CMF announces $19M in COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for film and television production companies
Toronto, September 17, 2020 – The Canada Media Fund (CMF) is announcing a new initiative to support Canada’s film and television producers. Part of the Government of Canada’s Phase 2 COVID-19 Emergency Support designated for the cultural, heritage and sport sectors, a total of $19M are being made available through an Audiovisual Allocation. It includes $12M in emergency support funds announced in July 2020 and an additional $7M top-up made recently by the Government of Canada.
Administered by the CMF, in collaboration with Telefilm Canada, the Audiovisual Allocation is available to both film and television producers that did not receive Phase 1 funding reserved for the cultural, heritage or sport sectors and who meet the eligibility criteria. Click here to apply. Click here to access the criteria.
“Canada’s audiovisual sector continues to be heavily impacted by the pandemic,” said Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, CMF. “This additional support by the Government of Canada is a most welcome lifeline to hundreds of production companies across the country. These businesses are the bedrock upon which our industry is built. Their preservation is both a cultural and economic imperative.”
“This additional emergency funding will continue to help maintain jobs and support Canadian film and television organizations,” added the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “Supporting Canadian content is more important than ever for our country’s cultural industry. We thank the Canada Media Fund and Telefilm Canada for their great leadership during these challenging times.”
Eligible Applicants may receive between $5,000 and $100,000, to be determined through a formula-based approach.
Applications will open on Monday, September 21 and will close on October 16, 2020.
To help workers and businesses in the screen-based industries navigate the many programs and resources available to those affected by the crisis, the CMF launched an online information hub. Information on financial support offered through hundreds of programs, as well as other essential resources can be found at covid.cmf-fmc.ca.
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.
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For more information, contact:
CMFPA Funding Application Office
1 800 567 0890
CMF.FMC.coordination@telefilm.ca
For press inquiries, contact:
André Ferreira
Senior Communications Manager
Canada Media Fund
416-554-2768
aferreira@cmf-fmc.ca