CMF Promotes Co-Development with Ireland, Mexico

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) has unveiled a co-development incentive with the Mexican Film Institute and reopened its program for the development of audiovisual projects with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

The CMF and the Mexican Film Institute (Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía – IMCINE), an agency of the Mexican Secretariat of Culture, signed an agreement to establish a dedicated incentive for the co-development of audiovisual projects between Canadian and Mexican producers. The news was shared at an event held during the Los Cabos International Film Festival.

“Through this incentive, we hope to develop strong partnerships between producers in both Canada and Mexico,” said Valerie Creighton, the president and CEO of the CMF. “By facilitating the creation of quality content that resonates with audiences in both countries and around the world, we strengthen our countries’ already robust ties. This new agreement is well aligned with the CMF’s objective to establish constructive partnerships with funding agencies in Latin America’s growing markets. We are certain that Canadian producers will benefit enormously by turning their attention to Mexico.”

“For the Mexican Film Institute, it is a privilege to enter this new stage of collaboration with the Canada Media Fund, in our view, the best ally to accompany Mexican professionals to venture in new narratives and audiovisual projects,” said Monserrat Sánchez, the director of foreign affairs for IMCINE. “In these changing times, it is of the utmost importance to strengthen the ties between Canada and Mexico through storytelling and, hopefully, enticing our vast audiences to find out and learn more about our countries and peoples.”

The total amount of funding available through the incentive is C$130,000 ($102,000), which is approximately MXN$1,898,000, with each funding organization contributing half of the funds. The total maximum contribution for each project funded through the incentive is C$25,000 ($20,000), which is approximately MXN$379,000.

The reopening of the CMF and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland’s (BAI) development incentive was made at an event held during MediaCon in Vancouver, in the presence of Canadian producers and an Irish delegation led by Jim Kelly, Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland to Canada. Both organizations intend to partner for three years to fund co-development projects between producers in Canada and Ireland. The total amount of funding available through the incentive for this year will be C$200,000 ($158,000). The total maximum contribution for each project funded through the incentive will be C$50,000 ($39,000).

The program seeks to fund TV projects and digital media extensions of those projects that fulfill both the guidelines of the CMF and the objectives and themes of BAI’s Sound and Vision Scheme. Projects will be evaluated and chosen by a selection committee composed of representatives from both funding organizations.