Canada and Germany partner on digital media codevelopment and coproduction
Cologne DE, August 23, 2017 - The Canada Media Fund (CMF) and Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg (MBB), the body responsible for film funding and media business development in the German states of Berlin and Brandenburg, announced today an agreement to establish an incentive for the codevelopment and coproduction of digital media projects between Canadian producers and German producers based in Berlin-Brandenburg. The announcement of the Canada-Germany Digital Media Incentive was made at the Berlin-Brandenburg reception during Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, where Canada is the official partner country.
To qualify, projects must involve producers eligible under both organisations’ criteria. Projects will have to be created for digital platforms and can be either a game, a web series, multiplatform content, augmented reality or virtual reality experiences.
“Creating codevelopment and coproduction opportunities between Canadian and international producers continues to be a top priority for the CMF,” said Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, CMF. “We are delighted to welcome Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg to our growing list of international partners. Germany and Canada are global powerhouse when it comes to the development and production of digital media and innovative storytelling. We are certain that producers from both countries will benefit enormously by establishing constructive partnerships to create compelling content through this agreement. The announcement of this incentive at Gamescom is timely as the Consulate of Canada in Munich and the Department of Canadian Heritage have increased exposure and opportunities this year for Canadian producers at this leading international trade event.”
“We are very pleased to have found in the Canada Media Fund a strong international partner with which we can launch the joint development and production of new games, web series, VR, and multi-platform projects,” said Medienboard Managing Director Helge Jürgens. “With Canada a pioneer and role model in providing successful economic support to the audiovisual industry, and Berlin-Brandenburg a location with a long filmmaking tradition and outstanding IT creative competencies, the two partners complement one another in a first-rate manner. With its new program, the Medienboard aims to further expand its international network within the market-leading Canadian digital-media sector, and deepen cooperation between German and Canadian media professionals. I am very excited for the joint projects and the associated innovative stimulus to be provided to both digital-media production locations.”
Projects will be evaluated according to a set of criteria, including innovative and creative elements, how they engage the targeted community and audience, the creative team, and the viability of the projects’ budget and timelines.
The total amount of funding available through the Incentive is approximately CAD $300,000 with each funding organization contributing half of the funds. The total maximum contribution for each project funded through the incentive is CAD $300,000. Funding will take the form of a repayable advance in development and of a recoupable investment in production.
Finding an international partner
Producers interested in finding an international partner as part of this incentive are invited to post a profile of their company on the CMF’s website by clicking here. Profiles will be accessible to all, including potential partners from other countries. Berlin Brandenburg Film Commission (BBFC), MBB’s first stop agency for film and media producers, offers the same service for the German capital region, which can be accessed by clicking here.
How to apply
All applications must comply with the guidelines for the Incentive which are available on both the CMF and MBB websites. Click here to access the guidelines. Submissions are open immediately and will close on December 12, 2017.
Projects will be evaluated and chosen by a selection committee composed of representatives from the CMF and MBB. Recipients will be announced in February 2018.
About the Canada Media Fund
The Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters, develops, finances and promotes the production of Canadian content and applications for all audiovisual media platforms. The CMF guides Canadian content towards a competitive global environment by fostering industry innovation, rewarding success, enabling a diversity of voice and promoting access to content through public and private sector partnerships. The CMF receives financial contributions from the Government of Canada and Canada’s cable, satellite and IPTV distributors. Please visit cmf-fmc.ca.
About Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg
Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg is the main institution for the film and media industry in the German capital region. The Media Development division represents Berlin-Brandenburg as a key media location in Germany at international markets and festivals, provides market research and analysis and organizes networking events. The department funds media-related projects, serial formats as well as the development of innovative and interactive content in the games, web, and virtual reality categories. The Film Funding division provides funding for films, serial drama and film-related projects, advises filmmakers on financing issues, and supports the development of the film industry.
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For more information, please contact: Jill Samson Esther Rothstegge |
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Sean Casey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage with Nathalie Clermont, Director of Program Management, CMF, and representatives from Medienboard Berlin-Brandeburg |
Sean Casey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage with Nathalie Clermont, Director of Program Management, CMF, and representatives from Medienboard Berlin-Brandeburg |
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