(Toast is keeping a close eye on the CMF, thanks to our liaisons and spies, in order to get input on the upcoming projects put forward, and will keep you posted, right here, on what we learn. In the next few weeks, we will publish a series of posts on the matter, the second we know more.)
As of today, this is what we know about the Canada Media Fund (CMF).
When it is implemented on April 1, 2010, it will require any program/series in development or production to be offered on two platforms, the second one integrating added value content (streaming included).
Terms and guidelines will be known by mid-March and will affect all eligible projects in their first year of development or production.
The CMF will only fund projects that have actual added value content on the second platform (Web, mobile, and so on, BUT not theatre releases), which means going beyond a simple promotional site. Funding will equate to 50%, with a $200,000 cap.
Status for these one-time productions (documentaries, for example) is not yet clear; there might be an exception, but nothing yet confirmed.
How will they define Interactive, Added Value? We will know when we get to see the Terms and guidelines.
In the meantime, we fear we might only find out with every approved and rejected project.
To be continued…
(photo skip-rat)