5 Resources for Funding Canadian Digital Content

There are numerous resources for funding Canadian digital content. The following list outlines five resources that can help get your ideas, productions, and content off the ground.  

1. THE BELL FUND

OVERVIEW:

The Bell Fund supports Canadian media content makers and provides funding for digital productions in the following categories: 

• Non-fiction Short Form Digital Series
• Fiction Short Digital Series
• Webdocs Development

HOW MUCH FUNDING IS AVAILABLE?

Funding is available as a non-repayable grant of 75% of the costs of production up to a maximum of $150,000 (Webdocs maximum is $100,000). Other conditions apply for Digital Series.

WHAT THEY’RE LOOKING FOR:

• Original digital video for distribution online
• Fiction and non-fiction scripted programming (comedy, drama, children and youth programming, documentary, lifestyle and factual programming)
• Episodes must be a minimum of 6 minutes and maximum of 15 minutes
• Ineligible content includes vlogs and user-generated content

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Taken – non-fiction series about the missing and murdered indigenous women of Canada. Bell supported season one and two.

Frankie Drake Mysteries – fiction set in Toronto during the 1920s

HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION:

Applications must be submitted online through the Bell Fund Application Portal.

For details on submission guidelines Click Here.

Deadline for Webdocs Development is February 5, 2018

Deadline for Short-Form Digital Series Scripted Fiction is May 7, 2018.

Deadline for Short-Form Digital Series Non-Fiction has passed (November, 2017)

 

2. THE INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION FUND (IPF)

    

OVERVIEW:

The IPF provides funding for non-profit organizations and associations that ‘enhance the quality and availability of Canadian dramatic web series.’ They offer funding for web drama series content creators and professional development programs associated with web series.

HOW MUCH FUNDING IS AVAILABLE?

The IPF does not have formal maximum or minimum funding amounts. Funding is in the form of equity investments which tend to average between 25% to 75% for budgets of web series ranging from $75,000 to $150,000.

WHAT THEY’RE LOOKING FOR:

• Original and new content by Canadian producers and creators
• Scripted dramatic content for use on online platforms

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Epic Studios – Drama web series about a failing Toronto-based rapper destined to restore a music studio that has seen better days.

People Watching – A dramatic comedy web series that explores the period between childhood and adulthood.

HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION:

To submit an application you must be a Canadian independent producer or a Canadian incorporated company. Applications must be submitted online.

Web Drama Series Guidelines – Deadline: March 1st, 2018

3. THE CANADA MEDIA FUND (CMF)

OVERVIEW

The CMF offers funding programs for digital projects in three areas; the web series pilot programs, interactive digital media content (Innovation Program) and digital media components related to CMF-funded television programs (Convergent Program).

HOW MUCH FUNDING IS AVAILABLE?

Web Series: Production funding is available in the form of a recoupable investment. Successful applicants will receive funding in an amount appropriate to the needs of the project and subject to a maximum contribution of the lesser of 60% of the project’s eligible costs or $250,000.

Innovation Program: A single project may receive development, production, and/or marketing & promotion support, either alone or in combination with each other, but in no case will the CMF contribute more than $1.2 million towards a single project.

Convergent Program: The Incentive will take the form of a non-repayable contribution up to a per-project maximum of $500,000.

WHAT THEY’RE LOOKING FOR:

Web Series:

• Canadian companies, producers and creators
• Original, linear series in the genres of Drama, Children’s and Youth, or Documentary programming, created initially for online distribution on a platform available to Canadian audiences, in its second (or subsequent) season.
• Episodes must be a minimum 2 minutes in length
• 75% of Eligible Costs must be Canadian costs. For full guidelines, Click Here.

Innovation Program:

• Canadian owned and developed interactive digital media content and software applications that are innovative and leading-edge
• It is produced in Canada, with at least 75% of its cost being Canadian costs for development and production; and at least 50% of its costs being Canadian costs for marketing. For full guidelines, Click Here.

Convergent Program:

• The CMF is interested in underrepresented genres: drama, documentary, children’s & youth, and variety & performing arts
• Interactive or linear original content related to television production but created specifically to be consumed on digital media platforms
• Activities and applications using digital and social media aimed at locating, leveraging or building audiences.
• Interactive online activities or applications providing a synchronized experience during the broadcast of the Television Component. For full guidelines, Click Here.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

All For One – a retelling of the Three Musketeers that highlights a diverse, inclusive cast.

How To Buy a Baby – this web series follows a couple having challenges with fertility who decide to start the adoption process.

HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION:

Applications can be submitted online here and you can download the list of required documents Here.

4. STORYHIVE by TELUS

OVERVIEW:

Storyhive funds web series and digital shorts, supports filmmakers and brings films to life online. Applications for digital shorts are being accepted in 2018.

HOW MUCH FUNDING IS AVAILABLE?

Each successful Digital Shorts Project is eligible to receive one of 40 available $10,000 production grants (available to BC and Alberta residents only) from TELUS to produce their Project. Forty successful projects will be distributed on select TELUS platforms, and the producing teams will receive mentorship and training.

WHAT THEY’RE LOOKING FOR:

For Digital Shorts, they are looking for:

• Content creators in British Columbia and Alberta
• HD content (min. 3 minutes, max. 10 minutes)

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Sleepwalker– a fictional digital short

Never Better– a digital short comedy

HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION:

Create an online account to submit project details, a multimedia pitch and information on your project team. You can apply for grants between February 26, 2018 to March 19, 2018. For more information, Click Here.

5. OMDC’S INTERACTIVE DIGITAL MEDIA (IDM) FUND

OVERVIEW:

The OMBC Fund provides funding for high quality, original interactive digital media content creators and projects that make a positive contribution to the Ontario economy. The OMBC supports the production of new content and for concept definition (pre-production planning).

HOW MUCH FUNDING IS AVAILABLE?

Successful applicants are eligible to receive a non-refundable contribution capped at 50% of the project budget.

Production Funding:

Minimum Request – $25,000

Maximum request – $250,000

Concept Definition

Minimum request – $10,000

Maximum request – $50,000

 

WHAT THEY’RE LOOKING FOR:

• Applicants must be Ontario-based and be a Canadian-owned organization
• Will support the creation or development of unique interactive digital media content projects that are intended to be experienced by the end user on a digital media platform
• Content that inspires to educate, inform and entertain Canadian distribution channel;

 

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Severed – Drinkbox Studios – iPad game

Whatever Linda – Secret Location – an interactive digital web series

 

HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION & DEADLINES:

Applications must be submitted online using the OMDC online portal. For complete application information and guidelines, Click Here.

The deadline for Production funding is April, 9th, 2018, 5:00 pm

The deadline for Concept Definition funding is August, 27th, 2018, 5:00 pm

WHAT NEXT?

There are many resources for funding Canadian digital content, subscribe to each funding organization to receive updates on funding options, deadlines, and applications. Research past projects that have received funding and cater your pitches and projects to fulfill the goals of the organization.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FUNDING CANADIAN DIGITAL CONTENT? 

Join us on May 15th, 2018 for the annual influenceTHIS conference. Pre-Book 15 minute meetings with brands, agencies and publishers interested in digital content.