TORONTO – Rogers Media and The Alberta Media Production Industries Association (AMPIA) have partnered to create a development initiative that benefits local production communities.
The Rogers Development Fund, a revolving loan program, provides funding to support the independent producers of Alberta and Manitoba in the creation of new and innovative projects in the mediums of television, film, and digital.
The program is available to individual Canadian producers or production companies who have been residents of either province for at least one year. The fund will begin accepting loan applications on February 15, 2013; interested producers can visit the Rogers submission website for additional program and application details.
“The Rogers Development Fund offers emerging and experienced producers the opportunity to add their creative voices to the Canadian media landscape,” said Claire Freeland, Director of Original Programming, Broadcast, Rogers Media. “Rogers is committed to the development of new and innovative ideas from Canadian content creators, and we are thrilled to help foster the next generation of Canadian producers."
“We are very pleased to be working with Rogers Media on this exciting new program,” said Bill Evans, Executive Director, Alberta Media Production Industries Association. “This partnership will help us deliver more opportunities to create original content in provinces of Alberta and Manitoba and undoubtedly create new opportunities for production in these communities.”
The Rogers Development Fund will be governed by a committee of Canadian media industry leaders who will determine the successful applicants. The fund’s committee will be chaired by Claire Freeland, and include committee members Devan Towers (Partner, Taylor McCaffrey LLP), Colin Minor (Independent writer and editor), and Neil Campbell (Partner and COO of Landmark Cinemas of Canada Inc.) Each eligible company or individual that receives financing shall be selected by the committee upon review of a proposal, budget, and financing plan.
Rogers Media is currently in production with local production teams on two new original situation comedies, Seed (Halifax) and Package Deal (Vancouver). Both comedies are slated to broadcast this mid-season Rogers Media owned network, Citytv.
