Summit Push Program
Supports local game studios with international showcases, funding, and training to boost industry visibility.
Overview
The Summit Push Program aims to increase the visibility of local video game companies by showcasing their work at internationally recognized events and providing support to engage their investment targets. The Summit Push Program includes an educational component to prepare participants to showcase at these events through workshops or other activities focusing on exhibitor strategies, presentation skills, and effective networking at industry events.
Edmonton Screen will lead and coordinate showcase opportunities at specified international markets for participants by providing access exhibition space for demos, sponsored events, meetings, and other events or activations benefiting the group. Edmonton Screen will also provide financial support to successful applicants to help alleviate the burden of costs studios face in preparing to attend these events.
Program Objectives
The Summit Push Program looks to increase investment opportunities for studios by providing a platform locally and internationally to showcase investment-ready games to potential funders and publishers.
The program also aims to amplify the international profile of Edmonton’s video game industry by securing recognition on the world stage. We aim to increase the frequency and visibility of local projects within wider global landscape.
Eligibility
Applicants
This program is open to video game studios based in the Edmonton region.
Applicants must have an ownership stake in the project.
Applicants must be in good standing with Edmonton Screen.
Projects
- Projects must be in development and investment-ready
- Projects must have a demo ready and available for submission and showcasing
- Projects that contain propaganda; elements of serious or gratuitous sexual violence or exploitation; obscene, indecent or pornographic content within the meaning of the Criminal Code; or elements which are libelous or in any other way unlawful, are ineligible.
Application Information
- Companies may only submit one project each.
- Companies must have representatives available at all times for all showcasing opportunities. Failure to fully participate may results in reduced funding and future opportunities with Edmonton Screen.
Participant Funding & Benefits
- Participants will recieve educational opportunities through workshops or other activities focusing on exhibitor strategies, presentation skills, and effective networking at industry events.
- Teams will be assessed for their specific needs and training may be targeted to those areas
- Showcasing opportunities at Game Con Canada in Edmonton and gamescom in Cologne, Germany
- $5,000 per studio to assist with costs to make it easier to attend the market
- Program participants will provide mentorship to participants of the Trailhead program (mentors will receive a nominal stipend for their mentorship time)
Application Requirements
Information required for the application form:
- Applicant contact information (name, company, phone, address, etc.)
- Project Information
- Title
- Description (1000 characters max)
- Status (1000 characters max)
- Rating
- Demo Link
- Studio Objectives (2000 characters max)
Assessment
This is a competitive process and the following general criteria will be used to assess funding requests:
- Application quality
- Alignment to program objectives
- Studio Readiness
- Project Readiness
Other criteria may also be considered. Priority will be given to companies and/or projects that have not participated in the program previously.
Process
- All applications will first be reviewed for eligibility.
- Eligible applications will then be assessed based on the criteria above.
- Applicants will be notified within 14 days of a completed application of the status.
Recognition and Reporting
Detailed recognition and reporting requirements can be found in the participant toolkit (https://edmontonscreen.com/programs-initiatives/funding-toolkit/).
Fianl reporting will be due 30 days after the completion of Gamescom and will be indicated in the funding agreement provided.
Applicants with overdue final reporting for this program will not be eligible for future ESIO funding until the reporting is submitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I showcase more than one game?
We ask that you chose one main project to showcase. However, if you have other projects, you are welcome to talk about them and may show them on a one off basis.
I don’t have a demo ready now, but I will in August, can I still apply?
No. In order to ensure that a project meets our eligibility and is at a stage that it is ready to showcase, applications must include a playable demo. Studios are also required to show their demo at Game Con Canada.