How much funding can be received?

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

There are several eligible projects and activities for this grant, particularly those focusing on the promotion and diffusion of Quebecois films.

Activities of film promotion including national campaigns and promotional strategies.
Development of audiences through cultural mediation activities and educational initiatives.
Technical expenses such as duplication, delivery, and rental of screening rooms.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$225,000

Montreal

Conduct a nationwide digital campaign promoting Quebecois films with a focus on regional audiences.

$135,000

Quebec City

Implement a film education initiative in local schools in Quebec, targeting young audiences.

$187,500

Vancouver

Upgrade technical infrastructure in a small independent cinema for better film projection.

$157,500

Calgary

Organize a regional promotional tour for a new Quebecois film, including special screening events.

$240,000

Toronto

Digitize and post Quebecois repertory films online to make them accessible internationally.

$112,500

Ottawa

Conduct a market intelligence study focused on the Quebec cinema audience to inform future strategies.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The grant aims to respond to the development, consolidation, and adaptation needs of companies and organizations working in Quebec’s cinema industry. The general eligibility conditions are:

The applicant must be a Quebec-based for-profit or non-profit company legally constituted.
The company must have its head office and main establishment in Quebec, showing that effective control of the company is primarily held by Canadian citizens or permanent residents with their tax residence in Quebec.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The grant is available for different types of companies involved in the promotion and dissemination of Quebec cinema, including organizations that conduct promotional and dissemination activities within the film industry in Quebec.

Distributors
Commercial exhibitors (theaters, drive-ins)
Non-profit organizations involved in film programming and distribution
Production companies
Independent digital platforms and aggregators
Quebec film industry associations
Other private organizations experienced with relevant projects related to the cinema sector

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Yes, certain types of companies are not eligible for the grant provided by the SODEC Programme. These non-eligible entities include:

Producers
Platforms of diffusion and aggregators
Film festivals
Québec associations in the film industry
Television broadcasters and cable distributors
Sales agents

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant. The aid must be used for specific categories of expenses depending on the type of applicant.

Promotion fees including digital and discoverability
Creation, production, and delivery of promotional material
Advertising placement costs
Professional fees for developing and implementing promotional strategies
Launch event and special screening expenses
Regional promotional tour costs (e.g., travel, daily allowances, venue rental, promotional material transport)
Collective project promotion expenses
Salaries related to promotional activities
External salaries or fees related to digital discoverability
License fees for music used in promotional materials (trailers, teasers, clips, etc.)
Minimum guarantee (cash exclusively)
Technological upgrading costs, including database creation, IT management systems for rights or sales tracking
Market intelligence activity costs (studies, tests, surveys, focus groups) related to the Quebec cinema audience
Public development activity costs (cultural mediation activities)
Projection fees (e.g., distribution fees, promotional material and projection transport costs, projectionist fees, pedagogical tools)
Guest speaker expenses for projections (e.g., travel, accommodation, daily allowances, fees)
Rental fees for venues
Laboratory fees (e.g., copy duplication costs: copies for distribution, DCP, KDM; dubbing and subtitling fees in French if not covered by production)
Digitization and online posting fees for Quebec films, first-run and repertory
Delivery fees for copies
Salaries and fees related to programming cinematographic diffusion activities

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The eligible geographic zone for this grant is the province of Quebec, Canada. Companies must have their headquarters and principal establishment in Quebec, and demonstrate that the effective control of the company is majorly held by Canadian citizens or permanent residents with their fiscal residence in Quebec.

Headquarters and principal establishment must be in Quebec
Effective control must be held by Canadian citizens or permanent residents with fiscal residence in Quebec

grant_single_labels|criteria

The grant provided by SODEC has specific evaluation and selection criteria that vary depending on the type of support applied for. The assessment encompasses the financial health of the applicants and the realistic nature and proposed impact of their projects.

