Message From the President

The world is seeing an explosion of online video content and Canada is one of the leaders. The Independent Production Fund is so proud of this vision for the future which we had in 2010, encouraging us to finance this new form of professional on-screen entertainment. The web drama series that we have funded are winning international awards and critical acclaim, and the IPF itself has been recognized as an international model and “ a financing source that has made Canada a hotbed of independent Web series in recent years. “[1] and “…one of the biggest catalysts for this dramatic shift in the industry…” [2]

The IPF has invested over $ 7.5M in 71 web series and we have learned a lot from the efforts of our web producers. Our support for this industry goes beyond financing. The IPF provides advice, shares lessons learned, provides forums for sharing of information, underwrites research and professional development and stimulates marketing expertise – where demand is great.   As noted in Webseriesmag in France, the IPF « …has positioned itself as an observer and a guide, collecting useful information from each experience.”[3]

The IPF and the web series that it supports provide exciting opportunities to showcase new talents and the skills of dedicated online video content creators while unbundling the reliance on broadcaster gate-keepers. Digital age audiences are discovering creative material that is designed for the web and for social media, and can express their opinions by taking advantage of online communities, shared feedback and crowd-funding opportunities.

These are turbulent times in our industry, and yet the opportunities are inspiring. Traditional broadcasters are adapting their business models to meet the demands of engaged and active audiences, new partnerships and distribution opportunities are being explored and we await the impact of the CRTC’s Talk TV decisions. OTT looms as the redistribution of original TV shows online. But beyond that lies the content that is designed and created specifically for the digital media, a web aesthetic which takes advantage of the interaction, viewer engagement and shareability it can offer to its audiences.   This is what the IPF will continue to explore and encourage.

I thank our visionary Board and management team who are taking the risks and making the evolution of the IPF possible. The insights and encouragement of Board members Jeremy Butteriss and long-serving Heather MacGillivray who have resigned in 2014, have been invaluable to the IPF’s success. Our deepest thanks to them. We welcome new Board members and new energies and new possibilities for the future.

Charles Ohayon, Chair

[1] Globe and Mail, November 14, 2014

[2] Motherboard, September 1, 2014

[3] Webseriesmag.blogs.liberation.fr , November 2014 (translation)