How much funding can be received?

Get a rebate of up to 17% or 27% (depending on ownership) on the costs of producing a film in Nunavut, plus possible additional rebate bonuses for training creative personnel and creating Inuit language versions.

grant_single_labels|projects

Yes, there are eligible projects or activities for this grant.

Feature length films, including animation, documentary, or docudrama intended for commercial cinemas, DVD sales, and rentals or download.
Television programming intended for commercial broadcast, DVD sales, and rentals or download, including dramas, sitcoms, factual, variety, reality, lifestyle, and animation for youth.
Digital media projects, including those convergent to a television program intended for cross-platform digital media exploitation and/or download.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$35,000

Cambridge Bay

Developing a series of educational videos for Inuit youth

$35,000

Pond Inlet

Producing a music video featuring Inuit throat singing

$40,000

Rankin Inlet

Producing a short film on traditional Inuit games

$35,000

Kugluktuk

Developing a VR experience of traditional Inuit hunting practices

$40,000

Arviat

Creating an animated series for children about Inuit legends

$40,000

Iqaluit

Creating a documentary on the Inuit culture

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The eligibility criteria for the Nunavut Spend Incentive Program include requirements for regional incorporation, ownership, and key creative personnel participation. The criteria also specify different streams based on the level of Nunavut ownership and the size of the production budget.

Be a production company incorporated pursuant to the laws of Nunavut or Canada with primary activity in film, television, or digital media content development and production
Demonstrate 100% copyright ownership or first option to adapt the underlying property and acquire copyright ownership
Be in good standing with the relevant Corporate Registry
For Stream II applications with budgets over $500,000: Provide written evidence of an agreement with a licensed Canadian broadcaster or bona fide distributor
Each Producer must have primary business activity in developing, producing, marketing, and exploiting film, television, or digital media projects
Producers must be central decision-makers, directly responsible for creative direction, financial control, completion, delivery, and exploitation of the eligible production
Producers must be contractually entitled to reasonable, verifiable participation in budgeted Producer fees and net profits, and receive on-screen credit as a Producer, Executive Producer, or Co-Producer
At least one named Producer must be a resident of Nunavut
Feature-length films for commercial cinemas, DVD sales, rentals, and downloads
Television programming intended for commercial broadcast, DVD sales, rentals, and downloads (including dramas, sitcoms, factual, variety, reality, lifestyle, and youth animation)
Digital media projects for cross-platform digital media exploitation and/or download
Season One: 100% rebate
Season Two: 80% rebate
Season Three: 60% rebate
Season Four: 40% rebate
Season Five: 20% rebate
Season Six: No funding

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant. To qualify, the applicant must be a production company whose primary activity is developing and producing film, television, and/or digital media content.

Incorporated pursuant to the laws of the Territory of Nunavut or Canada
Own 100% of copyright in the eligible production, or have the first option to adapt the underlying property and acquire copyright ownership
In good standing with the relevant Corporate Registry
For Stream II applications with budgets exceeding $500,000: provide written evidence of an agreement with a licensed Canadian broadcaster or bona fide distributor

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Yes, certain types of productions and activities are not eligible for this grant.

News, current events, or public affairs programming
Programs that include weather or market reports
Talk shows
Sports events or activities
Gala presentations or award shows
Projects that solicit funds
Pornography
Advertising and commercials
Projects produced primarily for industrial, corporate, or institutional purposes
Projects, other than documentaries, which substantially consist of stock footage

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible expenses under the Nunavut Spend Incentive Program include production goods and services purchased and consumed in Nunavut. These costs must be consistent and competitive with industry standards and may also include specific line items not currently available in Nunavut.

Film and tape or digital recording stock
Production insurance
Versioning
Closed captioning
Legal costs
Accounting
Audit
Completion guarantor

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The eligible geographic zones for this grant are the territory of Nunavut. The company must also be incorporated under the laws of Nunavut or Canada.

Nunavut
Canada (if the company is incorporated under Canadian law)

grant_single_labels|criteria

Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The criteria focus on ownership, control, and involvement of Nunavut residents in key positions, among other factors.

Direct responsibility for acquisition and development of the production
Issuance and number of voting shares
Individual identified as ‘Producer’ in production and marketing materials
Central decision maker in the production
Control and approval rights over the production and company affairs
Ownership percentage of copyright to the completed production
Control over distribution and exploitation rights in different territories
Share in budgeted producer fees and overhead percentages
Entitlement to share in net profits and percentages
First right of negotiation for sequels, prequels, series cycles, digital media rights, and other spin-offs
Employment and training of key creative personnel resident in Nunavut
Completion of an Inuktut language version of the production
Verification of individual producer's involvement and standing with Nunavut Film

