Following is the 1995 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.

New Brunswick

Fundy Cable

Currently in the implementation stage, this fund – $50,000 a year for five years – is earmarked for development and/or production of New Brunswick projects in all tv genres as well as short films. The fund is expected to be up and running by mid-summer, pending final approval by nomination of a board of directors.

Contact: Donald Durant (506) 634-5800 or Cathi Saunders (506) 857-8700

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation

About $4.3 million a year in funding is available to film and tv projects, either through equity investment in a production, development loans or labor rebates. Projects eligible for support are features, series, miniseries, tv specials, documentaries and non-theatrical programs for non-commercial broadcast settings.

The nsfdc can make up to $25,000 available in interest-free development loans, and up to one-third of production financing (through equity investment), with varying maximum dollar amounts depending on the project genre and recoupment potential of the project. The production funding cap is currently $200,000 per project.

The Nova Scotia Labour Rebate Program provides up to a 30% rebate on labor expenditures to the Nova Scotia producer, up to a maximum of $500,000 for features and $900,000 for a series. The labor rebate is tied to the salaries paid to Nova Scotia residents and a project’s economic contribution to the province.

Contact: nsfdc president Roman Bittman (902) 424-7177

Quebec

Quebec Refundable Production Tax Credit

Feature films, tv movies, tv series, miniseries, documentaries and children’s programs that qualify as Quebec productions are eligible for a refundable production tax credit amounting to a maximum of 18% of the overall budget. In the case of coproductions, the tax credit is calculated on the Canadian portion of the budget. sodec may interim finance up to 75% of the tax credit portion of a production’s financing. The tax credit is limited across the industry to $30 million a year.

Contact: Andre Veronneau, sodec, (514) 873-7768

Societe de developpement des entreprises

culturelles – Quebec (SODEC)

The Societe de developpement des entreprises culturelles provides funding to Quebec film and tv producers and distributors through subsidies, loans and equity investment to the tune of $13 million. Roughly 60% of its approximate $6.5 million production budget is allotted to feature films, about $1 million goes toward development funds and $2.5 million is set aside for distribution and special projects.

Up to 50% of the budget in development funds is available for coproduction financing, support optioning, scriptwriting and rewriting, and production funds for tv projects are limited to the amount paid by a broadcaster for a licence fee. The maximum funding for a feature film is 60% of the budget – up to $600,000 – and producers must have a director on board as well as a financial commitment from a distributor who will distribute the film in the province. Documentaries and short films do not need a broadcaster or distributor attached to be eligible for funding.

Approximately $1 million a year is available to invest in tv programs which have broadcaster commitments. As well, a $2 million annual special fund is available for variety/magazine programs as those programs are not eligible for the provincial tax credit. A maximum of 20% of sodec funds can be committed annually to original non-French-language productions.

Contact: Andre Theberge, director of film operations, (514) 873-7768

Societe de Developpement Industriel du Quebec

SDI manages two programs for Revenue Quebec – Quebec Business Investment Companies/Societe de placement dans l’entreprise quebecoise, and Tax Credit Capitalization/Credit d’impot a la capitalisation – which are accessible to companies in the film and tv sector. sdi’s information technology classification includes post-production, and its culture designation includes film and tv production (for companies which previously have completed at least one production).

qbic/speq provides tax benefits for investors who invest in production and post-production companies. On the post side, initiatives that will be considered for financing include starting up or expanding, software or hardware r&d, equipment purchase, corporate regrouping or alliances. Export activity, such as the marketing of a product outside Quebec, is also on the list of projects deemed suitable.

tcc/cric offers a tax reimbursement to companies which produce film projects or offer post-production services – a tax credit of up to 25% of the share they would sell to equity investors.

Contact: Ghislain Blondin (514) 873-4375

Ontario

BBS/CJOH-TV Concept and Script Development Fund

The BBS Ontario Incorporated, CJOH-TV Concept and Script Development Fund, established by Baton Broadcasting, will remain in place until cjoh’s next licence renewal (at least four more years).

