Feature Film Production Fund

Who can apply

1. In the production financing of fully developed feature film projects through equity investments
2. Movies for television are not eligible
3. Be a resident Manitoba producer, defined as a producer who operates a production company in Manitoba that is majority owned and controlled by Manitoba residents
4. Applications must be submitted by an eligible Manitoba resident producer
5. A resident is defined as an individual who is legally entitled to be, work and remain in Canada, is currently a resident of Manitoba and has been for not less than 365 days prior to the date of application to MFM
6. Not-for-profit organizations are not eligible for MFM programs
7. The production team must be able to successfully manage and complete the project for which it is applying for financing
8. Have proof of ownership in the property and the necessary, corresponding current rights to produce and exploit the production (may be shared in the case of co- productions and co-ventures)
9. Be a feature-length fictional film or a feature-length documentary, as per industry standards
10. Be live-action or animation
11. Be primarily intended for theatrical release
12. Projects intended for an initial or primary television broadcast are not eligible, however, in the case of feature documentaries, if the financing structure includes a broadcast license together with a confirmed theatrical release, MFM may consider the project eligible at its own discretion
13. Have confirmed, verifiable financing of at least 75% of the total production budget at the time of application
14. Have verifiable pre-sales or distribution advances
15. Have a minimum guarantee or an advance from an acceptable, verifiable distributor OR, provided there is independent third-party financing which is also at risk, a realistic and detailed marketing plan, the sufficiency of which is at the sole discretion of MFM
16. Distribution advances must be in the form of cash, not services, to be eligible
17. Co-productions or co-ventures will be considered eligible, but MFM will require evidence that the resident Manitoba producer shares ownership in the project
18. For co-productions or co-ventures, the Manitoba producer must have voting share ownership in the applicant company that is at least proportionate to the level of Manitoba investment including equity, tax credits, producer investments, deferrals, etc. At least 50% of the directors and officers of the single-purpose production entity must be Manitoba residents
19. Applicants must demonstrate to the satisfaction of MFM that all necessary insurance is in place, as well as a satisfactory completion arrangement (bond, producer fee holdback, contingency percentage)
20. The project must be in compliance with the laws, regulations, standards, and policies applicable to distribution, broadcasting and to intellectual property, and the project must not infringe upon any public or private rights and must not otherwise contravene the Canadian civil and criminal laws in effect
21. Projects applying for production funding must meet the Manitoba Content Requirements and Manitoba Training Requirements found in the applicable program guidelines
22. The production’s bank account (under the Manitoban single-purpose applicant company in the case of co-productions or co-ventures) must be based in Manitoba; the bank’s address on the cheques for the account must be a Manitoban address
23. Manitoba should be the principal film location for all projects, with the exception of documentaries
24. Applicant companies (or their affiliates) must be in good standing with MFM at the time of application
25. Applications from those companies in default on any contractual obligation to MFM will not be considered