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Ontario Creates-CMF IDM Futures Forward Program

Ontario Creates-CMF IDM Futures Forward Program

The Ontario Creates-CMF IDM Futures Forward Program is a partnership with Ontario Creates and the Canada Media Fund (CMF) that provides funding for early-stage project-related development.

This program seeks to support companies that often have barriers to accessing project funding and to support the very beginning of a project’s creative process with the objective of giving a project a better chance to succeed in future stages of funding.

An Eligible Applicant to the Program is a for-profit company that:

  • Completed an Ontario Creates Futures Forward Workshop in 2023, OR
  • Is an Ontario Creates IDM Fund-eligible company (see Guidelines) where the majority of owners self-identify as at least one of the following: 
    • Women or non-binary; 
    • 2SLGBTQIA+; 
    • First Nations, Inuit or Métis; 
    • Racialized; 
    • Persons with disabilities; 
    • Francophone.

An Eligible Project must be:

  • A new project that has not received other development funding for the phase of work being proposed
  • Interactive Content or Video Content, delivered on a platform, network, or device capable of interactivity. This may include:
    • Video games
    • Mobile content apps
    • E-learning content
    • XR experiences
    • Digital publishing projects
    • Other web properties
    • Web series
    • Video content for online magazines
    • Video-based e-learning projects

DEADLINE 

December 19, 2023, by 5:00 pm ET

    FUNDING AVAILABLE

    Eligible companies may submit an application to the Program to receive one of a limited number of grants (non-refundable contributions) to assist them with their project development activities.

    • The maximum contribution to a project funded through the Program shall be the lesser of $20,000 or 75% of the project’s eligible costs with (i) 50% of the contribution from the CMF and (ii) 50% from Ontario Creates.
    • This Program has a commitment to provide 1/3 of its budget towards French-language projects and 2/3 of its budget towards projects from companies owned by members of equity-deserving communities.

    GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION FORM

    APPLICATION PROCESS

    • All applications must be submitted via the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal (OAP). Applications submitted by any other method will not be accepted.
    • Applicants are encouraged to start the application process well in advance of the deadline in case technical support is required.
    • Prior to starting an application, your company’s corporate information must be registered with the OAP. If you do not have a user account on OAP, please go to https://apply.ontariocreates.c... and click on “Register”.
    • If your company is registered, the program deadline will appear in your dashboard. To start the application, click on “Start new application” and follow the onscreen directions to access the application form.

    INFORMATION SESSION 

    Applicants are encouraged to attend an information session. Please complete the registration form prior to 5:00 pm on the day prior to the information session.

    Online Information Session #1Thursday November 30, 2023

    2:00 pm ET

    Register Here

    Online Information Session #2Thursday December 7, 2023

    11:00 am ET

    Register Here

    Participants will receive an invitation via email with a link to join the session.

    If you are interested in attending an Ontario Creates Information Session but require it be conducted in French please send a request to idmfund@ontariocreates.ca prior to November 15, 2023, and arrangements will be made to schedule an additional session on an alternate date.

    If you are interested in attending an Ontario Creates Information Session and have accessibility issues that need to be considered, please contact us as below. 

    OC Logo
    Canada Media Fund Logo


    ENQUIRIES 

    Program Coordinator, Industry Development
    idmfund@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.