The bbs/cjoh fund makes annual concept and script development loans to applicants based in the cjoh broadcast area (eastern Ontario/ western Quebec) of up to $115,000. Preference is given to concepts which lend themselves to local production, but the fund will consider all forms of programming for tv, with an emphasis on the children’s, drama and variety categories.

The fund also supports tv-related professional development events in Ottawa with grants to participating individuals and associations.

Contact: Bryn Matthews (613) 224-1313

MCTV Fund

Formerly known as the Mid-Canada Television Fund, Baton Broadcasting offers a $100,000 annual development fund and a $400,000 annual production fund geared to produce 13 half-hour pilots for primetime broadcast by mctv.

MCTV Development Fund: Folks residing in the mctv coverage areas are eligible to apply for interest-free development loans (repayable when shooting commences) in amounts ranging from $1,500 to $7,000 per project

Showcase Fund: Eligible production-ready projects may receive a production loan of about $31,000. mctv airs the finished pilots in primetime, and holds rights to the pilot, including the option to carry the project into series production.

Contact: Larry Gavin (613) 228-2476

Ontario Arts Council

As of April 1, the Ontario Arts Council’s Film/Photography/ Video Office’s film and video granting programs were amalgamated into one program – Artists, Film and Video.

The new program, whose objective is to support independent production by Ontario film and video artists, assists those applicants who have completed at least one self-assigned film/video work as maker/director. An example of a previous film and/or video work is required with each application, as it is central to the adjudication process. The applicant must have creative control of the project, which must not exceed $500,000.

The top grant is $40,000. Deadlines are April 1, Aug. 1 and Dec. 1.

The $5,000 First Projects: Film and Video Grant supports first-time and emerging Ontario film/ video artists undertaking an original project for which they have creative and editorial control. A previous work in film or video is not mandatory, but prior artistic production experience will be considered in the evaluation.

Contact: David Craig, oac film, photography, video officer, (416) 969-7428

Ontario Film Development Corporation (OFDC)

The ofdc provides a range of programs intended to create and stimulate original expression, employment, investment and growth in the Canadian independent film and tv industry, specifically those private-sector companies and projects that are based in Ontario. Applicants to the ofdc’s programs must be an Ontario resident, corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship.

The ofdc finances the development and production of films and tv programs, which it sees as culturally relevant, expressing an original cinematic vision and demonstrating potential for domestic and international distribution and sales.

Screenplay Development: Individual resident Ontario screenwriters may apply for loans of $12,500 (which includes payment to a story consultant) for the development of theatrical features from the treatment stage through two drafts.

Screenwriter Travel: Ontario resident screenwriters can participate in the Praxis Film Development Workshop through direct, interest-free loans to a maximum of $5,000.

Project Development: Application may be made for interest-free loans to a maximum of $35,000 ($50,000 for features), for the development of (in order of preference) feature films slated for theatrical release in Ontario and worldwide, tv movies, miniseries, specials, tv docs and documentary miniseries.

Production Financing: The agency advances equity investment or loans in the following types of productions:

– Up to $750,000 for theatrical features with an emphasis on dramas budgeted under the $2 million mark;

– Up to $250,000 for tv movies;

– Up to one-third of the total production financing of dramatic miniseries, to a ceiling of $250,000;

– Up to one-third of the total production financing of hour-long drama, performing arts, documentary and animated programming and documentary miniseries to a ceiling of $125,000.

Project Completion: The ofdc provides equity investments to support new and emerging filmmakers in the completion of low-budget, feature-length dramatic films in the post-production stage. Only projects which have not previously received ofdc production financing are eligible. Eligible projects’ budgets cannot exceed $325,000, and the ofdc’s maximum investment will not exceed $50,000 per project.

The Non-Theatrical Film Fund: Non-equity grants are available for the development and production of educational projects with a ‘unique approach’ and ‘Canadian viewpoint.’ The fund is also intended to increase the audience for these projects through marketing initiatives, and to develop the entrepreneurial skills of the non-theatrical producer.

