Bell Fund – TV Program – Major Production Funder Envelope

ByMaurice

Description:

The purpose of the TV Program is to support the production of great, market-driven Canadian content in the genres of lifestyle, drama, comedy series and documentary series. For eligible projects supported by a Major Production Funder (MPF), funding will be allocated from a MPF envelope. The MPF shall provide a Bell Fund Broadcaster support form to the Producer that allows the Producer to submit an application for funding to the Bell Fund.

Comments on Funding:

Funding available for eligible projects in the drama or comedy category is a maximum contribution equal to $250,000, not to exceed 40% of the production’s eligible costs/budget.
Funding in the lifestyle category is a maximum contribution equal to $150,000, not to exceed 40% of the production’s eligible costs/budget.
Funding will be allocated from a MPF envelope. All funds will be paid to the Producer/Applicant for the eligible project.

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • be a Canadian Production Company;
  • be a for-profit company (a taxable Canadian corporation within the meaning of Canada’s Income Tax Act) carrying on business in Canada, with a Canadian business address, owned and controlled by Canadians, whose business is the production of film, video or live programs for distribution;
  • In the event that the applicant is a broadcaster-affiliated company, only up to 25% of the available funds in an MPF envelope can be accessed by these companies;
  • not submit more than two applications for funding in any one year;
  • have been provided with a Bell Fund Broadcaster support form from the MPF.

Eligibility criteria for the TV programs:

  • Principal photography has not been completed at the time of the application deadline.
  • The program must qualify for CRTC or Canadian audio –visual certification office (CAVCO) program certification with a minimum of 8 out of 10 points or as an official treaty co-production certified by Telefilm.
  • A minimum of 75% of program expenses are paid for services provided by Canadians or Canadian companies or subject to official treaty co-production guidelines.
  • Underlying rights are owned and meaningfully developed by Canadians and creative and financial control remains with the Canadian producer throughout the production.
  • The program must be closed captioned and contain described video.
  • Must conform to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ (CAB) code of ethics as well as the CRTC’s programming standards including but not limited to sex-role portrayals and television violence.
  • Funding is for 30-60 minute (half hour and one hour) formats and no less than 6 episodes for a comedy, lifestyle, documentary series (minimum 3 episodes for ‘blue chip’ documentary series with budgets in excess of $500,000/hour) and 4 episodes for a drama series.
  • Effective 2023, funding will be limited to any two 2 seasons of a series.
  • The project must have a commitment from a Canadian broadcaster with a plan to be broadcast within 18 months of completion and delivery of the series to the broadcaster.

(EXCLUDED-> to remove: 5. The program must be broadcast within 2 years of completion of the program.)

Applications Steps:

Applicants must:

1

receive a Bell Fund Broadcaster support form from the MPF that allows him/her to submit an application for funding to the Bell Fund;

2

go to online application portal: application.bellfund.ca and create an account;

3

click on the New Applications tab and select the fund you wish to apply for;

4

submit the application.

Documentation Needed:

Applicants must submit:

  1. Project Details Form;
  2. Proof that Copyright of Project is owned, optioned or controlled by applicant (producer),
  3. Licence Agreement (commitment letter may be sufficient at application stage) with a CRTC Licensed, Broadcaster,
  4. Broadcaster Support Form,
  5. Proof of other financing, if applicable,
  6. Budget – Series Production (.xls or .xlsx),
  7. Bible/Treatment,
  8. Production Schedule,
  9. Credits of Applicant Company (track record of applicant company and production team),
  10. Key Personnel List + CVs (experience and achievements),
    11.Self Identification Contact List,
  11. Co-Production Agreement, if applicable,
  12. Additional documents, if applicable.

(EXCLUDED-> to remove: 10. Proof of eligibility for CAVCO certification,)

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    Other Things to Note:

    This is a new program for the Ontario database, but was present and moved from the Atlantic Canada database.

    Program Contact:

    TV Program – Bell Fund

    About the author

    Maurice

    Maurice (Moe) Muise learned the ins-and-outs of government while an employee of the Government of Canada in Ottawa for 10 years. His current focus is helping small businesses in Ontario to identify and maximize government grants to grow their business. Click here to learn more about Moe’s background and how he can help your business.

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