Television and Web-Based Production Fund
$500,000.00
Investment
Description:
The Television and Web-Based Production Fund program is designed to support the production of television and web-based projects that have an acceptable market trigger for broadcast or distribution and sufficient third party financing to complete the project. The fund provides financial support in the form of equity investments for producers to bring their projects to the screen.
Comments on Funding:
Funding will be offered in the television stream in the form of an equity investment with the following caps:
Television Stream
1. For a scripted, fictional series or mini-series (drama or comedy), the LESSER of the following three thresholds:
a) Up to $500,000; OR
b) Up to 10% of the total production budget; OR
c) Up to 15% of the portion of the budget to be paid to Manitoba residents and businesses (known as the “Manitoba expenditures”).
2. For a scripted, fictional MOW or pilot (drama or comedy), the LESSER of the following three thresholds:
a) Up to $165,000; OR
b) Up to 10% of the total production budget; OR
c) Up to 15% of the portion of the budget to be paid to Manitoba residents and businesses (known as the “Manitoba expenditures”).
3. For documentary and variety programming series and mini-series, the LESSER of the following three thresholds:
a) Up to $125,000; OR
b) Up to 10% of the total production budget; OR
c) Up to 15% of the portion of the budget to be paid to Manitoba residents and businesses (known as the “Manitoba expenditures”).
4. For documentary and variety programming one-offs and non-scripted pilots, the LESSER of the following three thresholds:
a) Up to $50,000; OR
b) Up to 10% of the total production budget; OR
c) Up to 15% of the portion of the budget to be paid to Manitoba residents and businesses (known as the “Manitoba expenditures”).
Web-Based Stream
1. For a scripted, fictional series or mini-series (drama or comedy), the LESSER of the following three thresholds:
a) Up to $100,000; OR
b) Up to $500/per broadcast minute (# of episodes x minutes per episode); OR
c) Up to 30% of the portion of the budget to be paid to Manitoba residents and businesses (known as the “Manitoba expenditures”).
2. For a scripted, fictional one-off (drama or comedy), including pilot, the LESSER of the following three thresholds:
a) Up to $35,000; OR
b) Up to $500/per broadcast minute (# of episodes x minutes per episode); OR
c) Up to 30% of the portion of the budget to be paid to Manitoba residents and businesses (known as the “Manitoba expenditures”).
3. For documentary and variety programming series and mini-series, the LESSER of the following three thresholds:
a) Up to $25,000; OR
b) Up to $500/per broadcast minute (# of episodes x minutes per episode); OR
c) Up to 30% of the portion of the budget to be paid to Manitoba residents and businesses (known as the “Manitoba expenditures”).
4. For documentary and variety programming one-offs, the LESSER of the following three thresholds:
a) Up to $12,500; OR
b) Up to 15% of the total production budget; OR
c) Up to 30% of the portion of the budget to be paid to Manitoba residents and businesses (known as the “Manitoba expenditures”).
Continuous Intake
Eligibility:
The applicant must:
1. be a resident Manitoba producer who operates a production company in Manitoba that is majority owned and controlled by Manitoba residents;
2. demonstrate the ability of the production team to successfully manage and complete the project (ex. Track record based on previous productions of similar scope in terms of “on schedule,” “on budget,” etc.);
3. 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 a co-production or co-venture);
To be eligible for financial support in the television stream, the project must:
a) be a series, mini-series (a minimum of two thematically connected episodes), pilot, MOW, or one-off;
b) be a scripted and fictional drama or comedy, documentary, variety, or children’s production;
c) be live-action or animation;
d) have confirmed, verifiable financing of at least 75% of the total production budget at the time of application;
e) have an eligible cash broadcast licence or distribution advance / minimum guarantee from an industry-recognized distributor, or pre-sales of at least 30% of the production budget;
f) have received separate licence fees for all convergent element rights, including streaming rights, VOD and ancillary element rights.
To be eligible for financial support in the web-based stream, the project must:
a) be a series, mini-series (a minimum of two thematically connected episodes), pilot, MOW, or one-off;
b) be a scripted and fictional drama or comedy, documentary, variety, or children’s production;
c) be live-action or animation; d) have confirmed, verifiable financing of at least 75% of the total production budget at the time of application;
e) have secured one or more of the following two “triggers”:
i. A fully executed letter of commitment or contract with a web “broadcaster” with an industry-recognized track record. Projects with cash advances will be considered stronger;
ii. A fully executed distribution letter of commitment or contract with a webcontent specialist distribution company with an industry-recognized track record.
Application Steps:
Applicants must submit through Manitoba Film & Music’s new online application portal: https://www.mbfilmmusic.ca/apply
Documentation Needed:
Applicants must submit the following:
1. Detailed story outline and project description;
2. Final screenplay (A treatment will be accepted for documentary and variety productions);
3. Detailed budget (locked, signed and dated with no convergent elements included);
4. Detailed budget for convergent elements (locked, signed and dated – if applicable);
5. Evidence of broadcaster or distributor commitment (if applicable);
6. Signed commitment letter(s) from ALL financial participants (minimum 75% required to be reviewed);
7. Federal and provincial tax credit calculations including a detailed list of projected eligible
Manitoba expenditures (if applicable);
8. Production schedule;
9. Detailed cast & crew list (indicate Manitoba content points as applicable);
10. Resumes for key creative positions;
11. Detailed training plan (to support Manitoba Training Requirements);
12. Proposed recoupment schedule based on Manitoba Film & Music’s recoupment policy;
13. Detailed marketing and distribution plan, indicating target audience and market potential;
14. National and International revenue projections;
15. Complete chain of title documentation;
16. Co-production agreement between co-producers (if a co-production);
Additional items required for “web only” projects:
i. Signed commitment letter or contract with an industry-recognized web broadcaster (if applicable).
ii. Signed commitment letter or contract with an industry-recognized web content distribution company (if applicable).
iii. Marketing and promotional plan, including specific strategies for a) distribution, b)monetization, and c) post broadcast data collection.
iv. Audience building plan, including social media strategy.
v. Maintenance plan, both in terms of content and financial support.
vi. Description of the development team’s web content development experience.
17. Additional documents may be required. Check the Program Contact for the full list of required documentation.
Other Things to Note:
About the author
Maurice
