Applications are now being accepted for the Federal Government’s industry-specific COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund. 

Funding is available to parent corporations who, over the past three years, have received funding from either the Canada Media Fund (CMF) or Telefilm. The funding is intended to support business continuity in the industry by addressing companies’ financial needs. The funding is meant to be complementary to other federal corporate support programs. 

Companies can apply to either the CMF OR Telefilm – whichever organization has provided the greatest amount of support to the company over the past three funding years. The amount of funding available is determined by a formula outlined in each organization’s guidelines. Companies can also receive funding from other federal business support programs, but funds must be used to cover separate costs. 

Applications are being accepted until June 12, 2020. 

We encourage all FilmOntario members to inform themselves about available programs and apply where you are eligible. Please share your experiences with us – both good and bad – so that we can advocate on your behalf to improve existing programs and to identify gaps in the federal programs where provincial intervention may be more suitable.

On May 19, Ontario began the first phase of re-opening the economy. FilmOntario was pleased to see that post-production and animation facilities have been allowed to re-open, provided all other health and safety measures are followed. We are seeking clarity from government officials on what stage we can expect film and television production to be allowed. 

In the meantime, FilmOntario is participating in the industry Section 21 health and safety committee’s work on return-to-work protocols. The Section 21 committee includes representation from both labour and management, and has struck a COVID-19 sub-committee to develop a set of health and safety guidelines that will assist productions in developing their own on-set policies and procedures. We are hoping to reach consensus these guidelines by the first week in June so that they can be submitted to the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development for approval.

Support the AFC

The AFC’s Annual Big Swing Charity Golf Tournament has been re-scheduled to Saturday, August 29, 2020 at the Royal Ontario Golf Club. More information and registration forms can be found here. 

Many of you have generously supported the AFC as they find their services more in demand than ever. If you are able, we encourage you to continue to do so by making a donation or by participating in one of the many online fundraisers that have been taking place throughout this industry shutdown. Follow them on Twitter for news of their latest events.

If there are any updates or announcements you would like to share with your fellow FilmOntario members, please don’t hesitate to let me know at clynch@filmontario.ca and I will include them in the next member update.