The relevance and realism of the expenses in market deployment.
Diversification efforts of distribution, particularly in new markets and digital platforms.
Strategies and financial resources for ensuring discoverability, accessibility, and visibility of films in Quebec.
The applicant's financial health and satisfactory demonstration of financial stability.
The capacity of the applicant company to successfully complete the project.
The relevance of the project concerning the applicant's business model.
The quality and feasibility of the implementation plan.
The overall impact on the Quebecois cinema industry.
Realistic budgeting and sound financial planning.
The experience and competency of the applicant and their partners.
The quality of the application submission.
Consideration of the availability of SODEC's financial resources.

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Determine Eligibility
Ensure the organization is a Quebec-based legally constituted for-profit or non-profit entity involved in film promotion and distribution.
Verify the organization meets specific conditions such as having its headquarters and principal place of business in Quebec and majority control by Canadian citizens or permanent residents with Quebec tax residency.
Step 2: Identify the Relevant Volet (Section)
Select the appropriate section (1A, 1B, 1C, or 2) based on the type of support needed (e.g., annual assistance, activity-specific assistance, theater renovation, or strategic initiatives).
Ensure that the specific eligibility requirements and conditions for the selected section are met.
Step 3: Prepare Required Documentation
Gather and prepare the necessary documents such as financial statements, business plans, project proposals, and any other required supporting materials.
For strategic initiatives, develop a comprehensive project plan including the description, objectives, anticipated outcomes, and detailed budget.
Step 4: Submit Application via SOD@ccès Portal
Access the SOD@ccès portal for electronic submission.
Ensure to submit by the deadline specified for the particular section of the grant program.
Complete all required fields in the application form and upload the necessary documents.
Step 5: Await Evaluation
Once submitted, the application will be reviewed by professionals from SODEC.
External advisors may be consulted if necessary.
During the review, ensure availability for potential follow-up questions or requests for additional documentation.
Applications will be evaluated based on criteria such as project relevance, feasibility, financial health, and completeness of the submitted information.
Step 6: Agreement and Funding
If approved, an agreement outlining the terms and conditions of the grant will be signed.
The initial funding installment (usually 70%) will be provided upon signing the agreement.
The remaining installment (30%) will be disbursed after satisfactory completion of the project and submission of final reports.
Step 7: Reporting and Compliance
Provide periodic and final reports as specified in the agreement.
Ensure compliance with all terms and conditions of the grant, including financial and project deliverables.
Maintain all records for potential audits or evaluations by 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

