Further Down the Rabbit Hole: Investigating Alternative Financing in Canada

See past the hype and learn the reality of alternative financing in Canada

Alternative financing appears to be a panacea to the documentary community’s financing woes, but is it real or just a wonderland?  Does it work in a Canadian context? At this conference, Canadian filmmakers discussed their forrays into alternative financing. Broadcasters and tax credit experts weighed in on its impact to traditional financing. And members from the charitable sector discussed the possibility of “fiscal sponsorship” and foundation funding in Canada. 

Event participants:

• Gained a better understanding of the alternative financing options available in Canada
• Gained insight and knowledge in order to assess whether alternative financing is the right fit for their next documentary project
• Learned about the hidden costs and logistical requirements of alternative financing models
• Discovered how alternative financing impacts the traditional film and television financing environment

Are these new financing models just a fad or are they about to transform documentary production in Canada?

Non-members $35

DOC members free

Lunch included

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SCHEDULE

9:30 – 10:00

Registration and Sign-in

10:00 am

Introductory Remarks

Lisa Fitzgibbons, Executive Director of the Documentary Organization of Canada, provides an overview of the conference, and a brief introduction to its purpose.

10:00 - 11:30 am

Panel 1: Crowd funding

The creative minds behind Defector, Within Every Woman,Leone Stars and The Jungle Prescription discuss the benefits and downsides of crowdfunding campaigns. Learn what crowdfunding entails, and gain insights on strategies to make your project resonate with the crowds.

Moderator: TBC

Ann Shin, The Defector, Producer, Fathom Film Group

Tiffany Hsiung, Within Every Woman, Director, Gold Nugget Productions

Allan Tong, Leone Stars, co-director/writer

Robin McKenna, The Jungle Prescription, producer/associate-director

11:30 - 11:45 am

Presentation: Doc Ignite

Elizabeth Radshaw, Director, Hot Docs Forum

11:45 - 1:00

Lunch

1:00 - 2:00 pm

Panel 2: Reality Check

So you’ve successfully raised funding from alternative sources for your doc, and it’s time to submit your financials to other contributors. How do these new sources impact your existing relationships with broadcasters? And what will the CRA make of your financing model?

Moderator: Cameron McMaster

Jennifer Blitz, Director, Tax Credits & Financing, OMDC

Cheryl Grossman, CBC Television, Business & Rights Manager

Chanda Chevannes, Producer/Director, The People’s Picture Company

Lisa Valencia-Svensson, Producer, Storyline Entertainment

2:00 - 2:15 pm

Break

2:15 - 3:45 pm

Panel 3: Fiscal Sponsorship? No. Foundation Funding!

Non-governmental organizations and documentarians seem like a match made in heaven. Unfortunately, the logistics and legalities of these relationships are less rosy. Experts from the charitable sector discuss the possibility and the feasibility of these partnerships.

Moderator: Juan Baquero

Cathy Barr, Senior Vice-President, Imagine Canada

Mark Blumberg, Blumberg Segal LLP

Jillian Witt, Senior Project Specialist, Tides Canada Initiatives

Stuart Clarfield, Executive Producer, The Mission Media Company

This event was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council