SODEC — Support for promotion and distribution
QC, Canada
The SODEC Promotion and Distribution Assistance Program boosts Quebec films' visibility and competitiveness on local and national markets.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
grant_single|grantors
- Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The SODEC's "Programme d’aide à la promotion et à la diffusion," effective from March 2024, aims to support Quebec-based organizations involved in promoting and disseminating cinema. The program offers financial assistance for activities such as national and digital promotion, audience development, and technical improvements in film projection, targeting distributors, commercial exhibitors, and programming organizations.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is available to companies that have their headquarters and main establishment in Quebec. It supports businesses within the Quebec cinema industry to enhance promotion and distribution activities.
- Companies based in Quebec.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$240,000
Digitize and post Quebecois repertory films online to make them accessible internationally
$157,500
Organize a regional promotional tour for a new Quebecois film, including special screening events
$135,000
Implement a film education initiative in local schools in Quebec, targeting young audiences
$187,500
Upgrade technical infrastructure in a small independent cinema for better film projection
$112,500
Conduct a market intelligence study focused on the Quebec cinema audience to inform future strategies
$225,000
Conduct a nationwide digital campaign promoting Quebecois films with a focus on regional audiences
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The eligibility criteria for companies applying for this grant pertain to their legal status, location, control, and involvement in specific industry sectors.
- The company must be legally constituted as either a for-profit or a non-profit organization.
- The company's headquarters and main place of business must be located in Quebec.
- Effective control of the company must be primarily held by Canadian citizens or permanent residents with their tax residence in Quebec.
- The company must operate within the fields of cinema promotion and dissemination.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The grant is intended for Quebec-based businesses that are legally constituted, either for-profit or non-profit organizations (NPOs), operating in the sectors of film promotion and dissemination. To be eligible for financial support, the businesses must meet the following conditions:- Have their head office and principal place of business in Quebec, and demonstrate that the effective control of the business is primarily held by Canadian citizens or permanent residents residing in Quebec for tax purposes. The head office and principal place of business refer to the location where decision-making and the actual management of the business takes place.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant is specifically targeting entities within the promotion and distribution sectors of the Quebec film industry, hence some entities are not eligible to apply. The restrictions ensure that funds are allocated to key players involved directly in distribution and commercial cinema activities.
- Producers
- Platforms of distribution and aggregators
- Film festivals
- Quebec industry associations related to cinema
- Broadcasters and cable distributors
- Sales agents
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant supports the promotion and dissemination activities of Quebec cinema. Eligible projects enhance the visibility, accessibility, and market outreach of Quebec films through various promotional and audience engagement strategies.
- Promotion of Quebec cinema on a national scale.
- Promotion during the production stage for supported projects.
- Digital promotion including discoverability actions.
- Activities aimed at audience development.
- Technical and cinema screening fees related to film dissemination.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the promotion, diffusion, and technical aspects for distributors, commercial exhibitors, and programming organizations involved in the cinema industry.
- Promotion fees, including digital and discoverability efforts.
- Costs for the design, production, and delivery of promotional materials.
- Advertising placement costs.
- Fees for the development and execution of promotional strategies.
- Expenses for platform launch strategies.
- Premiere, launch, or special screening costs.
- Regional promotional tour expenses (e.g., travel, per diems, venue rentals, transportation of promotional materials).
- Salary expenses related to promotion activities.
- External salaries or fees related to discoverability.
- Music license fees for promotional material use (e.g., trailers, teasers, clips).
- Minimum guarantees (for distributors).
- Technological upgrades, database creation, and IT systems for rights or sales tracking (for distributors).
- Market intelligence activities costs (e.g., studies, tests, surveys, focus groups) related to the Quebec cinematographic audience.
- Costs related to the development of educational guides.
- Public development costs (mediation activities).
- Projection costs (e.g., distribution rights, transportation of promotional and projection materials, projectionist fees, educational tools).
- Artistic or relevant guest expenses for screenings (e.g., travel, accommodation, per diems, fees).
- Theater rental expenses.
- Laboratory costs (e.g., duplication fees, DCP, KDM fees, dubbing and subtitling into French if not covered by production).
- Digitization and online publication fees for Quebec films, premieres, and repertory films.
- Copy delivery fees.
- Programming-related salaries and fees for film diffusion activities.
- Screening rights fees.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for support under the SODEC Programme d’aide à la promotion et à la diffusion are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the program’s strategic objectives and the project's viability.
- The pertinence of the project in function of the business model of the applicant.
- The quality and realism of the project's implementation plan.
- The impact on Quebec cinema.
- Budget realism and financial planning.
