Following are the key Quebec funding and investment sources available for Canadian independent film and television program development, production and/or distribution.

FONDS D’INVESTISSEMENT DE LA CULTURE ET DES COMMUNICATIONS
Sponsored by Fonds de solidarité FTQ and SODEC, this $30-million venture-capital fund invests in capital stock and makes syndicated investments and quasi-equity investments in certified Quebec companies in the cultural industries sectors. Maximum investment is $2 million. Following an agreement with its partners, the capitalization of this fund will reach up to $60 million.
Eligible projects: Projects from TV and multimedia production and distribution companies.
Contact: Maurice Prud’homme, CEO
Tel : (514) 394-0700
infoweb@ficc.qc.ca
www.ficc.qc.ca

QUEBEC FILM AND TELEVISION REFUNDABLE TAX CREDIT PROGRAM
This content tax credit, administered by SODEC, covers 35% of eligible manpower costs incurred by a qualified Quebec company after Jan. 1, 2009 (29.1667% before) and paid to an individual or company established in Quebec.
$$$: The credit is capped at 17.5% (14.58% before) of a production’s budget; 22.5% (19.68% before) in the case of eligible French-language feature films and single documentaries; 22.5% (19.68% before) for French-language unique program or series of programs intended for young people; 22.5% (19.68% before) for large-format films; 22.5% (19.68% before) for computer animation and special effects and the shooting of scenes in front of a chromatic screen (CGI); and 27.5% (24.28% before) in the case of regional productions (in Quebec but out of the Montreal region) produced by eligible Quebec regional producers.
As of Jan. 1, 2009:
• A new 10% tax assistance on the eligible labor expenditures for feature films and single documentaries productions made without any financial assistance granted by a public organization.
• There is no cap on the amount of the tax credit that can be claimed for a production.
Criteria: Quebec residents must control companies. The producer (in title) must be a Quebec resident. Certification for a production of over 75 minutes stipulates that at least 75% of production expenditures, excluding key creative personnel fees and financing costs, and at least 75% of post-production expenditures are spent in Quebec. A point system also applies to these productions.
Productions of less than 75 minutes qualify if a minimum 75% of production costs, excluding financing costs, are incurred in Quebec. SODEC guarantees loans to producers of up to 90% of the anticipated credit.
Eligible projects: Features, MOWs, documentaries and documentary series, children’s, live action, animated, and certain variety, cultural talk shows and magazine programs.
Feature films (excluding coproductions) must either:
• Obtain a minimum of 6/10 points based on the scale for creative staff according to which points are awarded regarding individuals who resided in Quebec on Dec. 31 of the year preceding the year during which an application for an advance ruling is filed with SODEC regarding the production; or
• Obtain a minimum of 7/10 points based on the scale for creative staff according to which a minimum of five points is awarded regarding individuals who resided in Quebec on Dec. 31 of the year preceding the year during which an application for an advance ruling is filed with SODEC regarding the production.
A maximum of two points is awarded to an individual who was a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident on Dec. 31 of the year preceding the year during which an application for an advance ruling is filed with SODEC regarding the production.
The producer must be a Quebec resident on Dec. 31 of the year preceding the year during which an application for an advance ruling is filed with SODEC regarding the production.
Opps for outside producers: Coproductions qualify if a minimum of 75% of production costs (of the Quebec portion of the budget) is spent in Quebec. The basic credit is calculated on the Quebec portion of the budget.
Refundable Tax Credit for Film and Television Production Services Program: The tax credit is equivalent to 25% of eligible labor costs incurred after Dec. 20, 2007 (20% of eligible labor costs before Dec. 21, 2007) in respect to eligible labor rendered in Quebec and paid to taxpayers residing in Quebec. A 20% enhancement for activities that directly contribute to the creation of computer animation and special effects and the shooting of scenes in front of a chromatic screen (CGI).
Special Effects & CGI Top-up: The top-up may be added to both the Quebec-content and production services credits for special effects-related and CGI-related costs incurred in Quebec and paid to Quebec taxpayers. The CGI top-up is scaled in a manner that maximizes the credit for Quebec-content productions at 22.5% (19.69% before) of the budget, and 45% of labor expenses related to eligible activities in the case of the production services tax program.
Contact: Jean-Philippe Normandeau, general manager, strategic planning and tax credits
Tel: (514) 841-2200
1-800-363-0401 (Quebec)
www.sodec.gouv.qc.ca/cinema_mesures_en.php#outils

SOCIÉTÉ DE DÉVELOPPEMENT DES ENTREPRISES CULTURELLES – QUEBEC (SODEC)
SODEC has $26 million available annually through a series of investment and grant programs.
Development $$$: SODEC has $2.4 million in support available annually at the screenwriting stage.
Production $$$: $19.5 million in support is available annually at the production phase.
Other $$$: $2.9 million is allotted annually to support exhibitors, festivals and other Quebec film events, distribution of foreign films in theaters with limited exhibition, corporate loans and export assistance.
Eligible projects: Short and feature fiction and POV docs.
In addition, $1.6 million in support is available annually through SODEC’s Young Creators program (ages 18 to 35).
Eligible projects: Short, medium and feature fiction and POV docs.
Contact: Alain Rondeau
Tel: (514) 841-2200
1-800-363-0401 (toll free)
www.sodec.gouv.qc.ca