Maximums per project are $30,000 for production, $6,000 for development, and $5,000 for marketing, $5,000 is also available for French-language versioning.

Special Projects: Offers financing to Ontario-based non-profit organizations’ professional development projects such as seminars, workshops, publications, job training and special events.

Ontario Film Investment Program (ofip): This program provides rebates to Ontario investors and producers who make cash investments in eligible Ontario film and tv productions. The rebates are currently between 13% and 18% of the investors/producers’ investments.

The minimum requirements for ofip eligibility are that a project must spend at least 75% of its budget on Ontario expenditures (excluding international treaty coproductions where 75% of the Canadian budget must be spent on Ontario expenditures); and achieve at least eight out of 10 Canadian content points (excluding international treaty coproductions and documentaries – documentaries must achieve at least six out of 10 Cancon points). This program was renewed for three years, commencing April 1995.

Sales and Distribution: Loans are available to Canadian-controlled Ontario-based theatrical distributors to a max of 50% (up to $25,000) of the costs relating to the theatrical release and exhibition of Canadian features. Export marketing assistance is available, including up to 50% (to a maximum of $5,000 per company) for participation in international trade shows.

And under the Repertory Cinema Exhibition Program, on a project-by-project basis, eligible theater and film societies may apply for grants to cover up to 100% of costs associated with promoting exhibition of eligible Canadian films.

Filmmaker Travel: The ofdc provides grants to Ontario-based feature filmmakers who travel to significant film festival and film-related events to which their production has been officially invited or selected for screening and/or competition.

New Media Development Program: This program assists eligible producers and developers of innovative and interactive Canadian multimedia productions during the development stage of projects. The ofdc participates with interest-free loans to a maximum of $35,000 per project ($50,000 for a project of exceptional merit).

Contact: Karen Tyrell, communications officer, (416) 314-6858

Racial Equity Fund

REF, a regranting program geared to filmmakers from the Aboriginal, African, Asian, Black, Caribbean, Central and South American communities in Ontario, provides grants for development, production and/or completion of short, drama-based independent films. The ceiling for development funding is $3,000, the production maximum is $20,000, and the post ceiling is $10,000.

The program and staff are currently in flux; ref just wrapped the last granting cycle of its initial five-year mandate and is awaiting renewal from the ofdc, its primary funder.

Contact: ref co-ordinator (416) 596-6749

Toronto Arts Council

The Toronto Arts Council’s Grants to Visual Artists program provides production grants of up to $12,000 to City of Toronto visual artists and independent film/video artists. The City of Toronto is a distinct area within Metropolitan Toronto; it does not include North York, East York, York, Etobicoke or Scarborough. The 1995 deadline is Oct. 16.

Applicants must retain total financial and creative control over their projects (therefore most projects involving broadcast licences are not eligible). Total budget (including development and post-production) cannot exceed $150,000.

Contact: Nalo Hopkinson (416) 392-6800

The View From Here

This tvontario 13-part, one-hour and feature-length commissioned current affairs documentary strand is open to Canadian indie producers (preference is given to Ontario producers), with docs in the $250,000 to $500,000 budget range. Licence fees range from $50,000 to $70,000. At the discretion of commissioning editor Rudy Buttignol, development funds may be advanced to producers as a portion of the prebuy licence fee.

Contact: Cornelia Principe (416) 484-2600 ext. 2540

Manitoba

Horizon

Telefilm Canada’s Horizon initiative for directors who are residents of Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba and working towards their first or second feature film is administered by Telefilm Canada’s Vancouver office. Eligible projects must be low-budget – under $1 million – and originate in the Prairie provinces. They may also be considered under Telefilm’s Low Budget Feature Program.

Directors can apply with treatments of no less than 20 pages and including one scene in screenplay format and main character profiles. No producer or distribution company is required at the application stage, however, a professional story editor will provide written critiques for accepted projects.

