Ontario Creates’ new IP (Intellectual Property) Fund will launch in January 2025. The IP Fund is intended to drive economic growth in Ontario’s screen sectors by investing in activities that support the production and exploitation of innovative, high-quality, consumer-focused content. The IP Fund will combine the current Film Fund and Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund – Concept Definition and Production programs into a single, integrated program that supports screen-based content creation by Ontario companies.

Details regarding the new IP Fund will be posted on the IP Fund page.

The Ontario Creates Film Fund is intended to increase the level of domestic feature film production in Ontario. It provides support to Ontario producers for feature film projects with development and production financing.

The Ontario Creates Film Fund supports a range of projects across genres with both industrial and cultural benefits. Ontario Creates measures the results of the Ontario Creates Film Fund primarily based on net benefit from the proposed project to the province which includes but is not limited to return on investment and jobs created in the Ontario film industry.

The Film Fund also provides enhanced support for films with diverse elements. See guidelines for more information.

DEADLINES

CYCLE 1: March 14, 2024 5:00 PM ET

CYCLE 2: July 11, 2024 5:00 PM ET

CYCLE 3: November 14, 2024 5:00 PM ET

A project may be submitted to the Film Fund a maximum of 3 times, after which applications will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. Unsuccessful projects from previous deadlines of the Film Fund may only be resubmitted with the permission of Ontario Creates and must fulfill all deficiencies noted in the previous application.

Funding available

Funding for dramatic features will be capped on a tiered basis according to Ontario spend (labour and non-labour):

• Funding for documentary films at all budget levels is capped at $150,000.
• The Film Fund will continue to be a last-in participant in production financing. In order to be considered by the jury, 70% of production financing must be in place at the time of application. To calculate the 70%, you may exclude your Ontario Creates ask, and any financing under review from other recognized industry funding programs. 
• Film Fund applications must be complete at time of submission in order to move forward to the jury review. Applicants will be offered one opportunity to submit updates via a letter in advance of the jury meeting.
• All financing must be confirmed within four months of the application deadline and in advance of Ontario Creates’ conditional letter of commitment.

NOTE: Full eligibility requirements, including the diversity enhancement, can be found in the Ontario Creates Film Fund Production Guidelines. Please read the guidelines completely before beginning your application. Ontario Creates reserves the right to revise Guidelines and Application Forms. Please ensure that you have the current versions before preparing your documentation.

Application Process

• Applicants must submit their application to Ontario Creates electronically through the Online Application Portal (OAP): https://apply.ontariocreates.ca
• Applicants that do not have a user account on OAP, should go to https://apply.ontariocreates.ca
  and click on “Register”. For assistance, please see Ontario Creates’ website for the “OAP Quick Start Guide”.
• Applications will be reviewed by Ontario Creates for completeness, eligibility and financial viability.
• Applications that pass this initial review will be assessed by an industry jury and Ontario Creates for final funding recommendations.
• Decisions are expected to be announced in June 2024 for Cycle 1, October 2024 for Cycle 2 and February 2025 for Cycle 3. Successful applicants must enter into a funding commitment agreement with Ontario Creates within one month of notification.
• Ontario Creates reserves the right to withdraw its funding commitment should project financing not be complete within the negotiated time frame, the project no longer meets one or more of the funds eligibility requirements or the project changes significantly from time of initial commitment.
• Applications must be received at Ontario Creates offices electronically via the OAP system no later than 5:00 PM, ET on the date of the deadlines.
• Applications that are received after the deadline will not be considered.
• It is imperative that applications include all the required materials listed on the application form.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Applications for the diversity enhancement must complete and submit a Diversity Enhancement Addendum, available below. The addendum must be provided as part of the film fund application at the time of submission. Addendums will not be accepted after an application has been submitted.

If you have questions or would like more information on the Film Fund 2024-25 program, please sign up for an information session below.

INFORMATION SESSIONS

Recording of Information Session held in October 2024.

Webinar - Registration Required

Virtual Office Hour - Registration Required

Attending an Information Session is not a substitute for reading the guidelines.

• Application Form/Online Application Portal

Enquiries:

Program Coordinator, Industry Development
Phone: 416-642-6695
programs@ontariocreates.ca

Enquiries regarding the Online Application Portal (OAP) should be directed to applyhelp@ontariocreates.ca.

To receive notification of upcoming deadlines and program updates, please register here with your complete contact information, including your full name, company name and telephone number, as well as the name of the program that you are interested in.