Montreal: Astral Media/Fonds Harold Greenberg has announced $6 million in additional funding for French-language programs, primarily drama for young audiences.

A total of $3.5 million from pay-TV movie channel Super Ecran will be spent on feature film script development and the acquisition of copyright options. Family Channel will contribute $2.5 million towards the production of films and series for television, including animation. The new financing, allocated over seven years, brings the full-term Fonds Greenberg support to $10.5 million, according to fund CEO Odile Methot.

Astral supports four broad programs:

* Canal Indigo (PPV) for the production of feature films (up to a maximum pro rata investment of $100,000) and specials.

* Astral Media for documentaries and doc series, up to a maximum of $100,000 in each category; the production of musicals, up to $50,000; and videoclips (as part of the benefits packages following the acquisition of Radiomutuel), representing a total commitment of $6 million over seven years.

* Super Ecran for feature film development (up to $20,000), including the purchase of rights options, up to 50% of the cost or a maximum of $5,000.

* Family for youth drama, in the form of an investment not exceeding 20% of the budget, up to $100,000.

A total of $1.14 million was allocated in 2000/01.

In features, four of 18 applications were funded in 2000/01: Station Nord (Bloom Films/Productions Z), La Turbulence des fluides (Studio Max Films), Histoire de pen (Baliverna Films) and L’Extraordinaire destin de Madame Brouette (La Fete/La Lanterne/MSA Productions).

Fonds Greenberg has invested $2.7 million in 48 productions over the past five years. More than $500,000 has been recouped and reinvested in fund programs.

Fonds Greenberg is sponsored by Astral Media, Canal Indigo, Super Ecran and Family. Fund board members are Rock Demers (chair), Judith Brosseau, Michel Houle and Louise Spickler.

-www.astral.com

by Leo Rice-Barker