The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, the Canada Media Fund (CMF) and Northern Ireland Screen today announced details of the 2019 Rounds of their Co-development funding schemes. The announcement was made at the Celtic Media Festival in Aviemore, Scotland, where Canada is guest country at a gathering of media industry leaders of the six Celtic nations.

“The CMF’s incentives with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen give creators on both sides of the Atlantic the opportunity to push the geographic and creative boundaries of storytelling in a globalized media world,” said Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, CMF. “Given the linguistic, historical and cultural ties that bind our countries, it was only fitting that the CMF continue its successful partnerships with both funding organisations; allowing storytellers in our countries to create culturally resonant stories and develop innovative media that appeal to audiences in Canada, Ireland and beyond.”

Canada-Ireland Codevelopment Incentive for Audiovisual Projects

Now in its fourth consecutive year, the Canada-Ireland Codevelopment Incentive for Audiovisual Projects will fund the codevelopment of television projects and digital media extensions of such television projects, which fulfill both the guidelines of the CMF and the objectives and themes of BAI’s Sound and Vision Scheme. The amount available for this year will be €133,000/CAD$200,000 with half the funds contributed by each funding organisation. The total maximum contribution for each project funded through the incentive will be €33,000/CAD$50,000.

Since the first co-development incentive between Ireland and Canada launched in 2016, the CMF and BAI have provided over €343,000/CAD$518,000 to finance the co-development of 11 projects.

“This scheme gives producers in Ireland and Canada an opportunity to combine creative talent to develop compelling television and film projects that appeal to both Irish and Canadian audiences,” said BAI Chief Executive Michael O’Keeffe, “Co-development support encourages Irish producers to focus on the potential offered by international collaboration in the current competitive media environment. The scheme has been a catalyst for new creative partnerships between producers in Canada and Ireland and we expect significant interest in the 2019 Round.”

Producers interested in applying to receive funding through this incentive can access the guidelines by clickinghere. The deadline to apply will be12 noon,September 19, 2019.

Canada-Northern Ireland Codevelopment Incentive for Audiovisual Projects

Now in its second consecutive year, the Canada-Northern Ireland Codevelopment Incentive for Audiovisual Projects funds the codevelopment of television projects in the drama, documentary, animation or education genres, or digital media content made for other platforms, including web series, video games, transmedia projects, and virtual or augmented reality.

The amount available for this year of the Incentive will be CAD$200,000/£117,000 with half the funds contributed by each funding organisation. The total maximum contribution for each project funded through the incentive will be CAD$50,000 / £29,000.

Last year, four projects received a total investment of nearly $200,000 / £117,000 through this incentive.

Richard Williams, CEO, Northern Ireland Screen, said: “One of Northern Ireland Screen’s main aims is to support the development of, and invest in our wealth of creative talent; continuing our partnership with CMF on this co-development initiative is a perfect way for us to achieve this. This funding facilitates a meaningful opportunity for production companies here to collaborate more closely with Canada. We look forward to seeing what exciting projects will be developed through the scheme this time round.”

Producers interested in applying to receive funding through this incentive can access the guidelines by clickinghere. The deadline to apply will be October 22, 2019.

Finding an international partner

Producers interested in finding an international partner as part of this development incentive are invited to post a profile of their company on the CMF’s website by clickinghere. Profiles will be accessible to all, including potential partners from other countries.