The Independent Production Fund announces funding for 15 web drama series
June 18, 2012
The IPF Board of Directors approved funding for 15 scripted drama series (10 English / 5 French) designed and produced for exploitation on the web and is making equity investments of $1.5 M in these projects. This unique funding program, which was created in 2010 is encouraging experimentation and evaluating potential for high quality, story driven drama for web audiences.
The selection process required the evaluation of 153applications which were short-listed to 31 web series from both digital media and traditional television production companies from across the country. An international jury, industry evaluators and the Board evaluated projects based on content, production styles and processes, formats, business and promotion models, audience and revenue potential. The 2012 international jury included Liz Rosenthal and Tishna Molla (Power to the Pixel, UK), Veronica Holmes (ZenithOptimedia, Canada), Paul Ronca (Just For Laughs, Canada), Christy Dena (Universe Creation 101, Australia), Guillaume Aniorté (Tribal Nova, Canada), Julie Laferrière (Cliquez, Canada) and Stéphane Bataillon (Groupe Bayard, France).
The selected projects represent a range of genres including comedy, adventure, thriller, sci-fi and fantasy for different target demographics and distribution platforms.
The IPF has established a “Wip dashboard” linking to all of its funded web series. To see the 2010 & 2011 projects, go to www.ipf.ca/webseries
The following productions are the recipients of the IPF’s 2012 web drama series program:
Project Title |
Production Company / Producers / Creators |
1000 jours10 x 10 minutes |
Productions Babel inc.Producer: Marco Frascarelli |
But I’m Chris Jericho10 x 4 minutes |
Insight Production Company Inc.Producers: Shannon Farr, Chris Jericho |
La Brigadière12 x 3-5 minutes |
Productions Pixcom inc.Producer: Nadine Dufour |
Everyone’s Famous7 x 7 minutes |
Gorgeous Mistake Productions Inc.Producers: Walter Forsyth, Angus Swantee, Andrew Bush |
Guidestones – Season 240 x 3 minutes |
iThentic Canada & 3o’clock.tvProducers: Jay Ferguson, Jonas Diamond, Lisa Baylin |
Juliette en direct – Season 310 x 3-5 mins |
Le Productions Passez Go inc.Producer: Vicky Bounadère |
Just Passing Through12 x 8 minutes |
Rear Gear ProductionsProducers: Jeremy Larter, Geoff Read, Adam Perry, Michael Kennedy |
Long Story, Short10 x 5 minutes |
Long Story Short ProductionsProducers: Gail Harvey, Katie Boland, Shelly Gillen, Russell Bennett |
Manigances – Season 28 x 9 minutes |
Productions Kebweb.tvProducers: Isabel Dréan, Simon Côté |
Mila’s Fountain11 x 8 minutes |
Homeside Productions & Wolf Tree MediaProducers: Leanne Schinkel, Nils Sorensen |
Motel Chevreuil8 x 6-8 minutes |
Les Productions Noir de MondeProducer: Jean-François Aubé |
S.O.S. Save Our Skins30 x 3 minutes |
Farmhouse Productions, Duopoly Canada Inc. & Baby Cow ProductionsProducers: Kent Sobey, Catherine Tait |
Space Janitors – Season 28 x 10 minutes |
Space MopProducers: Davin Lengyel, Geoff Lapaire |
Unlikely Heroes8 x 5 minutes |
Smokebomb EntertainmentProducers: Daniel Dales, Jay Bennett, Jarrett Sherman |
Versus Valerie12 x 7 minutes |
Sexy Nerd Girl Inc.Producer: Mike Fly |
The IPF also continues to support training and professional development activities. The following organizations received professional development grants:
| Organization | Events |
| Atlantic Film Festival | Strategic Partners |
| Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) | 27th Film & TV Forum |
| National Screen Institute | NSI Training Webisodes |
The Independent Production Fund is incorporated as a private foundation with charitable status. It operates on the interest generated by a $33 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 included Film Nova Scotia, SaskFilm and Innovation PEI.
The IPF also administers the COGECO Program Development Fund and the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund.
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Andra Sheffer
416-977-8966
Claire Dion
514-845-4334
Wip – www.ipf.ca/webseries