- The structure of financing and the applicant’s own monetary investment alongside other partners.
- The applicant company's capacity to successfully complete the project.
- The applicant's financial health. The company must demonstrate satisfactory financial health to receive SODEC funding.
- The applicant's experience and competence, and the capabilities of partners involved in the project.
- The quality of the application submission.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for the SODEC Programme d’aide à la promotion et à la diffusion:
- Step 1: Secure Access to SOD@ccès
- Ensure you have access to the SOD@ccès portal for electronic submissions.
- If needed, create an account on the portal for secure submissions.
- Step 2: Review Eligibility and Criteria
- Verify that your organization meets the specific conditions of eligibility for your desired Volet (1A, 1B, 1C, or 2).
- Ensure your project aligns with the objectives and priorities of the program.
- Step 3: Gather Required Documents
- Complete necessary financial and project-related documents as per program guidelines.
- Prepare supporting documents demonstrating financial health and project impact potential.
- Step 4: Submit Application
- Log in to the SOD@ccès portal and navigate to the appropriate program number (e.g., 70-25-01-01 for Distributeurs under Volet 1A).
- Upload all required documents and complete the online application form.
- Submit the application by the deadline stated in the program calendar.
- Step 5: Confirmation and Follow-Up
- Receive a confirmation of your application submission from the portal.
- Maintain communication for any follow-up queries or additional documentation requests from SODEC.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Other miscellaneous information about the grant includes eligibility criteria for applicants and definitions used within the program.
- The program targets legally constituted Quebec enterprises, both for-profit and non-profit, operating within the cinema promotion and distribution sectors.
- General eligibility criteria include having a main office and primary establishment in Quebec and proving that the effective control of the enterprise is largely held by Canadian citizens or permanent residents with fiscal residency in Quebec.
- Additional terms such as Quebec production, foreign cinematography that is rarely distributed, and film formats are defined within the grant documentation.
Apply to this program
Unlocking Opportunities in the Quebec Cinema Industry
The Programme d'Aide à la Promotion et à la Diffusion supports Quebec's film industry by aiding in the promotion and dissemination of movies. This initiative seeks to enhance the visibility and sustainability of Quebecois films and the associated creative industries.
Detailed Guide to the Programme d'Aide à la Promotion et à la Diffusion
Implemented from March 2024, the Programme d'Aide à la Promotion et à la Diffusion is a strategic initiative by the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC) to invigorate the cinema sector in Quebec. It aims to address the evolving needs of stakeholders in film promotion and distribution, providing a financial scaffold for initiatives that enhance the presence of Quebec films both locally and globally. This program targets diverse beneficiaries, including commercial distributors, cinema operators, and institutional programming entities, supporting each with tailored financial strategies.
Under its structured approach, the program splits into multiple components dedicated to annual enterprise assistance, promotion activities, cinema renovation, and strategic initiatives. Each component aligns with broader objectives such as boosting film revenues within Quebec and supporting underrepresented foreign films' distributions. The initiative not only promotes the diffusion of cinematic works but also emphasizes quality improvements, including technical upgrades in cinema settings to elevate the audience's experience.
For distributors, specific resources are allocated to enhance discoverability and digital presence of Quebec films, addressing the needs of modern audience engagement in a digital-first world. On the other hand, commercial exhibitors who undertake the projection of domestic content are afforded opportunities for financial assistance that can be applied towards enhancing audience reach and improving technological capabilities. This pathway encourages a blend of traditional and modern promotional techniques, crucial in capturing the diverse film-going audience in Quebec.
Strategic initiatives help solidify the industry's foundation by incentivizing collaboration among Quebec’s cinema businesses. These projects can achieve broader industry goals, facilitate risk-sharing, and foster innovative strategies for film promotion and public engagement, thus future-proofing the local cinema industry. Funding involves supporting new technological and marketing strategies, potentially catalyzing pioneering advances in how films reach viewers.
Projects are chosen based on rigorous criteria, ensuring that the program's beneficiaries are equipped to deliver significant contributions to the Quebec film industry. This includes evaluating the potential for market expansion, sustainability, and the capacity to foster a competitive edge in a global context. Furthermore, the program's agile structure allows for periodical evaluations to ensure alignment with evolving industry needs and government cultural policies.
Through the Programme d'Aide à la Promotion et à la Diffusion, SODEC not only aims to uplift the visibility and economic viability of Quebecois cinema but also contributes to a cultural renaissance, encouraging broader appreciation and consumption of diverse cinematic narratives. In reinforcing this vibrant sector, the program crafts a fertile ground for nurturing creativity and innovation while driving economic impacts through increased revenue and job creation in the cultural domain.