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Determine Eligibility
Ensure your production company is incorporated under the laws of Nunavut or Canada and primarily develops and produces film, television, or digital media content.
Confirm that your production will spend more than $25,000 on goods and services consumed in Nunavut.
Check that you own 100% of the copyright in the eligible production, or have the first option to adapt the underlying property and acquire copyright ownership.
Verify that your company is in good standing with the relevant Corporate Registry.
Step 2: Choose the Appropriate Stream
Select Spending Stream I if your company has majority Nunavut ownership.
Select Spending Stream II if your company has equal or minority Nunavut ownership.
Step 3: Prepare Documentation
Gather a detailed production budget and separate breakdown of estimated costs for goods and services purchased and consumed in Nunavut.
Prepare proof of the company's insistence and principal operations in Nunavut (e.g., legal documents, agreements, copyright ownership proof).
If applicable, provide written evidence of an agreement with a licensed Canadian broadcaster or bona fide distributor for Stream II applications with budgets exceeding $500,000.
Prepare agreements for individual producers and any co-producers for submission.
Step 4: Apply for Enhancements (Optional)
Consider including plans to train additional key creative personnel who are Nunavut residents.
Prepare a plan if your production will be produced or versioned in the Inuktut language to qualify for additional bonuses.
Step 5: Complete and Submit Application
Fill out the official application form provided by Nunavut Film Development Corporation.
Submit the application along with all required documentation and agreements to Nunavut Film Development Corporation.
Step 6: Await Assessment
Nunavut Film will review your submission and determine eligibility based on ownership and control indicators.
If necessary, be prepared to provide additional documentation, such as a statutory declaration or legal letter of opinion.
Step 7: Receive Funding
If approved, receive an initial payment (40%) upon execution of a Contribution Agreement.
Receive an additional payment (40%) upon providing proof of broadcaster/distributor agreement, full financing commitments, or marketing plan for digital media.
Receive the final payment (20%) upon completion and delivery of the eligible production, along with approved audited statements of total production costs and complete Economic Impact Report.
Step 8: Acknowledge Contributions
Include on-screen acknowledgment credit for the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Film Development Corporation in the completed production.
Include appropriate credit on all advertising, publicity, and promotional materials.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

The Nunavut Spend Incentive Program offers rebates for eligible production costs incurred in Nunavut, promoting local film and media development. The program has specific criteria for eligibility, rebate percentages, and enhancement bonuses.

The program supports feature films, TV programming, and digital media projects.
Ineligible projects include news, talk shows, sports events, and advertising.
Applications are classified into two streams: Majority Nunavut ownership and Equal or Minority Nunavut ownership.
Rebates vary by the type of ownership: 27% for majority Nunavut-owned companies and 17% for other eligible companies.
Bonuses are available for hiring additional local creative personnel and producing or versioning content in the Inuktut language.
Non-profit organizations can apply but have a different rebate rate and cap.
Rebates are paid in stages: 40% upon agreement execution, 40% upon securing distribution and full financing, and 20% upon project completion and delivery.
Productions must credit the Government of Nunavut and the Nunavut Film Development Corporation.

grant_single_labels|contact

pm@nunavutfilm.ca

(867)979-3012

Apply to this program

Nunavut Spend Incentive Program Overview

The Nunavut Spend Incentive Program offers production companies rebates on eligible production costs for goods and services purchased and consumed in Nunavut. The initiative aims to bolster the local film, television, and digital media industry by fostering local talent and expertise.

Detailed Explanation of the Nunavut Spend Incentive Program

The Nunavut Spend Incentive Program is a funding initiative introduced by the Nunavut Film Development Corporation (NFDC) to promote and support the local film, television, and digital media industries in Nunavut. The primary objective of this program is to attract production companies to the region, thereby creating a robust ecosystem that nurtures local talent, generates job opportunities, and ultimately boosts the local economy. This detailed guide will provide comprehensive insights into the program, eligibility criteria, application process, and benefits.

Program Overview

The Nunavut Spend Incentive Program offers production companies financial rebates on qualified expenses incurred in Nunavut. This program is particularly appealing to production companies as it helps offset some of the costs associated with filming and producing content in the region. There are two streams under which companies can apply, depending on their ownership status and the involvement of Nunavut residents in key creative positions.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Nunavut Spend Incentive Program, applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements. These criteria ensure that the program supports projects that contribute significantly to the local industry and economy.

Company Eligibility

The applicant must be a production company incorporated under the laws of Nunavut or Canada, primarily focused on developing and producing film, television, or digital media content.
The company must own 100% of the copyright in the eligible production or have the first option to adapt the underlying property and acquire copyright ownership.
The company must be in good standing with the relevant Corporate Registry.
For Stream II applications with budgets exceeding $500,000, applicants must provide written evidence of an agreement with a licensed Canadian broadcaster or a bona fide distributor.

