Bold new transmedia initiatives knock down international borders
The Canada Media Fund (CMF) and NZ On Air (New Zealand) announced today a contribution of $1.2M (CAD) to three digital media coproductions. Of the total, the CMF will contribute 618,000 (CAD) and NZ On Air will contribute 582,000 (CAD) towards the projects.
Three Canadian production companies will collaborate with New Zealand counterparts on three bold new transmedia projects supported through a fund established late last year by the Canada Media Fund and NZ On Air.
The Canada-New Zealand Digital Media Fund was established to encourage the coproduction of innovative digital media projects for online audiences that would appeal culturally to both Canadian and NZ audiences.
The three projects chosen to be funded in 2014-2015 include a challenging online interactive documentary, a comedy project, and an app for young children. They will each receive a total of $400,000 CND to which both agencies have contributed.
I Spy: With My Five Eyes is an interactive documentary which will allow users to explore aspects of cyber security, national surveillance and privacy from a number of perspectives. The producers aim to extend viewers’ knowledge on the topics with balanced, thought-provoking information.
On a lighter note, The Nations is an inter-country comedy challenge between New Zealand and Canada. Through a website, participants will be invited to take part in a series of online challenges and games, pitting the two countries against each other. At the same time, a host comedian in each country will tour through their respective homelands undertaking challenges along the way, which can be voted on by audiences.
The third project is We Are The Remarkables. An app for both iOS and Android aimed at 6-8 year old children, it includes puzzles, games and video episodes which are also available through a website and a YouTube channel. The different elements encourage children to unlock mysteries as they follow the path which weaves Canadian and New Zealand cultures into the story.
“NZ On Air is looking for ways to push the boundaries of content-making. These projects are frontier-busting on many levels but we believe will produce online content that will engage and stimulate three quite different audiences,” says NZ On Air Chief Executive Jane Wrightson.
“NZ On Air’s own research shows audiences are increasingly looking to a variety of screens for their entertainment and information. Our job is to ensure there is relevant, local content available wherever the audiences are,” she continued.
“The matching fund between the Canada Media Fund and NZ On Air is a catalyst for content creators in both countries to share and create groundbreaking innovative digital media productions,” says Valerie Creighton, President and CEO for the Canada Media Fund. “We are delighted to support these three innovative productions through our partnership with NZ On Air.”
Funding details
|
Project |
Production companies |
CMF Funding |
NZ On Air Funding |
|
I Spy: With My Five Eyes |
Canada: Jam3 New Zealand: Fumes TV |
$200,000 CND |
$200,000 CND |
|
The Nations |
Canada: iThentic Canada New Zealand: Thedownlowconcept |
$238,000 CND |
$162,000 CND |
|
We Are The Remarkables |
Canada: Story2.OH New Zealand: Brown Sugar Apple Grunt |
$180,000 CND |
$220,000 CND |
For more information – including complete synopses, producer credits, and funding commitments, please click here to visit the CMF’s Funded Projects page.
Further information:
About the Canada Media Fund
The Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters,develops, finances and promotes the production of Canadian content and applications for all audiovisual media platforms. The CMF guides Canadian content towards a competitive global environment by fostering industry innovation, rewarding success, enabling a diversity of voice and promoting access to content through public and private sector partnerships. For more visit www.cmf-fmc.ca
About NZ On Air
NZ On Air (formally known as the NZ Broadcasting Commission) is a government broadcast funding agency investing in diverse local television, radio, music and digital media for New Zealand audiences. The content NZ On Air funds reflects and develops NZ’s identity and culture and increases diversity on screens, the airwaves and in the digital world. For more visit www.nzonair.govt.nz
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For more information, please contact:
Pierre Campeau
Communications Manager
Canada Media Fund
416-554-2768
[email protected]
Allanah Kalafatelis
Communications Manager
NZ On Air
011 64 4 21 585 538
[email protected]
