Deadline for submissions: October 30, 2020 by 5:00pm ET
THE VIRTUAL TRADE MISSION
Ontario Creates is collaborating with Creative BC, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, and the Trade Commissioner Service to bring together a delegation of Ontario-British Columbia interactive digital media (IDM) companies. The virtual mission is designed to facilitate collaboration and business development opportunities between Ontario/BC and German companies working in IDM content creation.
Activities for participating Canadian companies, including a panel on coproduction and curated B2B meetings, will take place virtually from Wednesday, November 25 to Friday, November 27, 2020.
Up to 20 established Ontario and BC IDM companies with projects at a pitchable or shareable state will be selected to participate in the mission. The mission is open to interactive content creation companies working in digital games, XR, and other interactive multimedia.
TIMING AND PARTICIPATION
Ontario Creates is currently accepting applications from Ontario and BC interactive companies with projects suitable for business and audience development activities in Germany. Interested companies should submit an application via e-mail to idmfund@ontariocreates.ca by 5:00pm ET on October 30, 2020.
Applications should include:
a corporate bio
a personal bio for the company representative participating in the mission
an outline of the company’s current projects including, as appropriate: title, description, target market, format/platform, status of publisher/distributor involvement, stage of development, suitability for the mission
a cover e-mail outlining interest in and objectives for participating in the mission
Participants will be selected the week of November 2, 2020. Selected participants will be required to submit a video greeting and updated profiles, and be prepared to begin scheduling meetings the week of November 16, 2020, with a finalized schedule in place by November 20, 2020.
Essential strategy, resources, and mentorship to help SMEs scale up, develop, and activate an export plan designed to help you tap into your full export potential. The program has a reputation of achieving real results, fast.
New trade agreements, a competitive Canadian dollar, limited domestic growth make it an ideal time to extend your company's reach through the export of goods and services.
TAP provides companies with access to Canada's top exporting advisors, resources, and contacts, giving them the training and support they need to become successful international traders in their specific business sector. TAP is a four-day program held over a six week period.
Through the Trade Accelerator Program you can:
Navigate the complex global trade ecosystem
Leverage Canada's resources on trade and investment
Benefit from customized, face-to-face mentorship and advice
Become familiar with international best practices
Develop and implement a new-market entry plan
Achieve export readiness
Expand your global trade footprint to grow revenue
The program has been successfully operated by the Toronto Region Board of Trade since 2015 and has expanded across the country. World Trade Centre Vancouver has been delivering TAP across B.C. since 2017.
PIVOT | Passport to Markets: Virtual Edition, Market Expansion Fund, Domestic Industry Initiatives
MOTION PICTURE SUPPORT | Project Development Fund, TELUS STORYHIVE Documentary Edition Creative BC Top-up, NEW! Domestic Motion Picture Fund, Bell Media | Harold Greenberg BC Shorts Program
MUSIC SUPPORT | Amplify BC: Career Development, Music Industry Initiatives, First Peoples' Cultural Council, Free 1:1 Grant Coaching
CREATIVE INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES + EVENTS
FIRST TIME | Join Creative BC for a Film Incentive BC Tax Credit Program Info Session
RELIEF | Emergency funds for the creative industries
MONTHLY ROUNDUP | Events, opportunities, and deadlines by industry: Book + Magazine Publishing, Interactive + Digital Media, Motion Picture, Music + Sound Recording
Workers in the film and television industry who apply for their Canadian work permit online from abroad are now eligible for priority processing (14-day service) if they self-identify as part of the film and television industry:
Though COVID-19 has posed challenges, IRCC remains committed to facilitating travel and maintaining high standards of client service while protecting the health and safety of Canadians. As part of this commitment, workers in the film and television industry entering Canada from outside the United States, or those entering from the United States who require a TRV, are eligible for priority processing. Where operationally possible, offices are encouraged to prioritize these work permit applications for eligible applicants within the 14-day priority service standard that has been established.
WHAT TO DO
To be eligible for priority processing, foreign nationals must:
submit an initial work permit application online to work within the film and television industry;
apply from outside Canada and the United States, or apply from the United States and require a TRV; and
self-identify as a film and television industry worker after submitting their work permit application by sending a request via the IRCC Web form.
