Points on the CPF

A recent article and editorial in Playback focused on a point of policy regarding the eight-point requirement for treaty coproductions applying to the Cable Production Fund. As many of your readers will know, this was a subject of much discussion and debate during the cpf cross-country industry consultations conducted last January/February.

I would like to use this letter to repeat an old message and convey a new one.

The old message: We get it. We hear you. This is an issue we have understood from the beginning. However, the crtc (in its Public Notice) designed the fund to be available to only the most Canadian of productions (including treaty coproductions).

Because this policy objective poses certain practical problems for treaty coproductions in particular, we have found a way to open the door slightly while, at the same time, maintaining the principle. It goes like this

The new message: We will accept the splitting of points for either or both of the director and writer positions when a Canadian and non-Canadian both genuinely fulfill the role(s). This solution will be monitored closely by cpf. I urge those Canadian treaty coproducers who do not apply to cpf (for point reasons) to keep us informed. Only in this way will we have the complete picture.

Let’s try together to make this fund as effective as possible!

bill mustos,

executive director,

cable production fund,

toronto.