Three music-minded documentaries, including Paperny Films’ Talking with the Sun: The Ron Sexsmith Story, will get a boost to the tune of $550,000 from Astral Media The Harold Greenberg Fund through its one-time Documentary Program.

The program — which was created from an envelope of money allocated to the fund following Astral’s takeover of Standard Radio in 2007 — is specifically focused on Western-Canadian film producers with musically themed projects.

The venture marks the first time HGF has provided assistance to documentary producers, as it usually funds feature film dramas.

In addition to Talking with the Sun — which offers a look into the life of Canuck singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith — HGF is also assisting Mabooshi Film Company and EyeSteelFilm’s Jingle Bell Rocks!, about the irreverent universe of alternative, underground Christmas music, and Gold Star Productions’ Music for Mandela, which focuses on two concerts that put the spotlight on the injustices of Apartheid.

‘Although the fund has primarily been involved in dramatic feature films, we are ultimately dedicated to supporting quality Canadian storytelling, commented John Galway, president of HGF’s English-language program, adding that the doc fund ‘affords us the opportunity to support our Canadian storytellers in a whole new way.’