Deadline: 19 December 2024
The Creative BC is seeking applications for the Slate Development Program to support the growth of mid-level and experienced B.C.-based production companies with a significant track record of owned and controlled independent production in the province.
Recipients will receive a modest grant to support the development costs of two (2) to five (5) scripted television or feature film projects, as well as capacity-building initiatives within their company.
Objectives
- Support B.C. owned and controlled companies developing intellectual property (IP) that they control.
- Encourage company growth for mid-level and experienced producers beyond project-byproject funding.
- Enable the development of bold and innovative work that will attract investment from national and international broadcasters, distributors and/or streaming platform decision makers.
- Support diverse voices that are historically and systemically excluded and critical to a vibrant and equitable industry.
Funding Information
- Overall Funding Envelope Available: Up to $600,000 will be committed.
- Funding Per Applicant: Up to $50,000
Eligible Projects
- Company development slates MUST have a minimum of two projects listed.
- At the time of application, companies must specify a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of five (5) projects intended for Creative BC Slate Development support.
- At least one of the projects earmarked for Creative BC Slate Development support MUST be a scripted television series intended for broadcast or streaming / VOD platforms.
- Other projects can include documentary series, reality televisions, and scripted feature films for theatrical release, broadcast, streaming or VOD platforms.
- Projects listed in the company development slate must be 100% owned and controlled / optioned (or intended to be optioned should the application be successful), by the applicant for a minimum of 12 months.
- Projects listed in the company development slate must also be under the financial and creative control of the applicant (exceptions available for inter-provincial co-productions and international treaty co-productions).
- Projects listed in the company development slate must be intended to be produced in B.C.
Ineligible Projects
- The following projects are not eligible for spending:
- Web-series.
- Short Films.
- Excluded productions as defined by the Film & Television Tax Credit Regulations including, but not limited to: pornography, talk shows, news, live sports events, game shows, and advertising.
- Projects currently supported through other Creative BC funding programs.
Eligible Costs
- A range of development phase costs for the projects being proposed in the slate are eligible:
- Acquisition of rights or optioning fees.
- Script writing (all phases) and script workshopping.
- Production of a demo, storyboards or animatic.
- Pre-production planning, finance packaging and/or casting.
- Business affairs and legal services associated with the above activities.
- Producer fees and corporate overhead (up to a combined total of 40% of development costs).
- Marketing and travel expenses related to securing market support or further financing.
- Company capacity-building activities that encompass a range of strategic growth initiatives.
- These may include, but are not limited to:
- Hiring key professionals such as a corporate lawyer, business affairs consultant, or accountant.
- Engaging a producer mentor, coach, or advisor for guidance and expertise.
- Bringing on executive support, such as a development producer or specialists to address marketing and human resources needs.
- Conducting company-wide training or workshops focused on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) tactics, leadership development, or sustainable filmmaking practices.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must meet the following requirements to apply:
- Be a company incorporated in British Columbia or Canada with its head office in British Columbia. (Note: Companies extra-provincially registered in B.C. are not eligible.)
- The majority of the common interest voting shares of the company must be held by B.C. residents.
- Their primary business is the creation of motion picture audiovisual content.
- They, and any related or associated parties must be in good standing with Creative BC.
- Further, the applicant or the company must demonstrate in the past 5 years either:
- A minimum B.C. owned and controlled production spend of $1 million in the province
- Have produced a minimum of 2 completed B.C. owned and controlled film or television productions that have been released theatrically, broadcast on television (including but not limited to VOD services such as Gem, Crave, Netflix, Amazon Prime or Disney+) or played at internationally recognized film festivals.
For more information, visit Creative BC.