The IPF announces funding for 15 web drama series.
For immediate release
The IPF Board of Directors approved funding for 15 scripted drama series (9 English / 6 French) designed and produced for exploitation on the web and is making equity investments of $1.4 M in these projects. This unique funding program was created last year to support the exploration and potential for high quality, story driven drama for web audiences. The selection process required the evaluation of 160applications which were short-listed to 30 web series from production companies across the country.
An international jury and the Board evaluated projects based on content, production styles and processes, formats, business and promotion models, audience potential and revenue. Jury members included Mio Adilman, Web Columnist CBC Radio’s Q with Jian Ghomeshi; Sophie Dufort, vice-présidente Médias interactifs Chaînes Télé-Astral; Henry J. Gagnon, président HGagnon Distribution Inc.; Veronica Holmes, President ZenithOptimedia Digital (ZED); Marti Resteghini, VP Network Programming KoldCast; and Stéphanie Röckmann-Portier, Managing Director Head of Sales Distribution360.
The IPF has established a “Wip dashboard” linking to all of its funded web series. To see the 2010 projects, go to www.ipf.ca/webseries
The following productions are the recipients of the IPF’s 2011 web drama series program:
Project Title |
Producers / Creators / Production Company |
11 règles – Season 211 x 3-5 minutes QC |
Studio WhimzProducer: Steve Kerr Writer: André Gulluni |
Bill & Sons Towing8 x 8 minutes (episodes) 8 x 5 minutes (podcasts) ON |
Ready, Set, PanicProducers: Charles Ketchabaw, Mark De Angelis, Shawn Bailey Writer: Mark De Angelis |
Le chum de ma mère est unextra-terrestre12 x 5 minutes QC |
Voyous FilmsProducers: Marie-Claire Lalonde, Gabriel Allard-Gagnon Writer: Éric K. Boulianne Director/Creator: Kim St-Pierre |
Dakodak – Season 28 x 8 minutes QC |
Van Der LolProducer: Julien Roussin Côté |
Juliette en direct – Season 210 x 3 – 5 minutes QC |
Les Productions Passez GoProducer: Vicky Bounadère Writer: Yvan DeMuy Director: Marie-Claude Blouin |
Manigances13 x 6 minutesQC |
Kebweb.TvProducers: Isabel Dréan, Simon Côté |
Moderation Town, Season 27 x 10 minutes NS |
Stitch MediaProducers: Evan Jones, Victoria Ha, Michael Schaus Writers: Evan Jones, Michael Schaus, Stephan MacLeod Director: Mark Mullane |
Pilotes10 x 4 minutes QC |
VivawebProducers: Nicholas Vachon, Jean-Pierre Morin, Francine Forest Writers: Patrick Dupuis, Jean-Philippe Duran Director: Christian Laurence |
Prison Dancer12 x 5 minutes ON |
Prison Dancer ProductionsProducers: Ana Serrano, Romeo Candido, Derek Chua, Carla Serrano Writers: Romeo Candido, Carmen de Jesus Director: Romeo Candido |
Ruby Skye P.I., Season 212 x 3-8 minutes ON |
Story 2.OHProducers: Jill Golick, Kerry Young, Karen Walton, Steven Golick Writer: Jill Golick Director: Kelly Harms |
Runaway14 x 5-7 minutes BC |
Leaping Lizards Productions Inc.Producers: Liz Scully, Leonard Terhoch Writer: Liz Scully Director: Liz Scully Interactive Services Co.: Zeros 2 Heroes |
Space Janitors10 x 4 minutes 25 x 3 minutes (blog) ON |
Brooms in Space Productions Inc.Producers: Davin T. Lengyel, Geoff Lapaire Writer: Geoff Lapaire |
Uberdude11 x 4 minutes ON |
Smiley Guy Studios Inc.Producer: Jonas Diamond Writer: Jeremy Diamond Director: Denny Silverthorne |
Verdict15 x 5 minutes MB |
Frantic FilmsProducers: Shaun Johnson, Shawn Watson, Jamie Brown, Tammy Marlowe Johnson Writer: Tammy Marlowe Johnson, Mike McIntyre Interactive Service Company: Tactica Communications Inc. |
Your Lupine Life13 x 4 minutes SK |
Karma Film, T3 Digital ProductionsProducers: Anand Ramayya, Torin Stefanson, Teri Armitage Writers: Torin Stefanson, Teri Armitage Director: Torin Stefanson |
The Board of Directors also announced its funding decisions for one television drama series:
Projects |
Production Company |
Broadcaster(s) |
Degrassi, Season 11 |
Epitome Pictures | MuchMusic, The N (US) |
The IPF works in collaboration with the Cogeco Program Development Fund, to recommend funding for additional dramatic television series. The following television drama series for private broadcasters were approved for equity financing by the Cogeco Fund:
Projects |
Production Company |
Broadcaster |
| Guardians | Wapos Bay Productions Inc. | APTN |
| Highland Gardens | Epitome Pictures Inc. | CTV / MuchMusic |
| Murdoch Mysteries, Season 5 | Shaftesbury Murdoch V Inc. | City TV |
| Toute la vérité 3 | Sphère Média Plus | Groupe TVA |
| Toopy & Binoo – The Puppets | Écho Média | Treehouse |
The IPF also continues to support training and professional development activities. The following organizations received professional development grants:
Organization |
Events |
| Academy of Canadian Film & Television (ACCT) | 26th Annual Gemini Awards |
| Atlantic Film Festival | Strategic Partners |
| Canadian Film Centre (CFC) | Primetime Television Program |
| Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) | 26th Film & TV Forum |
| Youth Media Alliance | 2011 Children, Youth & Media Conference |
The Independent Production Fund is incorporated as a private foundation with charitable status. It operates on the interest generated by a $35 M endowment, and by recoupment from its investments. An independent Board of Directors representing the industry oversees the operations of the fund and makes all investment decisions.
Funding partners for the Pilot Web Series Program includes:
The IPF also administers the COGECO Program Development Fund and the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund.
– 30 –
Toronto
416-977-8966
Montréal
514-845-4334
Wip – www.ipf.ca/webseries