CMF-SODEC — Predevelopment Program for Television Series Based on Literary Adaptations
QC, Canada
Program supports pre-development of Quebec literary adaptations for TV
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateOctober 18, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateNovember 20, 2024
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Information and cultural industries
grant_single|grantors
- Canada Media Fund (CMF)
- Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The CMF-SODEC Predevelopment Program supports the pre-development of fiction, documentary, and animated series for children and youth based on adaptations of Quebec literary works, providing up to $50,000 per project. Eligible activities include writing, preparation, and presentation tasks that aid in mobilizing expertise for projects with no prior financial support from broadcasters or distributors.
grant_single_labels|projects
The CMF-SODEC Predevelopment Program for Television Series supports the early-stage development of unique series projects rooted in Quebec's literary works. Eligible activities under this program are geared towards pre-development processes specifically tailored for various types of television content.
- Pre-development of fictional television series based on Quebec literary adaptations.
- Pre-development of documentary television series that adapt Quebec literary works.
- Pre-development of animated series for children and youth inspired by Quebec literature.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The following criteria determine the eligibility of companies applying for this grant:
- The applicant must be a for-profit company legally constituted with audiovisual production as its primary activity.
- The company must have its headquarters and principal establishment in Quebec, with effective control majority held by individuals residing in Quebec.
- The company must have been operational for at least one year with appropriate professional experience in television series production.
- Individual enterprises are not eligible for this program.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
This grant supports the pre-development of television series, aimed at increasing competitiveness and fostering high-level Quebec intellectual properties, specifically through literary adaptations.
- Quality and potential of project adaptation: critical and public success of the literary work or author nationally and internationally.
- Quality of adaptation proposal: relevance of chosen angle, narrative approach, characters, and intended format.
- Market relevance: suitability of the adaptation project to the current television market conditions.
- Feasibility: expertise of the production team (including roles such as screenwriters, script editors, showrunner, director, and producer).
- Track record: experience of the applicant company in similar projects.
- Financial viability: realism of the pre-development budget and financial structure, along with the requested amount.
- Financial health: overall financial stability of the applicant company.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain companies from applying due to their status and main activities. The restrictions ensure that support is given to entities aligned with the program's focus on Quebec literary adaptations.
- Individual companies are not eligible.
- Companies not primarily engaged in audiovisual production.
- Companies with headquarters or main establishment outside of Quebec.
- Companies not legally constituted as for-profit entities.
- Businesses that have not been in operation for at least one year.
- Projects that have already received funding from SODEC or CMF.
- Coproductions at the predevelopment stage are excluded.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant covers various expenses integral to the pre-development phase of television series based on Quebec literary adaptations.
- Fees for acquiring option rights or rights to the Quebec literary work.
- Fees for screenwriters.
- Fees for script consultants.
- Fees for script editors.
- Fees for scenario consultants.
- Fees for brainstorming sessions.
- Social benefits (SARTEC, WGC, etc.).
- Research costs.
- Graphics and design costs.
- Illustration costs.
- Fees for a non-broadcastable demo.
- Administrative costs (up to 10% of eligible expenses).
- Producer remuneration (up to 10% of eligible expenses).
- Any other expenses pertinent and necessary for project realization.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is specifically open to companies that are primarily located in Quebec. The program targets businesses that have their main establishment and decision-making center within this region.
- Companies with their main establishment in Quebec.
- Businesses with effective control held by Quebec residents.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects under this grant are based on specific criteria focusing on the potential for adaptation and feasibility, ensuring projects align with the program's objectives.
- Quality and potential of the project for adaptation into a television series:
- Critical and public success of the literary work or its author on a national and international scale.
- Quality of the adaptation proposal, considering the chosen narrative angle, characters, and intended format.
- Relevance of the adaptation project in relation to the current television market.
- Feasibility:
- Expertise of the production team including writers, story consultants, script editor, showrunner, director, and producer.
- Experience of the applicant company in producing television series.
- Realism of the pre-development budget, financial structure, and the requested amount.
- Financial health of the company applying for the grant.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Verify Eligibility
- Ensure that your company and project meet all the eligibility criteria outlined in the program guidelines.
- Step 2: Gather Required Documentation
- Complete the application form provided on the SODEC portal.