The provincial agencies (Alberta Motion Picture Development Corporation, Saskfilm and the Manitoba Cultural Industries Development Office) may participate. Application deadline is June 1, 1995.

Contact: Colleen MacDonald, Telefilm (Vancouver) project co-ordinator, (604) 666-1566.

Manitoba Cultural Industries Development Office (CIDO)

Each year, approximately $1.5 million is available for equity investment in film and tv productions. Projects with experienced Manitoba resident producers, national distributor/broadcasters and principal photography to take place in the province are eligible. As well, cido offers support for development and marketing of a project.

cido invests up to 20% of the budget of a feature film to a maximum of $400,000. On an mow, cido would normally invest the lesser of approximately $350,000 or 20%. For a half-hour program, the agency would invest up to 20% of the budget. cido does support coproductions, but 50% of the creative, corporate control and copyright must rest with the Manitoba producers. As well, points involving Manitoba crewing must be satisfied.

The ceiling on development participation to a final draft is up to 50% of a budget to a maximum $25,000. Up to 50% of marketing costs, to a maximum of $15,000 (for feature films), may be allocated.

Contact: Carole Vivier, cido general manager, (204) 947-2040

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Communication Network

While there isn’t a formal funding program, the province’s educational broadcaster works with the local indie community by participating in production funding at the development (with an option to participate further with the project) and production stages. scn, which has no in-house production, spent over $600,000 last year on local production.

scn programming decisions are influenced by constituency need, so proposals should come with local support attached. Unless there is a significant Saskatchewan spin, out-of-province proposals are unlikely to trigger development assistance.

Contact: scn (306) 787-0490

Saskatchewan Television Network Development Fund

The stn fund is yet another Baton Broadcasting fund designed to foster local tv production. Administered from cfqc-tv Saskatoon, the stn fund is operational to 1996 and will commit $250,000 towards developing tv projects of Saskatchewan producers. Average development loans fall between $4,000 to $5,000. A development budget, synopsis and a producer must be attached to the project. The station has first right of refusal.

Contact: Bill Stevenson (306) 665-8600

SaskFILM

The Saskfilm development fund provides three stages of development loans for both tv and feature film projects:

– Up to $5,000 for concept/ treatment;

– Up to $15,000 ($20,000 for a feature or series) for a first draft dramatic script; and,

– Up to $15,000 ($25,000 for a feature or series) for a final draft script.

Eligible projects must have financing and marketing plans at all stages. Participation from other parties, including broadcasters and/or distributors, is required after the first stage.

Saskatchewan resident producers are eligible for Saskfilm funding. Coproductions are also eligible as long as a Saskatchewan resident producer has a share of copyright appropriate to their creative and financial input (minimum 25%) and co-executive producer or coproducer credit.

Saskfilm’s production investment fund can invest up to 15% of a production budget, to a ceiling of $300,000 per project, in qualifying productions. It also has the ability to do a certain amount of bridge and interim financing.

The total budget of $1.5 million is available for Saskfilm’s operations and funding, including its locations service.

Scriptwriters Program and Special Projects: Saskfilm also has a Scriptwriters Program and Special Projects fund for non-market-driven films.

The scriptwriters fund supports the work of the province’s writers in film and video, and provides funding assistance for the preparation of treatments, outlines and pitch documents. Eligible costs include writers’ fees, literary options, research, travel, and up to 15% of development-related administrative costs such as office, phone and fax.

The maximum participation of $2,000 for the preparation of outlines or first draft scripts should represent no more than 75% of the approved cash flow requirements. Writers’ fees may be deferred in whole or in part; these can be included in the budget at prevailing scale rates.

Saskfilm’s participation is in the form of non-interest bearing loans, repayable on the optioning, sale or transfer of the project to a producer or other third party, or at a specified date.

Kickstart: Under Saskfilm’s newest initiative, Kickstart, the provincial agency targets the development of new industry personnel. Funding is provided to executive producers, who choose the production – which must be 100% Saskatchewan in content – and staff, with approval from Saskfilm.

