M anitoba Film & Music’s Access to Markets & Festivals program has been rebranded under three support programs that will now be administered by On Screen Manitoba (OSM).

The former Access to Markets & Festivals program, funded and administered by Manitoba Film & Music, was an industry-driven fund that supported the market development activities of the province’s production companies, independent producers, distributors, directors and writers at national and international markets and festivals.

The former program provided successful applicants with a cash contribution of up to 50% of the actual reasonable eligible costs up to the amount approved by Manitoba Film & Music. Beginning April 1, the OSM-administered program includes the following industry-driven support programs: Access to Markets, Access to Festivals and the Professional Development Fund.

The Access to Markets fund supports the market development activities of Manitoba producers, production companies, independent distributors and writers at national and international markets. Production companies may also apply for up to two business trips, red-carpet screenings and/or award shows, “where the primary activity of the producer will be focused on business meetings and market expansion,” according to the new guidelines.

Access to Markets effectively covers 50% of the maximum total of the actual eligible costs up to the amount approved by the jury. The OSM payment covers the eligible expenses to a maximum of $3,000 for North American travel and $4,000 for international travel.

Access to Festivals supports a portion of the travel costs for independent Manitoba writers, directors, producers and distributors whose feature-length productions have been selected to screen at national and international festivals, with priority given to high-profile festivals and recognized festivals on the Telefilm Canada website. Short films may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The Access to Festivals contribution effectively covers 50% of the maximum total of the actual eligible costs up to the amount approved by the jury. The OSM payment covers the eligible expenses to a maximum of $2,500 for North American travel and $3,000 for international travel. Applicants must have at least two years of professional production experience directing, writing, producing and/or distributing film and/or television and/or digital media, among other requirements.

The Professional Development Fund supports the professional development of independent Manitoban writers, directors and creative service professionals with at least two years of experience in the screen-based industry. The contribution effectively covers 50% of the maximum total of the actual eligible costs up to the amount approved by the jury. The OSM contribution covers eligible expenses to a maximum of $2,500 for North American travel and $3,000 for international travel through the fund.

For all three programs, applicants must be eligible OSM members (with a Professional+ or Production Company membership) in good standing for a minimum of three months prior to applying. Each program also has a non-refundable application-processing fee of $50.

Annual contributions across all three Access Funds Programs may not exceed $6,000 per member, and $12,000 per member production company. Contributions to individual writers, directors and producers cumulate towards the total production company cap. Contribution funds are non-transferrable.

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