Foreign nationals should write exactly the following (along with any other pertinent information) in the “Your enquiry” section of their Web form request in order for the Client Experience Branch to identify requests and distribute them to the appropriate office for priority processing:
“COVID-19 film & tv industry – Requesting priority processing for Film & TV Industry workers due to COVID-19”
Identifying requests that are eligible for priority processing may require an estimated 5 days to complete. As such, expedited processing timelines will only begin once the applicant has received confirmation that their application has been identified for priority processing.
The Harold Greenberg Fund and Creative BC presents the ‘HGF/BC Shorts Program’. A financing initiative designed to bolster the emerging talent in BC, this program offers 3 emerging filmmaking teams $20,000 each to make dramatic short films aimed at showcasing new creative visions and further their careers toward feature filmmaking.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS:
Short film scripts 10 pages or under
Writer, director and producer must not have had a credit on a feature film in their discipline
Writer, producer, director must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents
NEW: At least one member of the creative team (writer, director or producer) must self-identify as being part of the BIPOC community
Applicants may only be attached to one application per deadline
Producer and writer must reside in BC
Applicant company must be a BC incorporated company or a federally incorporated company with headquarters in BC (applicants not incorporated at the time of application are still eligible, but must incorporate if selected into the program
VPL is seeking to fill one of the residencies with a fantasy genre author, and are issuing an open call to all published Canadian writers of any form, style and content to fill the other residency.
The Writer plays a creative and valuable role at the Library, using their experience to foster a greater public appreciation for Canadian writing. They provide the community with opportunities to interact with and learn from a published writer, especially communities not typically exposed to Canadian writing.
The Writer in Residence will develop and lead exciting public events that promote a love of writing and reading. They will support and provide advice to community members and aspiring writers through one-on-one consultations and group workshops.
This full-time position (35 hours/week) requires 50 percent of the Writer’s time be spent on libraryprograms or projects, leaving 50 percent of the residency time available for working on their writing projects.
The Library would like to hear from you if you are:
• A published Canadian writer with professional instruction and public speaking experience
• Enthusiastic about developing, presenting, and sharing your knowledge and craft through events with Vancouver Public Library. These events will be held online to meet public health requirements
• Committed to participating in Vancouver Public Library and City of Vancouver events
• In the early working stage of a writing project
• Available on a full-time basis for one of these timelines:
Summer Residency – May 10 through August 27, 2021
Fall Residency – September 7 through December 23, 2021
In addition to your writing and public speaking experience you must also be able to:
• Work independently and as part of a team with library staff, working remotely through online environments, such as Zoom
• Comfortably interact with members of Vancouver’s diverse public, including youth and seniors
• Deliver programs and consultations online, as events will be held digitally to meet public health requirements. VPL staff will be available to provide support for delivery of online programs
• Participate in media opportunities to promote the residency, the library and Canadian writing
• Prepare for and meet deadlines
The Writer in Residence will have three main responsibilities:
• Spend time developing their own writing project
• Lead online literary events and other relevant programs to share their writing with the general public of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland
• Support and assist new writers through online one-on-one meetings and group workshops
Contract terms: $17,000 for four months full-time activity ($4,250 per month on a self-employed basis).
Contract dates:
• Summer Residency: May 10 through August 27, 2021
• Fall Residency: September 7 through December 23, 2021
How to Apply
Please send us:
• A resume outlining your relevant qualifications, publications and experience
• A cover letter which expands on your experience, your vision for your residency, and which community not typically familiar with Canadian writing you would like to engage
• A brief description of the writing project you intend to pursue – explain how a residency at the Vancouver Public Library and access to its resources will benefit your project
• A brief outline of the public events you will offer during your residency, including your plans for engaging community members and aspiring writers. Keep in mind these events will be held online to meet public health requirements
• Your preference for the Summer Residency or the Fall Residency
• A 10 to 20 page sample of recent writing
• Reviews of published work
• Contact information for three references
Expressions of interest may be emailed in PDF format to programs@vpl.ca.
Completed applications must be received by 5 p.m. (PST) on Thursday October 29, 2020.
If you have questions, contact Amber Ritchie at amber.ritchie@vpl.ca.
