Thirteen B.C. filmmakers’ projects receive $195K in early-stage development financing to develop climate-driven factual and documentary content from Creative BC

Vancouver, B.C. (July 4, 2024) – Today, Creative BC announces 13 projects will receive support for the development of B.C.-owned and controlled original early-stage investigative development funding through the Documentary and Factual Development Fund (the Fund), supported by Rogers Group of Funds.  

With grants of $15K each and specific to this round of funding, these grants will enable these producers to develop engaging, distinctive, entertaining, story-driven documentary or factual projects that include themes of climate change, environmental issues, or sustainability. This round of funding represents a $195K investment of $868K delivered to 80 recipients to-date through the Fund. 

The Fund is part of the Reel Focus BC suite of programs delivered by Creative BC, designed to drive new domestic motion picture activity and the creation of B.C.-owned intellectual property. The partnership delivers essential support to documentary and factual content creators so they can participate and succeed in an increasingly competitive and dynamic marketplace.  

Uniquely, this funding supports individual documentary and factual projects in either one-offs or series, prior to their being greenlit by a market trigger, such as a broadcaster or streamer. This key feature removes barriers to entry by providing needed supports during early-stage development, thus enabling the creation of higher-quality bids to secure investors. Acknowledging that there have been systemic barriers to access, and that supporting new and diverse talent is crucial to a vibrant and thriving motion picture industry, 62% of the funding is distributed to projects from emerging filmmakers and/or from one or more of the following systemically excluded groups: Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, Women, Non-binary, or people with disabilities. This program embodies Creative BC’s actions for equity and inclusion in program delivery.  

Together, these investments into local storytellers’ content make a significant contribution to B.C.’s capacity to generate new documentary and factual stories for market in this globally in-demand format, and support impact-driven storytelling with access to subject matter experts. 

Creative BC is pleased to announce 13 recipients of its third intake for the early-stage investigation development program: 

1. Project: OUR OCEAN TABLE
   On a journey inspired by iconic Korean seafood dishes, filmmaker Sonya Lee and journalist Hannah Sung dive into our ocean to explore how culture inspires conservation.
   Company: Real People Real Stories Inc.
   Producers: Sonya Lee, Joanna Wong, Priyanka Desai
   Amount/Type: $15,000, TV Series
    
2. Project: styel̓ép: coming of age in the climate crisis
   Four Indigenous youth enrol in the inaugural year of an Indigenous guardian program in a bid to protect a territory ravaged by wildfires and the worst mining disaster in British Columbia’s history.
   Company: Lantern Films
   Producers: Jessica Hallenbeck
   Amount/Type: $15,000, Feature Length
    
3. Project: DIVIDE AND CONQUER: A MODERN PLAYBOOK
   An illuminating dive into the age-old tactic of divide and conquer and its insidious modern applications in resource extraction industries.
   Company: Moonfish Media Inc
   Producers: Ruth Vincent
   Amount/Type: $15,000, Mid-length
    
4. Project: GOOD NEIGHBOURS
   Led by the iconic Dr. Jane Goodall, a premium six-part doc series and digital campaign that explores global wildlife-human conflict zones, caused by environmental issues, and the incredible, sustainable solutions being found.
   Company: Omni Film Development Ltd.
   Producers: Brian Hamilton, David Gullason
   Amount/Type: $15,000, TV Series
    
5. Project: ECO ELEGANCE – FASHIONING A SUSTAINABLE IDENTITY A SHIFTING WORLD
   A web series weaving style, identity, and sustainability amid shifting consumerism. Explore a delicate balance in a world redefining elegance for a brighter, sustainable future.
   Company: Adhel Productions Inc.
   Producers: Lois Arop, Shanyn Maguire
   Amount/Type: $15,000, TV Series
    
6. Project: THE URBAN FOREST
   THE URBAN FOREST documentary will explore and elucidate the importance of tree canopies to urban dwellers so that people may come to appreciate their value, instead of sometimes taking them for granted.
   Company: 291 Film Company Inc.
   Producers: Mark Bradley, Ian Toews
   Amount/Type: $15,000, Mid-length
    
7. Project: THIN ICE
   A deep dive into the immersive history and questionable future of Canadian pond hockey, as climate change puts our favourite sport on thin ice – literally.
   Company: Empress Avenue Media Inc.
   Producers: Emrey Wright, Mia Golden
   Amount/Type: $15,000, Feature length
    
8. Project: BEAR MOUNTAIN
   A story about black bears and the city that’s learning to live with them.Company: TMF Media Ltd.
   Producers: Joe Kennedy
   Amount/Type: $15,000, Mid-length
    
