List of Certified Independent Production Funds

The Commission announced in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2015-86 that it will review its policies for Certified Independent Production Funds (CIPFs) in 2015 to ensure they allow greater flexibility in the funding of Canadian programs. In 2016, the Commission published the revised CIPF policy in Broadcasting Regulatory 2016-343, which includes some modifications to the policy framework in order to enable CIPFs to have the flexibility necessary to operate in an increasingly multi-platform environment.

Current requirements relating to Certified Independent Productions Funds are below.

How to apply

Sections 34 and 52 of the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations set out the requirements for broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDUs) to contribute to Canadian programming, which may include a contribution to independent production funds.

In Public Notice 1999-29 the Commission outlined the criteria that it would use to certify whether an independent production fund is eligible to receive and administer contributions from BDUs.

In Public Notice 2001-30, the Commission amended the eligibility criteria so that treaty co-productions will no longer require 65% Canadian financing in order to qualify for access to contributions by BDUs to CIPF.

In Contributions to Canadian programming by broadcasting distribution undertakings, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-833, 9 November 2010, the Commission amended the criteria to provide certified independent production funds with greater flexibility to support new media projects and program development. Public Notices 1997-98 and 1999-29 remain in force and unchanged in all other respects.

In Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2016-343, the Commission made numerous changes, some of which include a reduction in the minimum Canadian certification points, the inclusion of co-ventures in productions eligible for CIPF funding, as well as accessibility requirements for programming supported by CIPFs to name a few.

CIPFs are required to submit annual reports of their activities to the Commission. These reports can be found on the Commissions “Annual/Monthly Reports Filed by Broadcasting Industry Players” webpage.

The following is a list of the independent production funds that have been certified as eligible to receive contributions from BDUs. It also includes a brief description of the types of projects that the fund will provide funding to.

Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund
Cogeco Television Production Program
Independent Production Fund
Le Fonds Harold Greenberg
Nova Scotia Independent Production Fund
Quebecor Fund
Rogers Documentary Fund
Saskatchewan Film and Video Development Corporation (SaskFilm)
Shaw Rocket Fund (formerly Shaw Television Broadcast Fund)
Small Market Local Programming Fund
The Canadian Independent Screen Fund for BPOC Creators (CISF)
The TELUS Fund
Telefilm Canada

Bell Fund

Supports the development and production of cross-platform digital media and television. The television component must be designated as a drama, variety, documentary, lifestyle, reality, or children's/youth program.

Contact:

Marcia Douglas
Executive Director
Bell Fund
2 Carlton Street, Suite 1709
Toronto, Ontario
M5B 1J3 
Tel: (416) 977-8154

Email: info@bellfund.ca
 or 

Chantal Côté
Deputy Director
Fonds Bell
4067 St. Laurent Blvd., Suite 303A
Montreal, Quebec
H2W 1Y7
Tel: (514) 845-4418

Email: info@fondsbell.ca

Cogeco Television Production Program

Administered by the Independent Production Fund, the Cogeco Television Production Program supports the production of prime-time television drama series, and children's television series.

Contact:

Jon Taylor
Executive Director
Independent Production Fund
2 Carlton Street, Suite 1709
Toronto, Ontario
M5B 1J3
Tel: (416) 977-8966
Fax: (416) 977-0694

Email: info@ipf.ca
  or  

Catherine Moreau
Program and Project Manager
Independent Production Fund
4067 St. Laurent Blvd., Suite 303
Montreal, Quebec
H2W 1Y7
Tel: (514) 845-4334

Email: fipinfo@ipf.ca

Independent Production Fund

Supports the development and production of Canadian web series, and also supports television dramatic series, including dramatic series for children, via the Cogeco TV Production program.

Contact:

Jon Taylor
Executive Director
Independent Production Fund
2 Carlton Street, Suite 1709
Toronto, Ontario
M5B 1J3
Tel: (416) 977-8966
Fax: (416) 977-0694

Email: info@ipf.ca
or  

Catherine Moreau
Program and Project Manager
Independent Production Fund
4067 St. Laurent Blvd., Suite 303
Montreal, Quebec
H2W 1Y7
Tel: (514) 845-4334

Email: fipinfo@ipf.ca

Le Fonds Harold Greenberg

Supports the production of English and French films, as well as French documentaries, musicals, special events and videoclips.

Contacts:

Le Fonds Harold Greenberg
BCE Place
181 Bay Street
P.O. Box 787
Toronto, Ontario
M5J 2T3
Tel: (416) 956-5431
Fax: (416) 956-2087

or  

Odile Méthot
President, Director General
Le Fonds Harold Greenberg
2100 Sainte-Catherine Street West, Suite 900
Montreal, Quebec
H3H 2T3
Tel: (514) 939-5094
Fax: (514) 939-1515

Nova Scotia Independent Production Fund

Nova Scotia Independent Production Fund Scotia through The Eastlink TV Independent Production Fund program supports the production of Canadian television animation and /or live action TV series.