Vancouver Public Library’s Writer in Residence program started in 2005 and the successful candidates will serve as VPL’s 16th and 17th Writers in Residence.
The Group Effort Initiative exists to create a pipeline for Black, Indigenous, people of color or people from marginalized and excluded communities to get real experience towards a lasting career within the entertainment industry. We will identify opportunities for people to work as Production Trainees on various projects and continue to post applications here as new positions arise.
Additionally, BC Ministry of Finance has announced “As part of our COVID-19 supports, the deadline to claim the tax credit for claims required to be made March 13, 2020 or later is extended to six months from the original due date or to December 31, 2020, whichever is earlier.” (see the BC Ministry of Finance page for FIBC and PSTC information)
June 24, 2020
Please see more information on the CRA website here for any important notices regarding Film + Media Tax Credits.
he Indigenous Development Grants Program will provide funding for project and professional development for both Indigenous individuals and majority Indigenous-owned companies.
The Solidarity Fund will provide development grants for racialized screen creators, including both individuals and companies, with a priority on reaching Black creators. This program has been developed in partnership with the Racial Equity Media Collective (REMC) and BIPOC TV & Film.
Funding for the programs comes from the Canada Media Fund’s allocation of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport and the Producer Pledge Fund, which was created to support BIPOC creators during COVID and is the first initiative started by supporters and members of the Independent Media Producers Association of Creative Talent (IMPACT).
An additional contribution to the Solidarity Fund has been made by the Inspirit Foundation.
Office of the Premier | Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture | 2020PREM0051-00170
Sept. 14, 2020
motion picture fund backs B.C. stories
LANGLEY – B.C. creators and producers will receive help to get projects off the ground, with new government funding targeted for the motion picture industry as it restarts.
“The past few months have shown us how quickly the motion picture industry can change,” said Premier John Horgan. “This new fund will help B.C.’s domestic film industry create new content so it can recover faster and get thousands of skilled workers involved in film and TV production back on set.”
As part of the COVID-19 Action Plan relief funding, the Province is investing $2 million to launch the new Domestic Motion Picture Fund. This is the first dedicated funding since 2003 to support the production phase of content creation in B.C.’s domestic motion picture sector.
B.C. production companies can apply for support to turn their ideas into finished products, such as feature films, TV shows, series, documentaries and animated content. The fund will help local production companies attract investment and leverage federal funding.
The Domestic Motion Picture Fund will support:
development – activities such as research, concept development and scriptwriting; and
production – production costs, such as hiring crew, renting equipment and securing locations.
“We want to see more made-in-B.C. content on our screens,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “This fund will create local jobs, support a more resilient motion picture industry and allow local producers to better compete with national and international productions.”
Creative BC will administer the fund as part of Reel Focus BC, a suite of supports available to the domestic production sector. This is the third new program, after Access 2020 and the Rogers partnership, the provincial government has rolled out as part of Reel Focus BC in less than a year.
Quotes:
Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC –
“We are thrilled that the B.C. government is investing in local producers and production companies, placing them in a more competitive position within the rest of Canada through the Domestic Motion Picture Fund. This program will help our local creators seize the opportunity to supply an increasingly demanding marketplace with made-in-B.C. content.”
Tracey Friesen, managing vice-president, Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA)-BC Branch –
“CMPA-BC Branch applauds the provincial government for seeding this important new production fund within Creative BC. Our talented and resilient producers will once again have local support to better leverage national and international investment.”
Erin Haskett, president and executive producer, Lark Productions –
“With productions steadily getting back to work, the announcement of the new Domestic Motion Picture Fund could not have come at a better time. This type of fund creates opportunities for producers to develop intellectual property, attract and retain talent in B.C., as well as leverage investment from national and international partners for our local productions, where projects like Family Law can become a reality.”
Ashley Ramsay, founder and CEO, Yeti Farm Creative –
“The announcement of the Domestic Motion Picture Fund is a testament to Creative BC’s unwavering commitment to supporting B.C. born-and-bred production. As a regionally based entrepreneur in Kelowna, a fund like this will go a long way to giving B.C. producers across the province a leg up in our efforts to bring our stories to screen.”
From September 24 – October 7th, film lovers province-wide will enjoy over 100 feature films and events showcasing exciting, groundbreaking and provocative cinema and creators from around the globe.
