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Page 3 of 3 Low Budget Independent Feature Film Assistance Program The Low Budget Independent Feature Film Assistance Program is intended to assist in the production and post-production/completion of high quality, original and culturally relevant, director driven, low-budget feature films created by emerging and established filmmakers. This financing is available only to directors, and as such, producers may not apply. The director must own and control 100% of the creative and editorial rights in connection with the production. In order to be eligible, productions must be dramatic feature films more than 75 minutes in duration released in digital, 16mm or 35mm formats with budgets between $300,000 and $1-million (which may be exceeded by up to $250,000 in deferrals). The production must obtain at least eight out of 10 CAVCO points, with priority given to productions with the highest proportion of Canadian creative elements. There is no requirement to have a Canadian distribution commitment in place, although Telefilm encourages applicants to seek distribution deals with Canadian broadcasters or Canadian distributors. Telefilm’s financial participation will take the form of a non-interest bearing advance, which may not exceed 65% of the total project budget to a maximum of $200,000 per project. Canadian Television Fund (CTF)The Canadian Television Fund (CTF) was established in 1996. It is a government-industry partnership which is financed by the Government of Canada, the Canadian cable and direct-to-home satellite industries and Telefilm Canada. The Government of Canada, through the Department of Canadian Heritage, has committed to contribute $100 million to the CTF for 2005-2006.According to its website, the objectives of the CTF are “to encourage the financing and broadcasting of high-quality Canadian television productions”; to “reflect Canada to Canadians by assisting the creation and broadcast” of high-quality, culturally significant programs, and to support Aboriginal language productions. The CTF operates funding through license fee top-ups and equity investments in two funding streams: the Broadcaster Performance Envelope Stream and the Special Initiatives Stream, both of which are administered by Telefilm. CTF contributions will be made either as license fee top-ups, or a combination of license fee top-ups and equity investments. Although after March 2006 feature film financing is no longer available in the form of equity investments through the Special Initiatives Stream, funding in respect of feature films which are otherwise eligible for funding under the CTF guidelines continue to be available through the Broadcaster Performance Envelope Stream. The eligibility requirements and thresholds are set out by the CTF in its guidelines which are updated annually. The following is a limited summary of the 2006-2007 Guidelines. For a complete description of the CTF and the requirements for funding, select Guidelines on the CTF’s website: www.canadiantelevisionfund.ca .  |
