Testifying:
Patrick Crowe

In 1998, the federal government announced the creation of Telefilm’s Multimedia Fund, which was replaced in 2001 by the Canada New Media Fund, which now has a budget of $14 million per year. The fund has assisted companies such as Xenophile Media, makers of the ReGenesis extended reality game (www.regenesistv.com). Patrick Crowe is Xenophile’s president.

‘Telefilm has done a good job of synchronizing their new media funding with the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund. They have worked together closely to develop a consistent series of templates, and that has been critical to create an environment where producers have a hope of financing projects in what has, up ’til recently, been a nascent industry. We have leveraged these funds to launch our productions and our company into the international marketplace.

‘The Canadian new media industry is growing, but it is still a small industry, so it is important to work internationally, and Telefilm’s investment has enabled us to do that. Our work on ReGenesis has led to a big new project with Disney, the Sundance Channel and BBC, so it has been crucial seed money that has helped us become a global player’