News Updates

Manitoba Film & Music Summary of Film Program Changes 2020-2021

Posted on May 8, 2020

Changes applicable to the Pitch Readiness Program for Multi-Episode Productions

• Now, producer fees, corporate overhead and payments to employees will be considered eligible under this program for applications received before March 31, 2021. Producer fees and corporate overhead are each capped at 20% of the development budget for the phase in question. Manitoba Film & Music reserves the right to review and reduce all eligible costs.

Complete Guidelines and Application Form are available here: https://mbfilmmusic.ca/en/film/program/11

Changes applicable to the Television and Web-Based Development Fund

• Now, the combined producer fees and corporate overhead costs will be capped at 50% of the development budget versus the previous 40% for the round in question for applications received before March 31, 2021. Manitoba Film & Music reserves the right to review and reduce all eligible costs.

Complete Guidelines and Application Form are available here: https://mbfilmmusic.ca/en/film/program/12

NEW PILOT PODCAST PROGRAMS

Pilot Podcast Development Fund

In recognition of the need to stimulate the creation and development of innovative and marketable podcasts based on new or existing Manitoba intellectual properties, MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC accepts requests for funding to assist producers to write and create multi-episodic podcasts intended for production in Manitoba.

The Pilot Podcast Development Fund will provide financial support to podcast productions in the form of a recoupable loan to producers, providing them with the opportunity to create strong podcast scripts with demonstrated market interest.

To be eligible for financial support, the applicant must:

• Be a resident Manitoba producer, defined as a producer who operates a company in Manitoba that is majority-owned and controlled by Manitoba residents. Note: Applications must be submitted by an eligible resident Manitoba producer;
• Have a minimum of two years of experience as a producer of podcasts, radio, film, television or related form;
• Producers who do not meet this requirement but who are judged to have equivalent experience (including experience in film or radio production) may be deemed eligible at MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC’s sole discretion;
• Have proof of ownership in the underlying property and the necessary corresponding current rights or options to develop, produce and exploit the production throughout the world (may be shared in the case of co-development applications).

To be eligible for financial support, the project must:

• Be either an adaptation of an existing Manitoba intellectual property or based on a new Manitoba intellectual property;
• Be a series or mini-series (a minimum of two thematically connected episodes);
• Be a scripted and fictional (drama or comedy), documentary, variety, or children’s podcast;
• Be primarily intended for commercial broadcast or commercial distribution;
• Be developed in Manitoba.

Funding will be offered in the form of a recoupable advance that must be repaid on the first day of principal recording of the podcast. Any sale or transfer of ownership (either copyright or share) by the Manitoba producer must be at fair market value, and “first-dollar-in” proceeds must be used to repay Manitoba Film & Music’s development loan immediately.

Eligible Production Companies may receive up to the following per project caps:

• Up to $12,500 per project for scripted, fictional programming (including drama, comedy, and scripted children’s programming); and
• Up to $7,500 per project for non-fiction programming (documentary, variety, children’s non-fiction programming).

In addition, per-project funding will not exceed up to 50% of the podcast development budget. Each project may only receive one round of Pilot Podcast Development Fund funding. Complete Guidelines and Application Form are available here: https://mbfilmmusic.ca/en/film/program/351

Pilot Podcast Production Fund

In recognition of the need to stimulate the creation of innovative, marketable projects, employment and investment in Manitoba, the MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC Pilot Podcast Production Fund is designed to support the production of multi-episodic podcast productions based on new or existing Manitoba intellectual properties that have sufficient financing to complete the project.

The MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC Pilot Podcast Production Fund provides financial support in the form of an equity investment for producers to complete their projects intended for broadcast or distribution.

To be eligible for financial support, the applicant must:

• Be a resident Manitoba producer, defined as a producer who operates a company in Manitoba that is majority owned and controlled by Manitoba residents. Note: Applications must be submitted by an eligible resident Manitoba producer;
• Demonstrate the ability of the production team to successfully manage and complete the project (e.g. track record based on previous productions of similar scope in terms of being on schedule and on budget);
• 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).

To be eligible for financial support, the project must:

• Be either an adaptation of an existing Manitoba intellectual property or based on a new Manitoba intellectual property.
• Be a series or mini-series (a minimum of two thematically connected episodes);
• Be a scripted and fictional (drama or comedy), documentary, variety, or children’s podcast;
• Use the highest possible proportion of Manitoba resources in its crew, cast, and facilities;
• Be produced in Manitoba;
• Be primarily intended for broadcast or commercial distribution; the onus is on the applicant to demonstrate that the strategy for monetization is viable;
• Have confirmed, verifiable financing of at least 50% of the total production budget at the time of application;
• In the absence of verifiable pre-sales, broadcast licences or distribution advances, MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC does require the producer or an independent third-party financier as an equity investor who is also at risk;
• Have a realistic and detailed marketing plan, the sufficiency of which is at the sole discretion of MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC.

Funding will be offered in the form of an equity investment up to the LESSER of the following two thresholds:

• Up to $20,000 per half-hour episode; OR
• Up to 50% of the total production budget;

The level of financial participation will be calculated on the cash portion of the budget only. Deferrals and services in kind will not be included in the calculation.
Complete Guidelines and Application Form are available here: https://mbfilmmusic.ca/en/film/program/352

At this time, in keeping with MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC’s contactless operations, all applications and supporting documentation are to be submitted electronically to info@mbfilmmusic.ca .