How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $20000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Project Development Fund?

Project Development Fund is funded by Creative BC

What are Project Development Fund's eligibility criterias?

The applicant must be a company incorporated in British Columbia or Canada with its head office in British Columbia. Companies extra-provincially registered in B.C. are not eligible. The majority of the voting shares must be held by B.C. residents. The primary business must be the creation of motion picture audiovisual content.

Project Development Fund

Last Update: February 22, 2025

BC, Canada

Supports film and TV project development in British Columbia

Project Development Fund at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $20,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Arts, entertainment and recreation

Grant Providers

Creative BC

Status

Open

Overview of the Project Development Fund program

The Project Development Fund supports B.C.-owned production companies by providing non-recoupable advances for the development of feature film scripts, dramatic or animated TV projects, and documentaries, with a maximum funding amount capped at $50,000 per applicant for the fiscal year 2024/25. Eligible activities include script development, production planning, and community outreach among other related expenses.

Financing terms and conditions

Non-recoupable development advances are provided, matching up to 50% of the commitment from an eligible triggering agent.
Financial participation is available for a range of development costs, including acquisitions of rights, script writing, and production of a demotape.
Funding is capped at $10,000 for feature films, with television series having a cap of $20,000 for development funding in the 2024/25 fiscal year.
The total development funding available to each applicant may not exceed $50,000 in the 2024/25 fiscal year.
Maximum cumulative development funding for an eligible project is $30,000, with a higher cap of $50,000 for television series throughout its development history.
Producer fees and corporate overhead are eligible costs, calculated as a combined maximum of 40% of approved direct development costs.
The advance of funds is released through one drawdown if the commitment is $5,000 or less, and over two drawdowns (75% and 25%) if it is over $5,000.
Advances are contingent upon a prior written agreement with a triggering agent related to the project development phase.
Forfeiture of funding occurs if deliverables are not submitted by the agreed completion date.
Should there be a default by the applicant, they are barred from accessing further funding, and immediate repayment of funds is required.

Eligible projects & activities

Scripted feature films intended for theatrical release, broadcast, streaming or VOD platforms.
Television movies, pilots, television series and mini-series intended for broadcast or streaming/VOD platforms.
Short films and web series.

Eligibility criteria of the Project Development Fund program

The applicant must be a company incorporated in British Columbia or Canada with its head office in British Columbia. Companies extra-provincially registered in B.C. are not eligible.
The majority of the common interest voting shares of the company must be held by B.C. residents.
The company's primary business must be the creation of motion picture audiovisual content.
The principals, directors, officers, and shareholders of the applicant company must be in good standing with Creative BC.
The applicant company may own 10% or less of the shares of a broadcaster and may have 10% or less of its shares owned by a broadcaster or by a distributor.
The project must have a "Triggering Agent" that is arm’s length from the applicant company and cannot be a related or associated company.
The eligible project must be 100% owned and controlled/optioned by the applicant for a minimum of 12 months.
The BC applicant must retain at least 51% of the copyright interest for interprovincial co-productions and between 15% to 30% for international treaty co-productions.
The eligible project must not contain elements of serious or gratuitous sexual violence or exploitation, obscene, indecent, or pornographic content.

Who is eligible?

British Columbia owned and controlled production companies.
Companies involved in feature film script development.
Organizations developing dramatic or animated TV projects.
Companies working on documentaries.
Co-productions and co-ventures with appropriate agreements and documentation.
Applicants with projects for scripted feature films intended for various platforms.
Companies creating television movies, pilots, series, and mini-series for broadcast or streaming platforms.
Producers of short films and web series as a development step for longer projects.

Who is not eligible

Companies extra-provincially registered in British Columbia.
Television productions that are 100% owned and controlled by the National Film Board of Canada.
Projects that contain elements of serious or gratuitous sexual violence, exploitation, obscene, indecent or pornographic content, or any elements unlawful under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Eligible expenses

Acquisitions of rights including option payments and license fees for platforms or formats.
Research including the creation of a report, bible, outline and/or treatment.
Writing of a script stage including editing and various breakdowns (outline, treatment, first draft, second draft, final draft and polish).
Production of a demotape, such as a sizzle reel, presentation pilot, webisode or storyboards.
Creation of a character model pack (for animated projects).
Pre-production planning, finance packaging and/or casting, including the creation of a casting reel.
Travel costs necessary for creative work, such as interviewing or demotaping.
Audience Development and Community Outreach Plan.
Producer fees and corporate overhead, calculated as a combined maximum of 40% of the approved direct development costs.
Business affairs and legal services associated with the above activities.

Eligible geographic areas

British Columbia, Canada

How to apply to the Project Development Fund program

Check Eligibility

Ensure your company is incorporated and majority owned in British Columbia or Canada.
Confirm that the project aligns with Creative BC's guidelines for a scripted feature film, TV movie, or web series.

Secure a Triggering Agent

Identify and secure a commitment for funding from an eligible triggering agent, such as a broadcaster or distributor.
Ensure the triggering agent is arm’s length from your company.

Prepare Application Documents

Gather all necessary documents, including the executed co-production deal memo if applicable.
Ensure written documentation outlines the ownership and control agreements.
Compile budget details aligned with eligible costs as outlined by Creative BC.

Online Application Submission

Complete the application form available on the Creative BC website.
Pay the non-refundable $105 application fee via direct deposit and screenshot the payment.
Submit all required documents through the online portal.

Post-Submission

Monitor for communications from Creative BC on the status of your application.
Be prepared to address any additional requests for information or clarification.

Additional information

Funding is in the form of non-recoupable advances, with a focus on building development commitments secured from qualifying parties such as broadcasters and distributors.
The program will not conduct a creative evaluation of the projects, focusing solely on eligibility and securing of commitments from a triggering agent.
Producer fees and corporate overhead can comprise up to 40% of approved development costs.
The program supports co-ventures and co-productions provided that proper documentation, such as a co-production agreement, is submitted.
The 2024/25 application window opens on May 15, 2024, at 12:00 PM PDT, and applications are evaluated on a first come, first served basis.
In case of any delay in the development phase, Creative BC allows for one amendment to the completion date upon request.
A $105 non-refundable application fee is required, with preference for payment via direct deposit.
Sustainable production practices are encouraged, with requirements to use industry-standard carbon calculators for environmental footprint estimation.
There is a specific focus on engaging diverse communities with protocols, including expectations around authentic and inclusive content creation.
Successful applicants are required to adhere to Creative BC’s Code of Conduct ensuring a respectful, harassment-free workplace.