CMF invests over $23M in 37 interactive digital media projects
Toronto, February 7, 2025 — The Canada Media Fund (CMF) today announced the 37 projects selected to receive a total of $23,614,229 in prototyping and production funding through the fall 2024 round of three of our interactive digital media (IDM) programs—Prototyping, Experimentation and Innovation, and the Commercial Projects Program.
Prototyping Program
20 projects—19 games and an exhibition combining live performance and mixed reality—were selected to receive a total of $4,242,275 in prototyping funding. Seven hail from Quebec, five from Ontario, three from Alberta, three from British Columbia, one from Manitoba, and one from Newfoundland-and-Labrador. Nine of the successful applicants are based outside the production hubs of Toronto and Montreal.
Our Prototyping Program allocates funding to projects at the early stages of building a product to demonstrate its intended functionalities and design. Funding decisions are made through an internal selective and competitive process led by the CMF Program Administrator.
Innovation and Experimentation Program
10 projects including eight games, an online VR experience and mixed-reality immersive exhibition, and a multiplayer mixed-reality experience were awarded a total of $10,498,918 in production funding through our Innovation and Experimentation Program. Four of the successful companies are from Ontario, three are from British Columbia, two are from Québec, and one is from Alberta. Half of them operate outside of Toronto and Montreal.
Projects funded through our Innovation and Experimentation Program are Canadian interactive digital media content and software applications that are innovative and leading-edge. Applications were evaluated, among other criteria, according to originality, quality, sophistication, innovative characteristics, and potential of legacy for the industry. Funding decisions were made by a jury of industry peers composed of Benoît Gagnon, Fanni Fazakas, Jess Marcotte, Karen Poulin, Laura Mingail, Stéphane Roy, and Susannah Skerl.
Commercial Projects Program
Lastly, seven game projects will receive a total investment of $8,873,036. Five of the games will be produced in Quebec, one in Ontario, and one in Alberta.
Our Commercial Projects Program funds projects that have a greater probability of commercial success. Funding applications were evaluated based on their potential to attain stated commercial objectives, demonstrate business opportunity, and achieve profitability. Funding decisions were made by a jury composed of Benoît Gagnon, Chad Greenway, Elise Trinh, Marc Anthony Rodriguez, Mélissandre Monatus, and Victoria Evans.
Header image: Surfpunk, by Double Stallion Games Inc.
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 voices, and promoting access to content through public and private sector partnerships. The CMF receives financial contributions from the Government of Canada and Canada’s cable, satellite, and IPTV distributors. Visit our website for more information.
Media Contact
Maxime Ruel
Senior Manager, Communications – Canada Media Fund
[email protected]
