In spring 2025, the ESIO will lead a group of established Edmonton area film and television production companies to Los Angeles. The companies selected and ESIO will work together in advance with a market expert consultant. The consultant will work to provide meetings over a three-day period to pitch projects to a variety of industry decision-makers (such as casting directors, investors, distributors) based on each company’s projects and specific goals. Companies are encouraged to send two people to attend meetings.

Applicants may receive a grant of up to $10,000 to assist with travel and pitch materials.

In addition, the ESIO will contract a third party to facilitate a schedule of meetings for each participant.

Eligibility

Funding is available to companies with a principal office in the Edmonton metro region that have been resident and operational for a minimum of one year and have previously produced feature length projects or have a project greenlit which is eligible under this program.

Applicants must be in good standing with the ESIO and the City of Edmonton.


Exceptions may be considered, please contact [email protected] to discuss prior to completing the application.

ELIGIBLE

  • Applicants must have an ownership stake in the project(s).
  • Project(s) must be ready to pitch.
  • Eligible project types include feature length films (dramatic and documentary) and television series (scripted and unscripted) with budgets over $300,000.

Ineligible

  • Projects that are primarily propaganda (false, exaggerated, or distorted ideas, visual material and statements typically used for a political purpose)
  • Projects that promote cruelty, sexual violence or sexual exploitation
  • Projects which contain elements that are pornographic, obscene, indecent or contain child pornography or are considered hate speech within the meaning of the Criminal Code of Canada
  • Projects that are libelous or in any way unlawful

ELIGIBLE

  • 75% of air transportation and ground transportation in Edmonton
  • 100% of accommodation and ground transportation in LA
  • Per diems of $60 USD per day per attendee
  • 100% of pitch material costs
  • Only arms-length, third-party costs are eligible

INELIGIBLE

  • Costs related to personal vehicle use (except mileage)
  • Fines, penalties, and contingency costs
  • Deposits on goods and services
  • Alcohol, controlled substances, illegal products, or activities
  • Prepaid cards
  • Portion of GST recoverable from the Canada Revenue Agency
  • Costs incurred prior to grant approval

Application Information

Application Requirements

Information required for the application form:

  • Company Information (name, address, website)
  • Company impact (1500 characters max) – a description of the potential impact of participation in the program on the company
  • Participant information (name, phone, email, IMDB)
  • Project(s) Information
    • Title
    • Synopsis (1000 characters max)
    • Type
    • Status of project
    • Budget 
    • Local Impact (1000 characters max) – A summary of the impact of the projects on the the regional economy and the local film/tv ecosystem including the Edmonton spend
    • Desired outcomes of mission (500 max)
  • Additional information (1000 characters max)

This is a competitive process and the following general criteria will be used to assess applications:

  • Alignment to ESIO objectives
  • Application quality
  • Company track record
  • Impact on applicant
  • Impact on local economy/ecosystem
  • Having multiple projects is a positive consideration

Other criteria may also be considered.

Process

  • All applications will first be reviewed for eligibility.
  • Eligible applications will then be assessed based on the criteria above.
  • Funding decisions will be made based on the available funding.
  • Approval of funding will be made to selected applications and applicants will be notified of decisions.
  • ESIO will coordinate meetings with applicants and the consultant to begin assessing needs and outcomes.

If you have any questions or concerns about the program, eligibility, or the application process, please contact [email protected]. 

READY TO APPLY?

Application Deadline: November 28, 2024, 4:00 PM (MT)