Bell Fund Announces New Low Budget Digital Media Production Pilot Program

The Bell Fund has created a special program for interactive digital media projects with budgets that do not exceed $100,000. Grants will be awarded for up to 75% of the budget, to a maximum of $75,000 per project. Eligible projects must be associated with a licensed Canadian television program. Deadline for application to this Pilot Program is October 1, 2009.

A recent survey of broadcasters and television and new media producers indicated a common theme: less is sometimes more when it comes to interactive content associated with television programs. “Some of the most successful, revenue-generating digital properties today are produced on small budgets in tight timeframes,” said FanTrust President Catherine Warren, a longstanding member of the Bell Fund Board and Communications Chair. “This special funding program comes at a critical time in the industry when nimble and simple are the new keys to interactive prosperity.”

The average budget for Bell Fund interactive projects has been approximately $400,000. This new pilot program will encourage the production of relevant, high quality, modestly budgeted interactive projects and determine the longer-term feasibility of the program. It may also help develop viable business models with content that is more accessible to international markets – a lesson learned from the Bell Fund bliki “How to make money with multi-platform digital media”.

Read the full Bell Fund press release.