SODEC — Development Aid Program
QC, Canada
The Development Assistance Program (2024-2025) by SODEC aims to support and foster the growth of quality, original, and engaging projects within Quebec's production companies.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateMarch 01, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateMarch 31, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Loans and Capital investments
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Information and cultural industries
grant_single|grantors
- Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The SODEC Development Assistance Program for 2024-2025 aims to financially support the development of high-quality, original, and engaging projects, including long fiction films, medium and long documentaries, and animation feature prototypes. Eligible activities include writing, rewriting, and prototyping, with a focus on enhancing creative conditions and preparing projects for eventual production and screen presentation.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is designed specifically for Quebec-based companies as determined by the funding entity, SODEC. Eligible locations are consistent with regional development priorities focused on Quebec's cultural enterprises.
- Headquarters must be established in Quebec.
- Principal establishment should be situated in Quebec.
- Two-thirds of the directors must have a fiscal residence in Quebec.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$85,000
Prototyping an animation feature film about Indigenous stories of Ottawa regions
$95,000
Creation of a medium documentary on the environmental impact of urban sprawl
$150,000
Development of a long fiction film about Montreal's historic neighborhoods
$45,000
Rewriting a script for a long fiction film that shifts to a new production company
$150,000
Developing a long fiction film about the history of Vancouver's Chinatown
$100,000
Scriptwriting and research for a long documentary on Canadian Arctic exploration
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.
- The applicant must be a Quebec-based film and television production company, adhering to the general and specific conditions of the program and the relevant aid section.
- First-time applicants must contact SODEC at least one month prior to the submission deadline to establish eligibility.
- Experienced production companies branching into a new format must also contact SODEC one month prior to submission to verify eligibility for new project development requests.
- A development assistance request from a company whose eligibility has not been pre-established will not be considered.
- The eligibility of a company is determined based on the submitted project's parameters and the specific conditions outlined in each aid section of the program.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Programme d'aide au développement for 2024-2025 by SODEC is aimed at Quebec-based cinematic and television production companies, focusing on developing quality projects across various formats, with a potential for visibility in Quebec or abroad.
- Quebec-based production companies planning to submit a financial aid request must comply with the programme's general and specific conditions related to the aid module in question.
- First-time applicants must engage with SODEC at least a month before the scheduled submission date to establish their eligibility.
- Experienced production companies looking to develop projects in a new format must also contact SODEC a month before their submission to confirm eligibility.
- Projects must adhere to the criteria defining a Quebec production at all times.
- Applicants must demonstrate ownership of all necessary rights and options for project development and production.
- Companies with corporate ties to broadcasting license holders may face specific eligibility conditions.
- Exclusions apply to broadcasting enterprises with or applying for licenses under the Broadcasting Act, either presently or within 24 months prior to the financial aid request.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain companies due to their relation to broadcasting licenses, ensuring that funds are directed towards companies focused on cinematic and television production without broadcasting control or influence.
- Broadcasting companies with a broadcasting license under the Broadcasting Act.
- Companies that become holders of a broadcasting license during the fiscal year when the application is submitted.
- Companies with a broadcasting license during the 24 months preceding the fiscal year of the grant application.
- Companies controlling or controlled by a broadcasting license holder, either directly or indirectly, within the same 24-month period.
- Production companies with a minority interest in a broadcasting company, or vice versa, unless the productions are not for broadcast by the related broadcaster in the first commercial cycle.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant supports the development of quality projects in the film industry, focusing on promoting fiction and documentary filmmaking with potential international appeal. It aims to enhance conditions for creation and ensure projects are ready for production.
- Development of feature-length fiction films.
- Development of medium and feature-length unique documentary films.
- Prototyping of feature-length animated films.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers expenses related to the development and prototyping of feature films, documentaries, and animation projects.
- Screenwriting fees, including any applicable social benefits.
- Research fees related to documentary projects.
- Justified filming expenses.
- Expenses for creating demos and travel related to documentary projects.
- Production expenses for storyboards in animation projects.
- Prototyping expenses for animation feature films, up to 50% of eligible Québec-budgeted costs.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the SODEC Programme d’aide au développement 2024-2025 are based on specific creative, financial, and exploitation criteria depending on the nature of the project, whether it is fiction or documentary.
- Fiction - Creative aspects: Interest and engagement potential, originality and quality, strength of narrative structure and characters, proposed direction, and production team experience.
- Fiction - Financial aspects: Requested amount in relation to scriptwriter fees and storyboard production expenses, financial structure advancement, and variety of financial partners.
- Fiction - Exploitation aspects: Strategies for ensuring discoverability and audience engagement, and securing financial, distribution, and broadcasting partnerships.
- Documentary - Creative aspects: Relevance, richness, and feasibility of the project, quality of research and interviews, persuasive storytelling, and originality of cinematographic treatment.
- Documentary - Financial aspects: Requested amount in relation to scriptwriter fees, research, shooting expenses, demo production, and travel costs.
