Numerous programs and projects are available to help filmmakers with their work. While the following list is far from complete, it is a start. Anyone who knows of a program that is not currently listed here is encouraged to forward the information to the Greater Victoria Film Commission.
Bravo!FACT
Bravo!FACT was established in 1995 by Bravo!NewStyleArtsChannel. The foundation provides financial assistance and incentives for the production of Canadian Short form art videos, covering a wide range of disciplines. Bravo!FACT awards cover up to 50% of a project's total cost. The amounts vary from several hundred dollars to a maximum of $25,000.
299 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2Z5
Tel: (416) 591-7400 Ext. 5815
Fax: (416) 591-0291
E-mail: bravofact@bravo.ca
Web: www.bravofact.com
British Columbia Arts Council
The British Columbia Arts Council supports Media Arts through a wide variety of programs.
Contact: Walter Kwan
Tel: (250) 356-1718
Fax: (250) 387-4099
Email: Walter.Quan@gems9.gov.bc.ca
Web: www.bcartscouncil.ca
Canada Council
The Canada Council for the Arts offers a broad range of grants and services to professional Canadian artists and arts organizations in dance, media arts, music, theatre, writing and publishing, interdisciplinary work and performance art, and the visual arts. All programs are accessible to Aboriginal artists or arts organizations, and artists or arts organizations from diverse cultural or regional communities.
Tel: (613)-566-4414
Fax: (613) 566-4390
Toll Free: 1-800-263-5588
Email: info@canadacouncil.ca
Web: www.canadacouncil.ca
The Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA)
The CFTPA is a national association representing film, television and multimedia independent producers of diverse size and scope. The organization's mission is to create the most favorable national and international environment for the film and television industry and culture to prosper.
CFTPA's publication, "The Guide 2002," is an invaluable source of information an all facets of the industry, including funding sources.
1140 Homer Street, Suite 250
Vancouver, B.C., V6B 2X6
Tel: (604) 682-8619
Fax: (604) 684-9294
E-mail: vancouvr@cftpa.ca
Web: www.cftpa.ca
Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund (CIFVF)
The Canadian Independent Film & Video Fund (CIFVF) is a private sector non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the development of the non-theatrical industry through the creation of films, videos and new media projects that promote lifelong learning and are produced by Canadian independent producers.
Tel: (613) 729-1900
Fax: (613) 729-4610
Toll Free: 1-888-386-5555
E-mail: info@cifvf.ca
Web: www.cifvf.ca
Large List of Funding ResourcesCanadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
The Development Information Program's (DIP) Mass Media Initiative (MMI), financially supports communications projects aimed at increasing Canadian public awareness and understanding of international development and cooperation issues through the mass media.
Tel: (819) 997-1663
Toll Free: 1-800-230-6349
Email: mmi_imm@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Web: www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/mmi/
Canadian Television Fund
The Department of Canadian Heritage, the Cable Production Fund (a creation of the Canadian cable industry) and Telefilm Canada joined forces in 1996 to create the CTF. Each party contributed financial resources to a critical funding program for the Canadian television and film industry.
Toll Free: 1 (877) 975-0766
Fax: (604) 666-7754
Email: ctf@canadiantelevisionfund.ca
Web: www.canadiantelevisionfund.ca/
Feature Film Project
The Feature Film Project (FFP), an initiative of the Canadian Film Centre, provides financing for the development, production and marketing of low-budget first-time features. The FFP provides on-the-job training to producers, directors and writers, as well as upgrading opportunities for film technicians in a real production environment. The programme is committed to nurturing the vitality and growth of cinema in Canada by supervising and providing the necessary financing to develop, produce and market low-budget, first-time feature films.
The Feature Film Project
2489 Bayview Avenue
North York, Ontario, M2L 1A8
E-mail: ffp@cdnfilmcentre.com
Web: www.cdnfilmcentre.com
Telefilm
The spirit and intent of the Canada Feature Film Fund’s development, production and marketing programs (the Main programs) is to encourage the making and marketing of Canadian feature films that have high box office potential, while supporting a range of genres, budgets, companies and regions.
Tel: (604) 666-1566
Fax: (604) 666-7754
Toll Free: 1-800-663-7771
Web: www.telefilm.gc.ca/
Praxis Centre for Screenwriters
Even screenwriters who don't intend to produce their own projects need information about how to finance script development. With that in mind, we decided to provide some information about which organizations help to finance Canadian film and TV projects. Some of these funding sources won't consider a project without an experienced producer attached, but many will.
Please be professional in your approach. For first-timers, this means:
- Make sure your script is ready for scrutiny - finished, well-written, spell checked, perfectly formatted, the right length, etc.).
- Read each organization's website carefully before contacting them.
- Ask for an application form only if one is not available online.
- Be clear about who you are and what you want.
- Prepare a log line, paragraph and one-page synopsis ahead of time.
- Be politely persistant but remember that these people are busy.
- Follow up on emails or conversations within a couple of weeks.
- Don't take rejection personally or burn bridges by pouting.
- Find out who you are talking to and make a note of his/her name.
- Thank them for any help, advice or funding given.
Web: http://www.praxisfilm.com/funding.html
Text for this segment written by 'Praxis Centre for Screenwriters'
