Welcome to the NABET 700-M UNIFOR Website!

NABET 700-M UNIFOR represents over 3000 Film, Television and New Media Technicians in the province of Ontario.

NABET 700-M UNIFOR
100 Lombard Street
Suite 303
Toronto, ON
M5C 1M3
Tel: 416-536-4827
Toll-free: 1-888-428-0362
Fax: 416-536-0859
Email:
info@nabet700.com

News

March 27, 2023

March 24 FilmOntario Updates

Ontario Budget Release

The Province of Ontario released the 2023 Budget.

This year’s Budget was relatively silent on issues related to the cultural industries, but did reiterate its previous commitments to several tax credit changes: extending eligibility to online-only film and television productions, reviewing the effectiveness of the regional bonus in the OFTTC, and working with the industry to simplify OCASE. The Skills Development Fund, which has been accessed by several stakeholders to provide training in film and television, also continues to be supported and continues to evolve.

In our 2023 Budget Submission, we thanked the government for their ongoing commitment to stable and effective tax credits, but highlighted the need for enhanced investments in domestic content creation and workforce development. We will continue to promote the importance of these issues in our work with government.

As always, if you have any questions or issues you would like to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at clynch@filmontario.ca or 416-642-6704.

New Screen Credit Requirement

The Fall Economic Statement introduced a requirement for productions that receive Ontario tax credits to include official acknowledgement of that support. The proposed regulations to implement this change are now open for comment.

As currently drafted, this regulation will require the use of both the Government of Ontario and Ontario Creates logos, as well as the text “Produced with film and television tax credit assistance from the Government of Ontario” in the end credits. If the regulations are passed as is, this will be required for all productions which began principal photography after December 31, 2022.

FilmOntario is currently working on a response to the proposed guidelines and is considering ways that this requirement could be implemented in a more practical manner. We will continue to provide updates through the consultation process and when the final regulations are approved.

Tax Credit Eligibility for Online Productions

The proposed regulations noted above also set out the draft eligibility requirements for online productions for both the OPSTC and the OFTTC. The government is proposing to explicitly allow productions that are distributed by “alternative means” (including downloading, streaming, VOD and physical media) to be eligible for both credits.

In order to be eligible for the OFTTC, productions that are distributed by alternative means will need to meet additional requirements regarding budget thresholds; there are also additional categories of ineligible genres for these productions.

The proposed changes to the OPSTC requirements for productions distributed by alternative means are meant to ensure that professional productions created for all types of online platforms are eligible for the credit.

If this affects you and your productions, please review the proposed regulations and please do not hesitate to contact Cynthia if you have any comments or concerns. As noted above, we are working on a response to the regulations and will keep members updated throughout the process.

Surveys!

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) is currently undertaking a survey to gather the Canadian audiovisual sector’s views on how the current definition of Canadian content should evolve following the passage of Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act. They want to hear from as many voices as possible. The 10-minute survey is open to all individuals who work in (or aspire to work in) Canada’s audiovisual production and broadcasting sector. It is designed to be widely accessible, regardless of role, level of experience, or knowledge regarding Canadian content policy. The survey will close on March 31, 2023.

The Reelworld Screen Institute has launched an industry-wide research project addressing stereotypical depictions of Black, Indigenous, Asian and Women of Colour in Canadian film and TV. The project will produce a research-backed Protocol Guideline that will support creatives, producers and executives on how to better create authentic portrayals of these women. They are now looking for industry input to shape the content included in the protocol guideline. Please complete the survey that aligns with your field of work.

New Micro-Credential for Production Accounting

Cinespace Studios and York University have announced the creation of a Production Accounting Micro-Credential program in response to the need for production accountants in Ontario. Production Accountants and Directors Guild of Canada-Ontario members Marr Morgan and Kitty Spiropoulos were engaged by Cinespace to design the curriculum. This program is designed to foster a high-quality pipeline and combines active learning and practical application.

The 6-week program launching in June, taught in person at Cinespace Studios Toronto’s Kipling campus, will provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of accounting in the creative sector and provide the opportunity to enter a sustainable career in the high-demand sector of Ontario’s film and TV industry. This partnership with York University has been established with CineCares, a division of the studio that supports and engages the local community to develop a more diverse workforce and broaden educational platforms.

Cinespace will also provide scholarship bursaries through the Black Screen Office for two individuals to participate in the program.

Important Dates

March 28 – Deadline to apply to be part of the Black Screen Office’s delegation of Black Canadian producers to attend the Cannes Film Festival, as part of their Black Creators Festival Initiative. For more information and to apply, check out the website.

April 3 – Deadline for Telefilm’s Theatrical Documentary Program, for all projects at all budget levels and for the program’s Indigenous Stream.

April 5 – First deadline this fiscal year for the Ontario Creates Industry Development Program, which provides support to Ontario’s established trade and event organizations to offer initiatives, events and activities with long-term impacts on growth and sustainability in the book, magazine, film, television, and interactive digital media sectors.

April 26 – Deadline for the Ontario Creates Global Market Development Fund – Film and Television (formerly the Export Fund), provides eligible Ontario producers with funding to pursue strategic international activities that support company growth and produce measurable business and market development results.

May 1 – Deadline for Telefilm’s Talent to Watch Program, which supports emerging filmmakers. Be sure to check out the guidelines to determine which stream of the program is right for you, as well as for details on the English information webinar which is taking place on March 28 at 2:00 pm.

June 30 – Deadline for the second round of Telefilm’s Production Program, for production projects with budgets of $3.5 million or more and for minority co-productions and postproduction applications.

July 13 – Next deadline for the Ontario Creates Film Fund – Production program. This Fund supports a range of projects across genres with both industrial and cultural benefits. Ontario Creates measures the results of the Ontario Creates Film Fund primarily based on net benefit from the proposed project to the province which includes but is not limited to return on investment and jobs created in the Ontario film industry. This is the second of three deadlines for the Fund this fiscal year.

August 8 – Final deadline this fiscal year for the Ontario Creates Business Intelligence Program, which 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.

Member Updates

Aeon Studio Group has started a new blog to keep you up to date on all their activities. Check it out often (or follow them on Twitter at @studio_aeon) in order to get a peek into what is happening in Hamilton’s West Harbour neighbourhood.

In December, Cinespace launched a new logo and look – check it out on Twitter or follow them on LinkedIn and Instagram @cinespacestudios.

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.

more News