News
August 2, 2022
July 29 FilmOntario Update
Save the Date – FilmOntario will be at Queen’s Park September 28
We are pleased to announce that FilmOntario will be spending the day at Queen’s Park on Wednesday, September 28. We will be having a full day of meetings, followed by an end of day networking reception from 5-7 pm with MPPs and staff. This will be an opportunity for us to introduce the industry to new and returning MPPs, highlighting all the benefits the industry brings to the province and the importance of the tax credits to the industry. It will also be a great chance to thank the government for their commitment to the tax credits in the (soon to be reintroduced) 2022 Budget. We will be asking for volunteers to attend meetings (training and speaking notes will be provided) and of course inviting members to join us at the reception. Keep your eye on your inbox for more details as the date gets closer.
RBC BIPOC Emerging Producer Program
RBC has recently created the BIPOC Emerging Producer Program.
The goals of this program are to create an efficient pathway to: bridge the gap between emerging (i.e. 2 or fewer completed projects) and established producers, by helping to build a financing track record; efficient access to capital without the need for a seasoned Executive Producer; and access to the same industry experts and advice as established producers.
Some of the key differentiators of this program are: (1) Specific consideration for producers with a limited track-record (normally a key requirement for interim production financing) of fully funded productions that have a license agreement with a CRTC-licensed broadcaster and investment grade counterparties; (2) Specific consideration for on-reserve Indigenous producers as it relates to collateral security requirements; and (3) Lower loan size/budget minimums compared to typical production loans.
If you are interested in finding out more about this program, please contact a media and entertainment specialist at RBC.
Reelworld #HerFrameMatters Focus Groups
Reelworld is actively seeking writers, directors and producers who identify as women from Black, Indigenous and racialized communities in Canada, to participate in remotely run focus groups of 8-10 people.
Reelworld Screen Institute continues its industry-wide research project launched in January 2022 and running until March 2024. These focus groups are a component of the research addressing stereotypical depictions of Black, Indigenous, Asian and Women of Colour in film and TV. The focus groups will be held on Zoom between August 4 and August 9. Each session will take approximately 90 minutes. Discussions will explore the role, process and challenges Women of Colour face in relation to project development and decision-making in regard to the on-screen depiction of Women of Colour.
The project will produce a research-backed protocol guideline which will support the creatives, producers and executives in our industry to identify how various roles in the creation of content can contribute to the authentic portrayal of these racially diverse women.
Participants must: identify as a woman writer, director, producer and/or showrunner; be Black, Indigenous, Asian, South Asian or a Woman of Colour; and be at least 18 years of age and have at least two years of professional experience in film/tv production in Canadian dramatic television or feature films. Interested participants are asked to fill out this form.
Industry Deadlines
August 2 –New deadline for the second round of the Rogers-Black Screen Office (BSO) Development Fund for Black and People of Colour Creators close. The $750,000 Rogers-BSO Fund provides funding for selected writers to create pitch-ready content. It also includes additional support from mentors, story editors, script evaluators, a pitching coach, and opportunities for successful applicants to pitch their content to producers, networks, studios, cable and/or streaming platforms in Canada and internationally.
August 4 – Deadline to apply for From Page to Screen at TIFF. This event has been created to promote the adaptation of Canadian fiction, non-fiction and children’s literature published by Ontario publishers to the big and small screens. It will provide a forum for film, television and interactive digital companies to meet with the publishers in one-on-one scheduled meetings.
August 9 – Deadline for the Ontario Creates Business Intelligence Program. The Business Intelligence Program offers financial support to incorporated not-for-profit industry organizations undertaking business intelligence initiatives aimed at gathering, formulating and disseminating business intelligence relevant to the growth of one or more content creating sectors in Ontario. If you are planning to apply for this program, you should contact the Ontario Creates Research and Strategic Planning Group to assess your eligibility.
August 29 – Deadline for the Ontario Creates IDM Fund: Production and Concept Definition. This Fund provides IDM content creators with funding for high quality, original interactive digital media content projects that make a positive contribution to the Ontario economy. The Concept Definition program provides early-stage development support, and the Production program provides support for the creation of a market-ready content project that will be released to end users. Several information sessions will be held in July and early August; registration is required.
November 30 – Applications for the Ontario Creates Film Fund – Development will be accepted on a continuous basis until this date. This program is intended to support development activities that lead to the increase of domestic feature film production in Ontario, for all stages of development activities.
Reminders for Members
Don’t forget to send Cynthia a copy of your logo or photo that represents your company to be featured in our member directory on the website.
News to Share?
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.