SODEC — Development Aid Program

Who is eligible?

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.

Who is not eligible

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.

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.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is specifically available to companies with their headquarters in Quebec, Canada, reflecting the program's regional focus and alignment with local development strategies.

• Companies with their principal establishment located in Quebec, Canada.

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.