CANADA MEDIA FUND ANNOUNCES $19 MILLION IN COVID-19 EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUND

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) announced 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. This 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.

“Canada’s audiovisual sector continues to be heavily impacted by the pandemic. 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,”  said Valerie Creighton, President and CEO of the Canada Media Fund.

“This additional emergency funding will continue to help maintain jobs and support Canadian film and television organizations. 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,”  added the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Applications will open on Monday, September 21, and will close on October 16, 2020.