Contacts:

Nova Scotia Independent Production Fund
c/o Nova Scotia Business Incorporated
Mike Queripel
Manager Business Financing
1800 Argyle Street, Suite 701
P.O Box 2374
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 3E4
Tel: (902) 424-7897

Email: filmapplication@nsbi.ca
Website: www.novascotia.com/eastlink

or

Nova Scotia Independent Production Fund
c/o Nova Scotia Business Incorporated
Linda Wood
Sr. Account Manager, Film & Television
1800 Argyle Street, Suite 701
P.O Box 2374
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 3E4
Tel: (902) 424-7181

Email: filmapplication@nsbi.ca
Website : www.novascotia.com/eastlink

Quebecor Fund

Founded in 1999, the Quebecor Fund’s mission is to support the development, production, marketing and exportation of high-quality content, as well as its distribution on various platforms. The Quebecor Fund was created through Videotron Ltd., which pays monthly royalties as broadcasting distribution undertaking contributions to the Canadian industry.

To date, through its various programs supporting the production of Canadian television and film content, the Quebecor Fund has helped producers and distributors produce numerous high-quality projects that have been broadcast on over 40 different Canadian networks and over 30 international networks.

Furthermore, through its Export Assistance Program (EXAP), the Quebecor Fund also supports initiatives aimed at developing and marketing audiovisual content adapted to markets outside of Quebec and internationally.

Quebecor Fund currently manages three principal programs:

Contacts:

SergeThibaudeau, CEO
Julie Guénette, Program coordinator
Mylène Bastonnais, Senior Analyst and Head of Programs and Partnerships

www.fondsquebecor.ca
info@fondsquebecor.ca

1030 Cherrier Street, Suite 503
Montreal, Quebec
H2L 1H9
Tel.: (514) 842-2497

Rogers Documentary Fund

Provides financial support for Canadian documentary programming in both official languages.

Rogers Cable Network Fund
Provides equity financing for Canadian television programs which have a first window on one of Canada's specialty programming services.

For both funds contact:

Robin Mirsky
Executive Director
Rogers Documentary Fund and Rogers Cable Network Fund
Rogers Communications Inc.
333 Bloor Street East, 9th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M4W 1G9
Tel: (416) 935-2555
Fax: (416) 935-2527

Saskatchewan Film and Video Development Corporation (SaskFilm)

Supports the film, video and new media community of Saskatchewan to enhance the quality, quantity and marketability of its products and resources.

Eligible projects include made-for-TV movies and series; short-form dramatic, animated, and children's programming; and documentaries, educational, experimental, variety, and non-theatrical films and television programs.

Contact:

Susanne Bell
Director, Programs and Services
Saskatchewan Film and Video Development Corporation
1831 College Avenue
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 3V7
Tel: (306) 798-3457
Fax: (306) 798-7768

Shaw Rocket Fund

(Formerly known as Shaw Television Broadcast Fund)

Provides equity financing for the production of children, youth and family television programming. Fiction and non-fiction, including series, pilots, specials, documentaries, variety, animation and TV movies are eligible. Preference is given to productions in the English, French or Aboriginal languages.

Contact:

Agnes Augustin
President
Shaw Rocket Fund
630 - 3rd Avenue SW, Suite 900
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 4L4
Tel: (403) 750-4517
Fax: (403) 750-4635

Small Market Local Programming Fund

Assists the small market, independently owned television stations identified by the Commission in Public Notice CRTC 2003-37 in meeting their commitments to local programming.
Annual Reports: 2003-2004 | 2004-2005 | 2005-2006 | 2006-2007 | 2007-2008 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011

Contact:

Pierre-Louis Smith
Vice-President, Policy and Chief Regulatory Officer
Policy and Regulatory Affairs
Canadian Association of Broadcasters
306 - 350 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5S2
Tel: (613) 233-4035
Fax: (613) 233-6961

The Canadian Independent Screen Fund for BPOC Creators (CISF)

The CISF is an independent production fund with a mandate to specifically support Black and people of colour creators.

Contact:

Sally Lee
Executive Director
Canadian Independent Screen Fund (CISF) for BPOC Creators
1508 – 65 Harbour Square
Toronto, Ontario
M5J 2L4

Email: ed@independentfund.org
Website: https://independentfund.org/

The TELUS Fund

The TELUS Fund finances the creation of content portraying social and technological innovation in the field of health and wellness.

Contacts:

3rd Floor, 4535 Canada Way
Burnaby, British Columbia
P.O. Box 787
V5G 1J9

Email: info@telusfund.ca
Website: http://www.telusfund.ca/

Telefilm Canada

The Talent Fund is a national donation initiative dedicated to the impact and longevity of first-time filmmakers’ careers from across Canada. This fund invests in emerging talent and provides support to build their professional portfolios, fosters community and knowledge-sharing through professional mentorship, and prioritizes emerging creators from historically underrepresented communities.

Contact:

Me Stéphane Odesse
Vice President, Legal Services and information management and Corporate Secretary, Telefilm Canada
360, St-Jacques Street, suite 600
Montreal, Quebec
H2Y 1P5
+ 1-800-567-0890

Email: Stephane.Odesse@telefilm.ca

Website: https://thetalentfund.ca/


Reference documents for certification of independent production funds: Public Notices CRTC 1997-25, 1997-98, 1999-29, 2003-37, 2003-38. Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-833

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