The Canada Media Fund (CMF) and Ontario Creates have formed a pilot partnership with the launch of an early-stage development program for digital and interactive projects.

The CMF-Ontario Creates Pilot IDM Futures Forward Program is targeted to “emerging and equity-deserving Ontario companies” with interactive or video content designed for digital platforms.

Eligible content includes web series, video games, extended reality experiences, mobile content apps, and e-learning content.

The program covers up to 75% of eligible costs to a maximum of $20,000, with the CMF and Ontario Creates covering an even 50% of costs each. The program is committing one-third of funding toward French-language projects and two-thirds for projects from companies owned by members of equity-deserving communities.

The program builds on Ontario Creates’ existing Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund, which was created to support the development of the province’s digital media sector.

To be considered equity-deserving, eligible companies must be majority-owned by individuals who self-identify as women or non-binary; 2SLGBTQIA+; First Nations, Inuit, or Métis; Black or racialized; persons with disabilities; and/or Francophone. Applications are scheduled to open on Dec. 8 and close on Jan. 23, 2023.

Applicants who are Deaf or have a disability may be able to receive supplementary funds for accessibility expenses, according to program guidelines.

“Targeted investment in these companies will lead to long-term benefit for the interactive industry ecosystem in Ontario, both creatively and economically,” said Ontario Creates president and CEO Karen Thorne-Stone in a statement.

Image: Unsplash