## SODEC Promotion and Distribution Assistance Program The SODEC Promotion and Distribution Assistance Program aims to support the promotion and distribution of Quebec films through various initiatives, including financial aid to distributors, commercial exhibitors, and programming organizations. The program is designed to stimulate revenue generation, enhance the competitive edge of Quebec cinema enterprises in national markets, and improve film accessibility and visibility. ### In-depth Guide to the SODEC Promotion and Distribution Assistance Program The SODEC Promotion and Distribution Assistance Program is an essential initiative aimed at bolstering the promotion and distribution of Quebec films, thereby ensuring their visibility and accessibility across various platforms. This program is designed to cater to the specific needs of Quebec's film industry, facilitating both traditional and digital promotional activities throughout the film lifecycle. Here’s a detailed account of the program, its objectives, eligibility criteria, financial participation, and the procedure for applying. **Objectives of the Program** The overarching goals of the SODEC Promotion and Distribution Assistance Program are to: - Stimulate the revenue generation from the distribution of Quebec films and foreign films with limited distribution. - Enhance the competitiveness of Quebec distribution and exhibition companies in the national market. - Foster the investment of distribution companies in the production of Quebec films. - Support activities aimed at audience development both locally and nationally. - Improve the quality of film projections in commercial cinemas. The program is broken down into several key components, namely: Annual Company Assistance, Support for Promotion and Distribution Activities, and Assistance for Commercial Cinema Renovations. Additionally, the program encompasses strategic initiatives to further bolster the industry’s development. **Part I: Annual Company Assistance** **Eligible Clients** This section caters to: - Film Distributors - Commercial Exhibitors - Programming and Broadcast Organizations **Specific Eligibility Conditions for Distributors** For distributors to qualify for financial assistance, they must: - Operate a distribution company primarily focused on feature films and possess a general distributor's permit in Quebec. - Have been in business for at least three years or demonstrate relevant professional experience among the leadership or staff. - Generate an average annual gross distribution revenue of at least $100,000 from Quebec fiction feature films or $50,000 from Quebec feature documentaries over the past three years. - Have distributed a minimum of three Quebec feature films in the past three years and have undertaken digital discoverability actions for these films. **Financial Participation and Aid Calculation** The financial assistance for distributors is grant-based, comprising a base amount that may be supplemented. The base assistance can reach up to $300,000, with the total aid not exceeding 50% of eligible expenses. The calculation involves: - A minimum of $60,000 per eligible distributor. - A fixed amount for each Quebec or foreign limited-distribution film premiered in the past three years. - An additional calculation based on the distributor’s gross revenues from premiered Quebec films, scaled by type and format, with specific coefficients applied to different revenue tiers. **Specific Eligibility Conditions for Commercial Exhibitors** To qualify, commercial exhibitors must: - Operate commercial cinema(s) or drive-ins predominantly engaged in film exhibition, owned entirely by Quebec interests. - Have been operational for at least two years. - Have generated at least $20,000 in box office revenues from premiered Quebec films in the past year. - Maintain a projection rate of at least 10% for Quebec fiction and documentary feature films. **Financial Participation and Aid Calculation for Exhibitors** The aid for exhibitors, capped at $50,000, is also grant-based and calculated based on the previous year’s box office revenues from Quebec films, using a regional factor multiplier. Additional bonuses are available for audience development activities, up to a maximum of 12 activities per year. **Specific Eligibility Conditions for Programming Organizations** Programming organizations must: - Engage in regular activities promoting a differentiated film offer to Quebec audiences. - Have been active for at least two years. - Have screened an average of at least eight Quebec feature films yearly over the past three years and maintain specified projection rates based on the number of total yearly projections. **Financial Participation and Aid Calculation for Programming Organizations** These organizations can receive up to $20,000 annually (base amount), with an additional bonus tied to audience development activities conducted. **Part II: Support for Promotion and Distribution Activities** **Eligible Clients** This part supports distributors who do not qualify for Part I and producers who control the rights to distribute their films in Quebec. **Project Eligibility** Eligible projects include Quebec films that meet the SODEC's production criteria. The program prioritizes films funded by SODEC in production stages. **Activities Funded** Funding covers national and production-stage promotion, digital promotion, and audience development initiatives. Financial support can reach up to 80% of eligible costs, with a maximum of $10,000 for production-stage promotion and $40,000 for market-stage promotion. **Part III: Assistance for Commercial Cinema Renovations** **Eligible Clients** This part targets commercial exhibitors aiming to renovate their theaters to improve film projection quality. **Financial Participation** The grant can cover up to 25% of renovation costs, with a maximum of $100,000 per project. **Part IV: Strategic Initiatives** **Objectives** This section supports projects that strategically strengthen the promotion and distribution of Quebec cinema. It encourages collaborations, technological advancements, and initiatives that enhance film discoverability. **Project and Client Eligibility** Eligible entities include distributors, exhibitors, producers, platforms, and associations with a minimum of two years of relevant experience. Projects should align with the specified strategic objectives, enhancing the overall industry. **Financial Aid** Grants can cover up to 75% of project costs, with a maximum of $750,000. Projects should demonstrate substantial contributions from the applicants and other partners, ensuring at least 25% of financing comes from non-governmental sources. **Application Process** All applications must be submitted through SOD@ccès, the secure electronic submission portal. Companies must provide detailed financials, project plans, and evidence of eligibility. Applications are evaluated based on their financial realism, potential impact, and the company’s capability to successfully implement the proposed initiatives. In conclusion, the SODEC Promotion and Distribution Assistance Program offers a comprehensive suite of supports designed to elevate the presence and impact of Quebec cinema both locally and nationally. By providing financial support, it aims to foster a competitive, innovative, and vibrant film industry that reaches diverse audiences across various platforms.

SODEC — Support for promotion and distribution

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