Alberta Media Fund — Project Script Development Grant
AB, Canada
Grant for Alberta film script development
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateFebruary 01, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateMarch 02, 2024
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Information and cultural industries
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Alberta
- Ministry of Culture (AB)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Companies with multiple film or television projects of 30 minutes or more may be eligible for up to $55,000 per project or $70,000 total.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
The Project Script Development Grant provides funding at various stages of production to support the creation of high-quality scripts for the Alberta screen-based production industry. The financing is structured to aid multiple projects under a parent company within a fiscal year.
- Funding up to $55,000 per project and up to $70,000 per parent company annually for multiple projects.
- The financing is distributed in stages: $15,000, $25,000, and another $15,000, corresponding to specific stages of script development.
- Applicants must adhere to financial reporting requirements, demonstrating that funds were spent as intended in their application.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant fosters the development of high-quality, commercially viable projects and scripts suitable for broadcasting, supporting the Alberta screen-based production industry.
- New productions that are at least 30 minutes in broadcast length.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 50,000
Writing a 60-minute biographical TV movie
$ 40,000
Producing a new 45-minute animated television series pilot
$ 35,000
Developing a 30-minute pilot episode for a drama series
$ 50,000
Creating a new 90-minute feature film focusing on women's rights
$ 43,000
Producing a 60-minute wildlife documentary
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant requires organizations to meet specific incorporation and good standing criteria.
- The organization must be incorporated in Alberta.
- The organization must be in good standing with the Corporate Registry.
- The organization must be in good standing with the Alberta Media Fund.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Alberta Project Script Development Grant is open to Alberta writers, directors, and producers, specifically:- The producer must be an Alberta resident.- Applicants must involve the participation of both a writer and a producer.- Organizations must be incorporated in Alberta and in good standing with both the Corporate Registry and the Alberta Media Fund.- Eligible projects are new productions of at least 30 broadcast minutes in length.- Individual applicants or companies can apply for up to $55,000 per project, with a total cap of $70,000 for those with multiple projects in a fiscal year.Organizations or projects not eligible include those involved in news, reality TV, video game production, and other specified content types and mediums. Eligible expenses typically involve direct costs related to script development, excluding capital expenses and pre-application costs.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain projects from eligibility based on their content and activity focus. Projects not aligned with the cultural and entertainment focus of the grant are ineligible for funding.
- News, current events, or public affairs programming.
- Talk shows.
- Productions related to games or contests.
- Sports events or activities.
- Productions that solicit funds.
- Reality TV.
- Pornography or adult entertainment.
- Advertising.
- Productions for industrial, corporate, or institutional purposes.
- Console or online video games.
- Software programming platforms.
- Video distribution platforms or aggregators.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant supports the development of professional quality, commercial-ready scripts or projects that are intended for broadcasting. It offers financial assistance to Alberta-based writers, directors, and producers to help bring their creative visions to life.
- Option fees for literary material.
- Compensation for writers and producers.
- Development of series proposals.
- Research or travel expenses related to the project.
- Script consulting and editing fees.
- Corporate overhead and legal fees directly related to development.
- Screen-play workshopping to refine the script.
- Creation of demo reels and pitching materials to present the project to potential partners or investors.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is available to companies that are incorporated in Alberta. This focuses the funding on entities that contribute to the province's screen-based production industry.
- Companies incorporated in Alberta.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The Project Script Development Grant applications are assessed and scored based on specific evaluation and selection criteria. These criteria help determine the eligibility and quality of the projects.
- Originality, creativity, and viability of the project
- Demonstrated industry experience and track record of key creative team members
- Potential for economic and cultural benefits to Alberta's screen-based production industry
- Clear and detailed budget that aligns with the proposed project
- Evidence of market interest or distribution potential for the project
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Review Guidelines
- Examine the Project Script Development Grant Guidelines carefully to understand the application requirements.
- Step 2: Create Online Profile
- Request access to set up an online profile by completing the Front Office Registration form.
