The Canada Media Fund (CMF) has allocated $10 million in production funding across 23 projects as part of its new Distributor Program, launched in October 2024.

The pilot initiative was designed to offer CMF applicants more flexibility by unlocking CMF funding solely through financial contributions from an eligible Canadian distributor, without the requirement of a Canadian broadcaster.

While Canadian broadcasters can also participate in the required level of financing needed to unlock CMF funds, their participation is not mandatory in the Distributor Program.

English-language productions make up 15 of the selections with the remainder being French-language projects. Ten are produced in Ontario and another 10 are based in Quebec. There is one project each from Manitoba, Alberta and B.C.

Five of the projects are dramas, four of which received the funding maximum of $500,000. They include A Christmas Card Mystery in Starlight Point (working title, Candour Pictures), an as-yet-untitled, second Wynonna Earp special (Seven24 Films), Kidnapped by a Killer (Kidnap Films 2025) and Fatal Choices (VM Films 2025). The fifth drama selection is Les Gars en pick-up I from Quebec City’s Taiga Media. The project received $244,794.

Among the 14 documentary projects, six received the maximum: Une ombre dans l’eau (7732520 Canada), Lucille Starr (Les Productions Rivard), Chasseur d’images (Société De Production Sous-Marine), Destination Death (Idéacom International, working title), Death in the Wild (Bad Woods Productions) and Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple (Banger Films).

The remaining documentary selections include Son fleuve (ID Vision Films), which was allocated $391,584; ORGANism (Take Action Films), granted $265,458; and two projects from Toronto’s Yap Films, Room 1742: Bed In and Presumed Dead I (both working titles). The projects received commitments of $307,209 and $321,643, respectively.

Rounding out the documentaries are We Breed Lions (Urbania Media), allocated $438,190; Found in the Ground (Blue Ant FITG 1), granted $416,310; Rick Hansen: A Personal Journey (Network Entertainment), with a commitment of $416,190; and Quand la police est arrivée à Salluit (Nikan Productions), which received $422,706.

Two children’s and youth projects received the maximum commitment: Lightning Primary (Sinking Ship Entertainment) and Unstable (CarpeDiem Film & TV).

Lastly, two variety and performing arts projects from Quebec City’s Juste pour divertir under working titles also received funding: Nouveaux visages I, which received $500,000, and Le Roast Ultime Juste Pour Rire, with a commitment of $275,916.

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