- Prepare a declaration confirming the possession of rights to adapt the Quebec literary work.
- Compile contracts related to options or writing agreements with screenwriters.
- Prepare a two-page maximum adaptation proposal of the television series.
- Provide a description and short biographies of key production team members.
- List previous television series produced by your company.
- Detail the financial structure and budget of the pre-development project.
- Include any confirmations of funding from other partners, if applicable.
- Submit the document tracking the history of title rights, contracts, and licenses.
- Provide financial statements for the last two fiscal years.
- Step 3: Create an Account and Prepare Submission
- Create an account on the SODEC’s electronic secure submission portal, SOD@ccès.
- Ensure all documents are correctly formatted and ready for upload.
- Step 4: Submit Application
- Log into SOD@ccès to upload the application form and all required attachments.
- Review the submission for completeness and accuracy before final submission.
- Submit the application before the closing date of November 20, 2024.
- Step 5: Confirmation & Follow-Up
- Receive email confirmation of your submission through SOD@ccès.
- Keep track of further communication via the contact information provided in your application.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The grant requires the applicant to retain 25% of the project budget, inclusive of a minimum 10% monetary investment.
- Financial assistance is conditional upon the availability of funds and appropriate approvals from the Assemblée nationale.
- Recipients must sign separate agreements with both SODEC and the FMC, with specific terms for disbursement and repayment.
- Recipients are obligated to comply with all terms and conditions stipulated in the financial aid agreement and with ethical guidelines regarding project content.
- The SODEC conducts periodic program evaluations and requires grant recipients to submit relevant documentation for up to five years following financial participation.
- Projects promoting environmental sustainability and responsible business practices are encouraged.
- SODEC dedicates at least 80% of funds to projects with original versions in French.
Apply to this program
Supporting Quebec's Next Generation of Screen Adaptations
The CMF-SODEC Predevelopment Program is an initiative designed to aid Quebec-based production companies in the pre-development of children's and youth television series that are adaptations of Quebec literary works. This program provides essential financial support to projects that have yet to secure backing from broadcasters, distributors, or development financiers.
Unlocking the Creative Potential of Quebec's Literary Works for Television
The CMF-SODEC Predevelopment Program represents a significant collaborative effort between the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC) and the Canada Media Fund (CMF). The program seeks to foster innovation in Quebec's cultural sector by encouraging the adaptation of literary works into television content for young audiences. By enabling production companies to engage with experienced writers, consultants, and other industry professionals, this program plays a crucial role in nurturing the next wave of televisual storytelling grounded in Quebec's rich literary tradition.
The grant, which is structured as a repayable advancement, supports the pre-development phase, a critical stage where foundational elements such as scriptwriting, concept presentations, and initial design measures are established. By focusing on these preliminary activities, the program reduces the risk and financial barriers typically associated with the early phases of production, thereby motivating companies to pursue creative projects they might otherwise hesitate to consider.
The funding provided can significantly influence a project's trajectory, allowing for a more thorough exploration and refinement of creative ideas. Applicants can receive up to CAD 50,000 per project, covering up to 75% of eligible pre-development expenses – a substantial financial injection that underscores the program's commitment to advancing high-quality adaptations. This support is strategic, aimed at optimizing the competitiveness of Quebec-produced content both domestically and internationally, leveraging the recent global interest in Canadian stories.
Moreover, the program emphasizes inclusivity, prioritizing adaptations primarily in the French language, which helps maintain the unique cultural narrative of the region while broadening its reach. It also mandates the involvement of experts from Quebec in key project roles, ensuring local talent is prominently featured, thereby strengthening environmental awareness and sustainable development practices within the cultural production process.
By cultivating a landscape where creative ideas can flourish at the foundational stage, the CMF-SODEC partnership not only supports the economic aspects of media production but also energizes cultural exchange by bringing Quebec's literary stories to screens. This initiative is reflective of a broader push towards sustainable business practices, encouraging producers to devise projects that are not only artistically innovative but also economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable.
In essence, the CMF-SODEC Predevelopment Program signifies an opportunity for production companies to secure the resources and network necessary to bring forth television adaptations that captivate and educate young audiences. By focusing on Quebec narratives and investing in the potential of its literary adaptations, the program ensures that the region's cultural heritage continues to inspire and entertain in new and meaningful ways.