Thirty-six Canadian companies receive more than 16 million dollars for their innovative projects
(Toronto, January 24, 2012) The Canada Media Fund (CMF) announced today an investment of more than 16 million dollars in innovative projects as part of the second round of its 2011-2012 Experimental Stream. A jury of leading digital media experts from Canada and abroad assessed applicants for production support based on innovation and the production team criteria. The remaining factors for the production projects, as well as the applications for development and marketing support were evaluated by analysts from the CMF Program Administrator, Telefilm Canada.
Since its creation in April 2010, the CMF has provided more than 59 million dollars in funding to more than 165 innovative experimental projects originating from every region in Canada. These projects include game-changing content for the web and interactive consoles, and software and mobile applications that set new standards for the industry.
“The Canada Media Fund is pleased to invest in projects that continue to set the standard for innovation across Canada and the world,” says Valerie Creighton, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Media Fund. “We saw an increase in the number of applications and funding demand which means that the creative talent continues to develop innovative ideas with which Canadians want to interact.”
More than 175 applications were submitted to either of the following three types of support: Development, Production, and Marketing. A total of 16 million dollars was distributed amongst selected projects. Of this sum, approximately 4 million dollars was distributed as development support; approximately 12 million as production support, and more than $300,000 as marketing support.
Development support
Out of 77 applicants, 14 projects received development support. Of those, two are from British Columbia; four are from Ontario; and eight are from Québec. The average commitment for projects receiving development support is: $273,000.
Development support provides funding for the conceptualization of an eligible project and/or for the development of the creative and technical elements of an eligible project and the drafting of a product proposal for business development and financing purposes.
For a complete list of projects receiving development support, please click here.
Production support
Of the 75 applications for production support, 23 received funding. These projects, some of which will hit the market in 2012 and 2013, are from various parts of the country including: one project from Alberta; seven projects from British Columbia; seven projects from Ontario, and; eight projects from Québec. The average commitment for projects receiving production support is: $520,000.
Production support provides funding for the creation of a final, market-ready version of an eligible project, including localization of the project and early marketing/commercialization activities.
For a complete list and synopsis of projects receiving production support, please click here.
Marketing support
Of the 11 projects requesting funding, two projects—one from Alberta and one from British Columbia—received funding. The average commitment for projects receiving marketing support is: $151,000.
Marketing support provides funding for the marketing and promotion of an eligible project such as the creation of national and international marketing campaigns, design costs, creation and market-testing of advertising, use of the Internet for promotion or transactions, and more.
For a complete list of projects receiving marketing support, please click here.
For projects at the production stage, the innovation and production team criteria were assessed by a jury of Canadian and international industry specialists: Sylvain Carle (Montreal); Frédéric Cavazza (Paris, FR); Gina Desjardins (Montréal); Lucie Lalumière (Toronto); Fréderik Lesage (Vancouver); Jeff Mignon (New York City, NY); Michele Perras (Toronto); Liz Rosenthal (London, UK). For a complete list of the members of the jury and their biographies, please click here.
About the Canada Media Fund
The Canada Media Fund (CMF) champions the creation and promotion of successful, innovative, Canadian content and software applications for current and emerging digital platforms through financial support and industry research. Created by Canada’s cable and satellite distributors and the Government of Canada, the CMF aspires to connect Canadians to our creative expressions, to each other, and to the world.
For media inquiries:
Pierre Campeau
Communications Manager
Canada Media Fund
416-554-2768
[email protected]
