Canada Media Fund and Shaw Rocket Fund join forces to boost kids’ content
Toronto, February 28, 2019 — The Canada Media Fund (CMF) and Shaw Rocket Fund (SRF) today announced a new partnership to fund the production of Canadian digital animated series for children and youth audiences that encourages the use of new technology. Applications for financing through this Program must be submitted to SRF by April 10, 2019. Click here to access the program guidelines.
“At the CMF we believe great partnerships achieve great results,” said Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, CMF. “We have established partnerships with several Canadian and international funds to leverage expertise and pool resources. We’re delighted to now partner with Shaw Rocket Fund to draw on their expertise and boost kids’ programming on digital platforms.”
“The incredibly tech-savvy Generation Z is constantly exploring digital platforms to find new content that speaks to them,” said Agnes Augustin, President and CEO, SRF. “By partnering with the CMF, we’ve been able to develop an exciting investment program that will stimulate the creation of original animated digital content for kids. We know how innovative Canadian producers are and we can’t wait to see what new ideas stem from this program.”
The CMF-SRF Kids Digital Animated Series Program will have a total budget of $3.3M. The maximum contribution provided to a project funded through the Program shall be the lesser of $525,000 or 75 per cent of the project’s eligible costs, with the CMF contributing two-thirds of funding and the Shaw Rocket Fund providing one-third of the funds.
An eligible project must be an original, animated series, in its first season, which meets the CMF’s definition of Children and Youth programming, created initially for digital distribution--including subscription video-on-demand services--on a platform that is meaningfully available to Canadian audiences. The CMF-SRF program will give priority to digital animated series that focus on creativity and originality, the potential to evolve into a subsequent season or a longer format, and use of technology to increase animation quality.
Applicants must meet the CMF and SRF eligibility criteria and follow application procedures. Projects should be directly and solely submitted to Shaw Rocket Fund, which will proceed to the initial analysis. Documentation required at application is described on the SRF’s website found here.
About the Canada Media Fund
The Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters, develops, finances and promotes the production of Canadian content for all audiovisual platforms. In addition, it guides Canadian content towards a competitive global digital environment by supporting industry innovation, rewarding success, promoting diversity of voices, and encouraging access to content through public- and private-sector partnerships. The CMF receives funding from the Government of Canada and from cable, satellite and IP service distributors across the country. Please visit cmf-fmc.ca.
About Shaw Rocket Fund
The Shaw Rocket Fund (SRF) is a vital partner of the Canadian children’s media sector in offering children robust world-leading content on all platforms. The Rocket Fund invests in and supports Canadian-made media that reflects Canadian values and diversity, and most of all respects and speaks to children, while positively showcasing Canadian leadership on the world stage. By working with producers, regulators, and government, the Shaw Rocket Fund aims to make quality content for kids a global priority. Since its inception, the Shaw Rocket Fund has invested over $220 million in 865 Canadian media content for children, family, and youth audiences worldwide. Contributors to the Fund are Shaw Communications and Shaw Direct.
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For questions and interview requests:
André Ferreira
Communications Manager
Canada Media Fund
416-554-2768
aferreira@cmf-fmc.ca
Lisa Amato
Manager, Strategic Communications
Shaw Rocket Fund
lisa@rocketfund.ca