- Email the completed form to AMF.grants@gov.ab.ca.
- Receive login credentials via email.
- Step 3: Complete Application
- Log into the Online Grant Application System using your credentials.
- Begin your application, referencing the GATE Application Tips and Guide for assistance.
- Step 4: Gather Required Documents
- Check the guidelines for a list of application requirements and gather all necessary documents.
- Ensure all required documents are ready to submit with your application.
- Step 5: Submit Application
- Submit your completed application and all supporting documents via the Online Grant Application System.
- Ensure submission by 11:59 pm on the deadline date (or the next working day in case of a holiday or weekend).
- Step 6: After Application
- Your application will be assessed using the Panel Assessment Form.
- Receive notification in writing about the outcome of your application.
- Step 7: Reporting
- Submit a report 60 days after project completion demonstrating fund usage as per the application.
- Include a complete financial report and a copy of the work produced.
- Failure to meet reporting requirements may result in a return of funds.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Grant applications are assessed and scored using the Panel Assessment Form.
- Recipients must submit a report within 60 days after project completion.
- Funds are to be returned if reporting requirements are not met.
- The report must include a financial report and a copy of the work produced.
grant_single_labels|contact
780-422-8584
Apply to this program
Support for Alberta's Screen-Based Storytellers
The Project Script Development Grant aims to provide financial support to Alberta writers, directors, and producers, enabling them to create professional-quality, commercial-ready scripts. This grant is an essential component of the Alberta Media Fund, designed to enhance the province’s screen-based production industry by fostering competitive and sustainable growth.
Detailed Insight into the Project Script Development Grant
The Project Script Development Grant is a pivotal initiative under the Alberta Media Fund, structured to bolster the creative potential of Alberta's screenwriters, directors, and producers. This program is particularly aligned with nurturing local talent and addressing the financial challenges faced in the early stages of script development. With applications available twice a year, from February 1 to March 1 and August 1 to September 1, the grant ensures accessibility and planning efficiency for potential applicants.
Eligible applicants can receive up to $55,000 per project, but should note the cumulative cap of $70,000 per parent company per fiscal year. The funding is strategically allocated across different stages of production to support the unique financial needs associated with crafting a project ready for broadcast. Specifically, these stages include initial development, mid-production enhancement, and final touches necessary to refine a script to its polished end.
The criteria for eligibility focus not only on the production being new and at least 30 minutes in broadcast length but also on the organizational and administrative standing of the applicants. To ensure a fair and robust selection process, submissions undergo a thorough evaluation using a Panel Assessment Form which measures the quality and potential impact of the scripts. Accountability is a cornerstone of the grant, requiring recipients to submit a comprehensive report on how funds were utilized, with obligatory financial documentation within 60 days of project completion.
Moreover, the grant encourages a collaborative dynamic by mandating the involvement of both a writer and a producer, thereby fostering projects that are both creatively ambitious and commercially viable. As a response to the growing importance of Alberta’s role in the national and international media landscape, this grant represents a commitment to enhancing competitiveness in the region’s screen-based production arena.
The grant application process requires careful preparation, including the creation of an online profile and the collation of all necessary documents. With a detailed set of guidelines and a user-friendly online system, the process is designed to be as clear and accessible as possible. The fund's administrators also offer guidance via phone and email, ensuring applicants have the support needed to successfully navigate the application process.
Ineligible projects, such as news segments and reality TV, are clearly delineated to focus resources on initiatives with significant artistic and commercial potential. Understanding the landscape of eligible expenses is critical for applicants; funds may cover option fees, corporate overhead, and creative workshopping, among other costs, but not capital items or pre-submission expenses.
This program underscores Alberta's commitment to a flourishing cultural sector, providing necessary resources that help writers, producers, and directors overcome financial barriers and embrace new creative opportunities. The Project Script Development Grant not only funds the storytelling dreams of its recipients but also contributes to a vibrant cultural narrative that resonates beyond provincial borders, embedding Alberta's stories more deeply in the greater Canadian and global tapestry of media productions.
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