The Canada Media Fund (CMF) has launched a Distributor Program pilot initiative that will allow financial contributions from eligible Canadian distributors without the requirement of a Canadian broadcaster.

The program’s total budget is $10 million, and the maximum CMF contributions will be the lesser of 49% of eligible costs or $500,000, according to a news release. English or French projects are eligible. The application window is Nov. 7 to 28.

The move is a step away from the traditional CMF model of requiring a Canadian broadcaster to trigger funds, which has previously been explored with initiatives such as the Slate Development Pilot Program. While Canadian broadcasters can still participate, that is not mandatory in this program in order to unlock funding.

Peter Emerson, president of Cineflix Media, told Playback Daily in a statement that the program is a “very significant step … to recognize the important role that Canadian distributors can play in supporting the triggering, financing and ultimate success of Canadian production on the world stage.”

Distributors must meet the CMF’s definition of a distributor to be eligible. According to CMF, eligible companies must be Canadian-controlled with a head office in the country; have been incorporated for at least the last year; have distributed projects of a similar budget and genre to which it is attached; regularly attend international markets; and have the experience and financial viability necessary to distribute the project.

The eligible genres within the Distributor Program are drama, documentary, children and youth and variety and performing arts.

Funding for the program is selective, rather than first-come, first-serve. Applications will be evaluated based on the distribution commitment (weighted 50%), the track record of the production and creative teams (18%), the track record of the distributor (18%), and if a project meets gender parity or diversity minimums (2% each).

The CMF program administration team is responsible for evaluating eligible applicants.

Updated on Oct. 9 with a statement from Cineflix Media

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