For the first time, audiences across B.C. can watch VIFF curated cinema and viewers around the world can tune into VIFF Talks and Conferences via VIFF’s new online streaming platform, VIFF Connect.
Curated below are the 21 B.C. films selected for this year’s festival.
The DLC will focus on addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion to encourage allyship and enhance business innovation while continuing its efforts in supporting the advancement of women in business.
As part of its initial priorities, the council will hold programs and workshops that help to educate GVBOT members on these issues. It will also offer resources to help businesses improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace, as well as actively championing BIPOC representation on panels at Board events.
In addition, the GVBOT will be hosting seminars for its members called: Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Series. This will be a series of virtual instructor-led training on diversity and inclusion.
DLC 2020-21 Executive Committee include:
Chair, Melissa Polak, Senior Director, Enterprise Risk and Assurance, Aurora
Vice-Chair, Rob Chiarello, Senior Vice President, People & Culture, Pacific Blue Cross
Vice-Chair, Kory Wilson, Executive Director, Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships, BCIT
DLC 2020-21 Advisory Committee Members include:
Wyle Baoween, CEO & Senior Consultant, HRx Technologies
Barinder S. Bhullar, Principal, Mainland Strategies Inc.
Shalyma Cambridge, Associate, The Humphrey Group
Dr. Ainsley Carry, Vice President, Students, UBC
Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC
Raghwa Gopal, CEO, Innovate BC
Jennifer Ingham, Vice President, University Relations, Capilano University
Synthia Kloot, Senior Vice President, Operations, Colliers International
Ruby Ng, Executive Director, Disability Foundation
Gabrielle Price, Senior Advisor, Government Relations, TransLink
Shaheen Rehmat, Manager, Records and Information Management, Technology, BC Hydro
Sandra Suh, Partner, Financial Advisory, Deloitte
Martin Thibodeau, Regional President, BC, RBC Royal Bank
This committee will champion the GVBOT's diversity and inclusion efforts which are outlined in the following statement:
Stronger Together
The GVBOT is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that embraces, encourages, supports and celebrates our employees, volunteers and our board of directors' dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, spiritual beliefs, political beliefs, and other ideologies. Diverse perspectives draw on different concepts, ideas and experience and enriches decision making and our effectiveness.
The health and wellbeing of our organization is our number one priority and we have zero tolerance for discrimination.
Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of our Purpose: To lead, unite and champion business to ensure Greater Vancouver is thriving and our region is the best place to live and work. By embracing, including and celebrating our differences, we are stronger.
We are committed to championing diversity and ensuring inclusion in all that we do to better represent the Greater Vancouver business community.
PIVOT | Passport to Markets: Virtual Edition, Market Expansion Fund, Domestic Industry Initiatives
MUSIC SUPPORT | Amplify BC: Career Development, Music Industry Initiatives, Innovation, First Peoples' Cultural Council, Free 1:1 Grant Coaching
CREATIVE INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES + EVENTS
RECIPIENT ANNOUNCEMENT | Documentary and Factual Development Fund, a partnership between Rogers Group of Funds + Creative BC
FIRST TIME | Join Creative BC for a Film Incentive BC Tax Credit Program Info Session
RELIEF | Emergency funds for the creative industries
MONTHLY ROUNDUP | Events, opportunities, and deadlines by industry: Book + Magazine Publishing, Interactive + Digital Media, Motion Picture, Music + Sound Recording
Catalyze the development of new or existing arts and cultural spaces through acquisition, renovation, or purchase of specialized equipment;
Improve physical, social, and cultural accessibility to arts and cultural spaces
Enhance access to arts and cultural spaces for underserved communities and underrepresented arts and cultural practices; and
Strengthen the capacity of the sector to develop, operate and sustain arts and cultural spaces.
All projects must clearly demonstrate how they benefit arts and cultural practitioners.
There are two project categories:
Capital Improvements
Building-based projects involving the purchase, construction, renovation, or expansion of an arts and/or cultural facility may request assistance from this program up to $75,000.
Specialized Equipment Acquisition
Projects focused solely on the purchase of specialized equipment for long-term use and associated installation expenses may request assistance from this program up to $40,000.
