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.

The following productions are the recipients of the IPF’s 2012 web drama series program:

Project Title Production Company / Producers / Creators Province
1000 jours
10 x 10 minutes		 Productions Babel inc.
Producer: Marco Frascarelli
Writers: Eric Piccoli, Mario Ramos, Julien Deschamps Jolin		 QC
But I’m Chris Jericho
10 x 4 minutes		 Insight Production Company Inc.
Producers: Shannon Farr, Chris Jericho
Writers: Gary Rideout Jr., Craig Brown, Bob Kerr		 ON
La Brigadière
12 x 3–5 minutes		 Productions Pixcom inc.
Producer: Nadine Dufour
Writer: Barclay Fortin		 QC
Everyone’s Famous
7 x 7 minutes		 Gorgeous Mistake Productions Inc.
Producers: Walter Forsyth, Angus Swantee, Andrew Bush
Writer: Andrew Bush		 NS
Guidestones – Season 2
40 x 3 minutes		 iThentic Canada & 3o’clock.tv
Producers: Jay Ferguson, Jonas Diamond, Lisa Baylin
Writers: Jay Ferguson, Jeremy Diamond		 ON
Juliette en direct – Season 3
10 x 3–5 minutes		 Les Productions Passez Go inc.
Producer: Vicky Bounadère
Writer: Yvan DeMuy		 QC
Just Passing Through
12 x 8 minutes		 Rear Gear Productions
Producers: Jeremy Larter, Geoff Read, Adam Perry, Michael Kennedy
Writers: Jeremy Larter, Geoff Read, Joe Cobden, Amy Rutherford, Jason Larter, Robbie Carruthers, Dominique Girouard, Taylor Clarke		 PEI
Long Story, Short
10 x 5 minutes		 Long Story Short Productions
Producers: Gail Harvey, Katie Boland, Shelly Gillen, Russell Bennett
Writer: Katie Boland		 ON
Manigances – Season 2
8 x 9 minutes		 Productions Kebweb.tv
Producers: Isabel Dréan, Simon Côté
Writer: Ghislain O’Prêtre		 QC
Mila’s Fountain
11 x 8 minutes		 Homeside Productions & Wolf Tree Media
Producers: Leanne Schinkel, Nils Sorensen
Writer: Nils Sorensen		 SK
Motel Chevreuil
8 x 6–8 minutes		 Les Productions Noir de Monde
Producer: Jean-François Aubé
Writers: Jean-François Aubé, Nicolas Fournier		 QC
S.O.S. Save Our Skins
30 x 3 minutes		 Farmhouse Productions, Duopoly Canada Inc., Baby Cow Productions
Producers: Kent Sobey, Catherine Tait
Writer: Derek Harvie		 ON
Space Janitors – Season 2
8 x 10 minutes		 Space Mop
Producers: Davin Lengyel, Geoff Lapaire
Writers: Geoff Lapaire, Andy Hull		 ON
Unlikely Heroes
8 x 5 minutes		 Smokebomb Entertainment
Producers: Daniel Dales, Jay Bennett, Jarrett Sherman
Writers: Tim Burns, Miles Smith, Graham Seater		 ON
Versus Valerie
12 x 7 minutes		 Sexy Nerd Girl Inc.
Producer: Mike Fly
Writers: Stephanie Kaliner, Simon Fraser		 ON

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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