9. Project: WHEN RAIN BECOMES FIRE
   Through snapshots of the intertwined destinies of humans, animals, and ecosystems, WHEN RAIN BECOMES FIRE explores the forgotten narratives of war as it unfolds not only on human battlegrounds but leaves its lasting impact on the ‘more-than-human world’.
   Company: Flying Eye Productions Inc.
   Producers: Jennifer Abbott 
   Amount/Type: $15,000, Feature Length
    
10. Project: WILD CANADIAN WATERS
    WILD CANADIAN WATERS explores the intricate balance of survival between wildlife and communities relying on the marine and freshwater ecosystems across Canada.
    Company: River Road Films Ltd.
    Producers: Jeff Turner, Chelsea Turner
    Amount/Type: $15,000, TV Mini-Series
     
11. Project: LIVING BUILDINGS
    World-renowned architect and environmentalist Jason F. McLennan speaks to climate change pioneers who provide solutions to our ecological plight, while he explores the most iconic green buildings on Earth.
    Company: Service Street Pictures Inc.
    Producers: Sammie Astaneh
    Amount/Type: $15,000, TV Mini-Series
     
12. Project: A SACRED SPIRIT IN THE WATER
    With mounting environmental threats to the water that unites them, a remarkable team of First Nation Chiefs and municipal mayors embark on a historic journey, to reconcile their past and save Lake Okanagan.
    Company: Real World Media Inc.
    Producers: Denis Paquette, Carmen Henriquez
    Amount/Type: $15,000, TV Mini-Series
     
13. Project: BONE, STONE & FIRE
    Exploring Indigenous innovation in Canada, highlighting sustainable achievements across history and exploring their positive environmental impact from the past, present and future.
    Company: Taxam Films Inc.
    Producers: Carey Newman, Mike Wavrecan
    Amount/Type: $15,000, TV Series 

View a list of the recipients by program online here.    

To learn more about the Documentary + Factual Development Fund, visit Creative BC’s website: https://creativebc.com/funding-programs/domestic-motion-picture-programs/documentary-factual-development-fund/  

Quotes:  

Honourable Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
“Congratulations to the recipients of the Documentary and Factual Development Fund. This funding, in partnership with the Rogers Group of Funds, provides much-needed support to filmmakers and their projects at early stages, empowering them to take those initial steps in a competitive marketplace and helping them bring their stories to the global stage.” 

Bob D’Eith, Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film
“Congratulations to the recipients of the Documentary and Factual Development Fund. This funding, in partnership with the Rogers Group of Funds, provides much-needed support to filmmakers and their projects at early stages, empowering them to take those initial steps in a competitive marketplace and helping them bring their stories to the global stage.”

Robin Mirsky, Executive Director, Rogers Group of Funds
“We are proud to collaborate with Creative BC through the Documentary + Factual Development Fund to invest in B.C. filmmakers who are creating compelling and critical content for audiences here and abroad. The independent film industry is thriving in Canada and each of the recipient projects has the power to inspire important conversations and compel audiences to learn even more about climate change, sustainability and how they can help protect the environment.”

Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC
“Creative BC is excited to announce financing for these 13 impact-driven projects that will provide them the support to bring their factual stories to the screen. Thank you to Rogers Group of Funds for partnering on this program for four rounds that serve to nurture and support the next generation in storytelling for screen. This round is distinctly focused on themes encompassing climate change, environmental issues, and sustainability, embedding industry goals from the Reel Green™ initiative to ensure Creative BC recipients serve to foster environmentally conscious practices.” 

Joanna Wong, Producer, OUR OCEAN TABLE, Program Recipient
“Thank you to Creative BC for creating this visionary program to bring together filmmakers working on climate change and sustainability. It’s so meaningful to see the Province and Creative BC support new voices and stories often overlooked in the media and the environmental movement. We are excited to work alongside other diverse creators and to amplify the impact of each other’s projects.”

Media Contact:
Creative BC
Lisa Escudero
media@creativebc.com
+1 604-730-2235

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About Creative BC
Creative BC is an independent non-profit society created and supported by the Province to sustain and help grow British Columbia’s creative industries: motion picture, interactive and digital media, music and sound recording, and magazine and book publishing. The society delivers a wide range of programs and services with a mandate to expand B.C.’s creative economy. These activities include: administration of the provincial government’s motion picture tax credit programs; delivery of program funding and export marketing support for the sector; and provincial film commission services. Combined, these activities serve to attract inward investment and market B.C. as a partner and destination of choice for domestic and international content creation. The society acts as an industry catalyst and ambassador to help B.C.’s creative sector reach its economic, social, environmental, and creative potential both at home, and globally. Website: www.creativebc.com 

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