Five screen-sector companies are receiving support for targeted initiatives through the Export-Ready Stream of the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Creative Export Canada program.

A total investment of $5.2 million was allocated across 23 companies in this edition of the Export-Ready Stream, which is intended to provide support for projects that generate export revenues and help Canadian creative industries reach audiences around the world. In addition to the audiovisual sector, industries represented in this cohort include publishing, interactive digital media, music, fashion and exhibit design.

Montreal’s Pixcom International was the recipient of the largest investment among the screen industry companies at $284,000. The funds are being used to support the export of 33 titles from Pixcom’s catalogue, with the aim of strengthening the company’s presence in key markets such as France, the U.S., Denmark and Sweden, while also developing new opportunities in Portugal, Spain, and Finland.

Vancouver-based Big Bad Boo Studios is also receiving funding for a catalogue export project. The kids’ content prodco has been allocated $264,000 to shop its wares at markets, conferences and industry events across Europe, with a focus on the French-, Spanish- and German-speaking markets.

Toronto-based science content producer Underknown is receiving $231,500 to expand the reach of its recently launched Popular Science FAST channel on distribution platforms worldwide. The company is targeting English-language platforms in the U.S., the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa.

Bridging the TV production and performing arts sectors, Toronto’s Vérité Films is receiving $152,000 through the Export-Ready Stream to bring its touring show Jeremy and Jazzy Live USA to the U.S., primarily targeting the New York state market. The live production is a spinoff of the company’s preschool series for CBC Kids, which has also generated music, publishing and interactive game projects.

Finally, Toronto-based prodco Sideways Dog Productions has been allocated $131,000 to market the mystery feature A Thousand Cuts internationally, with a focus on Germany, the U.K., France, Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. The thriller from writer-director Jake Horowitz was acquired by Mongrel Media for Canadian distribution last fall.

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