CMF-ISO Interactive and Immersive Program (Canada)

Applicants to this program may undertake project work in the development and production of high-calibre video​​games, AR/VR/MR works, apps, and immersive and/or interactive projects that include audiovisual content.

Funding Information

• $50,000.00 for individuals (including sole proprietors), collectives, companies and councils, communities, or settlements for the development of a project.
• $100,000.00 for individuals (including sole proprietors), collectives, companies and councils, communities, or settlements for the production of a project.

Eligible Expenses

• Costs associated with the production phase of interactive and immersive content including equipment rentals, studio rentals, production office, on-set costs and fees;
• Engagement with experts, consultants, mentors, knowledge keepers or other professional development in relation to the project;
• Hiring of key creatives, cast, crew, technical expertise, publicists, cultural advisors/knowledge carriers, community liaisons, or specialized talent;
• Trainee and mentorship positions during production (except if applying to other funded training programs);
• Production of promotional materials ie. trailers;
• Producer fees up to 10% of the budget and contingency related costs (cap 5% of total budget);
• Translation and language support;
• Accessibility costs during production and post production;
• Fees and honorariums for community engagement;
• Facilitator and consulting fees;
• Technology costs, including equipment purchases (must include detail in budget notes).

Ineligible Expenses

• Re-takes or pick-ups;
• Activities and phases of a project that have been previously funded by the ISO;
• Development or Production costs that have already been incurred or paid;
• Activities that are carried out to satisfy Post-Secondary Course Requirements of an educational institution;
• Activities proposed by someone under the age of majority in the respective province;
• Activities that are illegal according to the Criminal Code of Canada;
• Activities carried out by organizations that have not paid, or do not pay, fees or royalties to artists according to the standards of the arts practice or sector;
• Costs for projects not included in the application;
• Promotional or sponsored content.

Eligibility Criteria

• Individuals and Sole Proprietors
  • Are a First Nations, Inuit or Métis person residing in Canada and who is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
  • Working in screen-based content, including TV, film, and web, gaming, apps, and XR (VR, AR);
  • The project is under the financial and creative control of the applicant; two of the three key members of the creative team (director, screenwriter, showrunner/lead producer) must be Indigenous;
  • Is not in a state of bankruptcy within the meaning of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada).
• Individual Applicants
  • Please be advised the Canada Revenue Agency considers this funding as taxable.
  • Sole Proprietors
  • If you are applying as a sole proprietor, you may apply under your business name for the funding to be deposited to your business bank account. Please keep all expense receipts related to this funding to offset your tax obligations. Funds will not be deposited to an account in any name other than the applicant name.
• Companies
  • Indigenous-controlled: minimum 51% ownership by person/s who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis who is/are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada;
  • The project is under the financial and creative control of Indigenous persons; two of the three key members of the creative team (director, screenwriter, showrunner/creative producer) must be Indigenous;
  • Registered as a corporation with its head office in Canada;
  • Main activity of the company is the production or support of screen-based content, including TV, film, web, digital narrative content, and XR (VR, AR);
  • Is not insolvent or bankrupt, or in the course of the reorganization of its business within the meaning of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada).
• First Nation, Inuit or Métis Collectives
  • Indigenous-led (if two members, both must be Indigenous, if more than two, the majority of the collective/group must be persons who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis), by citizens or permanent residents of Canada;
  • Provide a collective agreement, signed by all members;
  • Two or more artists working together under a group name with a bank account held in that name;
  • The project is under the financial and creative control of Indigenous persons, two of the key members of the creative team (director, screenwriter, showrunner/creative producer) must be Indigenous;
  • Main activity of the collective/group is the production or support of screen-based content, including TV, film, web, digital narrative content, and XR (VR, AR).
• First Nation, Inuit or Métis Band Office or Registered Community or Settlement
  • Must currently be recognized as an Indigenous nation/established community;
  • The project is under the financial and creative control of Indigenous persons, two of the three key members of the creative team (director, screenwriter, showrunner/creative producer) must be Indigenous and are citizens or permanent residents of Canada;
  • Must demonstrate capacity for undertaking a screen-based project, community interest, and support;
  • Can accept a direct deposit in the name of the applicant.

For more information, visit Canada Media Fund.