Creative BC and the Rogers Group of Funds plan to support B.C.-based factual producers through a new joint venture, the Rogers + Creative BC Documentary and Factual Development Fund.

An $800,000 program set to launch this January, the initiative aims to support individual documentary and factual projects during their early stage development.

Notably, the Fund will support filmmakers from various equity-seeking groups in the province, and provide “a unique opportunity” to partner with local pubcaster Knowledge Network and the National Film Board – Pacific Region on initiatives to support the community. The Rogers + Creative BC Documentary and Factual Development Fund will run for two years.

In a statement, Creative BC CEO Prem Gill said the new fund reflects the reputation B.C. producers have made for themselves in the documentary and factual production space. “It signifies the alignment of Rogers Group of Funds and Creative BC’s intentions to recognize and invest in this province’s capacity – support with which B.C. creators will seize increasing opportunity due to high demand and growing channels of delivery for these types of creative content,” she said.

This move represents the first partnership at the provincial level between the Rogers Group of Funds and another funder, with each contributing $400,000. This initiative follows news that Rogers will no longer serve as a partner on Telefilm Canada’s Theatrical Documentary Program, a program it had contributed to since 2007.

More information about the Rogers + Creative BC Documentary and Factual Development Fund and its criteria is set to be released via Creative BC’s website this December.