts and scripts from Saskatchewan-based producers. Loans are repayable only upon the property going into production. CTV Saskatchewan has first right of refusal to license the projects.
Criteria: Development budget, synopsis and producer must be attached to the project.
Eligible projects: Entertainment and documentary programs suitable for tv broadcast.
Deadlines: Aug. 31, Nov. 30, Feb. 28, May 31
Contact: Lesya Swystun, executive assistant (306) 665-8600
Saskatchewan Arts Board Individual Assistance Grant Program
Development $$$: Research grants are capped at $5,000.
Development/production/post $$$: Creative grants capped at $20,000 per project can be applied for consecutively at the development, preproduction, production and post-production phase. However, filmmakers are eligible for only one grant per 12-month period.
Other: Professional Development Grants to a maximum of $10,000.
Travel assistance can also be applied for.
Criteria: Applicants must be Saskatchewan residents who have lived in the province for a minimum of one year and have artistic and editorial control over the project.
Eligible projects: All productions except pilots for commercial or educational tv, instructional programs or work commissioned by educational institutions.
Deadlines: March 1, Oct. 1.
Contact: Doug Townsend, visual and media arts consultant (306) 787-4056; 1-800-667-7526 (Saskatchewan only); doug@artsboard.sk.ca
Saskatchewan Film and Video Development Corporation (SaskFILM)
The Saskatchewan government provides Saskfilm with $1 million annually.
Development $$$: A Scriptwriter Fund provides loans of up to $2,500 per project for development of initial outline or treatment. Only writers not attached to a producer or not a principal in a prodco are eligible.
Producers can apply for Phase i loans: up to 60% of development budget capped at $3,000 for a treatment and a production financing strategy; Phase ii loans: up to 40% of the development budget capped at $10,000 ($15,000 for features and series) for the development of a first draft dramatic script and a marketing/production financing strategy; and Phase iii loans: up to a maximum of 40% of the development budget, capped at $10,000 ($20,000 for features and drama series) for a final draft script and marketing strategy.
Production $$$: Equity investments are available up to 15% of total production budget, capped at $50,000 for non-fiction; $100,000 for tv movies and features; and $150,000 for drama series and miniseries.
Other: A Special Projects Fund supports non-commercial projects with up to 33% of the Saskatchewan component of the budget to a maximum of $15,000.
Eligible projects: Features, tv movies, docs, educational, dramatic, experimental, animated, variety, children's and new media programs.
Best bets: Culturally significant Saskatchewan projects.
Opps for outside producers: Funding is advanced only to Saskatchewan-owned and controlled companies. Interprovincial and international copros are eligible provided the application comes from a bona fide Saskatchewan coproducer.
Contact: Saskfilm (306) 347-3456; don.saskfilm@cableregina.com
Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit
Saskatchewan producers can claim 35% of all eligible labor costs to a maximum of 50% of total production budgets.
Eligible labor includes any Saskatchewan residents or any "deemed labor." The 35% credit for out-of-province labor is available for mentors where there is no qualified Saskatchewan employee available, and the mentor is hired to train a Saskatchewan resident employee.
An additional 5% bonus is available for productions located outside of Regina or Saskatoon. The bonus is calculated on Saskatchewan labor and any other spending in the province.
Eligible projects: Television, cinema, videotape, digital, cd-rom, multimedia or non-theatrical productions.
Criteria: Must have a permanent establishment in Saskatchewan, and pay at least 25% of all labor costs to Saskatchewan residents.
There are no copyright requirements, no Canadian or Saskatchewan content requirements.
Contact: Louise Usick, director Tax Credit Saskfilm (306) 347-3456; louise.saskfilm@cableregina.com
SaskTel New Media Fund
Production $$$: A partnership between SaskTel and Saskfilm, this initiative offers $800,000 over two years in equity investment support for Saskatchewan-based new media projects. Financial participation is capped at 25% of the production budget or 33% of the portion of the budget paid to Saskatchewan residents and businesses, to a maximum of $100,000.
Criteria: Funding is triggered by financial commitments from end users and/or distributors representing a minimum of 10% of the budget.
SaskTel holds a first right of refusal to acquire distribution rights in Saskatchewan. Non-exclusive rights may be acceptable if the project has secured distribution as part of the financing structure.
Approval based on commercial viability, acceptable business plan, wide audience appeal, use of local talent and services, economic benefit to the province.
Contact: Saskfilm (306) 347-3456
