Following is Playback's 2009 annual list of key national funding and investment sources available for Canadian independent film and television program development, production and/or distribution.

See also, our breakdown of provincial funders:

ASTRAL MEDIA THE HAROLD GREENBERG FUND/LE FONDS HAROLD GREENBERG
Astral Media The Harold Greenberg Fund/Le Fonds Harold Greenberg is a national, non-profit, private funding organization founded and supported by Astral Media. With contributions from The Movie Network, Viewers Choice and Super Écran, the fund supports the production and development of Canadian feature-length films, family television series, youth programming, workshops, training programs, festivals and special events.
In addition, the French-language program, with contributions from MusiMax, administers MaxFACT, a program which finances the production of music videos by French-Canadian artists.
The Reel Support initiative is sponsored by Fujifilm Canada.
Since its creation in 1986, The Fund/Le Fonds has invested over $62 million in support of more than 2,600 Canadian productions. In fiscal 2008, The Fund/Le Fonds invested over $4.4 million in 131 projects.
English-Language Program:
Sponsored by The Movie Network, Viewers Choice and Reel Support.
Script Development Program: Provides interest-free development loans which are repayable on the first day of principal photography. At the story optioning phase, the fund can advance up to the full amount of the option plus $2,500 in administrative costs. In addition, up to $18,000 can be advanced at the treatment to first draft phase, up to $12,000 at the first draft to second draft phase, up to $10,000 at the second to final draft phase, and up to $25,000 for the polish and packaging phase.
Equity Investment Program: Invests up to 10% of the total production budget to a maximum of $200,000 in production financing for feature-length films destined for theatrical release and/or pay television.
Applicants must be established Canadian feature film producers who have produced at least two theatrically released feature films.
Deadlines: Story optioning/script development: April 16, 2009. Check website for subsequent deadlines.
Equity Investment Program: None; call the office prior to applying, to assess eligibility.
Contact:
Tel: (416) 956-5431
Fax: (416) 363-9005
hgfund@tv.astral.com
www.astralmedia.com/TheFund

French-language Program:
Programs sponsored by Astral Media, Super Écran, Musimax and Reel Support:
Film:
• Equity investment program for the production of French-language feature-length films for theatrical release and pay-per-view television - up to $100,000
• Script development program for French-language feature films for theatrical release: funding is available in the form of development advances, which are to be reimbursed on the first day of principal photography - 50% of eligible expenses, to a maximum of $30,000
• Story optioning program for the purchase of copyright programs for subsequent screen adaptation for theatrical release: funding is available in the form of development advances, which are to be reimbursed on the first day of principal photography - 50% of the cost of the option, to a maximum of $5,000
Music-Related Program: Investment in the production of programs related to music, both single programs and series, for first-window broadcast on a private-sector specialty or pay-per-view channel - 50% of the production budget; maximum of $100,000 for a single program and $250,000 for a series
axFACT Program provides financial assistance to French-Canadian talent towards the production of music videos to a maximum of $15,000.
Deadlines: Film/production, March 25, 2009; film/script development, Feb. 11, June 17, 2009; music-related program, April 30, 2009; MaxFACT, Jan. 22, April 9, 2009
Contact: Odile Methot, French-language program office
Tel: (514) 939-5094
Fax: (514) 939-6585
info@lefonds.astral.com
www.astralmedia.com/LeFonds

BELL BROADCAST AND NEW MEDIA FUND