CMF awards $19.5M across 31 digital projects

Canadian money
Secret Location's VUSR platform received the largest chunk of change, with $1.1 million going to fund the VR distribution tool.

The Canada Media Fund is contributing $19.5 million across 31 interactive digital media projects, the funding body announced Wednesday.

Of that money, $15.7 million was distributed across 24 projects through its Experimental Stream Innovation Program, which provides funding for cutting-edge digital media content. This includes SkyBox Labs’ Tower (Codename) downloadable game, which received $1 million; Lazar Entertainment’s Stage TEN cloud-based video assembly and distribution software, which was awarded $995,000; and Secret Location’s Blasters of the Universe VR game and Minority Media’s VR game Lazy Boy, both of which received $900,000.

The CMF also invested $3.8 million in the production of seven projects through its Experimental Stream Commercial Projects Pilot program, which supports projects that have an increased focus on potential commercial success.

Of the pilot projects selected, Secret Location’s VUSR publishing tool received $1.1 million, the largest sum given to any applicant in this round of funding. The tool will allow content-makers to distribute immersive video content across multiple mobile and VR platforms.

Other projects to receive funding through the pilot program were Minority Media VR’s TREK, a mobile virtual reality travel app, which received $782,750; and Complex Games’ GK Project, a downloadable game, which received $950,000.

To see all the projects funded through this round by the CMF click here.