$800,000 in funding to be delivered over two years
VANCOUVER — The Rogers Group of Funds and Creative BC are partnering to provide $800,000 in new funding support for British Columbia producers of documentaries and factual series, the two organizations announced Monday.
The new Rogers + Creative BC Documentary and Factual Development Fund will launch in January 2020 and will deliver the $800,000 in funding over two years. According to a Rogers news release, this new fund represents the first time Rogers Group of Funds has partnered at the provincial level with another funding entity, with each partner contributing $400,000 to the fund.
Rogers said the fund will be a cornerstone in Creative BC’s Reel Focus BC Program, which pursues and integrates all existing, new and evolving funds, partnerships and investments that focus on the development and production phases of original motion picture content creation by B.C.-based companies.
The Rogers + Creative BC Documentary and Factual Development Fund will support individual documentary and factual projects, before being greenlit by the market, during early-stage development only. This fund increases the Rogers Group of Funds investment in British Columbia, and will help filmmakers from equity-seeking groups in the province to increase capacity and diversify storytelling, Rogers said.
Furthermore, the fund provides a unique opportunity to partner with the Knowledge Network, B.C.’s public broadcaster, and the National Film Board – Pacific Region on initiatives to support the documentary and factual filmmaking community in B.C., Rogers said.
“Rogers Group of Funds is truly proud to establish this partnership with Creative BC and deliver new and committed support that will grow British Columbia’s documentary and factual production companies. With this focused two-year investment, we want to ensure B.C.’s diverse voices are heard and included as contributors to the ever-expanding perspectives reflected in Canada’s culture of storytelling,” said Robin Mirsky, executive director of the Rogers Group of Funds, in the news release.
Prem Gill, CEO of Creative BC, added: “The Rogers + Creative BC Documentary and Factual Development Fund partnership reflects the reputation for excellence in documentary and factual content production that B.C. producers possess. It signifies the alignment of Rogers Group of Funds and Creative BC’s intentions to recognize and invest in this province’s capacity — support with which B.C. creators will seize increasing opportunity due to high demand and growing channels of delivery for these types of creative content.”
More information about the fund, including guidelines and detailed application criteria, is expected to be posted on the Creative BC website by December.
