August 8, 2019 – The Canada Media Fund (CMF) will strategically partner with the Independent Production Fund (IPF) on a recently announced Development Packaging Program designed to support the development of high quality, Canadian, original, scripted short-form drama series. This collaboration will leverage resources from both organizations in order to encourage more positive outcomes in the development of this booming format. The budget of the Development Packaging Program: Short Form Scripted Series is set at $600,000.

“After assessing the market needs for programs supporting short-form series at various stages of production, the CMF launched its Web Series Program in 2016. We now see a need to provide additional support for this type of content at the development stage,” said Nathalie Clermont, Vice-president Programs and Business Development, CMF. “This partnership is a natural fit for the CMF given the IPF’s keen knowledge of the short-form series format, their familiarity with Canadian creators working in this space, and their understanding of the challenges and opportunities creators face.”

“Together the IPF and CMF partnership strengthens our joint commitment to the serious business of development,” noted Andra Sheffer, CEO of the IPF.  “It will enable us to finance and support a wider range of creative projects with potential for success.”

The focus of the program is to support outstanding story-driven content by providing funding that will enhance the development of strong creative materials, encourage the incubation of new talents and the participation of experienced professionals, provide opportunities for insightful business development and establish the quality and reputation of projects proceeding through the program.

To be eligible for support, projects must be new and original; be conceived as scripted, episodic short-form dramatic content with multiple episodes and episodic running times that are less than 20 minutes; have a confirmed creative team at the time of application and be developed in either English or in French.

The maximum funding available for each eligible project is $30,000. Applications will be initially evaluated by a Selection Committee overseen by the IPF with final decisions made by representatives from the IPF and the CMF.

The deadline to apply is March 2, 2020.

The IPF is incorporated as a charitable foundation with an endowment valued at $35 M. It uses the interest generated by the endowment and return on its project investments for its annual operations and project funding. It is certified by the CRTC as a Certified Independent Production Fund (CIPF).  The IPF Board of Directors is composed of representatives from the industry and makes all final funding decisions.  Presently it also administers the Cogeco TV Production Program which receives annual BDU contributions form Cogeco Connexion.