All talent, crew, post-production (with the exception of post-production film transfer personnel) must be residents of the province and no individual can perform more than one job function on a single project.

Contact: Mark Prasuhn, general manager, (306) 347-3456

Alberta

Alberta Motion Picture Development Corporation (AMPDC)

The ampdc provides development loans and equity investments in production. It can fund up to 60% of development budgets (to a maximum of $200,000), excluding producers’ fees. ampdc can participate in up to 25% of the production budget, to a max of $500,000.

ampdc provides consulting services to its clients and the Alberta film and tv industry.

Contact: Garry Toth, ampdc general manager, (403) 424-8855

British Columbia

British Columbia Film

Over $5 million in support is available through British Columbia Film for the development, marketing and production of b.c. motion picture projects. Assistance in the form of interest-free equity financing and/or recoupable advances bearing no interest is available, and there are virtually no administrative charges. The fund, which can be approached at any stage, can be accessed by distributors, production companies and writers.

Support is available for the various development phases of dramatic screenplays for film or tv. Assistance is also available for the development of non-theatrical projects and viable multimedia concepts (up to $10,000 to a max of 40% of the development budget).

Production financing is available for long-form production (motion pictures for theatrical or direct-to-video release and tv programs for primetime network or pay/cable exhibition), tv series production, short-form production (tv programming of less than 75 minutes in duration), and non-theatrical production.

B.C. Film provides assistance for interprovincial and international coproduction. Distribution development assistance is available to support the promotion and marketing of b.c. productions by distributors and established producers.

B.C. Film also participates in a number of programs for emerging filmmakers:

– Laugh Chance is an opportunity for emerging b.c. tv producers to produce a sitcom pilot;

– Premiere is a joint program of B.C. Film, Telefilm Canada and the National Film Board Pacific Centre to assist emerging b.c. directors with the realization of their first or second theatrical feature film with a production budget of well below $1 million;

– Next Wave is an opportunity for novice b.c. production teams to produce their first low-budget dramatic feature film offered by B.C. Film and the NFB Pacific Centre.

Assistance for professional development and industrial development support for non-profit societies and organizations is also available from B.C. Film.

Contact: Wayne Sterloff, president and ceo, (604) 736-7997

Cross-Over Writers Program

This Telefilm Canada program, which allows Western and Atlantic region playwrights and fiction prose writers to either adapt a Canadian published work or Canadian-produced play, or develop a new idea into a first draft feature film script, supports eligible writers with maximum writing funds of $10,000 for each feature film script.

Playwrights must have at least two separate productions under their belt, with each play running a minimum of two weeks at a theater company receiving operating funds from the Canada Council. Fiction prose writers must have published six short stories or one novel. Application deadlines are every six months, June 30 and Dec. 31.

Contact: Colleen MacDonald, project co-ordinator, Telefilm, Vancouver (604) 666-1566 or 1-800-663-7771

Equity Capital Program (VCCs)

Individuals who invest in a Venture Capital Corporation – which invests in eligible small business ventures including indigenous b.c. film production – can garner a 30% tax credit. The vcc can acquire up to 50% of a company and investors must be arm’s length from the small business.

Under the Equity Capital Program, a total of $5 million can be invested in any one company. Westcom Entertainment Group, Cine-Vu and the North American Group have set up vccs.

Contact: Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture (604) 387-0225 or 1-800-665-6597

Kick Start

Kick Start, administered by the Directors Guild of Canada b.c. district council in conjunction with Telefilm Canada, offers assistance to emerging directors and is currently under annual review.

The program provides support of up to $10,000 per short film or video project and is restricted to film grads from Western Canada (b.c., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon and Northwest Territories), or other applicants with equivalent experience. Details concerning maximum budgets and competition closing dates will be announced at the end of April.

Contact: Colleen MacDonald, project co-ordinator, Telefilm, Vancouver (604) 666-1566 or 1-800-663-7771