Below is a quick overview of some of the funding bodies of most significance for film and television producers in BC. Each of these entities has at least one fund set aside for the creation of digital/new media content, but like everything else in this realm, the nature of these funds can change quickly.
This is by no means an exhaustive directory — funding partners for new media projects in various shapes and sizes can be found in many places — but this list will hopefully help kick start your research.
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Telefilm Canada
The Canada New Media Fund — This fund “supports the creation and the distribution of interactive digital cultural content products” There are several branches of this fund, the details for which can be found on the Telefilm Canada website. The formal window for this year’s applications has closed, although there may be the possibility of residual funds released later in the year.
The Canadian Television Fund Digital Program — after a successful early pilot in 2008-2009, the CTF increased this fund by 500%. The first funding window has already closed, but another round of applications will be accepted in October.
The Canada Media Fund — Not a tremendous amount is known about this fund, other than its mandate is to “reward success and require innovation, favouring projects developed in high definition, those likely to have the most success with audiences and those planned for distribution to a minimum of two platforms”.
BC Film
Digital Readiness Program — Provides “support for the creative and business planning necessary to take advantage of new markets and platforms and meet audience expectations in an increasingly digital environment.”
Multi-Platform Exploration Fund — Provides “financial support to proposals examining the multi-platform potential of a project or story concept.”
The Bell New Media Fund
Development Program — A market research and prototyping fund for new media projects associated with television shows.
Production Program — A fund for the full production of new media projects in support of television shows with a broadcast license commitment.
Another area to consider when researching funding options is generic development funds. More and more new media is being employed by producers and broadcasters as a tool for the development and testing of new concepts, and funding bodies are beginning to recognize this trend and extend the traditional definitions of “development”.