A new program at the Bell Fund is looking to back low-budget interactive projects. The Bell Low Budget Digital Media Production Pilot Program is aimed at projects with budgets that do not exceed $100,000 and which are connected to a licensed

Canuck TV show.

The new fund will award grants for up to 75% of the budget, say organizers. The deadline for submissions is Oct. 1.

The pilot program follows a survey of broadcasters and producers which indicated that less is sometimes more. ‘All the bells and whistles of a sophisticated website are not always what users want or use. Games, simple activities, webisodes and resources often serve the purpose of creating an exciting online experience and community, and increasing audiences for the television program,’ said fund chairman Paul Hoffert in a statement.

The average budget for Bell Fund interactive projects has been approximately $400,000.