Before Canadian filmmakers start lining up to apply to have their films financed by 982 Media’s new funding model, they should probably be aware of one thing: their films aren’t the fund’s primary target.

The Calgary-based firm, backed by L.A’s OmniArch Capital, announced its equity-based fund last Thursday, which will allow everyday investors to get a piece of the revenue from its investments in blockbuster films by investing as little as $5,000.

However, 982 Media says it will be investing in Hollywood films, and that it is unlikely that it will support Canadian productions.

“We partner with major studios, such as Sony, Warner Bros. and Fox,” said 982 Media president, Arti Modi.

“We don’t actually have any exposure to the Canadian industry on the film side, because our focus is typically on box office movies,” she adds.

Indeed, the firm’s advisory board is made up of Hollywood execs, including Russell Schwartz, former president of domestic marketing for New Line Cinema and Miramax Films, and Wayne Duband, former president of Warner Bros International Theatrical Distribution, as well as big industry players, such as Mario Kassar, who has exec produced films such as Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Total Recall.

As opposed to investing in the more risky production side, the 982 Film Fund will allow investors to profit from the more stable Print and Advertising (P&A) financing.

“We don’t start financing until about three months before the film is actually going to be released in the theatres, and we recoup all of our capital within six to eight months of the film’s release,” she explains.

P&A financing comes after the film is finished, and includes investments in the physical prints of the film, as well as the advertisements that promote the film – including trailers, billboards and other media.

While the fund is aimed more at the Hollywood market, which is known for its heavy reliance upon print and advertising to generate revenue, it won’t necessarily exclude Canadian productions.

“We would be open to Canadian films if they fit our strict criteria, which mainly includes potential for global release in theatres,” she says.

Modi says the fund was created to respond to demand from investors – particularly those in Alberta, who wanted to diversify their portfolios beyond real estate and gas and oil.

She adds that media and entertainment made the most sense because it’s “recession-proof,” and has an appeal that other asset classes lack.

“It’s tangible,” she explains, adding as an example, “I can invest in the fund and come next year, I can go to the theatre and I can watch the movies [I’ve invested in]. Then for Christmas I can buy the DVD or soundtrack for it, knowing that I’m making a piece of the revenue that is generated from it.”

According to Modi, the fund will invest in five to seven films this year.