How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 49% of admissible expenses, capped at $500000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the CMF — Distributor Program?

CMF — Distributor Program is funded by Canada Media Fund (CMF)

What are CMF — Distributor Program's eligibility criterias?

Eligible Canadian Distributors must provide financial contributions to unlock CMF funds.

CMF — Distributor Program

Last Update: April 4, 2025

Canada

CMF Distributor Program enhances Canadian content distribution opportunities

CMF — Distributor Program at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $500,000
Up to 49% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : November 7, 2024
Closing date : November 28, 2024

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Information and cultural industries

Grant Providers

Canada Media Fund (CMF)

Status

Closed

Overview of the CMF — Distributor Program program

The Distributor Program is a pilot initiative designed to provide more flexibility to Applicants by allowing financial contributions from Eligible Canadian Distributors to trigger funding, with a maximum CMF contribution of 49% of Eligible Costs or $500,000, whichever is lesser. The purpose of the program is to open up the CMF to a wider range of Applicants and market tests that may not have participated in the CMF’s funding system before, offering creative financing solutions for Canadian content seen domestically and internationally.

Eligible projects & activities

Implementation of audiovisual content distribution projects not requiring the participation of a Canadian broadcaster.
Distribution of audiovisual content in Canada and internationally by eligible Canadian distributors.
Independent distribution projects with applicants unrelated to an eligible Canadian distributor.
Projects for series or various shows outside of pilots and dramatic feature films.

Eligibility criteria of the CMF — Distributor Program program

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria that applicants must meet.

An Eligible Applicant must comply with the criteria noted in section 3.1 of the Linear Content – Core Production Guidelines, unless otherwise specified.
Applicants cannot be involved in In-house Programming.
Not more than 50% of the Program funds will be allocated to Projects from Applicants who are Related Parties to the Eligible Canadian Distributor triggering the Project.
The remaining Program funds are reserved for independent productions from Applicants not Related Parties to the Eligible Canadian Distributor.

Who is eligible?

The Distributor Program is designed to support a wide range of applicants, particularly those without traditional backing from Canadian Broadcasters, to access new funding opportunities for audiovisual projects intended for distribution both in Canada and internationally.

Applicants with eligible projects which include contributions from eligible Canadian distributors.
Applicants working with independent productions not related to the distributor providing the triggering contribution.
Applicants focusing on non-in-house programming.
Applicants complying with the core Linear Content Production Guidelines and specific program criteria.

Who is not eligible

The Distributor Program imposes specific restrictions to ensure that eligible applicants align with the program's intent of promoting Canadian audiovisual distribution. These restrictions focus on the nature of programming and commercial relationships with distributors.

In-house Programming is not eligible for the Distributor Program.
Pilots and projects that are feature films in the Drama programming genre are not eligible for funding in this Program.

Eligible expenses

Genuine cash contributions, acquired at fair market value and in compliance with industry standards.
Minimum guarantee or recoverable distribution advance by linear content distributors.
Non-recoverable cash contributions from broadcasting rights by Canadian broadcasters.
Capital investments in the form of recoverable equity participation for projects, provided that the requested amount exceeds $100,000.

Eligible geographic areas

The Distributor Program does not specify eligible geographical areas based on the information provided. It is likely intended for Canadian applicants, given the nature of the funder.

Eligibility criteria of the CMF — Distributor Program program

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria with allocated point scores to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.

Track record and experience of the Production and Creative Teams: 18%
Parity: 2% if 40% of the cumulative paid positions on the Production and Creative Teams are held by individuals identifying as women.
Diversity: 2% if 40% of the cumulative paid positions on the Production and Creative Teams are held by members of a "Diverse Community."
Experience of the Eligible Canadian Distributor, including success in distributing projects from 2019-2024: 18%
Distribution Commitment: 50% based on the proportional level of financial contributions made by the Eligible Canadian Distributor to the project.
Impact, including Community Engagement Plan (2%), Sustainability Plan (2%), Vulnerable genres (4%), and Regional Production Project (2%): 10%

How to apply to the CMF — Distributor Program program

Preliminary Checks

Review the Distributor Program's 2024-2025 guidelines thoroughly to ensure eligibility and understanding of the application requirements.
Check the eligibility of your project against the criteria outlined, including the Eligible Triggering Commitment requirements.
Confirm that your distributor is an Eligible Canadian Distributor by having them contact the CMFPA at least fifteen (15) business days before application submission for eligibility determination.

Prepare Application Materials

Gather all necessary project details, including budget, project timeline, and information on the creative and production teams.
Prepare legally binding contracts showcasing the Eligible Triggering Commitments, including distribution agreements with the Eligible Canadian Distributor and, if applicable, licence agreements with Canadian Broadcasters.
Ensure all supporting documents, like distribution and broadcast plans related to Exploitation Rights, are correctly compiled.

Craft Application

Complete the program application form through the CMF’s online portal, detailing project specifics and funding requirements.
Include a Community Engagement Plan and a Sustainability Plan, describing measures undertaken for responsible content creation and environmental sustainability.
Highlight the experience and track record of the Eligible Canadian Distributor as required by the Evaluation Grid.

Application Submission

Verify the accuracy and completeness of the application form and attached documents before submission.
Submit the application on or after November 7, 2024, but no later than the closing date of November 28, 2024.

Confirmation and Follow-Up

Receive confirmation of your application submission from the CMF’s online portal.
Keep track of any communications from CMF regarding your application status or requests for additional information.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The Distributor Program allows projects to leverage financial contributions from eligible distributors to access CMF funding, removing the necessity for broadcaster involvement, thereby fostering a broader range of creative projects.
PERSONA-ID is a connectivity tool that applicants need to understand and potentially utilize in their application process.
The CMF provides resources and supports for persons with disabilities, ensuring accessible application processes for all potential applicants.

Apply to this program

Canadian digital media innovation and experimentation funding program