- Documentary - Exploitation aspects: Strategies for audience engagement, international potential for distributor-triggered documentaries, and securing financial support.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Preliminary Contact
- If applying for the first time, contact SODEC at least one month before the submission deadline to establish eligibility.
- Contact required for new formats even for experienced companies.
- Step 2: Prepare Application
- Ensure your company meets all eligibility criteria specific to the relevant grant component.
- Gather all required documents as outlined by SODEC, including proofs of rights and production plans.
- Compile additional documents such as project descriptions, financial plans, and all necessary annexes.
- Step 3: Submission Process
- Submit your application through the secure electronic portal SOD@ccès.
- Ensure submission by the specific dates outlined in the SODEC project submission calendar.
- Step 4: Post-Submission
- Await confirmation from SODEC about the receipt and acceptance of your application.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The grant includes additional information concerning program evaluations, regionalization agreements, tax declarations, and encouragement for sustainable practices.
- The SODEC periodically evaluates the program and conducts various studies to adapt its intervention strategy or tools to the needs of cultural enterprises. Recipients must provide all necessary records and information for up to five years after receiving financial assistance, which will be kept confidential and only published as aggregated data.
- The SODEC may sign specific regionalization agreements with regional organizations aimed at concretizing regional development objectives, in partnership with other entities that contribute to the cultural enterprises' growth.
- The SODEC is required to submit an information return to the Ministry of Revenue for any contractual payment or grant issued to a company or partnership, and will provide the beneficiaries with a Relevé 27 for the sums paid during the year.
- The SODEC encourages its clientele to develop green and responsible business practices and models.
Apply to this program
Funding Opportunities for Quebec Production Companies
The SODEC Development Assistance Program 2024-2025 is an initiative designed to support Quebec-based production companies in the development of high-quality and diverse audiovisual projects. It aims to enhance creative conditions and facilitate the completion of projects that can be promoted both within Quebec and internationally.
In-Depth Understanding of the SODEC Development Assistance Program
The SODEC (Société de développement des entreprises culturelles) Development Assistance Program for the year 2024-2025 is structured to bolster the creative landscape within Quebec by providing financial backing to production companies engaged in developing feature-length fiction films, medium and long-format documentaries, and animation film prototyping. This support ensures that projects are well-prepared for filming, addressing one of the critical phases in the lifecycle of audiovisual production.
Primarily, the program is categorized into two main streams of aid: Selective Aid to Production Enterprises and Corporate Aid to Production Enterprises. The Selective Aid targets development work on narrative scripts and documentary works, promoting the creation of storyboards for animation projects alongside writing support. In contrast, Corporate Aid aims at strengthening the companies' production capabilities, granting them greater autonomy and broadening their creative scope. Companies that have consistently delivered high-impact productions are encouraged to apply for Corporate Aid to boost their development efforts in line with modern trends and storytelling techniques.
The financial assistance provided by SODEC under this program can take the form of investments or grants. For instance, feature-length fiction and documentary developments receive investments, whereas animation prototypes benefit from grants, ensuring the latter's readiness for production phases. Additionally, the unique focus on supporting Quebec-centric projects underscores SODEC's commitment to preserving and enhancing the local cultural and cinematic heritage, making it a pivotal element of the province’s cultural policy.
Eligibility criteria enforce companies to adhere strictly to the regulations set forth – from ensuring cultural content alignment to maintaining Quebec residency requirements for core team members involved in the project. Also, the inclusion of measures such as a written script being mandatory before production aids are given highlights the emphasis on evolved storytelling techniques.
Moreover, the program's evaluation framework insists on advanced planning and creative acumen in the projects it funds. A balanced assessment encapsulates creative innovation on the one side, and financial transparency and feasibility on the other, thereby safeguarding the funds’ efficient utilization. This structured decision-making process helps identify projects with a high potential for success in today’s competitive global market where cultural productions are plentiful.
The inclusion of gender balance in project submissions further ensures a diverse representation in the creative sector, aligning with broader societal shifts toward equity. Projects are encouraged to engage female storytellers and place them at the forefront of creative developments.
While SODEC stipulates that the original language of many funded projects should be French, to align with the broader cultural mandates of Quebec, this multilingual and versatile approach allowed projects to aim for global audiences while retaining local cultural nuances. This dual focus on maintaining cultural integrity and pursuing global opportunities paints a promising future for companies qualifying and receiving aid through this program.
The development aid not only furnishes financial support but also opens access to industry networks, potentially raising the international profiles of the productions. This multifaceted approach ensures that financial support extends beyond cash flow, fostering a conducive environment for in-depth storytelling and innovative cultural expressions.
In essence, the SODEC Development Assistance Program signifies a significant funding opportunity for Quebec companies striving to scale their creative operations while maintaining regional authenticity and global competitiveness. By leveraging this program’s resources, production companies can push the boundaries of their creative projects, ensuring their works reach and resonate with wider audiences around the world. Such grants play a critical role in the cultural economy, encouraging sustainable growth and diversity in the artistic narratives emerging from Quebec.
