Funding Guidelines

Deadline for Proposals:
March 1, 2013 (phase 1)

The Independent Production Fund was established in 1991 as a private Foundation with an endowment now valued at $32 M from Maclean Hunter Ltd.  The revenues generated by the endowment and recoupment from investments are used to support the production of Canadian drama series.  The Web Drama Series Program was undertaken as an experimental project in 2010.  This program has been extended to 2014.

Objective

The intent of the Fund is to assist independent producers/creators to finance the production of original drama series created initially for the web.
 
The Independent Production Fund intends to explore the potential for high quality, story-driven drama with new and innovative narrative forms.

Successful properties may subsequently be exploited on other platforms such as television, either in their original format or through the exploitation of derivative rights.

Project and Applicant Eligibility

To be eligible for support, projects must:

  1. be new and original; in the case of web series previously funded by the IPF, requests for second or subsequent “season” funding are eligible; however, applications must include demonstrated success factors such as audience size, financial partners, distribution, awards, revenues, etc.  Eligible applicants may proceed directly to Phase 2 of the application process.
  2. be scripted, dramatic content [1]
  3. originate and remain under the control of an independent Canadian producer/creator and have, without any limitations regarding formats, media, territories and duration, all rights, title and interest including copyright in the completed production beneficially owned by an individual resident in Canada, by a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada or a province of Canada, or by any combination of these,
  4. have a Canadian-owned URL or be hosted on a Canadian portal or Canadian online  webcasting service,
  5. be limited to one (1) application per production company per year, [2]
  6. Proposals previously submitted to the IPF web series program that were not approved for funding, may re-apply only IF there is a significant change to the project,
  7. Web series that have been produced without IPF financing are NOT eligible to apply to this program.

 Financial Participation

Investments will be made in the form of equity and the Fund seeks a pro rata share of recoupment of its investment and profit participation in the project and through its derivative subsidiary rights and subsequent works.
 
The terms and schedules of payment and recoupment, the producer's responsibilities and reporting conditions will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

 

Application Procedure

There is a two-phase application process:
 
Phase 1:   Proof of Concept
 
Deadline for Proposals:  March 1, 2013.
Includes:
  • a Creative Pitch for the  web drama series in a maximum of two (2) pages,
  • URL(s) of demo/trailer/video content  (approximately 2 minutes running time) which must be posted online and available to the public March 1 – 31, 2013
 
All material must be submitted electronically to info@ipf.ca
           
 Evaluation Process
  • A short-list of finalists will be selected by April 8, 2013 by a Pre-Selection Committee.
  • Projects will be assessed based on creative material submitted, as well as the online videos, traffic and audience feedback and the creative and production team.
  • Short-listed finalists will be invited to prepare a detailed Production Application for Phase 2 evaluation for potential funding

Phase 2:   Production Applications: due May 10, 2013..

Include a completed Phase 2 Production Application Form
 
All material must be submitted electronically to info@ipf.ca
 
The Independent Production Fund offers to advise applicants in the creation of their Production Proposals.

 

Evaluation Process

A jury and the Board of Directors will evaluate the Production Proposals and notify successful applicants by the end of June, 2013.
 
Projects are assessed based on analysis of creative materials, traffic metrics and audience feedback resulting from the Video Content posted online in Phase 1 of the application process; production strategies; scheduling; budget and financing; distribution and web strategies; marketing and promotion plans; projected traffic; business model and revenue projections; maintenance strategies, third party financing and endorsements, associated interactive activities, recoupment, etc.
 
 At least one (1) proposal from eligible[3] Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island based producer/creators will be funded through supplementary contributions made by Film Nova Scotia, Sask Film, Innovation PEI, if approved by the Board.

 

Definition of an Independent Canadian Producer

  1. a Canadian-controlled corporation as defined in the tax credit regulations of the Income Tax Act; and
  2. not a holder of a CRTC television broadcasting licence or an "affiliate" of such a broadcaster as defined in the Canada Business Corporations Act.
1.
The primary criterion for acceptance by the Fund will be the quality of the project.
 
2.
The Independent Production Fund reserves the right to request additional information relating to the production, as required, in order to make its decisions.
 
3.
All interpretations of these Guidelines and all decisions are made by the Board of Directors and are at the Board's absolute discretion. All Board decisions are final.
[1] “Drama” includes drama for children, as well as scripted comedy with a story arc and performers.
[2] Applicants may only own the copyright and controlling interest for one project being submitted.
[3] Applicants and key creative positions must be filled by Nova Scotia residents with a minimum of 75% of the budget spent in Nova Scotia.
 
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