Web Series to Be Supported by CMF Pilot Program

TORONTO: The Canada Media Fund (CMF) has launched a new pilot program to support the production of Canadian linear drama or children’s and youth web series in their second or later seasons.

The program is administered within the CMF’s Experimental Stream and with a budget of C$2 million ($1.5 million). It is meant to meet the needs in the marketplace for linear content created for online viewing. Eligible projects must be Canadian original, linear series in the CMF-supported genres of drama or children’s and youth, created initially for the web and in their second or later seasons. The CMF will consider the possibility of expanding the program in the future and to fund web series in other genres.

Eligible projects will be administered under a selective process and assessed according to an evaluation grid, which includes factors such as market interest, production team and creative elements. Successful applicants will receive funding in an amount appropriate to the needs of the project and subject to a maximum contribution of the lesser of 60 percent of the project’s eligible costs or C$250,000 ($187,000). The deadline to submit an application for funding under this program is January 17, 2017.

“Based on the current focus of existing funds, there is demand in the market for the support of successful web series after their first season,” said Valerie Creighton, the president and CEO of CMF. “Designed to be complementary to existing funding options, this program also aligns with the CMF’s objective to provide validation of market interest after the first season and allows us to respond to the industry’s need for support of web series’ production.”