Sasktel Max Equity Fund
The Creative Saskatchewan SaskTel Max Equity Fund provides financial support to eligible Saskatchewan-based independent producers of audiovisual productions. Creative Saskatchewan may invest in eligible projects that demonstrate significant economic, cultural and employment benefit to the Saskatchewan industry, and a high potential of recoupment and profit in the application.
Offered by Creative Saskatchewan
Amount
Equity investment in support of eligible productions to a maximum of 20% of the approved cash budget
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
Applicants must comply with the general eligibility requirements of Creative Saskatchewan and meet the following criteria:
- Applicants must be Saskatchewan residents as defined in The Creative Saskatchewan Regulations.
- Applicants must have experience as producers of film, video or digital delivery productions and must demonstrate their company possesses the necessary expertise to complete the proposed production and associated marketing.
- Applicants must be the owner or co-owner of the project, control copyright and receive, subject to commitments to third-party investors, talent and deferring parties, a share of revenues from sales of the project.
- The production company cannot hold a broadcasting license issued by the CRTC or deal at non-arm’s length with a corporation that holds a license.
- Applicants must receive sole or, in the case of co-production, shared and equal stature producer credits on the project. Credits such as associate producer, co-producer and line producer do not satisfy the requirement.
- The production company must be incorporated or registered pursuant to an Act to conduct business in Saskatchewan.
Eligible Projects
- Applicants must demonstrate at the time of application that a minimum of 50% of all third-party production financing is contracted (the Creative Saskatchewan Feature Film and Television Production Grant and Federal and other Provincial Tax Credits can be included in this calculation), and all necessary insurance and performance bonds are in place.
- The project must be made available in a meaningful way to target Canadian audiences within two years of completion on any platform including a Canadian broadcaster or subscription video on demand (as demonstrated by a written commitment to air the completed project).
- Productions receiving funding must achieve six points out of 10 for Canadian content certification.
- A treaty co-production certified by the CRTC.
- Be closed captioned and have descriptive video.
- Applications may be submitted at any stage of the production or post production, but must be submitted prior to the completion of the project.
- Fund contributions can be used for the following project categories:
- Long-form documentary
- Informal education / recreation and leisure
- Drama and comedy
- Music and dance
- Music video programs
- General entertainment and human interest
New Media Content, such as video games, apps, customized web content etc., must be related to supporting an audiovisual production.
Not eligible:
The production company cannot hold a broadcasting license issued by the CRTC or deal at non-arm’s length with a corporation that holds a license
Fund contributions will not be used to fund projects in the news, reporting and actualities, and sports categories
- Applicants may not apply on behalf of
A political organization or party
A religious organization
Organizations that discriminate based on culture, gender, sexual orientation, race, language, ethnic origin, economic status, religion, political, or other conscientiously held beliefs
Organizations advocating for political or religious beliefs
About the funding
The Fund is a competitive fund that may provide equity investment in support of eligible productions to a maximum of 20% of the approved cash budget.
- The labour of Saskatchewan residents is an eligible expense but must be in accordance with industry standards. An applicant’s own or staff labour directly attributed to the project described in the application is eligible as long as a breakdown of hours and rationale for rate is provided. The applicant will also be asked to provide documentation of project payment for self and/or staff in their final report.
- Administration expenses capped at 15% of the proposed budget or $5,000 (whichever is the lesser) are eligible. The cost of contracted services directly attributable to the project described in the application, and in accordance with industry standard rates, is an eligible expense.
- Travel, per diems, and accommodation expenses (if applicable to the activities of the program) are limited to Saskatchewan residents unless otherwise stated. For applicants to the Feature Film & Television Production Grant, please refer to our Saskatchewan screen-based expenditures here.
- All sales taxes other than GST (Goods and Services Tax) or HST (Harmonized Sales Tax).
Similar programs
| Program | Type | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| BDC Growth & Transition Capital: Working Capital | Loan, Investment | Financing from $250,000 to $35M, repayable over 2 to 8 years | Open |
| National Creation Fund | Investment | Up to $2,000,000 a year in 9 to 11 projects | Open |
| Theatrical Documentary Program | Grant, Investment | Production Stage, Canadian budget less than $500,000: the lesser of 49% of eligible Canadian production costs or $175,000 | Closed between intakes |
