CBC on Monday announced it will create two new documentary funds and is boosting support for filmmakers creating projects for the public broadcaster’s Absolutely Canadian documentary series.
The announcement, made at the Banff World Media Festival, follows CBC’s recently announced $7-million increase in its investment in documentaries.
The new CBC Creator Catalyst Fund will support new projects from emerging CBC Creator Network producers across Canada. The fund “aims to advance their career development and create a path for them to continue working with CBC, allowing for future growth and collaboration,” CBC said in a press release.
The new CBC Co-Production Fund is a dedicated allocation for CBC’s The Passionate Eye and feature documentaries to support established filmmakers in international co-productions, “reinforcing CBC’s commitment to ambitious and strategic partnerships,” CBC said.
In addition, increased investment in the CBC Local Production Development Fund will expand the creation of projects in regions across Canada for CBC’s ongoing Absolutely Canadian series. This new investment “will support new voices and mid-career filmmakers in bringing their unique perspectives to screens from coast to coast to coast,” CBC added.
More details on the funds will be available this fall on the CBC Independent Producers site.
As previously announced, CBC is launching a new free ad-supported streaming (FAST) channel dedicated to documentary programming as a replacement for its Documentary Channel linear specialty service, which is ending broadcast on Aug. 31. The new CBC Docs channel will launch Sept. 1 on CBC Gem and the CBC Docs YouTube channel. CBC said in Monday’s announcement the new FAST channel will expand audiences for CBC’s extensive documentary slate by offering free 24/7 access.