Producer Eligibility

Each producer named in the application must have a primary business activity related to developing, producing, marketing, and exploiting film, television, or digital media projects.
Producers must be central decision-makers and directly responsible for the creative direction, financial control, completion, delivery, and exploitation of the eligible production.
Producers must be contractually entitled to reasonable, verifiable, and commensurate monetary participation in budgeted producer fees and net profits.
Producers must be entitled to on-screen credit and identified as a Producer, Executive Producer, or Co-Producer in the production.
At least one of the individual producers named in the application must be a resident of Nunavut.

Eligible Projects

The following types of productions are eligible for a rebate under the Nunavut Spend Incentive Program:

Feature-length films, including animations, documentaries, or docudramas intended for commercial cinema release, DVD sales, rentals, and download.
Television programming intended for commercial broadcast, DVD sales, rentals, and download, including dramas, sitcoms, factual, variety, reality, lifestyle, and youth animation.
Digital media projects, particularly those convergent to a television program intended for cross-platform digital media exploitation and download.

Ineligible Projects

The program excludes certain genres and types of production to maintain focus on projects that have a substantial cultural or artistic contribution. Ineligible projects include:

News, current events, or public affairs programming.
Weather or market report programs.
Talk shows.
Sports events or activities.
Gala presentations or award shows.
Projects soliciting funds.
Pornographic content.
Advertising and commercials.
Projects primarily for industrial, corporate, or institutional purposes.
Projects, other than documentaries, which substantially consist of stock footage.

Eligible Nunavut Costs

To qualify for the rebate, applicants must provide a detailed production budget and a separate breakdown of costs for goods and services purchased and consumed in Nunavut. Eligible costs must be consistent and competitive with industry standards. The following are some of the line items that may be considered eligible Nunavut costs:

Film and tape or digital recording stock (proportionate to the number of Nunavut shoot days).
Production insurance.
Versioning and closed captioning.
Legal, accounting, and audit fees.
Completion guarantor.

For Stream II applications with projects over $1 million, fees for key creative personnel provided by producers are not eligible. However, for projects under $1 million, reasonable fees for up to three key creative positions can be claimed, capped at 20% of the budget. Additionally, production funds from the Government of Nunavut, other than from the NFDC, must be deducted from eligible expenditures available for the rebate.

Incentive Contribution Streams

There are two spending streams under the Nunavut Spend Incentive Program:

Spending Stream I – 27% Rebate

This stream is for production companies that are majority owned and controlled by residents of Nunavut. The criteria for Spending Stream I include:

The company must maintain a registered head office in Nunavut.
At least two of the eight key creative positions must be filled by Nunavut residents. Alternatively, one key creative position and two trainee positions filled by Nunavut residents are also acceptable.
Non-profit production companies with a head office in Nunavut meeting these criteria are eligible for a 17% rebate, capped at $75,000 for the first six months of the fiscal year.

Spending Stream II – 17% Rebate

This stream is for production companies that are equally or minority owned, controlled, and creatively directed by residents of Nunavut. The criteria for Spending Stream II include:

The applicant company must maintain a registered office in Nunavut.
Officers and directors of the company, who are Nunavut residents, must participate in the management of business activities.
At least two of the eight key creative positions must be filled by Nunavut residents. Alternatively, one key creative position and two trainee positions filled by Nunavut residents are also acceptable.

Enhancement Opportunities

The Nunavut Spend Incentive Program offers additional financial bonuses to encourage further development and training within the Nunavut industry. These opportunities include:

Training of Key Creative Personnel

Employment and training of additional key creative personnel who are residents of Nunavut may enhance eligibility. A bonus of 1% of the total eligible Nunavut costs will be added for each additional key creative personnel hired, with a maximum total bonus of 3% for each spending stream. Proposals for training must be pre-approved by Nunavut Film.

Inuktut Language Versioning

An additional bonus is available for productions produced or versioned into the Inuktut language. An original production in an Inuit Language can receive a bonus of 10% of the Nunavut spend, up to $40,000. Versioning in an Inuit Language is eligible for a 5% bonus, up to $20,000. Applicants must provide a plan for guaranteed distribution or broadcast within Nunavut.

Nunavut Film Contribution Payment Structure

The contribution from Nunavut Film will be disbursed in three installments:

40% upon execution of a Contribution Agreement.
40% upon receipt of a fully executed agreement with a broadcaster or distributor, or a marketing plan for digital media projects, along with verifiable commitments for full financing.
20% upon completion and delivery of the eligible production, receipt and approval of an audited statement of total production costs, and submission of a completed Economic Impact Report.

The completed production must include an on-screen credit stating, "Produced with the assistance of the Government of Nunavut and the Nunavut Film Development Corporation," and a "Shot on location in Nunavut, Canada" credit in the tail credits. Appropriate credit is also required on all advertising, publicity, and promotional materials.

How to Apply

Production companies interested in participating in the Nunavut Spend Incentive Program can apply by providing all necessary documentation and meeting the outlined eligibility criteria. Detailed information on budgets, key creative personnel, and training proposals must be included in the application. For any queries or assistance with the application process, companies can contact the NFDC at their office in Iqaluit, Nunavut.