vancouver: The Market Incentive Program offered by funding agency British Columbia Film will close for new applications Nov. 6. It is the first time since it was created in 1995 that the fund has had to preempt the flow of business.

According to communications director Anita Wong, demand has eclipsed BC Film’s ability to commit to new projects.

Already in 1998, mip commitments for 54 approved projects total $3.2 million, which is the total annual allowance provided by the provincial government. Outstanding applications that haven’t yet been thoroughly vetted will add another $1.7 million if they are all eligible.

Wong says the agency is able to pay for the extra commitments because of reserve funds, returns on investment and other revenue. She can’t estimate the value of applications that might be filed by the Nov. 6 deadline.

mip is a first-come, first-served grant program that rewards b.c. producers by paying a portion of the budget based on their ability to secure ‘market support’ such as broadcast licences and distribution advances.

For example, documentaries get 100% of market support up to $40,000, while features get 75% of market support up to $250,000, tv series get 35% of market support up to $600,000 and mows get 25% up to $250,000. Development projects are also eligible for 100% up to $20,000.

‘The fact that we’ve run out demonstrates the strength of the industry,’ says Wong, who adds that this year’s activity will drain the funding agency’s extra resources.

Production of two new primetime series – Cold Squad and DaVinci’s Inquest – has had a significant draw on BC Film funds, she says. Also, companies such as David Paperny Films and Force Four Productions have been busy enough to make multiple applications.

‘It’s unfortunate that funding has run out, but it’s a measure of the success of the program,’ says Sheila Mombouquette, representative of the b.c. office of the cftpa. ‘BC Film has been so good to small producers, providing crucial funding, that it’s dissappointing. Maybe it’s time for government to reinstate the funding that was cut in years past.’

In 1994, BC Film’s provincial allowance was about $5.1 million per year.

‘It will be an uphill task for BC Film to keep the integrity of the mip program,’ says Mombouquette.

Wong says mip and other BC Film funding programs such as the currently on-hold Applied Support Program are under review and will be refined or replaced to reflect the limited financial abilities of the agency and the increasing demand from the industry. Details of the new programs will be announced in January prior to being implemented April 1, 1999.

In 1997, mip paid out $4.4 million in 111 contracts, while in 1996 it paid out $3.5 million to 56 contracts.