By registering as a digital exhibitor at Frankfurter Buchmesse, you gain access to numerous tools that will give your company enormous reach and maximum visibility.
The digital offer is free of charge for you and your trade and private visitors. Take advantage of the many digital marketing opportunities to present your brand and products worldwide and make important contacts.
These groups include artists and companies from and serving the following groups:
Indigenous
Black
People of Colour
People with Disabilities
LGBTQ2S+
These groups also includes people from underrepresented regions of BC:
Caribou
Kootenay
Nechako
North Coast
Northeast
Thompson / Okanagan
Vancouver Island and Coast (excluding the Capitol Regional District / City of Victoria)
To get the most out of your grant coaching session, please read the guidelines, start writing your grant application, and come with specific questions. Grant coaches are available to walk you through the process, answer questions, and provide feedback on your draft application, budget, project plan and video treatment.
This is part of the $27.8M in funding that was designated for Canada’s audiovisual sector as part of Phase 2 of the COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations by the Government of Canada.
The funding is being made available to applicants who have not previously received COVID-19 Emergency Relief Funds from the CMF Allocation and who meet the eligibility criteria. Eligible Applicants will receive between $5,000 and $100,000, to be determined through a formula-based approach.
The program will open Monday, August 31 and the deadline to apply is Friday, September 25, 2020.
About the Canada Media Fund
The Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters, promotes, develops and finances the production of Canadian content and relevant applications for all audiovisual media platforms. The CMF guides Canadian content towards a competitive global environment through fostering industry innovation, rewarding success, enabling a diversity of voice and promoting access to content through industry and private sector partnerships. To learn more, please visit cmf-fmc.ca.
The federal government is extending the Canada emergency response benefit (CERB) by one more month and revamping the employment insurance program to allow more people to receive financial assistance during COVID-19.
Canadians who were already eligible for EI will transition to that program when CERB winds down, while those who don’t qualify can apply for new “recovery” benefits.
Under the new regime, they can continue to earn money, but will be required to repay 50 cents of every dollar earned above $38,000.
A second new benefit will provide 10 days of paid sick leave to any worker in Canada who falls ill or has to self-isolate due to COVID-19. That will provide $500 a week, and a claimant can’t claim this benefit and another sick leave payment at the same time.
The Market Expansion Fund replaces the Passport to Markets program for book publishers. This program provides financial support for BC book publishers to attend select book fairs, conferences and events for the purpose of promoting their publishing list in both foreign and domestic markets, expanding business opportunities through foreign and subsidiary rights sales and the development of digital marketing materials or campaigns. Companies will be allotted up to $10,000 per fiscal year (April 1–March 31), for activities that meet the standards and program objectives and deemed eligible by Creative BC.
Heidi Waechtler, Executive Director, Association of Book Publishers of BC
"BC publishers are adapting their businesses to the realities of COVID-19: hosting online events, launching digital marketing campaigns, and participating in virtual rights fairs and sales conferences. The new components of this year's Market Expansion Fund will allow publishers the flexibility to pursue areas of opportunity and growth in both the domestic and international markets, and explore new ways to connect with booksellers, librarians, educators, and readers – even if business travel isn't an option for them this year. The ABPBC appreciates the support of the Province through Creative BC for our industry to help them navigate this challenging period."
Applications are currently being accepted, and deadline to apply is September 11, 2020. Applicants will be notified in 4-6 weeks after the deadline has passed, on whether they are successful.
Targeting all industries, there have been recent reports of fraudulent telephone calls that appear to be from the COVID-19 Information Service at 1-833-784-4397. These calls are not placed by the Government of Canada.
The message suggests FALSELY that 14-day self-isolation does not apply to travelers. In fact:
the 14-day quarantine for travelers is definitely in effect for Canada and British Columbia;
self-isolation applies for 14 days when anyone has COVID-19-like symptoms and/or has possibly been exposed to carriers of the virus
Best practice is to err on the side of caution.
Relevant to the phone calls, do not give out personal information if you didn't initiate the call.
The Government of Canada does not use direct email as a primary communication for self-isolation, quarantine or other COVID-19 related protocols and guidelines in regards to entering the country.
Please delete all suspicious emails you may receive in regards to travelling exceptions.
