August 15, 2019 (Toronto, Montreal) – Canadian productions stand out this year at Webfest Berlin with 12 series nominated in 9 categories. The majority are series supported by the IPF including: Blackout – sci-fi/horror; Detention Adventure – action/suspense;  Georges est mort – comedy, La maison des folles – drama; The Vault – sci-fi/horror; Running with Violet (season 2) – Best Returning Series. In addition, series supported by the Bell Fund and the Canadian Media Fund and by Canadian broadcasters include:  Fourchette – drama; Second Home – animation; Vieux Jeu – drama; Le temps des chenilles (season 2) – Best Returning Series; Terreur 404 (season 2) Best Returning Series; and Trafic – Best Berlin Selection.

The IPF is also honoured with the participation of its Associate Director Claire Dion, as a member of the official jury.  The members of the international jury will gather in Berlin to select the winners in 10 juried award categories.

The theme of this year’s event is #WFBPOWERUP! with discussions on a variety of strategies for success in digital short form series as well as a focus on empowering women.  Among the 227 submissions received by the Festival, 41.5% of the projects selected for competition were written or directed by women.

The IPF was the first private Fund to support the production of short form scripted content destined for digital platforms.  Since its creation in 1991, the IPF has invested $65M in the production of dramatic television series for television and the web.  The IPF has supported 131 web series with investments of $15M.  The IPF recently announced the launch of a new Development Packaging Program in collaboration with the Canada Media Fund, to support all the stages of development leading to pitch readiness of short form series.

About the IPF:  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.